THE ARMY 
OF THE UNITED STATES 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
OF STAFF AND LINE 
WITH PORTRAITS OF 
GENERALS-IN-CHIEF 
EDITED BY 
THEO. F. RODENBOUGFT 
BVT. BRIGADIER GENERAL U. S. A. 
AND 
WILLIAM L. HASKIN 
MAJOR FIRST ARTILLERY 
NEW YORK 
MAYNARD, MERRILL, & CO. 
1896 Copyright, 1896, 
BY 
MAYNARD, MERRILL, & CO. [Note.—General Orders, No. 197, is the last of the series for 1904.] 
General Orders, 
No. 1. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Washington, January 1905. 
1. In every staff corps and department, regiment, battalion 
not forming part of a regiment, and independent troop, bat- 
tery, or company, will be kept a detailed history of the services 
of the organization. This history will, at all times, be kept as 
nearly up to date as possible. 
The chief or commanding officer of the organization will 
cause the history to be prepared under his immediate super- 
vision. The historical record thus kept should contain in- 
formation concerning the original formation, recruitment, 
changes in organization, increase and decrease in strength, 
stations of the organization or parts thereof, arrival at and 
departure therefrom, marches, campaigns, battles, etc. 
It should give the names of officers and men killed and 
wounded in action, or who may have specially distinguished 
themselves, with rewards and decorations received. 
It should contain as appendices such rosters of officers and 
noncommissioned officers as may be prepared from time to 
time. 
Before books and papers are destroyed under paragraphs 249 
and 272, Army Regulations, they should be carefully examined 
to see that everything of historical value therein has been 
embodied in the history of the organization. 
2. As soon as possible after the end of each calendar year 
?hief or commanding officer of every organization required 
to Keep a history under this order will forward to The Mili- 
tary Secretary of the Army a copy of so much thereof as re- 
lates to the past calendar year. 
3. The initial installment of this history to be forwarded to 
The Military Secretary will cover not only the calendar year 
1904 but such periods as, with the histories heretofore pub- 
lished in the Journal of the Military Service Institution, and 
later in a book entitled “The Army of the United States,” and 
with such sketches as have been heretofore furnished the War 
Department, will form a complete narrative history of the 
organization from its formation to the end of 1904. [953158, 
M. s. O.] 
By order of the Secretary of War: 
ADNA R. CHAFFEE, 
Lieutenant General, Chief of Staff. 
Official: 
F. C. AINSWORTH, 
The Military Secretary. Lieutenant-General 
GEORGE WASHINGTON 
Commanding the Army, 1798-1799. INTRODUCTION. 
TT is with pleasure that I avail myself of an opportunity to 
commend this effort of the Military Service Institution to 
provide an authentic and condensed account of the services of 
the Army, from the creation of our military establishment to 
the present day. Each staff-corps and regiment of the line 
has here its chosen historian and its modest memoir replete 
with biographical as well as historical data. Its form gives it 
a unique character of special value as a work of reference. It 
represents the completion of a series of historical sketches which 
have appeared from time to time during the last few years in 
the Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United 
States, and comprises an amount of gratuitous labor by con- 
tributors and of public spirit on the part of the publishers that 
merits public acknowledgment. I have no hesitation in saying 
that it deserves a place in every public library, and is worthy 
of preservation by all collectors of military works. 
NELSON A. MILES, 
Major-General 
Commanding the Army. 
Headquarters of the Army, 
Washington, D. C., Nov. 15, 1895. CONTENTS. 
Introduction Maj.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles iii 
Esprit de Corps Capt. Charles King ix 
PAGE 
STAFF CORPS AND DEPARTMENTS. 
Adjutant General’s Department Gen. J. B. Fry 1 
Inspector General’s Department Major J. P. Sanger 12 
Judge Advocate General’s Department. .Col. J. W. Clous 33 
Quartermaster’s Department Capt. O. F. Long 38 
Subsistence Department Gen. J. \V. Barriger 67 
Medical Department Major Chas. Smart , 83 
Pay Department Col. A. B. Carey 100 
Corps of Engineers Gen. H. L. Abbot 111 
Ordnance Department Major C. E. Dutton 126 
Signal Corps Capt. Wm. A. Glassford 136 
THE LINE. 
First Regiment of Cavalry Capt. R. P. P. Wainwright 153 
Second Regiment of Cavalry Major A. F. Bates and Capt E. J. 
McClernand 173 
Third Regiment of Cavalry Capt. Chas. Morton 193 
Fourth Regiment of Cavalry Gen. T. F. Rodenbough 211 
Fifth Regiment of Cavalry Capt. Eben Swift 221 
Sixth Regiment of Cavalry Capt. Wm. H. Carter 232 
Seventh Regiment of Cavalry ... .Major E. A. Garlington 251 
Eighth Regiment of Cavalry Capt. C. M. O’Connor 268 
Ninth Regiment of Cavalry Lieut. Grote Hutcheson 280 
Tenth Regiment of Cavalry Capt. John Bigelow, Jr 288 
First Regiment of Artillery Major W. L. Haskin 301 
Second Regiment of Artillery Lieut. W. A. Simpson 312 VI 
CONTENTS. 
Third Regiment of Artillery Lieut. W. F. Birkhimer 328 
Fourth Regiment of Artillery Lieut. A. B. Dyer 351 
Fifth Regiment of Artillery Lieut J. C. Bush 376 
PAGE 
First Regiment of Infantry Military Service Institution 401 
Second Regiment of Infantry Lieut. W. M. Wright 414 
Third Regiment of Infantry .Lieut. J. H. McRae 432 
Fourth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. J. A. Leyden 452 
Fifth Regiment of Infantry Military Service Institution 466 
Sixth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. Chas. Bjune 480 
Seventh Regiment of Infantry.. Lieut A. B. Johnson 498 
Eighth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. R. H. Wilson 511 
Ninth Regiment of Infantry Capt. E. B. Robertson 526 
Tenth Regiment of Infantry Capt. S. Y. Seyburn 531 
Eleventh Regiment of Infantry Major J. H. Patterson and Capt. R. 
J. C. Irvine 545 
Twelfth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. Chas. W. Abbott, Jr 555 
Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. J. B. Goe 575 
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry Col. T. M. Anderson 5S6 
Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry Capt. H. R. Brinkerhoff 610 
Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry Capt. W. V. Richards 629 
Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry Capt. Chas. St. J. Chubb 634 
Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry Lieut. C. H. Cabaniss, Jr 643 
Nineteenth Regiment of Infantry Capt. C. C. Hewitt 657 
Twentieth Regiment of Infantry Capt.. J. N. Coe 666 
Twenty-First Regiment of Infantrj-. .. .Capt. Fred. H. E. Ebstein 673 
Twenty-Second Regiment of Infantry. .Capt. O. M. Smith 6S0 
Twenty-Third Regiment of Infantry. . .Lieut. J. K. Thompson 692 
Twenty-Fourth Regiment of Infantry. .Capt. H. W. Hovev 695 
Twenty-Fifth Regiment of Infantry... .Capt. George Andrews 697 
APPENDIX. 
I. Circular of the Publication Committee 703 
II. Extract from the Minutes of the Publication Committee 704 
III. The First Infantry 704 
IV. The Seventh Infantry 704 
V. The Fourteenth Infantry 705 
VI. Dates of Important Campaigns, etc 706 
VII. Table of Losses of Regular Regiments during 1861-65 709 PORTRAITS. 
GENERAL OFFICERS COMMANDING THE ARMY. 
FACE PAGE 
Josiah Harmar, Brevet Brigadier-General . . 1789-91 “ ix 
Arthur St. Clair, Major-General 1791-92 “ 33 
Anthony Wayne, Major-General 1792-96 “ 83 
1796-98 “ 
1800-12 “ 
James Wilkinson, Brigadier-General . . 
George Washington, Lieut.-General .... 1798-99 “ title 
Alexander Hamilton, Major-General .... 1799-1800 “ 153 
Henry Dearborn, Major-General 1812-15 “ 193 
Jacob Brown, Major-General ...... 1821-28 “ 251 
Alexander Macomb, Major-General .... 1828—±1 “ 301 
Winfield Scott, Major-General ...... 1841-61 “ 351 
George Brinton McClellan, Major-General. . 1862-62 “ 401 
Henry Wager Halleck, Major-General . . . 1862-64 “ 452 
Ulysses Simpson Grant, General 1864-69 “ 511 
William Tecumseh Sherman, General . . . 1869-83 “ 545 
Philip Henry Sheridan, General 1883-88 “ 575 
John McAllister Schofield, Lieut.-General . 1888-95 “ 629 
Nelson Appleton Miles, Major-General . . . 1895 “ 657 Brevet Brigadier-General 
JOSIAH HARMAR 
Commanding the Army, 1789-1791. ESPRIT DE CORPS. 
Captain CHARLES KING, United States Army. 
WHAT a cry went up in the British army when the fiat went forth 
a few years since, depriving those proud old regiments of the 
line of the designations they had borne for twice a century ! 
With what sorrow were the old colors, with their blazoned num- 
bers sent back to “ Horse Guards ” and with what wild wonderment were the 
new received ! How strange it seems to those who have read and revelled 
in the history and traditions of that most gallant, if often most misled of 
armies, to see no more in print of the doings of the 55th, the 88th—dashing 
old “ Faugh a Ballaghs ”; the 28th, they of the Square at Quatre Bras and 
Waterloo; the 1st, the 44th, the 9th, 21st and 47th, all old and war-tried 
foot regiments—and then the Highlanders—the 42d, the blessed old 93d— 
Colin Campbell’s pets, he who never addressed them except by their nu- 
merical designation! Where are all the old numbers now ? Gone to be 
replaced by such clumsy appellations as the South Staffordshire Light In- 
fantry, the Northumberland Fusiliers, the West Middlesex Sharpshooters, 
and the “ Horse Guards ” only knows what all. 
Of course, we know that many a “ corps ” that bore aloft its number on 
its colors, had none the less some pet name in which it took pride—notably 
the Highlanders—and by the same token were there not others like the 
50th that struggled under sobriquets most undeserved ? But the 88th were 
“The Connaught Rangers,” the 25th “The Kings Own Borderers,” the 
42d the famous “ Black Watch ” ; and then we had the “ Royal Scots,” the 
“Cameron Highlanders,” the “Sutherland Highlanders,” the “ Buffs,” and 
so on ad infinitutn, almost, but one must draw the line with the limits of 
the army. How those fellows must have felt when their old names and 
numbers were stripped at the whim of a new War Ministry ! Is there any 
one in our service competent to say ? 
Of course, with their cavalry, it was different. To be sure, some of the 
merry old Light Dragoon regiments of the Peninsula and Charley O’Malley 
days had been transmogrified into hussars, or lancers, but the change was not 
great. Think of the glorious trio that made up Ponsonby’s Heavy Brigade 
at Waterloo and then, under gallant Scarlett, whipped ten times their weight 
at Balaklava—“The Union Brigade” where the rose, the shamrock and 
thistle charged side by side. The Royals of England, the Inniskillens of 
Ireland and the Scots’ Greys whose “ terrible grey horses” made Napoleon 
wince at Waterloo. What soldier would not glory in pointing to the num- 
ber of his regiment of Heavies, and saying I am of the “ K. D. G’s.”—or the 
Royals—or the Scots’ Greys ! 
Then take the beautiful Light Brigade, they whom Lucan launched and 
Cardigan led to their fruitless sacrifice. The world never saw jauntier 
ix X 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
horsemen than those fellows of the 8th or nth Hussars, or the 17th Lancers 
—the “ Death or Glories ” whose snow-white plastrons have gleamed all 
over the globe. They at any rate preserve their numbers and the concom- 
itant “ honors.” So, too, in the French—so, too, in the German service. 
“ These legends and traditions ” attached to regiments that have won a 
name are handed down from generation to generation, and every youngster 
joining has to study them up and pass his “ quizzing ” on any and all ma- 
terial points, or he is no true soldier. Is it not the custom in the Prussian 
service for one regiment at least—the 1st Guard Fusiliers—to turn out on 
State occasions in the towering, stately, visorless, high pointed and ornate 
head-dress—resembling more the mitre of a bishop of the Greek Church 
than any martial top piece—that was worn by this regiment in the days of 
Frederick the Great, and doubtless introduced among his impressed Pots- 
dammers by his royal father? Do they not even now, when on review, 
march past with the utterly absurd goose-step required of them in 1750? 
“It keeps up the regimental tradition.” That is ail it is for, say they. But 
looking about us, it strikes the writer that it is a great deal—a very great 
deal. 
What have we in the service of the United States to foster Esprit de 
Corps?—to preserve regimental tradition ? 
No distinctive uniform, of course; no “ from-time-immemorial-head- 
gear ” like the Scots’ Greys or the Coldstreams. No peculiar facings that 
tell the looker on “ Ah ! there goes the —th. They’re the fellows that held 
the ‘ Molino,’ ” or “ Look there ! That means he belongs to the Seventh. 
They lost half their number in one Indian fight years ago.” We have few 
banners, colors or standards to speak of. Old England brings (she says 
“ fetches ”) hers reverently home and places them with pomp and prayer 
and ceremony and presented arms and uncovered heads, high on the inner 
walls of her grand old churches. We, when ours become downright shabby, 
get a new set, after six months’ correspondence and the Lord only knows 
how many endorsements ; but what becomes of the old ones—who can 
say ? 
After all who seems to care much, anyhow ? About the only time we 
ever saw them was when we went to call on Mrs. Colonel and noted them 
still eking out the feeble frontier ornamentation of the rather cheerless 
room. They looked a little more in need of dusting, perhaps, but did we 
ever see them brought forth under escort of “ such a company ’ and re- 
ceived with wholesale honors? Did we really have a color-bearer selected, 
with his corporals, “ from those most distinguished for bravery, and for pre- 
cision under arms and in marching ” ?—And did they have any distinctive 
badge ? Well—in a few regiments—with “ live ” colonels, yes ; but in most 
cases, I fear me, no. 
But we have some regiments, Laus Deo ! in which tradition and legend 
and fellowship seem to go hand in hand. I love to get a letter from a Sec- 
ond Cavalryman and see its soldier crest and the motto “ Toujours Pret ” 
on the envelope. It has its proud story written out in full, and Roden- 
bough and his comrades have told its glorious past. The divided days of 
the Seventh are gone forever, please God, and a splendid regiment, one in ESPRIT DE CORPS. 
xi 
pride and purpose, has sprung from the thrilling episodes of its early his- 
tory. Yet who is to gather and edit those scattered records of savage fight, 
cruel suffering and final triumph. Price, long before they laid him in his 
grave, put his shoulder to the wheel (and his hand in his pocket) and gave 
us a compilation of the regimental returns of the Fifth (Cavalry). Wilhelm 
has done the same for the gallant old Eighth Infantry. Powell told the 
story of his old love—the Fourth—before promotion took him from it; and 
even one of those “aggregations of batteries,” the First Artillery, has found 
its Boswell in Major Haskin. 
None the less, regimental histories are few and far between. Young 
officers entering the service to-day, look in vain in the dusty shelves of the 
regimental library, for some book or pamphlet which will give them an ink- 
ling of the past service of the command with which their lot is to be cast 
until they have doubled the years of the life now so full of enthusiasm. 
Finding nothing, they apply to some graybeard among the field officers or 
captains. “ Tell me something of the service of the Steenth. Where was it 
during the war? ” And in nine cases out of ten he will come away disap- 
pointed. “ I don’t know.” “ I wasn’t with it during the war. The ‘ nth ’ 
was my regiment then.” Or, “ I was commanding a brigade of volunteers. 
I don’t know who can tell you, unless you ask old Spigots, yonder. Seems 
to me he was Regimental Quartermaster in those days.” 
There is many a reason why our officers have not been to blame in this 
matter. The reorganization of ’71 resulted in such a shaking up and re- 
shaking that, as one gallant soldier of the “ old Army ” remarked in answer 
to a query : “ What regiment do I belong to ? Well, I have been borne on 
the rolls of four different ones in the last sixty days, and I’m d d if I 
know which to report to.” 
The policy adopted by the Government in stationing its troops on the 
great frontier for years, after the Civil War, is another. Regiments were 
broken up and scattered broadcast over an entire department, merged with 
troops of other commands; placed under the orders of field officers of 
totally different organizations, and such a thing as esprit de corps knocked 
higher than any kite the famous Gilderoy ever dreamed of. In one four- 
company post has it not happened that no two of the companies (including 
cavalry troops) belonged to the same regiment ? Other reasons—indiffer- 
ence due to long years of knockabout service on part of the seniors and 
sarcastic rebuffs at the expense of the juniors ; the transfer on promotion of 
field officers to regiments, in which they found themselves as much at home 
as a cat in a strange garret; the absence of any distinctive regimental 
march to be played by the band when half a dozen companies got together 
on some surprising occasion. All these and others have tended to stifle 
the growth of the precious vine that thrives with such vigor in the heart of 
every English or German regiment and, twining its tendrils about every in- 
dividual in the corps, holds them together in bonds indissoluble. 
But, things are changing. With every day regiments are brought more 
and more into garrisons by themselves. Wondrous to tell there are posts 
where all the ten companies bear the same number over the crossed rifles 
on their forage caps and where the colors are actually saluted. By regi- xii 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY 
mental order the Third Infantry never marches in review except to the 
stirring “ six-eight ” swing of the “ Rifle Regiment,” composed and dedi- 
cated to them by Sousa. The Seventh Cavalry never parades without 
“ Comanche ” draped in mourning, and—mirabile dictu, the forage “ ex- 
pended ” in feeding the gallant old steed, who has never done a stroke of 
work nor carried a rider since ’76, has not been stopped against somebody 
by a government hitherto as unalterably opposed to sentiment as Grad- 
grind himself. It makes one think of Andrew Jackson’s response to the 
would-be defamers of heroic old Captain C . “ Gets drunk every day of 
his life, does he ? Well, so he shall, if it’s any comfort to him and, by the 
Eternal, the United States shall pay for his whiskey.” 
The old Fifth—the banner infantry regiment in the days when Billy 
Chapman, “ Beau ” Neill and R. B, Marcy were among its model captains, 
and best known since as “ Miles’ Mounted Infantry” in the tough Indian 
campaigns of the seventies, has never lost the touch of the elbow that 
seemed so utterly lacking in the regiments raised in ’61 and then split up 
like so much kindling wood in ’66. So, too, “ The Fourth that fought at 
Tippecanoe ” and the old Sixth. Matters indeed have changed, for at last 
comes a formulated scheme to foster, promote and preserve the regimental 
feeling that for years at least was a minus quantity. 
If ever a scheme was started by the Military Service Institution of the 
United States that should command the respect and cooperation of every 
officer who has a pride in his corps and regiment, it is that embodied in 
General Abbot’s circular of Nov. 10th. The idea of having printed in suc- 
cessive numbers of the Journal, historical sketches of each regiment in the 
service, and of the Staff corps that have been so essential to the army in 
peace or war, is simply an inspiration. Staff Corps and Departments THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT 
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES B. FRY, 
U. S. Army. 
ON the 15th of June 1775, George Washington was elected General and 
Commander-in-chief. It was resolved (by the Continental Con- 
gress, June 16th) “ that there be appointed for the American Army 
two (2) major-generals, with pay $166 per month, eight (8) briga- 
dier-generals and one (1) adjutant-general, with pay $125 per month." 
Horatio Gates, Esq., (of Virginia, late major, British army) was chosen 
adjutant-general June 17th, and it was resolved “that he shall have the 
rank of brigadier-general.” His commission was signed by President Han- 
cock, on the 19th of June. 
On July 17, 1775, Congress resolved “that the convention at New 
York be desired to recommend to General Schuyler a proper person for a 
deputy adjutant-general or brigade major for the Army in the New York 
department.” Subsequently, on September the 14th, Congress resolved 
“ that Edward Flemming, Esq., be appointed deputy adjutant-general for 
the Army in New York or Northern department, with the rank of colonel, 
and that the President make out a commission for him accordingly, and 
forward the same the first opportunity.” On November 8th, Congress ap- 
proved General Schuyler’s appointment of Captain David Dimon to be 
brigade major and ordered him a commission accordingly. Meanwhile the 
major-generals, on assuming command in separate departments, and the 
division commanders in the “ Continental ” Army before Boston, had, from 
the necessity of the case, to designate suitable persons to perform the func- 
tions of deputy adjutant-general or brigade major. By resolution of July 
19th, Congress provided that “ it be left to General Washington, if he 
thinks fit, to appoint three (3) brigade majors, and commission them 
accordingly.” 
The pressure of events, during this year, made it necessary to recognize 
in the continental or “ regular ” establishment such officers as had been 
raised with the troops in the several colonies by the provincial conventions, 
or councils of safety, for limited periods. These resolutions were of similar 
tenor to the resolutions of November 4th, which directed “the President to 
sign blank commissions, and that the conventions, or, in their recess, the 
councils of safety for South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, fill them up 
with the names of such officers as they may think proper, and return a list 
thereof to the Congress.” The adjutant-general and deputy adjutants-gen- 
eral were commissioned to those offices, respectively, as well as many of 
the earlier appointments of brigade majors. The office of brigade major 
had come into existence early in the history of the constitutional British 2 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
army. The officer filling it was detailed from the officers of the line, re- 
ceiving, usually, increased pay and allowances. His functions were similar 
to those of the acting assistant adjutant-general of the present day. The 
Army had but one adjutant-general who was at general headquarters. 
Deputy adjutants-general performed like services at subordinate army 
headquarters, and corps and wing headquarters. On the 30th of March, 
1776, Congress resolved “that each brigadier-general when on command be 
empowered to appoint a brigade major.” It was resolved, June 17th, that 
“ General Washington be directed to send General Gates to Canada, and, 
on September 16th, that “the appointment of all officers, and filling up of 
all vacancies (excepting general officers) be left to the Government of the 
several States, * * * that all officers be commissioned by Congress. 
On the 5th of June, Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Reed, of Pennsylvania, aide- 
de-camp to the General-in-chief, was elected adjutant-general. Reed ap- 
pears to have resigned about January 22, 1777, and Brigadier-General 
Arthur St. Clair acted as adjutant-general until his promotion to major- 
general, February 19, 1777, when Colonel George Weedon, of Virginia, 
performed the duties, although promoted to brigadier-general February 
27, 1777- On the 20th of February it was resolved that “ the President 
(of Congress) write to Major-General Gates and inform him that it is the 
earnest desire of Congress that he should resume the office of adjutant- 
general, and that his present rank and pay shall be continued.” General 
Washington, from Headquarters Morristown, March 10th, also wrote to 
Gates, then at Philadelphia, to the same effect, but the latter declined, be- 
ing then in a separate command. On the 26th of March it was “ ordered 
that the President acquaint General Washington that Congress expects the 
office of adjutant-general to be filled up by a speedy appointment of a per- 
son of abilities and unsuspected attachment to these United States, and 
recommended Colonel William Lee to his consideration for this purpose.” 
Congress, by Resolution of September 27, 1776, had already given Wash- 
ington the power, for six months, “ to displace and appoint all officers 
under the rank of brigadier-general, and to fill up all vacancies in every 
other department in the A?nerican Army.” General Washington, in a let- 
ter to Colonel Timothy Pickering, of Salem, Massachusetts (late colonel 
Essex County Regiment), dated March 30, 1777, offered him the position 
“vacant by reason of the resignation of Colonel Reed, and the power of 
appointing a successor resting with me.” When Washington wrote to 
Pickering, offering him the appointment of adjutant-general, he enclosed a 
letter to Lee (who had been recommended for the position by Congress) 
offering it to him—the letter to Lee to be forwarded, in case Pickering 
should decline. Pickering did decline and sent the letter to Lee, who re- 
ported at Washington’s headquarters. Pickering, however, subsequently 
reconsidered the matter, and determined to accept, whereupon Lee yielded 
his claims. On the 5th of January, 1778, Congress proceeded to the elec- 
tion of an adjutant-general in the room of Colonel Pickering, who was 
called to the Board of War by Resolution of November 7, 1777, and the 
ballots being taken, Colonel Alexander Scammel of the New Hampshire 
Continental Line was unanimously elected adjutant-general. Pickering, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
3 
however, continued to perform the duties until January 13, 1778, when 
Scammel assumed them. On the 17th of May, 1779, it was resolved that 
“the adjutant-general of the Army of the United States be allowed the 
same rations as a brigadier-general; that he be permitted to engage two 
assistants and one clerk.” On the 22d of June it was resolved that “the 
adjutant-general for the time being be also assistant inspector general.” 
On the 8th of January, 1781, Brigadier-General Edward Hand of Penn- 
sylvania was elected adjutant-general to succeed Scammel, who had been 
appointed colonel of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment Infantry, Conti- 
nental Line, a position he did not long occupy as he was mortally wounded 
by a Hessian cavalryman in front of Yorktown, Virginia, September 30, 
1781, and died a prisoner of war October 6, 1781. On the 1st of August, 
1782, it was resolved that “ the adjutant-general be appointed by Congress 
from the general officers, colonels, lieutenant-colonels commandant, or 
lieutenant-colonels in the Army. * * * He shall have two assistants 
and one clerk to be appointed by himself and approved of by the Com- 
mander-in-chief. The assistants shall be majors or captains of the Army. 
* * * That there shall be as many deputy adjutants-general, of the rank 
of field officers, as there may be separate armies in the United States that 
consist of one or more divisions, to be appointed occasionally by the com- 
manding officer of such army, whose names shall be returned to the com- 
mander-in-chief for his approbation. 
“ The deputy adjutants-general shall appoint each one assistant, of the 
rank of major or captain, who shall be approved of by the commanding offi- 
cer under whom they serve. 
“ That there be one major of brigade to each brigade in the armies of the 
United States, whether of cavalry, artillery, or infantry, who shall be ap- 
pointed by the Commander-in-chief, or commanding officer of a separate 
army, as occasion may require, upon the recommendation of the adjutant- 
general or deputy adjutant-general as the case may be. 
“ These regulations shall take effect on the ist day of January next, and 
from thenceforth all acts, resolutions, pay and appointments heretofore 
made in any wise respecting the department of adjutant-general and brigade 
majors shall cease and are hereby repealed.” On the 31st of December it 
was resolved that “ Brigadier-General Hand be and is hereby continued in 
the office of adjutant-general.” He retained the office until almost all of 
the Revolutionary Army was disbanded on November 5, 1783, in pursu- 
ance of a proclamation issued by Congress on the 18th of October pre- 
vious. 
From the disbandment of the Army, 1783, until the act of March 3, 
1791, there was no regular adjutant-general (or brigade major as it was 
sometimes called), and no authority for the commissioning of such an offi- 
cer. On October 31, 1784, from headquarters ist American Regiment, Fort 
Pitt, Ensign Ebenezer Denny, of this regiment (late of ist Pennsylvania 
Continental Line), was appointed adjutant, he having acted as such from 
August 12, 1784. On July 31, 1787, Congress appointed lieutenant-colonel HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
4 
commandant, and brevet colonel, Josiah Harmar, of this regiment, a brevet 
brigadier-general, and placed him on duty as General-in-chief with the emol- 
uments of his brevet rank, which gave him command not only of his own 
regiment but of the battalion United States artillery. On the 28th of Oc- 
tober, 1787, from headquarters Fort Finney, General Harmar appointed 
Ensign Denny as acting adjutant-general. The act of March 3, 1791, gave 
the President power to call into service the militia or to enlist volunteers 
for six months, and to form them into regiments under the denomination 
of levies, and to appoint the commissioned officers. Governor Arthur St. 
Clair, of the Western Territory, was appointed major-general March 4, 
1791, thereby superseding brevet Brigadier-General Harmar as “ General- 
in-chief.” Lieutenant Ebenezer Denny, adjutant istU.S. Infantry, was ap- 
pointed aide-de-camp to Major-General St. Clair, September 30, 1791, in gen- 
eral orders of that date from headquarters, camp on the Great Miami, near 
Fort Washington. (This camp was afterwards called Fort Hamilton.) Brevet 
Major Winthrop Sargent, of Massachusetts (late Corps of Artillery, Conti- 
nental Line), was secretary of the Western Territory, under Governor St, 
Clair, and was called into service with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of 
militia, early in September, 1791, and at Ludlow’s Station announced as act 
ing adjutant-general. In the disastrous engagement of November 4, 1791 
with the Miami Indians, Colonel Sargent was badly wounded—receiving 
two bullets in his body which he carried until his death. The act ol March 
5, 1792, recognized a “ general staff,” in which is found one “ adjutant ” to 
do also the duty of “ inspector.” President Washington appointed Win- 
throp Sargent, late acting adjutant-general, “ adjutant ” and “ inspector ” 
under this act of March 5th, and he was confirmed by the Senate, April 11, 
1792, but declined the appointment. Meanwhile, on March 5, 1792, Major- 
General St. Clair had resigned his commission, and Anthony Wayne 'for- 
merly brigadier-general, Continental Army) was, on the same day, ap- 
pointed major-general, and placed as “ General-in-chief” over the United 
States Army. Capt. Henry de Butts, 4th Sub-Legion, U. S. A. (of Mary- 
land), the first aide-de-camp to General Wayne, acted as adjutant-general 
until the office was filled by an officer specially detailed for that duty. Major 
Michael Rudolph, who had been a captain in the Maryland Line Continen- 
tal Army, was, while major of dragoons, U. S. A., then nominated and con- 
firmed as “adjutant” and “inspector,” February 23, 1793, vice Winthrop 
Sargent, declined. He resigned July 17, 1793, and was succeeded by Major 
John Mills, 2d Sub-Legion, U. S. A., of Massachusetts, who was confirmed 
as “adjutant ” and “ inspector,” May 13, 1794, vice Rudolph, resigned. He 
died in office July 8, 1796. The act approved March 3, 1795, recognized the 
office of “ adjutant-general ” to do also the duty of inspector, and directed 
that “ the present military establishment of the United States, composed of 
a corps of artillerists and engineers and a legion to consist of 4800 non-com- 
missioned officers, privates and musicians be continued, “ that they be com- 
pleted,” etc. This is the first mention in the laws of a “ legion.” 
The legion was the favorite idea of General Henry Knox, then Secretary 
of War. It was divided into four sub-legions, each of which was to consist 
of one brigadier or sub-legionary general, with one aide-de-camp, one AD JUT A NT- GENERALS DEPA R TMENT. 
5 
brigade or sub-legionary major and inspector, one quartermaster and One 
surgeon. The forces in each sub-legion comprised 1280 non-commissioned 
officers, musicians and privates, and were to consist of one troop of 
dragoons, one company of artillery, two battalions of infantry, and one 
battalion of rifles—each battalion to have four companies. The legionary 
staff itself was to consist of the major-general or legionary general, two 
aides-de-camp, one adjutant and inspector, one major commandant of 
cavalry, one quartermaster, one deputy quartermaster, one surgeon and 
one chaplain. On NovemDer 1, 1796, pursuant to the act of May 30, 1796, 
the President arranged and completed out of the legion, four regiments of 
infantry,and two companies of light dragoons,taking care as far as practicable 
to arrange two sub-legions back again to their original infantry numbers, the 
first sub-legion again becoming the 1st regiment United States Infantry—su- 
pernumerary officers and soldiers were discharged from that date, the officers 
thus discharged receiving each six months’ pay and subsistence. The act 
of May 30,1766, directed that “ after the last day of October, 1796, the military 
establishment shall consist of the corps of artillerists and engineers, two 
companies of light dragoons, four regiments of infantry of eight com- 
panies,’' and section 3 of the act directed, amongst other details, that 
“there shall be one inspector who shall do the duty of adjutant-general.” 
The general staff authorized by this act was to continue in service only 
until the following March 4th. From the decease of Adjutant-General 
Mills, in July, 1796, until the appointment of an inspector under this act, 
Major Jonathan Haskell, 4th sub-legion, a revolutionary officer, and Captain 
Edward Butler (Pennsylvania) of the rifle battalion, 4th sub-legion, sub- 
legionarv major and inspector, were successively detailed by Major General 
Wayne to perform the functions of adjutant-general to the United States 
Army. On February 27, 1797, Major Thomas H. Cushing (Massachusetts) 
of the First United States Infantry (formerly 1st Lieutenant Massachusetts 
Line Continental Army), was appointed by the President, with consent of 
the Senate, to be “ inspector.” He by law was also required to do the 
duty of “adjutant-general.” The act passed March 3, 1797, repealed 
section 3 of the act of May 30, 1796, regulating the general staff. It 
made no provision for a major-general vice Wayne deceased—nor for an 
adjutant-general, but allowed one brigadier-general, who could choose 
his brigade major, also an inspector from the captains and subalterns in the 
line. The act of May 22, 1798, amended the act of March 3, 1797, so as 
to permit the brigadier-general—who was now General-in-chief—to select 
his brigade major and inspector or either of them from commissioned 
officers of any grade in the line of the Army. Major Cushing had not 
relinquished his rank in the infantry upon receiving the commission of 
inspector. He continued to perform the duties of inspector and adjutant- 
general, under detail, even after his commission of inspector had by 
operation of law expired March 3, 1797. The act of May 22, 1798, 
enabled Brigadier-General James Wilkinson, then General-in-chief, to keep 
him on duty as “ inspector,” section 2 of this act giving to Major Cush- 
ing by name, the difference between his major’s and inspector’s pay and 
allowances while thus serving by appointment of General Wilkinson, from 6 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
March 3, 1797, to May 22, 1798, No other officer represented the 
Adjutant-General’s Department except the brigade major on immediate 
duty at Army Headquarters from March 3, 1797. until July 19, 1798, 
when, under the act of May 28th of that year, Brevet Major William 
North, of Massachusetts, (formerly aide-de-camp to Major-General Baron 
Steuben, and afterwards Inspector of the Army in 1784) was appointed 
adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a brigadier- 
general. This act (May 28, 1798) authorized “the President alone to 
appoint, from time to time when he shall judge proper, assistant inspectors 
to every separate portion of the Army, consisting of one or more divisions, 
who shall be deputy adjutants-general thereof, respectively, and who shall 
be taken from the line of the Army,” they receiving extra pay while on such 
duty. 
The act of March 3, 1799, provided for the better organization of the 
troops heretofore authorized, and directed that the adjutant-general of 
the Army (a brigadier-general) shall be ex-officio assistant inspector- 
general (the inspector-general at this time was Alexander Hamilton, with 
the rank of major-general), and that every deputy inspector-general shall 
be ex-officio deputy adjutant-general, and shall perform the duties of adju- 
tant-general of the Army to which he shall be annexed. The act of May 
14, 1800, provided for the disbandment of the Army, except the first four regi- 
ments of infantry, the two regiments of artillerists and engineers, the two 
troops of light dragoons and the general and other staff authorized by the 
several laws for the establishing and organizing of the aforesaid corps. In 
pursuance of this act, the inspector-general, adjutant-general, and other 
officers appointed for the “ Provisional Army ” raised during the continu- 
ance of differences between the United States and the French Republic 
were disbanded on the 15th of June, 1800. Brigadier-General Wilkinson 
again became “ General-in-chief,” in consequence of such disbandment 
Major Cushing, 1st U. S. Infantry, continuing to be inspector to the Army, 
and on duty under immediate orders of the Secretary of War. Major 
Cushing continued to fill the office, by detail, until Congress again made it a 
distinct office. The act of March 16th, 1802, fixed the military peace estab- 
lishment at one regiment of artillerists, two regiments of infantry, and a 
corps of engineers, not to exceed twenty officers and cadets, and, amongst 
other details, provided for one “ adjutant and inspector of the Army,” to 
be taken trom the line of field officers. On the 25th of March, President 
Jefferson sent the following nomination to Congress: * * * “Thomas 
H. Cushing, Adjutant and Inspector of the Army,” * * * which 
nomination was confirmed March 26, 1802. Major Cushing became by 
promotion lieutenant-colonel of the 2d U. S. Infantry, April 1, 1802, and 
colonel of his regiment September 7,1805, but as the only limitation as to the 
appointment of an “adjutant and inspector” was that he should be a “ field 
officer,” Colonel Cushing continued to perform the duties now performed 
by the adjutant-general of the Army, until April 2, 1807. First Lieu- 
tenant James Biddle Wilkinson, (of Maryland) 2d U. S. Infantry, was 
appointed aide-de-camp to his father, the General-in-chief—December 1, 
1804,—was promoted to be Captain 2d U. S. Infantry, December. 1808, and ADJUTANT-GENERALS DEPARTMENT. 
7 
continued to perform the duties of aide-de-camp and of acting assistant 
adjutant-general to the troops in the field when under immediate command 
of his father, until his own death, September 7, 1813. There appears to 
have been no change in the legal authorization for an “ adjutant and in- 
spector ” until 1812, although during that period there were changes in the 
incumbents. 
The act of January nth, amongst other details, provided for five briga- 
dier-generals, each tc be allowed a brigade major to be taken from the cap- 
tains and subalterns of the line, and for one adjutant-general with the rank, 
pay and emoluments of a brigadier-general; the adjutant-general to be 
allowed one or more assistants, not exceeding three, to be taken from the 
line of the Army, with the same pay and emoluments as a lieutenant- 
colonel, but no officer detached to serve in the general staff to thereby 
lose his rank. On the 15th of March, the Hon. William North, formerly 
adjutant-general of the Army, was again nominated and confirmed as adju- 
tant-general, but he declined the office, and on the 6th of July, Colonel 
Thomas H. Cushing, 2d Infantry, late “ adjutant and inspector,” was ap- 
pointed and confirmed. Soon afterwards Adjutant-General Cushing was 
nominated and confirmed a brigadier-general in the Army, to rank from 
July 2, 1812, which was an earlier rank than that given to him in his com- 
mission as adjutant-general with the rank of brigadier-general. General 
Cushing continued, however, to perform the duties of adjutant-general at 
the seat of government, and contributed greatly by his long experience as 
head of that department, towards the organization of the large regular and 
volunteer force called suddenly into existence in consequence of the war 
with Great Britain. 
The act of July 6, 1812, directs that “to any army of the United States, 
other than that in which the adjutant-general shall serve, the President 
may appoint one deputy adjutant-general who shall be taken from the line, 
* * * and there shall be to each deputy adjutant-general such number 
of assistant deputies (not exceeding three to each department) as the pub- 
lic service may require.” The act of March 3, 1813, organizing the “general 
staff ” of the Army, provided for an “ Adjutant-General’s Department” to 
consist of an adjutant and inspector-general, with the rank, pay, and emolu- 
ments of a brigadier-general; not exceeding eight adjutants-general, each 
with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a colonel of cavalry; and sixteen 
assistant adjutants-general, each with the brevet rank, pay, and emoluments 
of a major of cavalry. The act further authorized the President, when he 
should deem it expedient, to assign one of the brigadier-generals to the 
principal Army of the United States, who should, in such case, act as adju- 
tant and inspector-general, and as chief of the staff of such Army. This 
was the first mention of the “ Adjutant-General’s Department,’ eo nomine. 
On March 12, 1813, Brigadier-General Cushing relinquished his junior and 
now superseded commission of “ adjutant-general,” and was assigned to 
the command of Military District No. 1, comprising the States of New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts. On the same day Brigadier-General Zebu- 
Ion M. Pike, U. S. A., was appointed by President Madison to be “adju- 
tant and inspector-general ” to the Army commanded by the “ General-in- 8 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
chief,” (Major-General Henry Dearborn) but on April 27, 1813, General 
Pike was killed in the assault and capture of the British fortifications at 
York (now Toronto), Upper Canada. From this time until May 19, 1814, 
the office remained vacant, the act of March 3, 1813, having been construed 
to the effect that there could be but one adjutant and inspector-general, 
who must either be an officer appointed and confirmed to that office, or 
else be a brigadier-general especially designated by the President to perform 
the functions. The affairs of the office at the War Department were mean- 
while administered by Colonel A. T. Nicoll, inspector-general, and Major 
C. K. Gardner, 25th Infantry, assistant adjutant-general, in their branches, 
respectively, during the remainder of the year 1813. On May 19, 1814, Briga- 
dier-General William H. Winder, U. S. A., was appointed “adjutant and in- 
spector-general,” and chief of staff to the Northern Army, but did not retain 
the office long, as, on July 2d, following, he was assigned to the command 
of the Tenth Military District, and commanded the American forces in the 
affair at Bladensburg, and unsuccessful defense of Washington. General 
A. T. Nicoll, inspector-general, having resigned, June 1, 1814, he was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel John R. Bell, inspector-general (promoted from assist- 
ant inspector-general, October 20, 1814), at the War Department. In the 
adjutant-general’s office, proper, Colonel John De B. Walbach, adjutant- 
general, administered affairs, under the direction of the Secretary of War, 
from December 30, 1813, until November 22, 1814, when Daniel Parker, of 
Massachusetts, chief clerk of the War Department, was nominated and 
confirmed by the Senate as “ adjutant and inspector-general.” The act of 
March 3, 1815, reduced and fixed the military peace establishment at 10,000 
men, but made no provision for an “ Adjutant-General’s Department.” The 
act required the President to discharge supernumerary officers on May 1, 
1815, or, “as soon as circumstances may permit,” and we find that by execu- 
tive general orders of May 17, 1815, one adjutant and inspector-general, and 
two adjutants-general were “ provisionally retained.” Had not President 
Madison seen fit to retain such officers this act would have virtually abol- 
ished the department. The act of April 24, 1816, recognized and made 
permanent in service, these officers, thus provisionally retained, and de- 
clared that the department should hereafter consist of an adjutant and 
inspector-general with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a brigadier- 
general ; an assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of colonel, to each 
division (of which there were two) ; and an assistant adjutant-general with 
the rank of major, to each brigade (of which there were four). The de- 
partment therefore consisted, at this time, of seven officers, and general 
orders of May 3, 1816, based on the act, publishes their names, etc. 
The act of March 2, 1821, fixed the military peace establishment at four 
regiments of artilleiy, of nine companies each; seven of infantry, of ten 
companies each, and the corps of engineers, and provided for one adjutant- 
general, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a colonel of cavalry, and 
directed that the aides-de-camp to the major-general and the brigadier-gen- 
erals should, in addition to their other duties, perform the duties of assist- 
ant adjutant-general. This act, in effect, reduced the department to one 
commissioned officer. ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
9 
Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, who, in order to be retained in ser- 
vice, had consented to be arranged according to his earlier commission of 
colonel and brevet brigadier-general, was offered by President Monroe the 
position of “ adjutant-general,” but he elected, on August 13, 1821, to take 
his former regiment, the 6th Infantry, from which he had the year before 
been promoted. Colonel James Gadsden, inspector-general, was, thereupon, 
on the same day (August 13, 1821) appointed adjutant-general. The Senate 
negatived his confirmation on March 22, 1822, and on the following April 
12th, the President renominated him for the office, but the Senate adhered 
to its original determination. Capt. Charles J. Nourse, 2d Artillery, late 
“ assistant adjutant-general,” was detailed as “acting adjutant-general ” of 
the Army, May 8, 1822, and took charge of the office and continued to per- 
form the functions of adjutant-general until relieved, March 7, 1825, by the 
appointment of Captain Roger Jones, 3d Artillery (late colonel and adju- 
tant-general), to be adjutant-general, with his old rank. There appears to 
have been no change in the legal status of the department from 1821 to 
1838, when the act of July 5th of that year, increasing the military estab- 
lishment, empowered the President to appoint so many assistant adjutants- 
general, not exceeding two, with brevet rank, pay and emoluments of a 
major, and not exceeding four with the brevet rank, pay and emoluments 
of a captain of cavalry, as he might deem necessary, to be taken from the 
line of the Army, and in addition to their own to perform the duties of as- 
sistant inspectors-general when the circumstances of the service required ; 
the transfer of these officers to be without prejudice to their rank and pro- 
motion in the line, which was to take place in the same manner as if they 
had not been transferred. This again made the Adjutant-General’s Depart- 
ment to consist of seven officers. The act of March 3, 1839, to amend an 
act entitled “ an act regulating the pay and emoluments of brevet officers,” 
approved April 16, 1818, directs that “the same shall be construed as to in- 
clude the case of the Adjutant-General of the United States.” This act reads 
“ The officers of the Army who have brevet commissions shall be entitled 
to and receive the pay and emoluments of their brevet rank when on duty, 
and having a command according to their brevet rank and at no other 
time.” Act approved June 18, 1846, providing for the prosecution of the 
war between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, empowered the 
President to appoint as many additional assistant adjutants-general, not ex- 
ceeding four, as the service may require, with the same rank, pay and emolu- 
ments, and to be charged with the same duties as those now authorized 
by law; appointments to continue only as long as the exigencies of the ser- 
vice might render necessary. Under this act two majors and two captains 
were appointed. The department, therefore, now consisted of eleven offi- 
cers. The act of March 3, 1847, making provision for an additional number 
of general officers, and for other details, directed that there be added to the 
Adjutant-General’s Department, one assistant adjutant-general, with the 
rank, pay and emoluments of a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, and two assist- 
ant adjutants-general, with the brevet rank, pay and emoluments of a cap- 
tain of cavalry, to be charged with the same duties as those now existing by 
law, and the officers so appointed to be discharged at the close of the war 10 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
with Mexico. This brought the strength of the department up to fourteen. 
The act of July 19, 1848, repealed so much of the act of March 3, 1847, as 
required the discharge at the close of the war with Mexico * * * of an 
assistant adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a lieuten- 
ant-colonel of cavalry, and two assistant adjutants-general, with the rank, 
pay and emoluments of a captain of cavalry; provided that no vacancy 
happening under the provisions so repealed be filled up until further au- 
thorized by law. The act of March 2, 1849, repealed so much of the proviso 
to the 3d section of the act approved July 19, 1848, as related to officers of 
the Adjutant-General’s Department, which left the department with an ag- 
gregate strength of fourteen officers, with authority to make promotions 
and fill vacancies. This continued to be the strength of the department 
until 1861. The act of August 3, 1861, providing for the better organization 
of the Army, directed that “ hereafter the Adjutant-General’s Department 
shall consist of one adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of 
a brigadier ; one assistant adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emolu- 
ments of a colonel of cavalry, and two assistant adjutants-general, with 
the rank, pay and emoluments each of a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry ; four 
assistant adjutants-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a major 
of cavalry, and twelve with the rank, pay and emoluments of a captain of 
cavalry ” (total 20). The act of July 17, 1862, directed that “one colonel, 
two lieutenant-colonels, and nine majors be added to the department by 
regular promotion from its present officers, and that the grade of ‘ captain ’ 
be abolished, and in future that all vacancies in the grade of major be filled 
by selection from among the captains of the Army”—(total strength of the 
department, 20). The act of July 28, 1866, directed that “ the adjutant-gene- 
ral shall hereafter be appointed by selection from the corps to which he be- 
longs.” The act of March 3,1869, prohibited promotions and appointments in 
the Adjutant-General's Department, but by act of March 3, 1873, the appoint- 
ment of one assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of major, was author- 
ized. Thus the legal strength of the Adjutant-General’s Department at this 
time was one brigadier-general, two colonels, four lieutenant-colonels, and 
thirteen majors (twenty in all), but by the act of March 3, 1869, prohibiting 
promotions and appointments, the department became reduced to one 
brigadier-general, one colonel, three lieutenant-colonels, and eleven majors 
(sixteen in all). The act of March 3, 1875, “to reduce and fix the Adjutant- 
General’s Department,” directed that “ said department shall hereafter con- 
sist of one adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a brig- 
adier-general ; two assistant adjutants-general, with the rank, pay and 
emoluments of colonels; four assistant adjutants-general, with the rank, 
pay and emoluments of lieutenant-colonels, and ten assistant adjutants-gen- 
eral, with the rank, pay and emoluments of majors”—(seventeen members 
in all). This act also repealed so much of the act approved March 3, 1869, 
as prohibited promotions and appointments in the Adjutant-General's De- 
partment. 
The act of February 28, 1887, “to effect a rearrangement of grades of 
office in the Adjutant-General’s Department of the Army” directed that 
“ The Adjutant-General’s Department of the Army shall consist of one ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT 
11 
adjutant-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a brigadier-gen- 
eral ; four assistant adjutants-general, with the rank, pay and emoluments 
of colonel; six assistant adjutants-general; with the rank, pay and emolu- 
ments of lieutenant-colonel; and six assistant adjutants-general, with the 
rank, pay and emoluments of major : Provided that the vacancies in the 
grade of colonel and lieutenant-colonel created by this act shall be filled by 
the promotion by seniority of the officers now in the Adjutant-General’s 
Department.” 
At this date, therefore (May, 1891), the legal strength of the Adjutant- 
General’s Department is seventeen, and the department is open to promo- 
tion and appointments on the occurrence of vacancies. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. 
I''HE office of inspector general dates from Dec. 13, 1777, although 
Lieutenant-Colonel Mottin de la Balme, a French cavalry officer, 
was appointed by congress July 8, 1777, inspector general of 
cavalry; and on Aug. 11, M. du Coudray, a French artillery officer, 
was appointed inspector general of ordnance and military manufactures with 
the rank of major general. It is not probable that either of these officers 
performed much service as inspectors, for the entire cavalry force consisted 
of but four regiments, used chiefly as escorts, messengers and orderlies, 
while the ordnance and military manufactures were as yet unorganized. 
De la Balme resigned three months and three days after his appointment, 
and Du Coudray held his position about one month. He was drowned Sep- 
tember 15, while attempting to cross the Schuylkill en route to army head- 
quarters as a volunteer. 
On October 26, 1777, General Washington assembled a council composed 
of fourteen general officers which met on the 29th, and among other ques- 
tions submitted to it, considered the following : “ Will the office of inspector 
general to our army, for the purpose principally of establishing one uniform 
set of manoeuvres and manual, be advisable, as the time of the adjutant 
general seems to be totally engaged with other business ? ” It was ap- 
parently the intention that each member of the council should submit his 
views in writing, but only those of General Sullivan on the subject of the 
inspectorship have been preserved, and in regard to that he wrote : 
“ Such an officer will answer an exceedingly good purpose, provided a person who 
is well versed in the manoeuvres has the appointment, and the major and brigadier 
generals themselves will take more pains to teach their men to move in large bodies, 
and perform such manoeuvres as the inspector general will recommend. If the person 
appointed should only be acquainted with the trick of parade of a single company or 
regiment, and has not extended his ideas to the movements of armies, it will be rather 
a disadvantage than benefit to the army.” * 
The final decision of the council, which every member signed, was that 
“ such an officer was desirable, the manual or regulations to be first agreed 
upon by the commander-in-chief, or a board of officers appointed for the 
purpose.” General Conway, one of the members, was born in Ireland, but 
educated in France and had served many years in the French army. He 
came over on an engagement with Messrs. Dean and Franklin, who de- 
scribed him as a soldier of high character and abilities, and one of the 
most skilful disciplinarians in France. He was commissioned brigadier 
May 13, 1777, joined the army under Washington who assigned him to 
the command of a brigade, and participated in the battles of Brandywine 
and Germantown, and the operations around Philadelphia. He now be- 
By Major J. P. SANGER, Inspector General, U. S. A. 
* Original manuscript, State Department. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
13 
came an aspirant for the position of inspector general, and addressed let- 
ters to congress proposing a plan of organization. 
These letters were referred to the board of war, which, on December 12, 
1777, reported to congress that they had considered the letters, and that it 
was expedient to the promotion of discipline and to the reformation of the 
various abuses which prevailed in the different departments, that an ap- 
pointment should be made of an inspector general, whose duties should be 
to determine, with the consent of the commander-in-chief, the instruction, 
discipline, strength, and condition of all organizations, their accounts, 
rations, arms and equipment, and the capacity of all officers ; his reports to 
go to the board of war, and a copy to the majors of regiments, and all com- 
plaints and grievances to congress.* 
It was further resolved that two inspectors general be appointed, which 
resulted in the election of Brigadier General Thomas Conway with the rank 
of major general: the other was not chosen. 
Fortunately for the discipline of the army and the conduct of military 
operations, this plan of administering the inspectorship was not carried out. 
Its effect was to put the inspector general in direct communication with 
congress and the board of war. In the hands of Conway, and the board of 
war as then constituted, such a weapon would have beeen irresistible, and 
Washington appears to have fully appreciated the danger. On the 2d of 
January, 1778, he wrote to the president of congress opposing the appoint- 
ment of Conway and transmitting an extract from the proceedings of the 
council of generals, in regard to which he wrote: 
“ The enclosed extract from the proceedings of a council of general officers will 
show the office of inspector general was a matter not of such modern date as General 
Conway maintains it to be, and that it was one of the regulations in view to reform 
the army. 
“ The foreign officers who had commissions and no commands, and who were of 
ability, were intended to be recommended to execute it, particularly the Baron 
d’Arendt with whom the idea originated, and whose capacity seemed to be well ad- 
mitted.” f 
The baron was a Prussian officer and colonel of the German regiment, 
and served as aide-de-camp to Washington. Conway held the office of 
inspector general until April 28, 1778, when he resigned. 
Although Washington did not employ Conway as inspector general, he 
still gave heed to the duties of the office which ever held a high place in his 
mind. In a letter of January 28, 1778, to the congressional committee, which 
visited his camp at Valley Forge, to mature a plan for the better adminis- 
tration of the army, he wrote : 
“ In an army, like ours, the office of inspector general, principally for the putpose 
of instituting and carrying into practice an uniform system of manual and manoeuvres, 
must be extremely useful and advantageous. A number of assistants to this office will 
be required, as one man would be incapable of superintending the practice of the rules 
laid down, throughout the army ; and unless this were carefully done, it would be of 
little avail to establish them. It would be proper, in my opinion, to have one to each 
*Journals of Congress, 
t Writings of Washington, Vol. VI. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
14 
brigade ; the benefits resulting from which would greatly over-balance the considera- 
tion of expense.” * 
In the meantime, December i, 1777, Lieutenant-General Baron von Steuben 
arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., and proceeded to York, Pa., where he ten- 
dered his services to congress as a volunteer. He commenced his military 
life when a mere child, as the companion of his father, an engineer officer, 
and became aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great. Congress conferred on 
him the rank of captain by brevet, in order to guard against any incon- 
veniences which might result were he taken prisoner, and he joined the 
army under Washington at Valley Forge, February 23, 1778. 
Shortly after his arrival he accepted the appointment of temporary in- 
spector and entered on his duties. The condition of the army,—without 
sufficient arms, clothing, rations, medicines, money, organization, instruction 
or discipline,—was deplorable in all respects. There was no uniformity, 
while the short terms of enlistment—three, six, and nine months—kept up 
a continual flow of men, who, as they left for their homes, carried off with 
them everything serviceable in their possession. These fluctuations de- 
stroyed the significance of divisions, brigades and regiments, which bore no 
resemblance to such organizations. It was impossible to obtain correct re- 
turns of the troops, the arms, supplies, or, in fact, a reliable report of any- 
thing. Drill regulations of any kind were unknown; each colonel and 
general had a system of his own ; there was no military code. The interior 
economy and administration of regiments and companies did not exist; 
quartermasters obtained supplies and issued them, when their responsibility 
ceased, while that of the captains was never assumed; hence deficiencies 
were not known or explained. Officers and men absented themselves at 
will; desertion was general, and jealousies, bickerings, misunderstandings, 
insubordination, extravagance, and waste of all kinds prevailed. Unfed, un- 
paid, insufficiently sheltered, and literally naked, the army presented a picture 
of inefficiency almost beyond remedy. These conditions naturally suggested 
to such an experienced officer as Steuben the appropriate remedies, and 
although many of them were beyond his reach and he labored under the 
disadvantage of not knowing the English language, he set about his task. 
To the defects he could not remedy he paid no attention, but devoted 
himself to completing the organization, instruction and discipline of the 
troops. To this end he formed a guard for the general-in-chief of 120 
men drawn from the line, which he commanded and instructed in person, 
and which became a school for the inspectors and other officers. The 
men were completely uniformed, armed and equipped, and their military 
bearing and general appearance received much attention. Impressed by 
their intelligence and aptitude, the short time for preparation, the voluntary 
and transitory character of the service, and the ill success of other foreign 
officers who had adhered strictly to European methods, Steuben very sensi- 
bly reversed the old system, and, as he says in his memoirs, instead of 
“eternal manual exercises,” the purpose of which was not apparent, but 
which exhausted the patience of the recruits, he practiced them in simple 
manoeuvres having a palpable object, and in such manner as to make plain 
♦Writings of Washington, Vol. VI. THE INSPECTOR GENERALS DEPAR TMENT. 
15 
the necessity for elementary drill. The good effects of this plan soon be- 
came manifest, and on March 28, about a month after he had reported to 
General Washington, the latter issued an order announcing that the Baron 
had “obligingly undertaken the exercise of the office of inspector general 
of the army,” and appointed Lieutenant-Colonels Davies, Brooks, Barber 
and Mr. Ternant, as sub-inspectors. This order was followed by others re- 
quiring colonels and regimental commanders to review and inspect their 
regiments weekly, brigadiers their brigades fortnightly, and major generals 
their divisions. The inspectors were held responsible for the discipline of 
the troops, and that all instruction conformed strictly to that given by the 
Baron to the model company, and issued by him with the consent of the 
general-in-chief. 
On April 30th, in a letter to congress, Washington explained the ill con- 
sequences arising from a want of uniformity in discipline and instruction 
throughout the army, the necessity for a well organized inspectorship, and 
what had been done up to that time by Steuben. In the month following 
he submitted a plan under which the business of the office was to form a 
system of manual and manoeuvres; to prepare all necessary regulations for 
the government, discipline and arrangement of the army in all its branches ; 
and to see that they were strictly observed. For this purpose the inspectors 
were to be considered “ the instructors and censors of the army in everything 
connected with its discipline and management.” The inspector general to 
be under the direction of the general-in-chief, his deputies to have charge 
of the wings or divisions under the major generals commanding, and the in- 
spectors the brigades. He recommended Steuben for inspector general, 
also General Cadwallader, “ of a decisive and independent spirit,” Colonel 
Fleming and the Barons Arendt and Holtzendorf, as assistants. 
As a result of this correspondence, congress on May 5, 1778, approved 
the plan and appointed Baron Steuben inspector general with the rank and 
pay of major general. It was also resolved, “ that there be two ranks of in- 
spectors under the direction of the inspector general, the first to superintend 
two or more brigades, and the other to be charged with the inspection of 
only one brigade.” 
Steuben soon began to experience difficulties heretofore unknown. As 
long as he was a volunteer inspector without military authority as such, 
there was no open opposition to his plan of exercises and inspections, to 
receiving instructions from him personally, or to his practice of turning out 
the troops for drill which he did at his volition. His appointment as major 
general, however, caused much ill feeling among those who were below him 
in rank, and those of the same grade now objected to the privileges and 
authority previously exercised by him. Washington also, while fully ap- 
preciating the benefits to the army that had resulted from his efforts, 
thought that too much authority might be prejudicial to the inspectorship 
as well as to discipline, and accordingly issued an order, June 15, 1778, 
specifying the duties of the inspectors, and requiring all rules and regula- 
tions to be first approved by him, and then either published in orders or 
communicated by his direction. 
All exercises and manoeuvres were to be executed under the immediate 16 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
orders of the several commanders, the inspectors acting as assistants, and 
the manoeuvres, which the Baron had practiced, were only to take place 
after orders specially issued, in each case, by the general-in-chief. 
Thus the extensive powers exercised by Steuben when his office was first 
established, and which were considered necessary in view of the exigencies 
of the case, were brought within proper limits, and the safety of the inspec- 
torship insured. That it would have been overthrown had not Washington 
placed a wise curb upon the ambition of the inspector general, or had he 
conceded to him the power of enforcing subordination, there can be little 
doubt. As stated by Alexander Hamilton, at that time aide-de-camp to 
Washington, in a letter of June, 1778, to Mr. Duer, a member of congress 
from New York: “The novelty of the office excited questions about its 
boundaries ; the extent of its operations alarmed the officers of every rank 
for their rights. Their jealousies and discontents were rising to a height 
that threatened to overturn the whole plan.” 
Steuben continued at Washington’s headquarters where he was most use- 
ful. In the execution of his duties he met with obstacles which, according to 
Hamilton, “ were thrown in his way by many of the general officers, incited 
to it by Lee and Mifflin,” and inasmuch as he had not been able to induce 
congress to adopt his ideas of the inspectorship, he now insisted on a per- 
manent command, and seemed determined to leave the service altogether if 
it were not given him. Provided with a letter from Washington to the presi- 
dent of congress, the Baron laid his case before that body. But he was 
not successful and accordingly devoted himself again to his duties as in- 
spector general. 
Shortly after his arrival at Valley Forge, congress appointed a commit- 
tee to confer with him. To this committee he submitted a project in which 
he discussed the causes which led to the establishment of the inspectorship, 
and in what manner it could best be made to conform with the genius of the 
people and the constitution of the army. 
Reasoning from the relation of the inspectors general of France and 
Prussia, who were accountable to the king alone, he thought the inspector 
general should be answerable to the board of war, to which and the com- 
mander-in-chief, he was to make a report of his inspections. In the event 
of differences between the commander-in-chief and the inspector general, 
congress was to decide.* In other words, the inspector general was to be a 
staff officer of the board of war, and only in a qualified way under the con- 
trol of the commander-in-chief. 
This plan was referred to a committee of congress which reported that, 
after fully considering it and consulting with the Baron, they recommended 
—in the form of resolutions—that there should be one inspector general 
with the rank of major general, an assistant inspector general with the rank 
of brigadier general, sub-inspectors to be colonels and each to have the 
troops of three or four states, the offices of brigade major and brigade in- 
spector to be united, and the regulations of the department to be as pro- 
posed in the plan. The second resolution, among other things, authorized 
inspectors to have the troops under arms whenever they desired. The 
journals of Congress. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
17 
eighth resolution made the inspector general and his assistants subject to 
the orders of congress, the board of war, and the commander-in-chief. The 
tenth resolution provided that every officer and soldier who so desired 
should have the privilege of presenting any complaints to the inspector.* 
The report was referred to Washington August 20, who, with his usual pen- 
etration and sagacity, discussed the merits and weak points of the proposed 
plan and report.f He saw that while it embraced many of the fundamental 
principles of inspections, it was fatally defective in establishing direct com- 
munication between the inspector general and the board of war ; in making 
the inspector general independent of the commander-in-chief and the sub- 
inspectors independent of the subordinate generals. His letters and ob- 
servations, together with the report, were received in congress September 
15, whereupon it was “ Ordered that the report and observations be referred 
to the committee of arrangement, and that they be directed to prepare a 
plan of regulations for the inspectorship, agreeable to the said report and 
observations. ”J 
On Thursday, February 18th, thecommittee made its report, whereupon 
the following plan of organization and management for the department of 
the inspector general was agreed to : There should be an inspector general, 
who, in all future appointments, should be taken from the line of major 
generals, and whose principal duty should be to form a system of regula- 
tions for drill and manoeuvre, service of guards and detachments, and for 
camp and garrison duty. Together with his assistants he was to review and 
inspect the troops and receive such returns as the commander-in-chief or 
officers in command might direct, reporting all defects and deficiencies to 
the officers ordering the inspection and to the board of war; all regulations 
whatsoever to be finally established by congress, but the exigencies of the 
service requiring it, temporary regulations might be introduced by the in- 
spector general, with the approval of the commander-in-chief, such regula- 
tions to be communicated to the army by the adjutant general, and trans- 
mitted at once to the board of war for the action of congress ; to be as many 
sub-inspectors as the commander-in-chief or commander of a detachment, 
in view of the strength and situation of the army, might deem necessary, to 
be taken from the line of lieutenant-colonels and to receive their instruc- 
tions relative to the department from the inspector general; one inspector 
to each brigade to be taken from among the majors and the office to be an- 
nexed to that of brigade major; that all the officers of the inspectorship 
having appointments in the line should retain their rights of command, 
succession, and promotion, but they should not exercise command except 
on particular occasions and by special assignment of the commander-in- 
chief ; to be exempt from all duties except those of their office ; the inspec- 
tor general to be subject to congress and the commander-in-chief only ; and 
the sub-inspectors to be also subject to the orders of the division and bri- 
gade commanders on whose staff they were serving.§ 
* Journals of Congress, 
t Original Manuscript in State Department. 
X Journals of ongress. 
§ Journals of Congress. 18 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
From this it appears that the views of Washington had been given due 
weight, and that the dangers to discipline, as well as those which threatened 
the inspectorship, had been carefully avoided. 
On March 25, Steuben submitted to congress a system of drill regulations 
for the infantry, which, on the 29th, were approved and adopted. 
In the library of the war department one of the few remaining copies of 
this book may be seen. It was the first important result of the inspectorship, 
and was of inestimable benefit to the army. The scope of this sketch will 
not permit an analysis of these regulations, but it may be remarked that 
they partook of the Baron’s very practical ideas in regard to the character 
of the instruction most needed to prepare the troops for the field. Many of 
the rules prescribed and the customs resulting from them are still observed 
in the army; others might be revived with benefit to discipline. 
The regulations having been formally approved, Washington, on April 12, 
May 4, 12, 22, and June 20, 1779, issued orders making the inspector general 
and his assistant responsible for their observance. The sub-inspectors when 
their divisions were detached were to perform the duties of adjutant general, 
and the new duties of the brigade majors, which were in effect the same as 
outlined in Steuben’s plan, were defined. In reference to inspections the 
brigade majors received their instructions from the inspector general, and 
from the sub-inspectors of the divisions to which they belonged. It was 
doubtless in pursuance of this idea, of uniting the duties of adjutant general 
and inspector general that congress on June 22, “ Resolved, That the 
adjutant general for the time being, be also assistant inspector general.” 
The organization of the inspectorship being now complete, Washington 
on July 1, issued an order prescribing a monthly inspection of the whole 
army, and directing that at these inspections the inspectors be furnished, by 
all company commanders, with exact returns of the troops and of all govern- 
ment property since last inspection as well as of that on hand. These returns 
were consolidated into division returns for the information of the division 
commanders. “ With what strict scrutiny were the inspections made” re- 
lates William North: 
“ I have seen the Baron and his assistants seven long hours inspecting a brigade of 
three small regiments. Every man not present must be accounted for ; if in camp, 
sick or well, they were produced or visited ; every musket handled and searched, cart- 
ridge boxes opened, even the flints and cartridges counted ; knapsacks unslung and 
every article of clothing spread on the soldier’s blanket, and tested by his little book, 
whether what he had received from the United States within the year was there, if not, 
to be accounted for. Hospitals, stores, laboratories, every place and every thing was 
open to inspection and inspected, and what officer’s mind was at ease if losses or ex- 
penditures could not, on the day of searching, be fully and fairly accounted for? The 
inspections were every month, and wonderful was the effect, not only with regard to 
economy, but in creating a spirit of emulation between different corps. I have known 
the subalterns of a regiment appropriate one of their two rations to the bettering the 
appearance of their men, but this was at a later period of the war, when supplies and 
payments were more ample and more regular.”* 
On January 12, 1780, congress abolished the mustering department and 
*Kapp’s Life of Steuben. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
19 
transferred the duties to the inspector general’s department. The effect of 
this was to simplify and greatly improve the administration and efficiency 
of the army. A division of duties so closely united as to be almost identical, 
among two sets of officers entirely separated by official lines and having a 
different responsibility, resulted in much friction and confusion and added 
to the difficulties of command. That the change was in the interest of 
economy cannot be doubted, and on May 7, Steuben submitted a plan which 
included the duties of both departments. After considering this plan, 
Washington on July 14th addressed the following to the president of 
congress: 
“ I enclose a plan which, in conjunction with the inspector general, I have framed 
for the consideration of congress. It is indispensable the department should be put 
in full activity without loss of time—the speedier the decision the better. A large 
additional allowance, at least nominally, for the inspectors, is proposed, but it is a very 
imperfect compensation for the additional trouble, and unless some extra privileges 
and emoluments attend the office, it will not be undertaken by officers of rank and 
abilities.” * 
This plan, expressing the concurrent and deliberate views of Wash- 
ington and Steuben, should be given in full, but it is so lengthy that only a 
synopsis is permissible. 
It provided for an inspector general with the rank of major general, 
to be taken from the line of major generals, with two aides and two secre- 
taries ; an assistant inspector general, to be adjutant general of the main 
army ; an inspector to each division, one to the corps of cavalry, one to 
the artillery, one to the independent corps, garrisons, and to the militia 
in service, to be taken, when practicable, from the line of colonels and lieu- 
tenant colonels, and one to each brigade with the rank of major. The drill 
regulations and those prescribing discipline, service of guards and detach- 
ments, camps and garrisons, to be framed and their execution superintended 
by the inspector general of the army; the assistant inspector general to act 
as inspector general during the absence of the latter, and to perform the 
duties of adjutant general; the inspectors and sub-inspectors to act as 
adjutants general of the divisions and brigades, receiving their instructions 
in reference to inspection duty from the inspector general and assistant 
inspector general; the troops to be reviewed and mustered by the inspector 
general and his assistants monthly, noting the number and condition of the 
men, their discipline and drill, the state of the arms, equipments, clothing, 
rations, etc., rejecting all unserviceable recruits, discharging or transferring 
to the invalid corps all men disabled in the service, and reporting all abuses, 
neglects and deficiencies to the commander-in-chief, the commander of the 
organization, and to the board of war. The returns of men and material, 
as required in Washington’s order of July 1, were continued, as were the 
other duties and responsibilities. The inspector general in all that related 
to inspections was subject only to congress, the board of war, and the com- 
mander-in-chief; all other inspectors to the commanders with whom they 
served. 
This plan having been discussed, congress, on September 25, voted that: 
* Original Manuscript in State Department. 20 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ Whereas, the institution of the department hath been found of great utility to the 
armies of these United States; and experience hath shown that it may be rendered 
still more useful by an extension of its powers and objects, therefore, 
“ Resolved, That the former establishment by a resolution of February 18, 1779, 
and all subsequent resolutions relative thereto, be repealed, and the department here- 
after have the following form, powers and privileges.” 
Then follows the plan proposed by Washington and Steuben, with some 
changes, and Steuben was continued as inspector general, and authorized 
to appoint all officers necessary to its execution, they being first approved 
by the commander-in-chief. 
Considering the short time the inspectorship had been established the 
plan was as satisfactory as could be expected, but was a disappointment to 
the Baron. Nevertheless he continued actively at work and devised many 
remedies for the abuses which prevailed throughout the army. That they 
were numerous, and that Washington believed in the efficacy of frequent 
inspections, his correspondence fully proves. 
On the surrender of Cornwallis, Steuben recommended a reduction in 
the number of inspectors and proposed some other changes. Accordingly, 
on January 10, congress authorized one inspector general, to be appointed 
from the general officers, with one secretary and two aides to be taken from 
the line; one field officer of the line to be inspector of each separate army, 
with $80 per month additional pay, and to be allowed to select a captain or 
subaltern to assist him in the duties of his office, with $10 per month addi- 
tional pay. The inspectors in the execution of their offices were made sub- 
ject only to the orders of congress, the secretary of war, the commander- 
in-chief, or commanding officer of a separate army. The authority and 
duties of the inspector general and his assistants continued unchanged. 
With the capitulation of Cornwallis the operations of the main army 
may be said to have terminated. Attention was now concentrated on the 
southern army, and every effort made to render it efficient, but with little 
success. The dishonesty and extortion which had characterized the 
methods of supplying the troops still continued, and finally engaged the 
attention of congress, which, on May 7, 1782, provided for the appointment 
of inspectors of contracts and supplies for the two armies, who were to 
report any fraud, neglect of duty, or other misconduct by which the public 
property was wasted or expense unnecessarily incurred. 
Under these resolutions Colonel Ezekiel Cornell of Rhode Island, was 
made inspector of contracts for the main army, and Colonel Francis Mentges 
of the 5th Pennsylvania regiment, the inspector of the southern army. 
Both of these officers were acting as inspectors of the aforesaid armies 
respectively. 
The Peace of Paris was signed January 20, 1783, and a cessation of hos- 
tilities was proclaimed by Washington to take effect April 19th. 
On December 23d Washington resigned his commission in the army 
and retired to private life. The same day he addressed a letter to Steuben, 
the last he ever wrote as commander-in-chief, in which he said : 
I wish to make use of this last moment of my public life to signify in 
the strongest terms, my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
21 
of the obligations the public is under to you, for your faithful and meritorious ser- 
vices.” 
On December 30, 1782, congress passed a resolution complimentary to 
Steuben, and on March 24, 1784, he sent in his resignation. In accepting 
it congress passed a resolution of thanks, “ for his great zeal and abilities,” 
and ordered “that a gold hiked sword be presented to him as a mark of the 
high sense entertained for his character and services.” Washington had 
previously written in reply to the Baron’s inquiry, “ whether or no he con- 
sidered the department of the inspector general necessary to the army, and 
whether it had been conducted according to his wishes,” as follows: 
‘ ‘ I give it as my clear opinion that it has been of the greatest importance for rea- 
sons too obvious to need enumeration, but more especially for having established one 
uniform system of manoeuvres and regulations in an army composed of the troops of 
thirteen States, (each having its local prejudices) and subject to constant deviations 
and interruptions from the frequent changes it has undergone. It is equally just to 
declare that the department under your auspices, has been conducted with an intelli- 
gence, activity and zeal, not less beneficial to the public than honorary to yourself, and 
that I have abundant reasons to be satisfied with your abilities and attention to the 
duties of your office during the four years you have been in service.”* 
Steuben did not return to Europe, but made his home in Oneida County, 
N. Y., where he died of paralysis, November 28, 1794, at the age of sixty-five 
years. 
When the army was disbanded it was divided into a northern and south- 
ern force. The main body of the northern army was stationed along the 
Hudson river from Newburg to West Point. On the 19th of March, 1784, 
Steuben appointed Major William North, his aide-de-camp, inspector of 
these troops, and the appointment was confirmed by congress April 15, 
when he was made “inspector to the troops remaining in the service and 
pay of the United States,” which consisted at the end of April, of 433 in- 
fantry and 80 artillery. On the 2d of June congress ordered all the troops 
in service to be mustered out, except 25 privates to guard the stores at Fort 
Pitt, and 55 at West Point. Under this act General Knox was disbanded 
and the command of the “ army ” devolved on Captain and Brevet Major 
Doughty, of the artillery. 
From this date to July 31, 1787, the army was increased and reduced sev- 
eral times; at the latter date it consisted of one regiment of infantry and 
four companies of artillery. 
On June 25, 1788, it was resolved in congress, “ That the office of inspec- 
tor of troops in the service of the United States immediately cease, and be 
discontinued, and that the secretary of war report what mode may be most 
eligible for having the troops inspected in the future.” 
In accordance with these instructions he wrote, July 3, 1788, to the 
president of congress as follows: 
“ Agreeably to the order of congress of the 25th ultimo, I have the honor to re- 
port to your Excellency that the recruits at present raising in Connecticut, New Jer- 
sey and Pennsylvania, will be mustered and inspected previously to their marching by 
Mr. Stagg, who is employed in this office and is adequate to the business. 
♦Writings of Washington. 22 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ That I conceive tbe troops on the frontiers maybe mustered and inspected by 
the majors on oath.” 
Mr. John Stagg was the chief clerk of the war department, and an ex- 
officer of the Continental army. He was brigade-major of Conway’s 
brigade, and of course had performed the duties of inspector. Under 
these instructions the majors of the regiments acted as inspectors, but 
Messrs. Stagg and Francis Mentges were inspectors under the secretary 
of war. 
The war department was established August 7, and on September 29 
congress enacted a law “ to recognize and adapt to the constitution of the 
United States, the establishment of the troops raised under the resolves of 
the old congress.” 
By the act of April 30, 1790, the infantry regiment had three battalions 
of four companies each ; the artillery battalion four companies; a total of 
1216 men. Section 4 authorized an inspector “to inspect said troops.” 
Owing to Indian hostilities a second regiment of infantry was added 
March 3, 1791, bringing the authorized aggregate strength of the army to 
2232. On March 4, Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania was appointed major 
general, and replaced Harmar in command of the Northwestern Territory. 
The inspector of this army was Mr. F. Mentges, already mentioned. 
Owing to the failure of his expedition against the Indians, St. Clair re- 
signed March 5, 1792, and on the same day congress added three more 
infantry regiments for a term not to exceed three years. One of these regi- 
ments was given the unique organization of two battalions of infantry, and 
one squadron of four troops of light dragoons. 
Provision was made for a general staff in which there was an “adjutant 
to do also the duty of inspector, and a brigade-major to act as deputy.” 
Colonel Winthrop Sargent of Massachusetts, acting assistant adjutant 
general of St. Clair’s army, was appointed adjutant and inspector but de- 
clined, assigning as a reason that the office was not attended with sufficient 
rank. 
General St. Clair was succeeded by General Wayne, and the army was 
organized by Washington into a legion and four sub-legions, making the 
aggregate strength of the whole 5414. 
The legionary staff included one adjutant and inspector, and that of the 
sub-legion one brigade-major and inspector. As Colonel Sargent declined 
his appointment General Wayne appointed Captain Henry de Butts, of the 
4th sub-legion, acting adjutant and inspector, March 17. He was relieved 
by Captain Edward Butler of the 4th sub-legion, who acted until relieved 
February 23, 1793, by Major Michael Rudolph, of the light dragoons, who 
was appointed adjutant and inspector of the army. He resigned July x7 
1793, and was succeeded by Captain Edward Butler, who held the position 
until May 13, and was followed by Major John Mills, 2d sub-legion. 
The act of March 3, 1795, provided for “ an adjutant general to do also 
the duty of inspector,” and gave additional compensation to the brigade- 
majors. 
The act of May 30, 1796, provided for one inspector to do the duty of 
adjutant general, and terminated the existence of the legion. On February THE INSPECTOR GENERALS DEPARTMENT. 
23 
27, Major Thomas Cushing, ist infantry, was appointed inspector of the 
army and performed the duties of adjutant general. 
The act of March 3, 1797, repealed the foregoing act, and provided for 
one brigadier general, to choose his brigade-major from the captains of the 
line. As Major Cushing had not relinquished his rank in the line upon re- 
ceiving the commission of inspector, he continued to perform the duties of 
his office by detail. 
By the act of May 22, 1798, the brigadier general was authorized to 
choose his brigade-major and inspector from among any of the commissioned 
officers in the line of the army. 
About this time our difficulties with France assumed a threatening aspect 
and congress authorized a provisional army, the organization of which fol- 
lowed the principles observed towards the end of the Revolution. The 
troops formed brigades and divisions; the adjutant general was deputy to 
the inspector general; the duties performed by the inspectors were generally 
such as devolved on them during the Revolution and since. All inspectors 
were given additional pay. 
On July 3d Washington was made commander-in-chief, and on the 18th 
Alexander Hamilton was appointed inspector general with the rank of major 
general. In a letter addressed to the secretary of war, July 4, Washington 
gave his views at length respecting the importance of the general staff to the 
welfare of the army. 
Referring to the inspector general he wrote : 
“ If the inspector general is not an officer of great respectability of character, firm 
and strict in discharging the duties of the trust reposed in him, or if he be too pliant 
in his disposition, he will most assuredly be imposed upon, and the efficient strength 
and condition of the army will not be known to the commander-in-chief; of course he 
may form his plans upon erroneous calculations and commit fatal mistakes.’’ 
Hamilton selected as his aides Captain George Izard and Lieutenant 
Ethan Allen Brown. Jacob Brown, who became a major general in 1812 and 
commander of the army, was his military secretary. 
A few days after receiving his commission, July 28, Hamilton entered 
upon his duties, which far exceeded in their variety and scope those of any 
other officer of the army. Nothing escaped his attention. He was prac- 
tically at the head of the war department and chief of staff, both the secre- 
tary of war and Washington placing unbounded confidence in his abilities, 
his patriotism and integrity. The scope of this sketch will not allow a re- 
cital of the many important services rendered by Hamilton and his assistants. 
On February 4 he was invested with the command of all the troops along 
the northern lakes and in the Northwest Territory. Among the many objects 
which he had under consideration was the plan of a military academy, 
which had also been suggested by Steuben, and had repeatedly received 
the consideration of the government, but without result. 
He submitted his plan to Washington who replied unde.'date of Decem- 
ber 12, 1779, commending the idea but declining to make any observations 
on the details of the plan. 
This, the last letter written by the “ Father of his country” before his 
death, which followed two days later, suggests the reflection that the last 24 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
letter written by him at the close of the Revolution, and just before resign- 
ing his commission, was addressed to the inspector general of the army, the 
Baron Steuben. Like Hamilton, Steuben had been appointed to his office 
at the request of Washington, and both shared in the fullest degree his 
confidence and affection. 
As our difficulties with the French Republic now seemed in the way of 
adjustment, congress, May 14, 1800, reduced the army. On May 13 Hamil- 
ton had requested leave to resign his commission June 1st, but this was not 
granted, as it was thought expedient that the larger bodies of troops at dif- 
ferent stations should be mustered out by him in person. His resignation 
was finally accepted June 15. He, as well as Steuben, was elected president 
general of the Society of the Cincinnati. 
On the resignation of Hamilton, Major Cushing of the 1st infantry, who 
had been inspector and adjutant general before him, and who was a division 
inspector of the provisional army, once more resumed the office of inspector 
of the army. He continued to fill the office by detail until congress rees- 
tablished it in 1802. The office of adjutant general having been discon- 
tinued and the reduction of the army completed, the duties which had 
devolved on him were transferred to the inspector, and the duties of inspec- 
tion prescribed in orders from the headquarters of the army of August 
19, 1800. 
On November 30 the country was divided into twelve districts, to be 
commanded by regimental and battalion commanders. Musters and inspec- 
tions were to be made monthly by the district commanders when the regu- 
lar inspecting officers could not attend. The order is noteworthy in pre- 
scribing that “ the muster and inspection of a garrison should not be made 
by any officer belonging to it.” 
On the resignation of Hamilton, Brigadier General James Wilkinson 
became the senior officer of the army and so remained until March 27, 1812. 
Through all this period he had immediate command of the army, the head- 
quarters of which were at various points, depending on his movements. 
The adjutant and inspector of the army accompanied him or not, as might 
be directed, and performed his duties generally under his orders, although 
sometimes employed by the secretary of war. 
The injustice of assigning to an officer detailed from the line, without 
extra compensation, the arduous duties of adjutant and inspector, induced 
congress on March 16, 1802, to again establish that office by law, and Major 
Cushing was appointed to it March 26, and held the position to September 
7, 1805. Meanwhile, April 1, 1802, he was promoted lieutenant colonel of 
his regiment. 
Under the act of April 12, 1808, the army was increased to 9921 aggre- 
gate, and two inspectors to be taken from the line were authorized. On 
April 2, Colonel Cushing was succeeded by Major Abimael Nicoll of the 
artillery. 
From the close of the Revolution to the year 1808, the army was sub- 
jected, as has been shown, to many changes. There were no printed regu- 
lations other than those prepared by Steuben. Efforts had been made by 
Hamilton, Pinckney and others, to revise the drill books and to compile THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
25 
regulations, but their work was not published. The systems which pre- 
vailed at the close of the Revolution continued, modified by such regula- 
tions and orders as circumstances suggested. 
In February, 1810, Colonel Alexander Smyth of the regiment of rifle- 
men, compiled a system of infantry exercises and manoeuvres, chiefly from 
French sources, which he was directed to test with the troops in camp near 
Washington, “ there being,” so says the order, “ no established system for 
the army of the United States.” 
Owing to the difficulties growing out of the Napoleonic wars, the refusal 
of the British to evacuate the posts surrendered by the Treaty of Paris, and 
the depredations and insults of her cruisers, congress, on December 24, 
1811, increased the army. The staff included one inspector general with 
rank of brigadier general, with two assistants to be taken from the line of 
lieutenant colonels. 
On May 4, 1812, the following regulations defining the duties of the in- 
spector general were issued by the secretary of war : 
It will be the duty of the inspector general to organize the army ; to 
superintend and enforce discipline ; to visit and inspect camps, cantonments, quarters, 
prisons, places of arms and hospitals ; to make stated and unexpected inspections of 
troops, arms, equipments, clothing, ammunition and horses ; to make inspections, re- 
turns, and confidential reports relative to the state and discipline of the army ; to 
designate men and horses unfit for service or the fatigues of war, that the former may 
be discharged or sent to garrisons and the latter sold ; to examine the books of quarter- 
masters, paymasters and companies, and ascertain the balances ; and to prescribe 
forms of returns exhibiting all the wants of the army.” 
These regulations are a summary of the duties which, since its establish- 
ment, had gradually devolved upon the department. 
On May 16 the president was authorized to appoint from the captains 
and subalterns of the line, one sub-inspector to each brigade with the addi- 
tional monthly pay of twenty-four dollars. 
On June 18 war was declared against Great Britain, and on the 26th 
the army was given a more perfect organization, comprising a general staff, 
medical staff, ordnance department, quartermaster’s department, corps of 
engineers, four regiments of artillery, two of dragoons, one of riflemen and 
25 of infantry, an aggregate of 35,752. The country was divided into nine 
military districts, each with a district staff, which included an inspector. 
General Dearborn was the senior officer and commanding general during 
the war. 
By the act of July 6, 1812, the president was authorized to appoint to 
any army of the United States other than that in which the inspector gen- 
eral was serving, one deputy inspector general to be taken from the line 
with increased pay, and such number of assistant deputies as the service 
might require. 
On July 6 Colonel Smyth was appointed inspector general, and on July 
14 the secretary of war issued instructions merging, temporarily, the offices 
of adjutant and inspector general with the adjutant general’s department, 
the duties of both to be performed under the direction of the adjutant gen- 
eral, to whom Major Nicoll was appointed assistant. Captain William King 26 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
of the 15th infantry was made assistant to the inspector general. In Sep- 
tember General Smyth was given a brigade in the army along the Niagara 
River, commanded by Major General Van Rensselaer of the New York 
militia. On the resignation of that officer after the battle of Queenstown 
the command passed to General Smyth. 
The act of March 3, 1813, organizing the general staff, provided that the 
adjutant general’s and inspector general’s departments should consist of 
one adjutant and inspector general with the rank of brigadier general; 8 
adjutants general and 8 inspectors general with the brevet rank, pay, etc., of 
colonel; 16 assistant adjutants general and 16 assistant inspectors general 
with the brevet rank, pay, etc., of majors, to be taken from the line or not 
as the president might deem expedient. The president was also empowered 
to assign one of the brigadier generals to the principal army to act as ad- 
jutant and inspector of such army. As this act discontinued the offices of 
adjutant general and inspector general, it was held that General Smyth, 
having no commission in the line, was disbanded and no longer an officer 
of the army. He sought relief from congress, but was unsuccessful and 
ceased to be an officer March 3, 1813. The most notable service rendered 
by him while inspector general was the preparation of regulations for the 
field service, manoeuvre and conduct of infantry, a copy of which may be 
seen in the library of the war department. 
On March 12 Brigadier General Zebulon M. Pike was appointed adjutant 
and inspector to the army commanded by General Dearborn, but was killed 
by the explosion of a mine in the attack on the British fortifications at 
York, Upper Canada, April 13th. 
From the death of General Pike to May 19, 1814, the office of adjutant 
and inspector general of the army remained vacant, the affairs of the two 
branches being in charge of Colonel Nicoll, inspector general, and Major 
C. K. Gardner, assistant adjutant general, respectively. 
On May 19 Brigadier General W. H. Winder was appointed adjutant and 
inspector of the army, and chief of staff to the northern army ; on July 2 he 
was assigned to the command of the 10th military district. On the reduc- 
tion of the army in June, 1815, he retired from service and resumed the 
practice of the law at his home in the city of Baltimore. He died May 
24, 1824. 
Meantime Colonel A. Y. Nicoll, who had been in charge of the inspector’s 
office in the war department, resigned June 1, 1814, and was succeeded by 
Colonel John R. Bell, inspector general, who was appointed major and 
assistant inspector general July 29, 1813. On November 22, 1814, Mr. Daniel 
Parker, of Massachusetts, the chief clerk of the war department, was ap- 
pointed adjutant and inspector general of the army. 
On the reduction of the army in 1815 the 8 inspectors general and 16 
assistant inspectors general were discharged and four brigade inspectors, to 
be taken from the line of the army, substituted. No provision was made 
for continuing the office of adjutant and inspector general of the army, but 
under the discretion given the president he retained provisionally one 
adjutant and inspector general, and other staff officers. In March the ten 
military districts were replaced by nine military departments, forming a THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
27 
northern and a southern division, each division and department having an 
inspector generally selected by its commander. 
On December 27 the secretary of war suggested to the military com- 
mittee of the House the expediency of providing by law for the staff ap- 
pointments provisionally retained by President Madison. This led to the 
act of April 24, 1816, organizing the general staff, which recognized and 
made permanent those officers, and provided for one adjutant and inspector 
general of the army, one inspector general of each division, and an assist- 
ant inspector general to every brigade to supersede the inspectors author- 
ized by the act of March 3, 1815, and to be selected from the line of the 
army or from civil life, with the rank, pay and emoluments, provided by the 
act of March 3, 1813. Colonels Hayne of the dragoons and Wool of the 
infantry were announced as inspectors general, and Captains J. M. Davis, 
Wm, McDonald and G. H. Manigault, of the infantry, Francis S. Belton, 
formerly of the dragoons but now in civil life, and John Biddle of the artil- 
lery, as assistant inspectors general. 
By the act of April 14, 1818, the pay of division inspectors was made 
equal to the pay of division adjutants general. The administration of in- 
spectors continued unchanged until October, 1820, when, by orders, all 
assistant inspectors general were placed under the division commanders 
acting through the division inspectors. 
By the act of March 2, 1821, the army was reduced and reorganized. 
The office of adjutant and inspector general was abolished, and but two in- 
spectors general, with the rank, pay and emoluments of colonels of cavalry, 
authorized. Colonels Wool and Gadsden (the latter appointed October 1, 
1820, but not confirmed) were continued as inspectors. It was their duty 
to make a complete annual inspection of the army under the orders of the 
general commanding, the troops, posts and other establishments, being 
equitably divided between them. 
On May 17, 1821, an order was issued by the president substituting an 
eastern and western department for the two divisions into which the coun- 
try was divided in 1815. In August Colonel Gadsden was appointed adju- 
tant general, and in November, Major S. B. Archer of the artillery was 
appointed to succeed him. 
In December the inspections were specialized, the infantry being assigned 
to Colonel Wool, and the artillery, arsenals, foundries and manufactories of 
arms, to Colonel Archer. This was a departure from the practice previously 
observed, under which there was no division of inspections according to the 
previous service of inspectors. 
During the years 1823 and 1824 additional duties were imposed on in- 
spectors in reference to returns, reports, accounts, statements and invento- 
ries of public property, and they were held responsible for all estimates for 
supplies, which were to be made on consultation with post commander. 
When not engaged inspecting, they were required to take station at army 
headquarters. 
On March 2 the order specializing the inspections was revoked, and the 
two inspectors were directed to alternate in the annual inspections which 
were to be made under the orders of the commanding general. No reasons 28 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
for this change are given in the order, which was doubtless issued to more 
perfectly equalize the duties. The commandant of engineers was made 
inspector of the military academy. 
By the act of March 3, 1825, authorizing the sale of unserviceable ord- 
nance, arms and military supplies, congress designated inspectors general as 
primarily the proper officers to inspect public property with a view to its 
elimination from service. By Par. 4 of G. O. 58, series of 1825, such in- 
spections were to be “ made by an inspector general when practicable.” 
On December n, 1825, Colonel Archer died and was succeeded, Decem- 
ber 31, by George Croghan, of Kentucky, formerly lieutenant colonel of the 
15th infantry and renowned for the defense of Fort Sandusky, Ohio, in 1813, 
against the British and Indians. 
In April, 1829, inspectors general were authorized to discharge soldiers 
on certificates of disability, a power previously exercised by them. 
On May 19, 1837, the two great departments were changed into divisions 
with different limits, and divided into seven geographical departments. To 
each division one of the inspectors general was assigned as chief of staff, 
and to perform the duties of adjutant and inspector general. The act of 
July 5, 1838, having added two assistant adjutants general with brevet rank 
of major, and four with rank of captain, and required them to perform the 
duties of assistant inspectors, the two inspectors general were returned to 
the headquarters of the army, December 13. 
On June 25 Brevet Brigadier General Wool was appointed full brigadier, 
and in December, 1839, was succeeded by Major Churchill of the artillery. 
In May, 1842, the following important addition to the duties of inspec- 
tors was made by the secretary of war, Mr. John C. Spencer : 
<< * * * n. It is made the duty of the inspectors general, or officers acting 
as inspectors, carefully to examine and inspect all supplies and materials procured for 
the construction of forts, or for harbor and river improvements, and all the means ap- 
plicable thereto, and the number and description of vessels, boats, machinery and in- 
struments, etc., and they will inquire into all contracts for supplies and materials of 
all kinds, in the different departments, and whether the articles furnished conform to 
such contracts, and also into contracts made by the quartermaster’s department for the 
transportation of troops and stores. The results of these inspections will be forthwith 
reported as provided in Par. 835.” 
On August 23, 1842, an act of congress abolished one of the inspectors 
general, but on January 12, 1846, this act was repealed. During this period 
both inspectors continued in office, and were, for a time, on duty with the 
army in Mexico. 
In August, 1848, G. O. 49 divided the country into two military divisions, 
the eastern consisting of four departments and the western of five depart- 
ments. There were in addition two separate departments, Nos. 10 and n, 
from which, in October, was formed the third, or Pacific division. This ar- 
rangement of the country continued until October 31, 1853, when seven mil- 
itary departments were substituted for it. 
Colonel Croghan died January 8, 1849, and was succeeded, January 26, 
by Captain James Duncan, 2d artillery, who died July 3, and was followed 
June 10, 1850, by Major George A. McCall, 3d infantry. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL1 S DEPARTMENT. 
29 
In May, on the accession of General Scott to the command of the army 
the inspectors general were ordered to report to him by letter. 
On October 16, General Churchill was assigned as inspector of the east- 
ern division; Colonel McCall of the Pacific division ; and Brevet Colonel 
Samuel S. Cooper, assistant inspector general, to the western division. On 
December 17 the order was revoked and the inspectors were again attached 
to army headquarters, but ordered to inspect the three divisions in regular 
rotation, after which they were to report in person to the commanding gen- 
eral. Colonel McCall resigned April 29, 1853, and was succeeded by Cap- 
tain J. K. Mansfield of the Engineers, May 28. 
No change in the number of inspectors took place between 1842 and 
1861, but on March 6, i860, Brevet Colonel Joseph E. Johnston of the 1st 
cavalry was assigned to duty as acting inspector general of the army accord- 
ing to his brevet rank. On May 14, 1861, Colonel Mansfield was appointed 
brigadier general and was succeeded on the same date by Captain and Bre- 
vet Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Scott of the 4th infantry. 
On August 3. 1861, five assistant inspectors general with rank of major, 
and on August 6 two inspectors general with the rank of colonel, were 
added by congress. 
No change in the number of regular inspectors occurred until 1864, but 
by the act of July 17, 1862, an inspector general with the provisional rank 
and pay of lieutenant colonel was provided for each army corps. The 
names of those appointed under the act will be found in G. O. 181 of 1862. 
No change in the organization of the department occurred during the 
war. In 1861 Colonel Marcy was appointed brigadier general and chief of 
staff to the Army of the Potomac, and so served to November, 1862. Colo- 
nel Sacket was inspector general of that army to 1863, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Schriver. Baird, Buford and Totten were general offi- 
cers commanding troops, while Hardie, Davis, Jones and Van Rensselaer 
were on duty as inspectors. When not assigned to one of the armies in the 
field they were under the orders of the secretary of war. Armies, army 
corps, divisions, brigades, geographical divisions and departments, had in- 
spectors general, assistant or acting assistant inspectors general, usually 
selected by the several commanders ; and all parts of the army were subject 
to frequent inspections. The number of geographical departments increased, 
until, in 1865, there were 29 departments forming five divisions, and also a 
number of districts nearly all of which had inspectors. 
On January 22, 1866, the war department published in G. O. No. 5, regu- 
lations relating to the inspection service, which prescribed the ordinary 
subjects of inspection and the general principles to be observed. This 
order, based on the wide experience of the department up to date, defined 
the “ ordinary duties of inspection ” to be 
“the condition as to efficiency, discipline, supplies, etc., of bodies of troops, and 
the resources, geographical features, lines of communication and supply, the military 
wants, etc., of any section of the country ; the military status in any field of opera- 
tions ; the condition and supply of military materials of various classes ; the condi- 
tion of the administrative or disbursing departments of the service ; the efficiency and 
conduct of military commanders and agents ; the cause of failure or delay in move- 30 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
merits or operations ; of losses by accidents, disasters, etc., and in general, all matters 
pertaining to the military art or having interest in a military point of view.” 
In the ordinary discharge of the duties, the sphere of inquiry was thus 
made to include every branch of military affairs, being defined and limited 
only in specific cases by the orders issued. This order and the circular of 
November 2, 1868, are fundamental, and have been the basis of all subse- 
quent regulations and orders affecting the department. 
The act of July 28, 1866, fixed the number of inspectors general with 
rank of colonel at four; assistant inspectors general with rank of lieutenant 
colonel at three, and the number with rank of major at two. 
In October, 1868, all the inspectors and assistant inspectors general were 
assigned to divisions and departments except Colonel Schriver, who was 
placed in charge of the bureau and made inspector of the military academy. 
Selections for acting inspectors were to be made from the grades of field 
officers who had served not less than ten years. The inspectors of depart- 
ments were made subordinate to division inspectors, from whom they were 
to receive instructions relative to the manner of performing their duties. 
The act approved March 3, 1869, prohibited any new appointments or 
promotions in the department. In April the stations of inspectors were 
changed, and Colonel Marcy was assigned as inspector general at army 
headquarters and Colonel Schriver with the secretary of war. At the same 
time department commanders were ordered to make inspections of the 
troops and posts in person when practicable. 
By an act approved June 8, 1872, the president was authorized to appoint 
Lieutenant-Colonel Davis to the rank and place he would have had if pro- 
moted at the time of Colonel Hardie’s appointment. This act increased 
the number of colonels to five, but provided that there should be no pro- 
motion to that grade until the number of colonels was reduced to four. 
In October, 1872, the five inspectors general were assigned to stations, 
but performed their duties under the orders of the secretary of war and 
general of the army; the three assistant inspectors general went to the 
headquarters of the three divisions. Field officers of the line were detailed 
as department inspectors. 
In January, 1873, orders were issued excepting from inspection by de- 
partment or division inspectors, all engineer establishments, officers or 
agents. The act of March 3, 1873, established the military prison, and re- 
quired one of the inspectors general to visit and inspect it at least once in 
three months. 
In April, 1874, the act providing for the inspection of disbursements was 
passed. Itembodied a principle, previously recognized by congress, “ that 
officers detailed for this duty should not be in any way connected with the 
department or corps making the disbursement.” This act was at first con- 
strued to require monthly inspections, and imposed most arduous duties on 
all inspectors, who were made responsible for any defalcation or misappli- 
cation of the public money or property which ‘‘an active vigilance on their 
part might have detected.” It is difficult to imagine a more unjust require- 
ment than this, or one more clearly unintended by the law, which was not 
designed to prevent frauds or to punish criminals, but to determine the THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DEPAR TMENT. 
31 
necessity, propriety and economy of disbursements, and whether officers 
complied with the law in keeping their accounts and making their deposits. 
In June, 1874, inspections of disbursements were ordered to be made bi- 
monthly. 
By the act of June 23, 1874, reorganizing the staff of the army, the in- 
spector general’s department was to consist of one colonel, two lieutenant 
colonels and two majors, and not to exceed four line officers to act as in- 
spectors general; and no more appointments were to be made until the 
number of inspectors general was reduced to five, but no officer then in 
service was to be reduced in rank or mustered out. This law settled in the 
affirmative the question as to whether the inspectors general constituted 
a department, about which there had been some variance of opinion. 
In April, 1876, the secretary of war directed the inspector general to re- 
port to the general of the army, and to be under him in all matters relating 
to military control and discipline. In May a reassignment of the inspectors 
was made, by which two were ordered to army headquarters and the others 
to the three divisions. Reports of the inspection of troops and military 
posts were to be forwarded through regular channels to the inspector gen- 
eral’s office, and inspectors were ordered to note on such reports the reme- 
dies applied, and all superior commanders to endorse on them their action, 
“ for the information of the general of the army.” In July the inspections of 
disbursements were ordered to be made quarterly, and the annual inspection 
of national cemeteries required by law was assigned to this department, 
but in 1879 it was dispensed with unless specially ordered. 
Congress having declared by the act of June 16, 1874, that the inspectors 
general constituted a department, and the disproportion between the rank 
of the senior inspector general, or head of the department, and that of the 
other chiefs of bureau having been pointed out, the act of December 12, 
1878, conferred on the senior inspector general the rank of brigadier general, 
and fixed the number of colonels at three, lieutenant colonels two, and 
majors one. 
In August, 1879, it was ordered by the secretary of war that every post, 
station and command of the army should thereafter be inspected at least 
once each year by division and department inspectors under the direction of 
their respective commanders, and that in addition, post, station and other 
permanent commanders should make similar inspections, annually, between 
September 1st and 5th, and forward the reports to the inspector general’s 
office. This order published a blank form of report which all officers making 
inspections were required to use. 
Between May, 1878, and September, 1879, post schools and post ceme- 
teries were made special subjects of inspection, and inspectors were required 
to have destroyed in their presence all unserviceable articles having no 
money value at the place where inspected. 
By the act of March 3, 1883, it was made the duty of the inspector gen- 
eral of the army to inspect the Soldier’s Home in person once each year. 
By the act of February 5, 1885, the department was given its present 
organization. 
March 8, 1885, General Sacket died and was succeeded on the nth by 32 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY,. 
Colonel N. H. Davis, who retired September 23, and was followed by Colo- 
nel A. Baird. 
In August, inspections of disbursements were ordered to be made once 
every four months; in March, 1886, amendments of the regulations were 
made prescribing the manner of such inspections, and in June the inspec- 
tion of the military departments of colleges was assigned. 
The hospital corps having been organized by the act of March 1, 1887, 
orders were issued in August establishing the rules and regulations affect- 
ing it, and inspectors general were required to examine into the efficiency 
of its members and of the company litter bearers. 
On August 20, 1888, General Baird was retired, and was succeeded by 
Colonel Roger Jones the same date. General Jones died January 26,1889, 
and was succeded by Colonel J. C. Breckinridge, January 30, 1889. 
In January, 1889, the inspection of the supply division of the war depart- 
ment, and in November the annual inspection of the militia were assigned 
to the department. 
Between 1889 and 1894 many other important orders, regulations and 
decisions have been issued affecting the duties of the department, which 
culminated in the amendment of paragraph 955 A. R., by G. O. No. 38, of 
1890, which was the same in spirit as G. O. No. 84 of 1879, and G. O. No. 17, 
of 1882, under which the entire military establishment was to be inspected 
annually, the public works under engineer officers alone excepted. They 
however were now included, and remained on the list of inspections to July 
5th, when, by G. O. No. 45, of 1892, they were again excepted. 
By G. O. No. 23, the bureau of information was established, and shortly 
after the inspection of the militia passed under the supervision of the adju- 
tant general. 
The last important duty assigned the department, is the annual inspec- 
tion of the national homes for disabled volunteer soldiers, prescribed by the 
act of August 18, 1894. Major-General 
ARTHUR ST. CLAIR 
Commanding the Army, 1791-1792. JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. 
By Lieut.-Col. J. W. CLOUS, Dep. J. A. General, 
HISTORY is said to repeat itself. Mr. Clode in his treatise on the 
military and martial law of England, says that in the English civil 
war of the 17th century the opposing armies of the king and of the 
parliament were governed under the same military code. So 
in 1775 the same thing happened in this country. At that time the 
“ Ministerial ” Army, as Gage’s and Burgoyne’s forces were called, was 
governed by the British Mutiny Act and Articles of War. When the 
Continental Congress raised an army in defense of the liberty of America, 
that assembly could find no military code better suited to their requirement 
than the then current British Articles of War, and accordingly on the 
30th of June, 1775, they put forth Articles of War (sixty-nine in number) 
on the model of the English for the government of the Continental army. 
The adoption of this code was followed on the 29th of July, 1775, by 
the creation of the office of “Judge Advocate of the Army” to which 
on the same day William Tudor, a law pupil of John Adams and a 
leading counsellor of Boston, was elected. The title of Judge Advocate 
General was attached to this office on August 10, 1776, and the amended 
Articles of War, adopted on September 20, 1776, by the Revolutionary 
Congress of the United States provided that “The Judge Advocate 
General, or some person deputed by him, shall prosecute in the name of 
the United States of America.” 
William Tudor, having resigned in 1777, was succeeded by John 
Lawrance, a distinguished jurist, who had served with the army in the field 
both as a regimental and as a staff officer. Meanwhile certain deputy 
judge advocates were appointed for different armies and for the army at 
large. 
Colonel Lawrance resigned in 1782, and was succeeded by his principal 
deputy, Thomas Edwards, who, so far as the records show, was the last 
incumbent of the office of Judge Advocate General prior to the adoption 
of the Constitution. 
Under the Act of March 3, 1797, reorganizing the army, Captain 
Campbell Smith, 4th Infantry, was appointed to the office of Judge Advocate 
to the army. He continued to hold the office till it ceased to exist by 
the force of the Act of March 16, 1802, which also reduced the line of the 
army to one regiment of artillery and two of infantry. 
Next, we find that the Act of January n, 1812, provided for the 
appointment of one Judge Advocate to each division, and the statute of 
April 24, 1816, “ for reorganizing the general staff” increased this number 
to three for each division, but by the Act of April 14, 1818, this change 
Professor of Law, U. S. M. A. 
33 34 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
was repealed and the former number restored. Among the eighteen 
judge-advocates appointed under this act we find the name of Henry 
Wheaton, the eminent publicist, professor of law, and diplomat, whose 
work on the “ Elements of International Law ” is to-day one of the 
standard authorities. 
By the operation of the Act of March 2, 1821, reducing the military 
establishment of the United States, the office of the Judge Advocate was 
discontinued, and remained so until the Act of March 2, 1849, authorized 
the President to appoint a suitable person as Judge Advocate of the army, 
to be taken from the captains of the army, Captain John F. Lee of the 
Ordnance Department was accordingly appointed, and held the office until 
it was superseded by the legislation of 1862. 
The Act of July 17, 1862, created the office of Judge Advocate General, 
with the rank, pay and allowance of a colonel of cavalry, and authorized the 
appointment of a judge advocate, with the rank and pay of a major of cav- 
alry, for each army in the field. 
Under the Act of June 20, 1864, the Bureau of Military Justice was cre- 
ated, attached to, and made a part of, the War Department, during the con- 
tinuance of the then existing War of the Rebellion. The Judge Advocate 
General was made the head of this Bureau and given the rank and pay of a 
brigadier general. The appointment of an Assistant Judge Advocate Gen- 
eral with the rank and pay of colonel of cavalry was also authorized. 
Upon the reorganization of the army under the Act of July 28, 1866, the 
Bureau of Military Justice with its organization was continued in operation 
and ten of the judge advocates then in office retained in service and soon 
after made part of the regular establishment of the army. By the subse- 
quent Act of April 10, 1869, this number was fixed at eight. 
Under the Act of June 24, 1874, the office of Assistant Judge Advocate 
General was discontinued and no appointments in the corps of judge advo- 
cates were to be made until the number was reduced to four, which was to 
be the permanent number of the officers of that corps. 
The Bureau of Military Justice and the Corps of Judge Advocates of the 
army were by the act of July 5, 1884, consolidated under the title of “Judge 
Advocate General’s Department,” to consist of one Judge Advocate Gene- 
ral with the rank, pay and allowances of a brigadier general, one Assistant 
Judge Advocate General with the rank, pay and allowances of a colonel; 
three Deputy Judge Advocate Generals, with the rank, pay and allowances 
of lieutenant colonels ; and three judge advocates, with the rank, pay and al- 
lowances of majors, and under the same act the Secretary of War is authorized 
to detail such number of line officers as may be necessary to serve as acting 
judge advocates of Military Departments, who shall have the rank, pay 
and allowances of captains of cavalry. This is the present organization of 
the Judge Advocate General’s Department, and under the authority just 
quoted there are present five officers of the line serving as acting judge 
advocates of Departments. These have been specially selected from the 
first lieutenants of the line, who have studied law and been admitted to the 
bar. 
Under the existing statutes the Judge Advocate General is required “ to JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERALS DEPT\ 
35 
receive, revise and cause to be recorded the proceedings of all courts-mar- 
tial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions and to perform such other 
duties as have been performed heretofore by the Judge Advocate General 
of the army,” and under his direction the “ judge advocates shall perform 
their duties.” In connection with the duties thus specified the Judge Advo- 
cate General is required by existing regulations to render reports to the 
Secretary of War upon such cases tried by military courts as require the 
action of the President, as well as when applications for clemency or other 
relief are presented to the President or Secretary of War by persons who 
have been convicted by military courts. He also prepares and revises charges 
and renders opinions upon all such questions of military law as may be re- 
ferred to him for opinion by the Secretary of War or the Commanding Gen- 
eral of the army. He also assists the latter in the review of cases of courts- 
martial coming under his cognizance. 
The “ other duties" of the Judge Advocate General mentioned in the 
statute consist in the preparation of all sorts of legal papers, and in the ren- 
dering of opinions upon all questions of law arising in the administration of 
the War Department referred to him under the interior business regulations 
established by the Secretary of War. In this connection the Judge Advo- 
cate General is in effect the law officer of the War Department, holding 
practically the same relation of advisory counsel to the Secretary of War as 
is held by the several solicitors or Assistant Attorneys General towards the 
chiefs of the executive department to which they are attached. 
The acting judge advocates and judge advocates detailed for duty at 
Department headquarters are under the immediate command of Depart- 
ment commanders, and their duties chiefly consist in preparing or revising 
charges, serving on general courts-martial, examining, revising and report- 
ing upon the records of military courts received at the headquarters at 
which they are serving, and generally in assisting their immediate com- 
manders in the examination of questions of law arising in the administra- 
tion of their commands. These officers are frequently called upon to ap- 
pear as counsel for the United States, or for officers or soldiers of the army 
in the courts of the United States, in habeas corpus and other proceedings 
as well as before the civil and criminal courts of the States and Territories 
within the command to which they are attached. It is therefore necessary 
that they should have a legal education and be members of the bar. 
Since 1874, one of the judge advocates of the army has been from time 
to time assigned to duty as Professor of Law of the United States Military 
Academy, at West Point, New York. 
In the preparation of the foregoing paper the writer has made free use of 
the “Sketch of the History and Duties of the Judge Advocate Gen- 
eral’s Department” prepared by the Judge Advocate General and dated 
March 1, 1878. 
This sketch would be incomplete without a reference to the effect 
produced by the Civil War upon the administration of military justice in 
the army, the Judge Advocate General’s Department being the agency 
through which great changes were brought about. 
It may justly be said that before the War of the Rebellion we had no mil- 36 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
itary jurisprudence. The jurisdiction exercised by military tribunals was 
withdrawn from public observation, their decisions were buried in the War 
Department. Writers on military law could draw under ordinary circum- 
stances few materials from sources similar to those which furnish any 
writer on constitutional law both information and authority. 
Scattered into small commands, occupying widely separated stations on 
a vast frontier, without connection by railroads or telegraphs, with superior 
headquarters located at a great distance, the greatest portion of our small 
army served for years preceding the war far removed from civilization, pro- 
tecting the enterprising pioneer in his search for a new home in the far 
west. Beyond the reach of civil authority, obliged to maintain discipline 
among his troops, and in duty bound to give to the settlers within the vicin- 
age and to the passing immigrant that protection of life and property which 
is in organized civil communities obtained through the local civil authori- 
ties, the commanding officer of a frontier station was often forced to resort 
to the law of necessity for the preservation of discipline within and good 
order and security without. Arbitrary punishments therefore had often to 
take the place of trials by courts-martial. Absolute master within, and from 
without the only power that could be invoked by the civilian for his protec- 
tion, the commanding officer exercised more power than was ever contem- 
plated to be conferred by the genius of our institutions upon a military 
officer in time of peace. 
Under these conditions thecall to arms sounded in 1861, and the scattered 
regular forces, when replaced by volunteers, were collected and sent to the 
front. Many of their officers took high positions in the newly organized 
volunteer forces. 
The men comprising these new forces, coming from all walks of life, 
brought up under the aegis of civil law, under which they could only be 
tried by their peers and according to the law of the land, did not take 
kindly to the arbitrary punishments for infractions of discipline, as admin- 
istered to a great extent in the regular forces. The publicity of these pun- 
ishments, the influence of the press, and the interest taken by the public at 
large in the citizen soldiery, as reflected by the members of Congress with 
a large number of their constituents in the ranks of the army of the Union ; 
finally led to the abandonment of unauthorized punishments and of punish- 
ments not in accord with the spirit of public opinion of the times. 
The importance of the administration of military justice under the mili- 
tary code and under the laws of war increased in proportion as the field of 
military operations was extended and new armies were raised. The agency 
which supervised this branch of staff administration in the army up to the 
beginning of the Civil War was without an organization capable of expanding 
and meeting the new demands made upon it. There was but one officer, 
and his duties had been confined to taking charge of the records of courts- 
martial. An eminent statesman and able jurist, the Hon. Joseph Holt, was 
appointed Judge Advocate General by President Lincoln upon the creation 
of that office by Congress in 1862, and a corps of judge advocates was cre- 
ated at the same time. Under this legislation and until the close of the 
war thirty-nine officers were appointed in that corps. They had generally JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL'S DEPT. 
37 
performed active service in the field as volunteer officers and all of them 
had a legal education. Previous to their appointment the administration 
of military justice in the field was almost entirely in the hands of volunteer 
officers. Among them were judges who had left the bench and lawyers 
who had abandoned their briefs to take up arms for the cause of the Union. 
Many of them found their way to places where their legal training made 
them useful to commanding generals in the discharge of their duties as 
convening and reviewing officers of courts-martial. As an evidence of the 
valuable and eminent services of these officers, as well as of those of the 
corps of judge advocates in their new field, it is only necesary to refer to the 
scholarly reviews of courts-martial proceedings published in the orders of 
the various armies. 
During the great struggle for the supremacy of the Union every line of 
our military code was brought into practice and when necessary interpreted 
and construed. Military law is but a part of the law of the land, and there is 
no distinction between it and other portions of the law in respect to the 
rules according to which it should be construed, or in respect to the neces- 
sity of observing established principles in its administration. Besides this, 
nearly every crime known to the common law was brought within the 
jurisdiction of military courts. 
Our military jurisprudence was thus founded during the most critical 
period of our national history by General Holt with the assistance of his 
able corps of judge advocates. To one of these—Colonel Winthrop—the 
army is indebted for a treatise on military law in which for the first time 
are collected for the benefit of the soldier, the lawyer, the judge and the 
historian, the precedents, decisions and opinions which have become part 
of our law military. 
In substance and form our Articles of War were but little changed during 
the War of the Rebellion. During the past eight years, however, important 
improvements have been made in our military code. Previous con- 
victions are now authorized to be taken into consideration in awarding 
punishments upon conviction ; enlisted men are furnished with counsel at 
their request; judge-advocates of courts-martial are excluded from the 
closed sessions of courts; a code of punishment has been established by 
the President under authority of an act of Congress ; summary courts have 
been created; judge advocates and trial officers of summary courts are 
authorized by law to administer oaths in military cases, etc. Nearly all of 
these changes had their origin in recommendations emanating from the 
office of the Judge Advocate General. 
The duties of judge advocates are inseparable from the military system 
of every civilized nation. But under the genius of our institutions, officers 
educated both in military and civil law are necessary adjuncts of our mili- 
tary administration. Subordination of the military to the civil authorities 
is an axiom in our government; the military person is amenable to the 
jurisdiction of the civil courts of the land, both state and national. As an 
eminent statesman aptly remarked, “this is a government of law, and all 
authority exercised must find its warrant thereunder.” THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
TO chronicle properly and systematically the history of the Quarter- 
master’s Department would be to write a history of the army, of 
which it forms so important a part, with which it is so intimately 
associated, and without which it could not exist; for otherwise our 
army would be but a predatory mob, organized but not supplied ; dependent 
upon chance for its existence, and for its supplies upon forays, like the 
forces of the feudal barons of mediaeval times. The supply departments are 
the mainstay of an army. 
In their relations the departments of the army are correlative. Upon 
the efficiency of the one the success of the other is largely dependent. The 
army, which is the faithful servant of the nation it represents, reflects also 
the condition of the people, socially and economically. It faithfully por- 
trays the evolution from the earliest times to the present,—from barbarism 
to civilization, and keeps pace with the progress of the country. Its labors 
have been intimately associated with the spread of civilization, and no other 
agency has been so potent in perfecting the permanency of our republic,— 
and making its success assured and its power respected—as has been our 
army. 
Whether in peace or war its duties have been onerous, but cheerfully 
borne. Whether dealing with savage foe or foreign invader, success has 
crowned its efforts. 
During times of peace the army is dependent for its very existence upon 
the moods of Congress, and the whims of caprice,—moods as variable as 
those of the ocean, and whims like those of the breeze. During times 
of war, the country and Congress depends upon the army for active aid, 
whether to suppress insurrection, repel invasion, or to fight for actual exist- 
ence as a free and independent people,—a freedom and independence vouch- 
safed by our Constitution, a legacy left us by our forefathers, still faithfully 
guarded. 
The evolution which has brought our army to its present state of useful- 
ness, has been dependent upon circumstances and conditions in the history 
of the country, at its different epochs, and the necessities then existing. As 
with the army, so with the departments which constitute its staff, and with 
the several branches of the line,—the cavalry, artillery and infantry ; for from 
time to time each has been changed in numbers and in organization as cir- 
cumstances and conditions have changed, and in order that they might the 
better meet conditions or necessities then existing. The change has not been 
radical; it has been more in the nature of enlargement and improvement, 
as necessity demanded. 
This development has brought the army through various and varied 
Captain OSCAR F. LONG, A. Q. M., U. S. Army. THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
39 
vicissitudes to its present state of perfection, and has been necessary to 
meet the requirements of a modern civilization in a country whose geo- 
graphical isolation is its protection, and whose military and naval strength, 
its safeguard. 
Though essentially a nation of soldiers, in time of peace we do not pre- 
pare for wrar. On the contrary, from our very isolation we rest in a state of 
fancied security. 
Whether in peace or war, the army is mainly dependent upon its supply 
department, the duties of which are important and multifarious, the obliga- 
tions great, and the responsibilities enormous. 
Facts are interesting and figures tedious, but to show the importance of 
the operations of a great department of supply, they are a necessity, par- 
ticularly in referring to the work of the Quartermaster’s Department during 
the War of the Rebellion, when the enormous expenditure, perfect account- 
ability, and recognized efficiency, are of record as unequalled in military 
history, ancient or modern. 
The following is but a brief brochure, containing the more important 
facts connected with the organization of the Quartermaster’s Department 
from the War of Independence to the present time, compiled from the most 
authentic available data. 
FROM 1775 TO l8l2. 
The earliest legislation relating to the Quartermaster’s Department is 
found in the Journals of Congress. The Continental Congress in session at 
Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, adopted the following resolution June 16, 
1775: 
“ Resolved, That there be one Quartermaster General for the grand army, 
and one deputy under him for the separate army. * * * That the pay of 
the Quartermaster General be $80 per month, and that of the deputy $40 
per month.” 
The same Congress, on the 19th of July, 1775, adopted the following 
resolution : 
“ Resolved, That the appointment of a Quartermaster General * * * 
be left to General Washington.” 
Acting under this authority General Washington appointed Major 
Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, Quartermaster General; and writing to 
the President of Congress on the 21st of September, informed him of the 
fact, hoping and believing that such appointment would be universally ac- 
ceptable. 
Major Mifflin, immediately after his appointment, entered upon his 
duties in the Quartermaster’s Department. 
Prior to December 22, 1775, no provision had been made for the rank of 
the one who filled the position of Quartermaster General of the Army of the 
United Colonies, but on that date the following resolution was passed by 
Congress: 
“ Resolved, That the Quartermaster General have the rank of a colonel 
in the Army of the United Colonies.” 
On the 16th of May following, Colonel Mifflin was elected by Congress a 
brigadier general of the army, whereupon he resigned his office of Quarter- 40 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
master General, and on the 5th of June, 1776, Stephen Moylan was elected 
to fill the vacancy. 
The position and duties of Quartermaster General appear to have been 
distasteful to Colonel Moylan, and having tendered his resignation to Con- 
gress, that body, on the 1st of October, 1776, resolved that “Brigadier 
General Mifflin be authorized and requested to resume the said office, and 
that his rank and pay as brigadier general be still continued to him.” In 
accordance with this resolution, General Mifflin, on October 1, 1776, again 
took charge of the affairs of the Quartermaster’s Department. 
On the 27th of December, 1776, the Congress empowered General Wash- 
ington to appoint a clothier general for supplying the army. The duties of 
this office, however, did not at that time pertain to the Quartermaster’s De- 
partment. 
On February 19, 1777, General Mifflin was elected a major general by 
the Continental Congress. On the 8th of October, 1777, he requested leave 
to resign his commission of major general and office of Quartermaster Gen- 
eral on account of ill health; and November 7, 1777, the Congress resolved 
that his resignation of the office of Quartermaster General be accepted, but 
that his rank and commission of major general be continued to him, with- 
out the pay annexed to that office, until the further order of the Congress. 
With a view, however, to temporarily retain his services in the Quarter- 
master’s Department, the Congress resolved, on the 8th of November, 1777, 
that he “ be desired,—notwithstanding his resignation of Quartermaster 
General was accepted,—to continue in the exercise of that office, and that 
he be invested with full powers to act until another Quartermaster General 
should be appointed and should enter upon the duties of the office.” It 
does not appear, however, that he again entered formally upon these duties. 
The condition of the Quartermaster’s Department at this time, without 
an ostensible head, and with an organization to a certain extent defective 
and incomplete, was regarded with much solicitude by General Washington. 
In this emergency Major General Nathaniel Greene, an able, gallant 
officer and personal friend of General Washington, was selected by him to 
all the vacancy, and was elected by Congress on March 2, 1778. That body 
gave him authority to employ two assistant quartermasters general, 
who should be acceptable to him, and power to appoint all other officers of 
his department, and specially provided that General Greene should retain 
his rank of major general in the army, which he then held. 
General Greene unwillingly accepted the office. He disliked any ap- 
pointment which required the keeping and expenditure of public funds, and 
was unwilling to forego the opportunities which might arise for active 
service in the regular line of the army. It was only at the earnest entreaty 
of Washington that he finally consented, stipulating meanwhile that he 
should not lose his right of command in action. 
Entering, however, upon his new duties he executed them with great 
zeal and ability, encountering obstacles of no ordinary kind, and rendering 
services of the utmost importance to the army. He considered, however, 
that Congress had not promptly seconded his views in relation to the busi- 
ness of the department, and he was disinclined to remain at its head. On THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
41 
the 22d of April, 1779, he wrote to General Washington that he would be 
happy to obtain the command in the South, if General Lincoln’s physical 
condition rendered him incapable of continuing in command. 
General Washington replied April 24, 1779, as follows : 
‘ ‘ I am sorry for the difficulties you have to encounter in the department of Quar- 
termaster, especially as I was in some degree instrumental in bringing you into it. If 
your judgment points to a resignation of your present office, and inclination leads to 
the Southward, my wishes shall accompany it.” 
It does not appear, however, that this point was pressed by General 
Greene at the time. He rendered active services in the field in 1779 while 
Quartermaster General. The question having been raised as to his proper 
command under such circumstances, he wrote to General Washington on 
the subject, and received a reply dated September 3, 1779, stating that when 
General Greene accepted office as Quartermaster General and made a reser- 
vation of his rank, General Washington did not consider that he was to re- 
tain thereby an actual permanent command. He further wrote : 
“ The military reason which prevents a Quartermaster General from exercising com- 
mand in ordinary cases I take to be this, that whatever may be the fact, the presump- 
tion is that both in action and out of action he has, generally speaking, sufficient 
employment in the duties of his office, and circumstances alone can decide when these 
are compatible with actual command.” 
Congress, on November 25, 1779, Resolved, “ That the department of the 
Quartermaster General to be for the future under the superintendence and 
direction of the Board of War.” 
At this time the attention of Congress had been attracted to the organ- 
ization of the staff departments as they then existed, and on January 21, 22, 
and 23, 1780, three commissioners,—Mr. Schuyler, a member of the Conti- 
nental Congress; General Mifflin, and Colonel Pickering,—-werechosen to 
make inquiry into the expenses of these departments. 
In view of this inquiry a draft of a plan of reorganization of the Quarter- 
master's Department, considered practicable both by General Washington 
and General Greene, was submitted by the latter to this committee. 
Great hostility to both of these officers, however, was manifested by cer- 
tain members of the Congress, especially on the part of those, who it is 
believed, had organized the movement to place General Gates at the head 
of the army ; and the plan finally submitted to that body and adopted by it 
on the 15th July, 1780, following, was found to differ widely from that which 
had been proposed by them. 
The new law provided for one Quartermaster General and one Assistant 
Quartermaster General, to be appointed by the Congress; one Deputy 
Quartermaster for the main army, and one for each separate army, to be 
appointed by the Quartermaster General, who was also to appoint, if he 
deemed it necessary, a deputy for each state, to be approved by the Supreme 
Executive of the State, said deputies to appoint, in turn, as many assistants 
as required, and also all store-keepers, contractors, clerks, conductors, 
artificers, and laborers, found necessary to the service to be appointed by 
the deputies in their respective districts. The act occupies several pager- 42 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and enters into the most minute details for the government of the depart- 
ment. 
General Greene was greatly dissatisfied with the new law. He consid- 
ered the number of assistants too small, their salaries too low, and the whole 
scheme inefficient. Early in August, 1780, he tendered his unconditional 
resignation as Quartermaster General, requesting Congress to appoint his 
successor at once without loss of time, and expressing his desire to remain 
no longer in the department than was necessary to close his accounts and to 
set fairly in operation the new system as adopted for the future government 
of the department. August 5, 1780, Congress Resolved, “ That the absolute 
refusal of Major General Greene to act under the new arrangement of the 
Quartermaster General’s Department, has made it necessary that the office 
of Quartermaster General be immediately filled ” ; and on the same day 
Colonel Timothy Pickering was elected by Congress to fill the vacancy. 
Thereupon Congress adopted this resolution : 
Resolved, That Timothy Pickering, Esq., having been appointed Quartermaster 
General, upon an extraordinary emergency, be continued as a member of the board of 
war ; but that the exercise of all his powers at the said board, and his pay as a member 
thereof, be suspended during such time as he shall continue Quartermaster General. 
That while he holds the office of Quartermaster General he have the rank of colonel 
and the pay and rations of a brigadier general over and above the pay allowed the 
Quartermaster General in the late arrangement of the Quartermaster’s Department. 
Upon assuming the duties of his office Colonel Pickering found many 
serious difficulties with which to contend. The scarcity of funds, the de- 
preciation of the currency, and the want of system and harmony in the 
Quartermaster’s Department under the new organization, seriously inter- 
fered with the prompt transaction of business. 
On March 14, 1782, Congress by resolution authorized the appointment 
of one additional deputy quartermaster for the Southern Army, and on the 
same day reduced the pay of the Quartermaster General to that of Major 
General. 
On October 23, 1782, Congress Resolved, 
“ That the establishment of the Quartermaster’s Department by resolution of Con- 
gress of July 15, 1780, be after January 1, 1783, repealed, and the following regula- 
tions then adopted in its stead. 
“ Resolved, That there be one Quartermaster General, the present Quartermaster 
General to be continued in office ; and hereafter as vacancies arise to be appointed by 
Congress. 
“ That the Quartermaster General, with the approbation of the Commander-in- 
Chief, appoint the following officers for the armies of the United States, viz.: 
“ For the Main Army: One Deputy Quartermaster, one Wagon Master, one 
Commissary of Forage, one Director and one Sub-Director, of a Company of Arti- 
ficers. 
“ For the Southern Army : One Deputy Quartermaster, one Deputy Commissary 
of Forage, one Deputy Wagon Master, one Director and one Sub-Director of a Com- 
pany of Artificers, and as many Assistants in the Main and Southern Army to perform 
the duties of Quartermasters of Brigades, Storekeepers, Clerks and such other duties in 
the Quartermaster’s Department as the service may require, and also as many Wagon 
Conductors.” THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT 
43 
The business of the department was growing less with a constantly 
decreasing army, and with a view to economy and reduction of expenses, 
Congress on the 25th July, 1785, resolved that the department of Quarter- 
master General be considered as ceasing from that date, and that the Sec- 
retary of War and all others concerned be governed accordingly. 
By a resolution of Congress, dated September 29, 1785, a commissioner, 
previously appointed for the settlement of the accounts of the Quarter- 
master General’s department, was authorized and directed to enter upon a 
general settlement of the various accounts of Col. Pickering, as Quarter- 
master General, and of the several deputies serving in the department. 
On May 8, 1786, Mr. Jonathan Burrill was elected by Congress as Com- 
missioner to settle the accounts of the Quartermaster’s department at a 
compensation of $1250 per annum. 
On October 2, 1788, Congress adopted the report of a Committee 
appointed to make full inquiry into the proceedings of the Department of 
War. This Committee remarks on the affairs of the Quartermaster’s 
Department as follows: 
“ The Quartermaster’s Department on the frontiers is arranged on principles highly 
economical and beneficial to the public. Instead of an officer at the head of this 
department, with his train of attendants, all supplies are furnished by the contractors 
of provision, who have also, from time to time, contracted with the Secretary of War, 
to furnish all necessary articles on the frontiers, which shall be required for the troops, 
on the following principles. 
“ 1 st. No article to be furnished but by an order in writing from the commanding 
officer of the troops, or the commanding officer of a separate post, who shall be respon- 
sible to the Secretary of War, that only such articles shall be ordered as the situation 
of the troops render indispensably necessary. 
“ 2d. That for all articles so furnished the original bills of parcels shall be produced 
by the contractor, which shall be verified upon oath if required. 
“ 3d. That no charge shall be allowed the contractors which shall be deficient in the 
vouchers, the nature of which are precisely pointed out. 
“ 4th. That for all supplies, advances and services rendered in this line, the contrac- 
tors shall have an allowance made of five per cent, on the settlement of their account, 
every six months at the Treasury. All necessary articles which are furnished within 
the state lor the troops, are purchased by the Secretary of War, without any commis- 
sion or charge theron to the public.” 
This arrangement existed previously to the resolve of Congress for abol- 
ishing the Quartermaster General’s Department, July 25, 1785. The Quar- 
termaster’s Department at this time existed more in name than reality. It 
had no organization or effective force. 
On March 4, 1789, the first Congress of the United States convened in 
Federal Hall, New York City. The army at this time consisted of about 
2000 men, and no legislation affecting an increase of this force appears to 
have been thought necessary by Congress until 1791, when the Indian hos- 
tilities on the western frontier attracted the special attention of that body. 
After a careful examination of the subject, it was decided to establish a line 
of posts sufficient to maintain communication from the Ohio to the 
Maumee, the intention being to build a strong fort on that river, and to 44 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
leave in it a garrison of a thousand men, large enough to send out detach- 
ments to keep the neighboring Indians in awe. 
On the 3d of March an act was passed which authorized raising and 
adding another regiment to the force at that time in the service, etc. From 
sections 5 and 6 of this act is taken the following. 
“ In case the President of the United States should deem the employment of a 
major general, brigadier general, a quartermaster, and chaplain, or either of them, 
essential to the public interest, that he be, and he hereby is, empowered, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint the same accordingly. 
The quartermaster shall be entitled to the same pay, rations, and forage as the lieu- 
tenant colonel commandant of a regiment.” 
On the 4th of March, the day following, Major General St. Clair was 
made commander-in-chief of forces destined for Forts Pitt and Washington 
and neighboring posts as places of rendezvous, whence to carry out the 
plan of campaign above referred to ; and on the same day Samuel Hodg- 
den, of Pennsylvania, having been appointed a quartermaster under the act, 
by President Washington, was confirmed as such by the Senate. 
On March 5, 1792, an act was passed making further provision for the 
protection of the frontier. Under section 7 of this act, fixing the monthly 
pay, rations and forage to be allowed to officers of the army, the grade of 
deputy quartermaster was recognized, although it does not appear to have 
been created by legislation of Congress. This section also provided for the 
detail of line officers as quartermasters of the regiments being formed, 
with additional compensation for the extra duty thus performed by them. 
On March 28th General St. Clair left Philadelphia for Fort Washington, 
via Fort Pitt, arriving there May 15th following. Quartermaster Hodgden, 
however, tardily followed his commanding officer and failed to reach Fort 
Washington until September 10th, although an express had been received 
by him some time previously from General St. Clair to hasten forward. 
The little army, numbering about 2000 men, suffered in the meantime and 
subsequently for the want of the most necessary supplies. 
The quartermaster’s and other stores forwarded from the east to the 
troops were found to be deficient in quantity and bad in quality. Boats 
for the transportation of the troops were not in readiness; horses which 
were to be furnished by the contractors were not brought forward; the 
rations of the men were failing, and the green forage for the animals had 
been touched by the early frost. In short, the extreme deficiencies and de- 
rangements of the business of the quartermaster and contractor of pro- 
visions were considered to have been, to a great extent, the cause of the 
subsequent failure of the expedition. 
On April 19, 1792, Quartermaster Hodgden was superseded by James 
O’Hara, of Pennsylvania, the latter being nominated by President Wash- 
ington and confirmed by the Senate as Quartermaster General, although the 
law at this time only provided for a “ quartermaster.” 
In May following, the duties of the Quartermaster’s Department were 
somewhat reduced by the transfer of the power of purchasing and con- 
tracting for army supplies to the Treasury Department, as will appear from 
Section 5 of act approved May 8, 1792, as follows : THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
45 
“ That all the purchases and contracts for supplying the army with provisions, 
clothing, supplies in the Quartermaster’s Department, military stores, Indian goods, 
and all other supplies or other articles for the use of the Department of War, be made 
by or under the direction of the Treasury Department.” 
In accordance with the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, in a 
letter to Congress dated December 2, 1794, it was further enacted, February 
23, 1795, that an officer be appointed in the Treasury Department, to be 
known as the Purveyor of Public Supplies, “ whose duty shall be, under 
the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, to conduct the procuring 
and providing of all arms, military and naval stores, provisions, clothing 
and generally all supplies requisite for the service of the United States.” 
The compensation was $2000 per annum. 
The grade of Quartermaster General, which had been abolished July 25, 
1785, appears to have been again recognized in an act of March 3, 1795, 
for continuing and regulating the military establishment. This act also 
recognizes a Deputy Quartermaster General and regimental quartermasters. 
The grade of Quartermaster General, however, does not appear to have been 
specifically recreated by legislation of Congress until the act of May 30, 
1796. At that time an act was passed authorizing, among other general 
staff officers, a Quartermaster General. The same act provided that the gen- 
eral staff should continue in service until March 4,1797, and no longer. On 
June 1, 1796, Lieutenant Colonel O’Hara having resigned, John Wilkins, 
Jr., of Pennsylvania, was appointed by President Washington and confirmed 
by the Senate as Quartermaster General under this act. 
On March 3, 1797, the act of May 30, 1796, was amended to continue the 
grade of Quartermaster General, that officer to receive the pay and emolu- 
ments previously authorized by law. 
During the following year, by reason of the unfriendly demonstrations 
of France, it was considered necessary to temporarily increase the force of 
the army to meet any exigency which might arise. Accordingly Congress, 
by an act of May 28, 1798, authorized the President “in the event of 
declaration of war against the United States, or of actual invasion of their 
territory by a foreign power, or of imminent danger of such invasion 
discovered, to call into active service a provisional army of not exceeding 
10,000 men.” 
Section 7 of this act provided that in case the President should judge 
the employment of a Quartermaster General essential to the public interest, 
he was authorized to appoint the same accordingly, subject to the confirma- 
tion of the Senate. The Quartermaster General was to be entitled to the 
rank, pay and emoluments of a lieutenant colonel. 
General Washington had retired to private life and was then residing at 
Mount Vernon. Just before the close of the session of Congress he was 
nominated and confirmed Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief of all 
the troops to be raised. This command Washington accepted with the ex- 
press condition that he should not be called into active service until the 
army was in a situation to require his presence, unless urgency of circum- 
stances should sooner make it necessary. 
On December 31, 1798, President John Adams transmitted to Congress 46 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
a special report from the Secretary of War, dated December 24, relative to 
the reorganization of the army. 
Congress, taking the entire subject of army reorganization into consid- 
eration, passed the act of March 3, 1799. Sections 10 and 12 of this act read 
as follows: 
Section 10. That there shall be a Quartermaster General of the army of the United 
States, who shall be entitled to the rank, pay, emoluments, and privileges of a major 
general. 
Section 12. That to any army of the United States, other than that in which the 
Quartermaster General shall serve, there shall be a Deputy Quartermaster General, who 
shall be a field officer, and who, in addition to his other emoluments, shall be entitled 
to $50 per month, which shall be in full compensation for his extra services and trav- 
elling expenses ; but the provisions of this act are not to affect the present Quarter- 
master General of the army of the United States, who, in case a Quartermaster General 
shall be appointed by virtue of this act, is to act as Deputy Quartermaster General, and 
shall hereafter have the rank of lieutenant colonel ; and that to every division of an 
army there shall be a division quartermaster, who in addition to his other emoluments, 
shall be entitled to $30 per month, which shall be in full compensation for his extra 
services and travelling expenses ; and that to every brigade there shall be a brigade 
quartermaster, who, in addition to his other emoluments, shall be entitled to $24 per 
month, which shall be in full compensation for his extra services and travelling ex- 
penses ; each of which officers shall be chosen by the Quartermaster General from 
among the regimental officers. 
It was also provided by this act that no regimental officer of higher rank 
than a captain be appointed a division quartermaster, and that no one of 
higher rank than first lieutenant be appointed quartermaster of a brigade. 
The difficulties with France which were at this time apprehended were 
not to any serious extent realized, hostilities being mainly carried on by the 
navy, and under the acts of Congress of February 20 and May 14, 1800, en- 
listments and military appointments under the act of March 2, 1799, were 
suspended. 
The appointment of a new Quartermaster General, under the act of March 
3, 1799, was not made, and Mr. Wilkins remained in charge of the duties of 
the station, his position being raised to that of major general, as would ap- 
pear from a message of President Jefferson to Congress in 1802. 
By the act of March 16, 1802, fixing the military peace establishment, it 
was enacted that the army be reduced to one regiment of artillerists and 
two of infantry, with the necessary officers. Sections 3, 16 and 17 of this act 
provide for the appointment of paymasters, assistant paymasters, and mili- 
tary agents, upon whom the duties of the Quartermaster’s Department were 
thenceforth to devolve. They authorized the appointment of one paymaster 
of the army, seven paymasters, and two assistants, who, in addition to their 
other duties, were to havecharge of the clothing of troops ; also the appoint- 
ment of three military agents, and such number of assistant military agents as 
might be thought expedient by the President, not exceeding one at each mili- 
tary post, it being the duty of these agents and assistants to purchase, receive, 
and forward to their destination all military stores and other articles for the 
troops in their respective departments, and all goods and annuities for the 
Indians ; they were to make returns of all property which would come into THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
47 
their possession to the Department of War. Both paymasters and agents 
were required to file bonds for the faithful performance of their duties. 
Under operation of this act John Wilkins, Jr., ceased to be Quartermaster 
General, and Peter Gansevoort, of New York, for the northern department; 
William Linnard, of Pennsylvania, for the middle department; and Abraham 
D. Abrahams, of Georgia, for the southern department, were appointed by 
President Jefferson as military agents, and confirmed as such by the Senate, 
April 29, 1802. 
The next legislation relating to the Quartermaster’s Department is found 
in the act of April 12, 1808, which granted authority to raise, for a limited 
time, an additional military force in view of apprehended difficulties with 
foreign powers. This act provided for two brigade quartermasters and a 
quartermaster to each of the eight regiments to be raised under it. 
THE WAR OF 1812-1814. 
At this time war with Great Britain seemed imminent, as serious com- 
plications had arisen. It was hoped by diplomacy to avoid the impending 
calamity, but, as a prudential measure, it had been decided to further in- 
crease the military force, and by the act of January n, 1812, thirteen new 
regiments were authorized to be added thereto. On March 28th, following, 
an act was approved reestablishing the Quartermaster’s Department and re- 
viving the grade of Quartermaster General. 
Provision was made for a Quartermaster General and four deputy quarter- 
masters, to be confirmed by the Senate, and as many assistant deputy 
quartermasters as the service might require, to be appointed by the Presi- 
dent alone. The Quartermaster General to have the rank and pay of a 
brigadier general, and the deputy quartermasters $60.00 per month, five 
rations and forage for two horses. The assistant deputy quartermasters 
$40.00 per month, three rations, and forage for one horse. 
These officers were to purchase military stores, camp equipage and 
other articles requisite for troops and provide means of transportation. 
The act also provided for a Commissary General of Purchases with a 
salary of $3000 per annum, and necessary assistants with compensation 
derived from commissions on money disbursed, not exceeding, however, 
$2000 per annum. The Commissary General of Purchases was required to 
purchase all arms, military stores, clothing—formerly purchased by pay- 
masters—and all articles of supply. The Deputy Commissaries were, in 
cases of necessity, to act under the orders of the Quartermaster General 
in purchasing supplies. 
The office of purveyor of public supplies, and the offices of the military 
agents were abolished. 
Under this act President Madison nominated William Jones, of Penn- 
sylvania, to be Commissary General of Purchases, and Morgan Lewis, of 
New York, to be Quartermaster General, and they were confirmed by the 
Senate on April 3 and 4, 1812, respectively. 
On the 23d of April, 1812, an act was approved organizing a corps of 
artificers, to be attached to the Quartermaster General’s Department. This 
corps was to consist of one superintendent, appointed by the President. 48 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
four assistants, two master masons, two master carpenters, two master 
blacksmiths, two master boat-builders, two master armorers, two master 
saddle and harness makers, twenty house carpenters, five ship carpenters, 
twenty blacksmiths, sixteen boat-builders, sixteen armorers, twelve saddle 
and harness makers, and twenty-four laborers, to be selected from the pri- 
vates of the army, or engaged from among citizens by the superintendent. 
The corps of artificers was to be engaged for three years, unless sooner dis- 
charged by the President. 
On May 14th following an act was approved, establishing an ordnance 
department and creating the grade of Commissary General of Ordnance, 
which act at once relieved the Commissary General of Purchases of some 
of the most important duties then devolving upon him. 
On the 18th of June, 1812, war against Great Britain was declared and 
on June 26, 1812, an act was approved for the more perfect organization 
of the army of the United States and providing for the increase of the 
same. 
By an act of July 6, of the same year, the President was authorized to 
increase the number of officers of the Quartermaster’s Department by the 
appointment of one Deputy Quartermaster General to any army of the United 
States other than that in which the Quartermaster General was serving, 
and such number of assistant deputies, not exceeding thirty, as the public 
service may require. The military force was further increased by act of 
January 29, 1813. On March 3d following an act was approved providing 
for the supplies required for the army and for the accountability of persons 
intrusted with the same. 
On June 2, 1813, Richard Cutts, of Massachusetts, was nominated by 
President Madison and confirmed by the Senate as Superintendent General 
of Military Supplies, under the provisions of the above act. 
March 3, 1813, an act was also passed “for the better organization of the 
general staff of the army,” making radical changes in the Quartermaster’s 
Department. It provided for eight Quartermasters General, eight Deputy 
Quartermasters General, and thirty-two assistant deputy Quartermasters 
General; the Quartermaster General attached to the principal army to have 
the brevet rank and the pay and emoluments of a brigadier general as be- 
fore ; all other Quartermasters General to have the brevet rank and the pay 
and emoluments of colonels of infantry, and the deputies and assistant dep- 
uties to have the brevet rank and the pay and emoluments of majors of 
cavalry and captains of infantry, respectively; the President to take these 
officers from the line or not, as he might consider expedient. 
Section 5 made it the duty of the Secretary of War to prepare a code of 
regulations for the better government of the staff departments, to be used 
for the army upon receiving the approval of the President. 
Under the provisions of this act Robert Swartwout, of New York, was ap- 
pointed by President Madison as Quartermaster General on March 21, 1813, 
and designated as chief of the Quartermaster’s Department in place of Gen- 
eral Lewis, who had on March 2d of that year received the appointment 
of major general in the army. 
On the 10th February, 1814, it was enacted that three regiments of rifle- THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
49 
men be raised, one quartermaster and one quartermaster sergeant being 
allowed to each. 
On March 30, 18x4, it was enacted that three regiments of artillery be 
formed into one corps, and organized into twelve battalions, one quarter- 
master being authorized to each battalion. That in lieu of two regiments 
of light dragoons in service, there be organized one regiment * * * with 
one quartermaster * * * and one quartermaster sergeant. Section 20 
of this act prohibited taking quartermasters of any grade from the line of 
the army. 
On the 11th of February, 1815, news of the proclamation of peace was 
brought to New York, causing the greatest joy and enthusiasm throughout 
the country. February 17th the Senate of the United States ratified the 
treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain, which had 
been concluded at Ghent on December 24, 1814. 
On the 3d of March following an act was passed by Congress reducing 
the army, and fixing the military peace establishment at 10,000 men, which 
provided for one quartermaster and quartermaster sergeant to each regi- 
ment of artillery and riflemen ; also four brigade quartermasters, to be taken 
from the subalterns of the line. This act made it the duty of the President 
to discharge all officers who, by its operation, became supernumerary. 
Accordingly, on May 17, 1815, orders were issued from the Adjutant and 
Inspector General’s office announcing that the President had so arranged 
the general staff as to include one Quartermaster General and two Deputy 
Quartermaster Generals, provisionally retained, and the four brigade quar- 
termasters provided for by the law ; all other officers of the Quartermaster’s 
Department, whose accounts were unsettled, were to be allowed to remain 
in service during a reasonable period, for the single purpose of rendering 
and settling them. 
Robert Swartwout was continued Quartermaster General, with the brevet 
rank of brigadier general. 
At this time the United States was divided into two military divisions, 
viz.: Division of the North and Division of the South, the two Deputy 
Quartermasters General, provisionally retained, being assigned to these re- 
spective divisions. 
On December 27, 1815, William H. Crawford, Secretary of War, in a 
report to the House of Representatives, referred to the staff officers who 
had been provisionally retained in the military service, and recommended 
that in organizing the general staff provision be made, among other officers, 
for one Quartermaster General, who should be stationed at Washington. 
This recommendation does not appear to have received favorable considera- 
tion at that time, but on the 24th of April, 1816, an act was passed reorgan- 
izing the staff departments. 
The first section of this act authorized the appointment of one Quar- 
termaster General, with one Deputy Quartermaster General to each division, 
and an assistant of each to every brigade ; these latter, by the law, super- 
seded the brigade quartermasters and inspectors then existing. 
Section 5 provided that the purchasing department consist of one Corn- 
FROM 1815 TO 1846. 50 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
missary General of Purchases, as before authorized, one deputy commissary 
to each division, six assistant commissaries of issues, and as many military 
storekeepers, to be subject to the rules and articles of war in the same man- 
ner as officers of the army, as the service might require. The salaries of 
the latter were to be regulated by the Secretary of War according to the 
duty they were performing, not, however, to exceed the pay and emolu- 
ments of a captain of infantry. The salaries of the former were fixed by 
law. 
Section 7 made it the duty of the President of the United States to 
prescribe the quantity and kind of clothing to be issued annually to the 
troops. 
Section 9 authorized all officers of the general staff to retain the pay 
and emoluments secured to them by the act of 3d March, 1813. 
General orders issued from the Adjutant and Inspector General’s office, 
May 3, 1816, announced that, in conformity with the above act, James R. 
Mullany, of New York, and George Gibson, of Pennsylvania, had been ap- 
pointed Quartermasters General of the divisions of the north and south, 
respectively, with the rank of colonel, to date from April 29, 1816. 
On the 14th April, 1818, an act was passed further regulating the staff 
of the army, in accordance with a plan suggested by Mr. Calhoun, Secre- 
tary of War. 
Section 3 of this act repealed so much of the act of April 24, 1816, as 
allowed one Quartermaster General to each division, and provided that the 
Quartermaster’s Department consist, in addition to the two Deputy Quarter- 
masters General and the four assistant deputy Quartermasters General, then 
authorized, of one Quartermaster General, with the rank, pay, and emolu- 
ments of a brigadier general, and as many assistant deputy Quartermasters 
General as the President might deem proper, not exceeding, in the whole 
number, 12. This act also repealed former acts relating to forage, wagon 
and barrack-masters. 
President James Monroe, under this act, as will be seen by reference to 
general orders from the Adjutant and Inspector General’s office, of April 
30, 1818, appointed William Cumming, of Georgia, Quartermaster General, 
to date from April 18, 1818, in lieu of Quartermasters General of divisions. 
General Cumming declined the appointment conferred upon him, and 
on the8th May, 1818, Brevet Colonel Thomas S. Jesup, Lieutenant Colonel 
3d United States infantry, was appointed Quartermaster General by Presi- 
dent Monroe to fill the vacancy. 
Immediately upon the receipt of the notice of this appointment, Colonel 
Jesup, then at Brownsville, Texas, started for Washington city, and upon 
the 15th of June, 1818, entered upon the duties of his new position. 
On the 17th July following he submitted to the Secretary of War a com- 
prehensive projet of the nature and functions of the Quartermaster’s De- 
partment and the duties of its officers. This projet, having met with the 
approval of the Secretary of War, was embodied by Major General Win- 
field Scott in the code of regulations compiled under the act of March 3, 
1813, and published for the information and guidance of the army, in July, 
1821. The following is a verbatim copy : THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
Quartermaster General’s Office, 
17th July, 1818. 
The principal objects of the Quartermaster’s Department are : To insure an ample 
and efficient system of supply. To give the utmost facility and effect to the move- 
ments and operations of the Army. And to enforce a strict accountability on the part 
of all officers and agents charged with monies or supplies. 
To accomplish these objects, the following regulations are proposed : 
The Quartermaster General, as chief of the department, will be stationed at Wash- 
ington, and be allowed one assistant, one clerk, and as many subaltern officers as the 
duties of his office may require. He will be liable, however, to be ordered to any 
point where his presence may be necessary, or his services required. 
He will have the direction of the correspondence of his department, and it shall be 
his duty to make himself acquainted with the frontiers, both maritime and interior, and 
with the avenues leading to the contiguous Indian and foreign territories, with the re- 
sources of the country, and particularly of the districts on the frontier, with the most 
eligible points for concentrating troops and supplies, whether in relation to offensive 
or defensive operations, with the military force of different sections of the country. 
The relative expense of concentrating at particular points, and the relative military 
advantages of those points. And with the prices of all articles of supply and of 
transportation. It shall also be his duty to cause barracks and storehouses to be con- 
structed, to designate the sites for depots, the routes for transportation and communi- 
cation between different posts and armies, and the course of military roads. 
It shall be the duty of the Quartermaster General to prescribe a uniform system 
of returns, reports, statements and estimates for his department, and he shall, under 
the direction of the Secretary of War, have the entire control of the deputies and as- 
sistants, and generally of all officers and agents acting in or making disbursements on 
account of the department, in all that relates to the administrative part of their duties, 
and to their accountability—the generals or commanding officers having the military 
control. 
The deputies or assistants whom the Quartermaster General may assign to the 
posts of Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburg, Detroit, Saint Louis, and New Orleans, 
shall not be removed from their stations except by authority of the War Department. 
Officers of the Quartermaster General’s Department shall not be subject to detail, 
nor be employed upon any other duties than those of their department, except by 
order of the Secretary of War, or of a general commanding a division. 
No officer of the Quartermaster-General’s Department will be permitted to engage, 
either directly or indirectly, in trade or traffic of any description. 
All monies for the Quartermaster’s Department will be drawn by the Quartermaster 
General, and distributed by him to disbursing officers, as the service may require ; the 
receipts of those officers will be his vouchers, and on producing them, or evidence 
of the transmission of the money, he shall receive a credit, and the person receiving 
the money shall be charged. 
Accounts of subordinate officers of the Quartermaster’s Department, whether of 
money or of property, will be forwarded quarterly to the Quartermaster General. 
They will be examined and transmitted, with the remarks of the Quartermaster Gen- 
eral, to the proper accounting officer. Should vouchers be suspended or disallowed, 
the accounting officer will return them to the Quartermaster General with his reasons 
in writing for such suspension or disallowance ; and it shall be the duty of the Quar- 
termaster General to require from the officer proper vouchers, or the necessary explana- 
tions. 
Whenever practicable, the senior quartermaster of each separate army may be re- 52 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
quired to receive and account for all monies received on account of the Quartermaster’s 
Department for that army. Military departments represent separate armies ; the senior 
quartermaster, therefore, may, if required, receive and account for all monies for the 
service of his department. 
Officers of the Quartermaster’s Department will forward their accounts for settle- 
ment at the times prescribed ; on failure of which they will be recalled, and their 
places supplied by others. 
All officers charged with monies or stores of the Quartermaster’s Department will 
make, from time to time, such returns, reports, statements, and estimates as the Quar- 
termaster General may require. 
No expenditure will be made at permanent posts in time of peace for the erection 
or repair of barracks and quarters, where the whole sum required to complete the 
work shall exceed five hundred dollars, unless ordered by the Secretary of War. 
Whenever any extraordinary expenditure shall be required, particularly if it do not 
properly belong to the Quartermaster’s Department, it shall be the duty of the officer 
requiring the same to furnish the quartermaster with duplicate certificates of the 
necessity of such expenditure. If it be made necessary by the failure of any other de- 
partment, the fact must be stated. 
The Quartermaster General may, whenever he shall deem it necessary, cause a 
thorough inspection to be made of the books and accounts of quartermasters. This 
inspection shall embrace property as well as money, and shall extend to contracts, to 
the prices paid for articles purchased, the prices paid for transportation, and gener- 
ally to every article of supply, and to all objects connected with the department. The 
books and accounts of the Quartermaster General shall be subject to a similar inspec- 
tion. 
Inspecting officers will notice in their reports all orders of commanding officers re- 
quiring the expenditure of money contrary to regulations. They will state particularly 
whether supplies be forwarded promptly, and whether proper regard be paid to 
economy. 
(Signed) Th. S. Jesup, 
Quartermaster General. 
Approved : 
J. C. Calhoun. 
The following letter is interesting as showing the scope of the Quarter- 
master’s Department in those early days : 
Washington, Dec. 14, 1819. 
Sir :—In reply to the questions propounded to me this morning, I have the honor 
to observe, that if it be the intention of the Government, in operating against Florida, 
to employ the troops of the South Division only, those on the Atlantic may be concen- 
trated at Amelia Island in fifteen or twenty days, completely equipt for the field. 
Those in the vicinity of New Orleans or Mobile, may effect a junction in about three 
weeks, either at Mobile, or at some point within the Territory of Florida, in the vicin- 
ity of Pensacola. Should the force of the South Division be considered insufficient for 
the objects contemplated, the light artillery at Boston might be transported to Amelia 
Island in twenty days, and to Pensacola in a month ; and the Second Regiment at 
Sackett’s Harbor might be removed, by the way of the city of New York, to Amelia 
in five weeks, and to Pensacola in forty-six days. If the movement of those troops be 
determined on, a convoy will be necessary in order to protect them from capture. 
The Spaniards have probably fifteen hundred men divided between Pensacola, 
Saint Marks, and Saint Augustine, and they may be reinforced by an equal, if not a 
greater number, from Cuba ; for if our operations be confined to Florida, every soldier THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
53 
may be drawn from Cuba for its defense. And the disposable force of Cuba, united 
with the Seminole Indians, may be thrown upon any point of our line of operations 
which Spain may select. 
A reinforcement from Cuba may be prevented by a naval force arriving in the Gulf 
of Mexico. 
Accompanying this is a statement in relation to the movement of the light artillery 
and the 2d Regiment. 
(Signed) Th. S. Jesup, 
Quartermaster General. 
The Hon. John C. Calhoun, 
Secretary of War. 
On March 2, 1821, an act of Congress was approved reducing the army 
and fixing the military peace establishment. Under this act the army was 
to be composed of four regiments of artillery and seven of infantry, with 
certain officers of engineers, ordnance, and the staff. 
Section 7 of this act provided for one Quartermaster General (who under 
the act of March 28, 1812, received the pay and emoluments of brigadier 
general), two quartermasters with rank, pay, etc., of majors of cavalry, and 
ten assistant quartermasters, to be taken from the line and to receive addi- 
tional compensation, varying from $10 to $20 per month, as the Secretary 
of War might decide. 
Section 8 provided that assistant quartermasters and assistant commis- 
saries shall be subject to duties in both departments under the order of the 
Secretary of War. 
Section 9, of this act, provided for two military storekeepers, to be at- 
tached to the purchasing department. 
No further legislation of Congress affecting the Quartermaster’s Depart- 
ment is found until the act of May 18, 1826. 
Section 1 of this act made it the additional duty of the Quartermaster’s 
Department to receive from the purchasing department and distribute to the 
army of the United States all clothing, camp and garrison equipage required 
for the use of the troops, and required the Quartermaster General, under the 
direction of the Secretary of War, to prescribe and enforce a system of ac- 
countability for all clothing and equipage issued to the army. 
Section 2 made it the duty of every company commander, or other offi- 
cer who should receive clothing and equipage for the use of his command, 
or for issue to the troops, to render to the Quartermaster General quarterly 
returns of such supplies, with vouchers according to the prescribed forms, 
such returns and vouchers, after due examination by the Quartermaster 
General, to be transmitted for settlement to the proper officer of the Treas- 
ury Department. 
Section 3 provided for the proper care and preservation of clothing and 
equipage by the officers having it in charge. 
Sections 4 and 5, in order to enable the Quartermaster’s Department to 
carry out the provisions of this act, provided for the appointment of two 
additional quartermasters and 10 assistant quartermasters, to be taken from 
the line of the army, to have the same rank and pay as authorized for like 
grades in the act of March 2, 1821. 
The so-called Black Hawk war and the campaigns in Florida had been 54 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
successfully met without any great increase of the standing army, forces of 
militia being called out by several of the States from time to time, to resist 
Indian encroachments and depredations. 
On May 19, 1836, by direction of the President, General Jesup was 
assigned to the command of the troops of the United States and of the 
militia which was called into service from Georgia and Alabama for the 
suppression of Indian hostilities in the Creek country. 
By act of July 4, 1836, the President was empowered, during the absence 
of the Quartermaster General, to assign some other officer of the depart- 
ment or corps to perform the duties of the Quartermaster General. 
On January 14, 1837, Major T. Cross, acting Quartermaster General, also 
strongly urged, in a letter to the Secretary of War, which was transmitted 
to the Senate, an improved and increased organization for the Quartermas- 
ter’s Department. At this time the organization of the Quartermaster’s 
Department consisted of one Quartermaster General, four quartermasters 
(majors), and twenty assistant quartermasters (taken from the line). 
Serious questions having again arisen with England, leading to compli- 
cations on the northeastern frontier, Congress passed the act of July 5, 1838, 
increasing the military establishment. This act, besides providing a large 
military force, caused many changes in the various departments of the 
army. 
It authorized the addition of two Assistant Quartermasters General, 
colonels; two Deputy Quartermasters General, lieut.-colonels; and eight 
assistant quartermasters with the rank of captain. Provision was made that 
the pay and emoluments of all officers in the Quartermaster’s Department 
should be the same as allowed similar rank in the dragoons; that all ap- 
pointments shall be made from the army; that promotion in said depart- 
ment shall take place as in regiments and corps, and that line officers taken 
for such appointments shall relinquish their rank therein. 
By a supplementary act of July 7, 1838, so much of Section 9 of the 
above act as required assistant quartermasters to be separated from the line 
was repealed. 
General Jesup resumed his duties as Quartermaster General August 5, 
1839. 
The threatened conflict with England having been avoided, no further 
increase of the military force or change in the organization and duties of 
the Quartermaster’s Department appear to have been made until the act of 
August 23, 1842, when the office of Commissary General of Purchases, 
which had been vacant since the death of Callender Irvine, on the 9th of 
October, 1841, was abolished, and the duties transferred to the Quartermas- 
ter’s Department. 
MEXICAN WAR.—MAY, 1846, TO JULY 4, 1848. 
In May, 1846, war with Mexico was declared, and on the 13th of the 
same month an act was approved providing for a volunteer force of 50,000 
men, and on the 18th of June following an act was approved making cer- 
tain changes in the military establishment in view of the above action. 
Provision was made for such additional officers of the Quartermaster’s THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
55 
Department as the service might require, not exceeding one quartermaster 
to each brigade, with the rank of major, and one assistant quartermaster, 
with the rank of captain, for each regiment, to continue in service only so 
long as their services should be required in connection with the militia and 
volunteers. 
Section 7 provided that promotion in the Quartermaster’s Department 
to the rank of major should thenceforward be made from the captains of 
the army ; that appointments in the line and in the general staff which con- 
ferred equal rank in the army should not be held by the same officer at the 
same time, and that when any officer of the staff who might have been taken 
from the line had obtained or been entitled to promotion to a grade in his 
regiment, equal to the commission he might have held in the staff, the said 
officer should vacate such staff commission, or he might at his option vacate 
his commission in the line. 
On February 11, 1847, an act was approved, increasing the force already 
authorized, by 10 regiments, each regiment being entitled to a regimental 
quartermaster, who should be allowed $10 per month additional pay, and 
forage for two horses for such duty. 
Sections 5 and 10 authorized the President to appoint four quartermas- 
ters, with the rank of major, and 10 assistant quartermasters, with the rank 
of captain, to be discharged from the service at the close of the war. This 
latter clause was repealed by the act of July 19, 1848, which provided, how- 
ever, that no vacancy which might occur should be filled until authorized 
by subsequent legislation. 
On July 4, 1848, the President issued his proclamation promulgating the 
treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico. 
One of the results of the Mexican War was the vast accumulation of 
money and property accounts of the disbursing officers who had been en- 
gaged in its campaigns. This led to the passage of the act of March 3, 1857, 
under which all the accounts and vouchers of the disbursing officers of the 
Quartermaster’s Department were to be audited and settled by the third 
auditor of the Treasury. The same act (Section 2) provided for adding to 
the Quartermaster’s Department five military storekeepers, who were re- 
quired to file the usual bonds, and who, with those previously authorized, 
were to be allowed in kind, and in kind only, the fuel and quarters of a first 
lieutenant of the army. 
June 10, i860, General Jesup died, after a continuous service of forty- 
two years as chief of the Quartermaster’s Department, and on the 28th of 
the same month Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Johnston, 1st United States 
cavalry, was appointed by President Buchanan, as Quartermaster General, 
with the rank of brigadier general. 
WAR OF THE REBELLION.—FROM APRIL I 5, l86l, TO AUGUST 20, 1866. 
The organization of the United States Army on January i, 1861, just 
previous to the outbreak of the Rebellion, provided for 13,024 officers and 
enlisted men. After the close of the Mexican War and the disbandment of 
the volunteer forces called out by that war, the regular troops had been 
gradually decreasing in numbers, and at the beginning of the Rebellion in 56 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
1861, were scattered by companies and detachments throughout the 
country. 
At the commencement of the Rebellion the organization of the Quarter- 
master’s Department was as follows : 
One Quartermaster General—brigadier general. Two assistant Quarter- 
masters General—colonels. Two Deputy Quartermasters General—lieu- 
tenant colonels. Four quartermasters—majors. Twenty-eight assistant 
quartermasters—captains, and seven military storekeepers. Total 44. 
On the 15th April, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation 
calling for 75,000 men to serve three months. 
On the 22d April, 1861, General Johnston resigned his charge of the 
Quartermaster’s Department, for the purpose of entering the Confederate 
service, and on the 15th May following, Colonel M. C. Meigs, of the nth 
United States Infantry, formerly captain of engineers, United States Army, 
was appointed by President Lincoln, Quartermaster General in his stead. 
General Meigs assumed charge of the department on the 13th June, 1861. 
On the 3d May, 1861, President Lincoln issued his second proclamation, 
calling into service 42,034 volunteers to serve three years, if required, and 
increasing the regular corps by the addition of 22,714 officers and enlisted 
men. 
The acts of July 22 and 25, 1861, following soon after, authorized the 
increase of the volunteers to 500,000 men during the war; each regiment 
raised to have a quartermaster (a lieutenant) and a quartermaster sergeant, the 
latter to have the pay and allowances of a sergeant of cavalry ; each brigade 
was also allowed one assistant quartermaster; the officers and men thus 
authorized to be placed on the footing as to pay and emoluments of similar 
corps of the regular army. 
On the 29th July following, an act was approved, adding to the regular 
army n regiments for service during the Rebellion; authority being given 
to reduce the military establishment to 25,000 men within one year after the 
organized resistance to the authority of the Government ceased, unless 
otherwise ordered by Congress. This law also provided for regimental and 
battalion quartermasters and quartermaster sergeants for the new organi- 
zations. 
On the 3d August, 1861, an act was passed, “providing for the better 
organization of the military establishment.” Section 3 provided for adding 
to the Quartermaster’s Department one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, 
four majors, and twenty captains, with the rank, pay and allowances of offi- 
cers of cavalry of like grades. This section also provided that, whenever 
any captain of the Quartermaster’s Department had served 14 years contin- 
uously, he should be promoted to be a quartermaster with rank of major. 
By section 8, of the act of 5th July, 1862, the President was authorized 
to increase the number of military storekeepers of the Quartermaster’s De- 
partment to 12, if the exigencies of the service rendered it necessary. At 
this time there were only 7 military storekeepers provided for. 
On the 17th July, 1862, Congress authorized the acceptance of the ser- 
vices of 100,000 additional volunteers for nine months. Section 10 of this 
act authorized the addition to the staff of the commander of each army THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
57 
corps of one chief quartermaster with the rank of lieutenant colonel, to be 
assigned by the President from the army or volunteer force. Appoint- 
ments under this act were made of volunteer and regular officers of the 
Quartermaster’s Department; the rank and pay which they thus obtained 
being temporary, and dependent upon the existence of the corps organiza- 
tion to which they were assigned as chief quartermasters. 
On the 25th June, 1864, an act was passed, providing for the examina- 
tion of certain staff officers, including quartermasters and assistant quarter- 
masters. Boards consisting of three officers, of whom two at least must 
be officers of volunteers, were provided to conduct the examinations. Offi- 
cers not appearing for examination within ninety days after being sum- 
moned were to be dropped from the rolls, officers not found to possess 
necessary qualifications to be dismissed with one month’s pay. 
In accordance with the provisions of this act, the necessary regula- 
tions were prescribed in general orders from the War Department, and 
boards were located at different places. The majority of the officers of 
the regular and volunteer corps were examined, and those found disqual- 
ified were permitted to resign or were dismissed ; or, in some cases, were 
simply mustered out of the service, in view of their having served during 
the war with such ability as they possessed. The requirements of the 
law that two of the officers constituting each board should be of the 
volunteer corps, and the subsequent rapid muster-out of the volunteer 
organization, rendered the examination of all the officers of the depart- 
ment impracticable, and in accordance with the instruction of the Secre- 
tary of War, further action under the law was suspended. 
On the 4th of July, 1864, an act was approved providing for the better 
organization of the Quartermaster’s Department. This act established in 
the office of the Quartermaster General, nine divisions, to exist during the 
Rebellion and one year thereafter ; each division to be placed in charge of 
a competent officer of the Quartermaster’s Department, with the rank, pay, 
and emoluments of a colonel, under assignment by the Secretary of War, 
and to perform the duties thus assigned them under such rules as should 
be prescribed by the Quartermaster General, with the approval of the War 
Department. Section 7 of this act specified in general terms the business 
embraced in each of these divisions, and the special duties of the officers 
placed in charge, under the direction of the Quartermaster General. 
Section 3 of this act provides that it shall be the duty of the Quarter- 
master General to establish depots from time to time, at places convenient 
to the principal armies in the field, for receiving and distributing the sup- 
plies necessary for such armies. 
On the 28th of July, 1866, an act was passed increasing and fixing the 
peace establishment of the United States, and authorizing thereby 60 regi- 
ments,—5 of artillery, 10 of cavalry, and 45 of infantry. 
Section 13 provided that the Quartermaster’s Department of the army 
thenceforward consist of one Quartermaster General, brigadier general, 
six assistant Quartermasters General, colonels ; ten deputy Quartermasters 
General, lieutenant-colonels; fifteen quartermasters, majors, and forty-four 
assistant quartermasters, captains. The vacancies thereby created in the 58 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
grade of assistant quartermaster, should be filled by selection from among 
the persons who had rendered meritorious services as assistant quarter- 
masters of volunteers during two years of the war; but that after the first 
appointments made under the provisions of this section, as vacancies might 
occur in the grades of major and captains in that department, no appoint- 
ments to fill the same should be made until the number of majors be re- 
duced to 12, and the number of captains to 30, and thereafter the number 
of officers in each of such grades to conform to said reduced numbers. 
Section 14 provided for the increase of the number of military store- 
keepers to 16, if such increase became necessary, and allowed to them the 
rank, pay and emoluments of a captain of infantry. 
Section 15 enacted that the act of July 4, 1864, reorganizing the Quar- 
termaster’s Department, and above referred to, continue in force until Jan- 
uary 1, 1867, and no longer, and Section 23, that thereafter the Quarter- 
master General shall be appointed by selection from the corps to which he 
belongs. 
Section 23 also provided that no person be appointed to any vacancy 
created by the act, in the pay, medical, or Quartermaster’s Department 
until they pass the examination required by the act of June 25, 1864. 
While actual hostilities with the Confederate forces practically ceased 
with the surrender of General Lee, April 9, 1865, General J. E. Johnston, 
April 26, 1865, and General Kirby Smith, June 2, 1865, it was not until Aug- 
ust 20, 1866, that President Andrew Johnson issued his proclamation de- 
claring peace established throughout the whole United States. 
The Quartermaster General reports as follows for the fiscal years from 
1861 to 1866, inclusive : 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1861, was, $ 10,603,033.75 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1862, was, $176,348,419.60 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1863, was, $375,096,282.27 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1964, was, $581,778,567.08 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1865, was, $732,295,924.68 
The total amount to be accounted for during the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1866, was, $571,764,197.87 
FROM AUGUST 20, 1866, TO JANUARY I, 1894. 
By Section 7 of the act of March 2, 1867, the rank, pay, and allowances of 
military storekeepers were made equal to those of captains of cavalry. 
On the 1st of January, 1867, the various divisions of the Quartermaster- 
General's office were abolished, and the officers of the department then 
assigned to duty in various capacities, with the temporary rank of colonel 
and major, lost such rank and resumed that held by them previous to such 
assignment. 
Section 6 of the act of Congress approved March 3,1869, provides, “That THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
59 
until otherwise directed by law there thall be no new appointments in the 
Quartermaster’s Department. 
On October 11, 1870, the Quartermaster General recommended to the 
Secretary of War the removal of the restrictions upon appointments to the 
Quartermaster’s Department. 
act approved June 3, 1872, it is provided : 
“ That the President be, and hereby is, authorized to nominate and, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint certain officers of the Quartermaster’s 
Department to the grade they would have held in said department, respectively, had 
the vacancies created therein by the act of July twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and 
sixty-six, from the rank of major to the rank of colonel, both inclusive, been filled by 
promotion by seniority : Provided, that no officer shall be deprived of his relative 
rank or reduced from his present grade by this act, and that the officers whose appoint- 
ments are herein authorized shall take rank and receive pay only from the date of their 
confirmation.” 
act approved June 20, 1874, it was provided : 
“ That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to nominate and promote 
William Myers to be Major and Quartermaster, to date from the eighteenth day of 
January, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, to take place on the Army Register next 
below Major J. G. Chandler : Provided, that no officer in said department shall by 
this act be reduced from his present rank, nor shall any additional pay or allowance be 
made to any officers by virtue of this act.” 
act approved March 3, 1875, it was provided : 
“ That the Quartermasters Department of the army shall hereafter consist of the 
Quartermaster General, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a brigadier general ; 
four Assistant Quartermasters General, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of col- 
onels of cavalry ; eight Deputy Quartermasters General, with the rank, pay, and 
emoluments of lieutenant colonels of cavalry ; fourteen quartermasters, with the 
rank, pay, and emoluments of majors of cavalry, and thirty assistant quartermasters 
with the rank, pay, and emoluments of captains of cavalry. 
Sec. 2. That no more appointments shall be made in the grade of military store- 
keepers in the Quartermaster’s Department, and this grade shall cease to exist as soon 
as the same becomes vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise of the present incum- 
bents. 
Sec. 3. That no officer now in service shall be reduced in rank or deprived of his 
commission by reason of any provision of this act. 
Sec. 4. That no officer shall be promoted or appointed in the Quartermaster’s 
Department in excess of the organization prescribed by this act, and that so much of 
Section 6 of the act approved March three, eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, entitled, 
“An act making appropriations for the support of the army for the year ending June 
thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy., and for other purposes,” as applies to the 
Quartermaster’s Department be, and the same is hereby repealed.” 
General Meigs was retired from active service on account of age Feb- 
ruary 6, 1882. On February 13, 1882, Colonel Daniel H. Rucker, Assistant 
Quartermaster General, was appointed by President Arthur as Quartermas- 
ter General. General Rucker assumed the duties of his new office on Feb- 
ruary 20, 1882, and on the 23d of the same month was himself retired from 
active service, having reached the limit of age, 64 years. 60 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
President Arthur then appointed Col. Rufus Ingalls, Assistant Quarter- 
master General, as Quartermaster General, to date from February 23, 1882. 
General Ingalls assumed the duties of his new office March 16, 1882. 
By act of Congress approved March 3, 1883, paragraph 4, it is provided 
that, “ hereafter vacancies occurring in the Quartermaster’s Department 
* * * may in the discretion of the President be filled from civil life.” 
On July x, 1883, General Ingalls was retired from active service on 
account of age, and on the same day President Arthur appointed Colonel 
S. B. Holabird, Assistant Quartermaster General, as Quartermaster General. 
Under the act of Congress approved July 5, 1884, it was provided: 
“ That the Secretary of War is authorized to appoint, on the recommendation of 
the Quartermaster General, as many post quartermaster sergeants, not to exceed 
eighty, as he may deem necessary for the interests of the service, said sergeants to be 
selected by examination from the most competent enlisted men of the army, who have 
served at least four years, and whose character and education shall fit them to take 
charge of public property, and to act as clerks and assistants to post and other 
quartermasters. Said post quartermaster sergeants shall, so far as practicable, per- 
form the duties of storekeepers and clerks, in lieu of citizen employes. The post 
quartermaster sergeants shall be subject to the rules and articles of war, and shal 
receive for their services the same pay and allowances as ordnance sergeants.” 
Under the provisions of this act eighty post quartermaster sergeants have 
been appointed and assigned to duty at the several military posts and 
stations, to assist post quartermasters in the performance of their duties in 
lieu of civilian clerks. 
General Holabird, after serving nearly seven years as Quartermaster 
General, and having reached the age limit, on June 16, 1890, was retired 
from active service. 
By the act approved February 12, 1887, which amendssection 1661, R.S., 
and makes appropriation for arms and equipments for the militia, it is 
further provided that “ the purchase and manufacture of * * * quarter- 
master’s stores and camp equipage for the militia, shall be made the same 
as provided for the regular army.” 
Congress, by act approved June 20, 1890, provided : “ That the enlisted 
men known as the artillery detachment at West Point, should be mustered 
out of the service as artillery-men, and immediately reenlisted as army 
service men in the Quartermaster’s Department, continuing to perform the 
same duties, and to have the same pay, allowances, rights and privileges, 
and subject to the rules, regulations and laws in the same manner as if their 
service had been continuous in the artillery, and their said service shall be 
considered and declared to be continuous in the army.” 
This detachment is composed of 117 men, viz.: 1 first sergeant, 6 ser- 
geants, 8 corporals, and 102 privates, and consists of clerks, mechanics, 
laborers, teamsters and overseers, whose duties are mainly taking care of the 
buildings and grounds at the Military Academy at West Point, New York. 
On June 26, 1890, President Harrison appointed Lieutenant Colonel 
Richard N. Batchelder Deputy Quartermaster General, as Quartermaster 
General. General Batchelder assumed duty July 10, 1890, and is the present 
occupant of the office. THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
61 
DUTIES. 
The Quartermaster’s Department provides the means of transportation 
by land and water for troops and materials of war for the army. It also 
provides the means of transportation for ordnance and ordnance stores 
issued by the United States to the several states and territories, and is 
charged with the duty of purchasing and transporting the quartermaster’s 
stores and equipage for the militia. Upon proper requisition it also trans- 
ports the property of other executive departments. It provides wagons, 
ambulances, carts, saddles and horse equipments (except for the cavalry), 
and harness (except for the artillery). 
It also provides vessels for water transportation, builds wharves, con- 
structs and repairs roads for military purposes and builds bridges. Pro- 
vides and distributes clothing, tents and equipage, and band instruments 
to the army, and clothing and equipage to the militia. Supplies table- 
ware and mess furniture, fuel, forage, stationery, blank books, lumber, 
straw for bedding for men and animals, and all materials for camps and 
for shelter of troops and stores, furniture for barracks, such as bunks, 
chairs, tables and lockers, heating and cooking stoves, heating and cooking 
apparatus for use in public barracks and quarters, equipments of bake 
houses for post bakeries, tools for mechanics and laborers in the Quarter- 
master’s Department, lights, water supply and sewer systems for all military 
posts and buildings. It hires, purchases and builds barracks, quarters, 
storehouses and hospitals, provides by hire or purchase grounds for mil- 
itary encampments and buildings, supplies periodicals and newspapers to 
post libraries. Contracts for horses for cavalry and artillery, cares for and 
maintains the national cemeteries, and prepares and settles accounts for 
telegraphing on army business. 
The work in the Quartermaster General’s office, under its present organ- 
ization, is distributed among the different branches as follows : 
A. Finance.—This branch has charge of matters relating to the procurement and 
distribution of funds, the compilation and preparation for Congress of the annual es- 
timates of funds for the service of the Quartermaster’s Department, and for funds 
required for the Quartermaster General’s office ; the examination of estimates of 
funds received from disbursing officers, and the issue of requisitions in favor of such 
disbursing officers ; the action upon settlements made at the Treasury of claims and ac- 
counts pertaining to the Quartermaster’s Department; the abstracting of weekly and 
monthly statements of funds for comparison with the Treasury records, and the con- 
ducting of the necessary correspondence, and the keeping of the prescribed records 
and necessary memorandum books connected with the foregoing. 
B. Money and Property.—The duties of this branch are the administrative exam- 
ination of the money accounts and returns of quartermaster’s stores rendered by officers 
serving in the Quartermaster’s Department, before their transmission to the account- 
ing officers for final action. 
It also takes action on certificates of deposit of funds pertaining to the appropria- 
tions for the Quartermaster’s Department, received from sales to officers and soldiers, 
sales at auction and other sources, and upon boards of survey and inventory and in- 
spection reports of quartermaster’s stores no longer fit for issue or use. 
C. Clothing and Equipage.—In this branch returns of clothing and equipage are 
received, registered, and examined. After examination and the correction of 62 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
errors they are forwarded to the Second Auditor of the Treasury for final settle- 
ment. 
D. Transportation.—Through this branch the Quartermaster General exercises 
supervision over all matters pertaining to the transportation of troops, and supplies 
for the army, and for the militia, and settles all accounts therefor which, for any rea- 
sons, legal or technical, cannot be paid by the disbursing quartermasters stationed 
throughout the country, including the accounts of bond aided Pacific roads, esti- 
mates for transportation funds, and reports of their expenditure, and replies to all in- 
quiries of Congress, the Court of Claims, and the accounting officers of the Treasury 
relative to transportation are prepared in this branch. All matters pertaining to 
Southern railroads indebted to the United States for railway material purchased by 
them at the close of the war, are adjusted through this branch. Telegraphing on 
military business and accounts growing out of such service are supervised through the 
transportation branch. Transportation for the other executive departments is also 
provided upon requests of their authorized officers and agents. 
E. Regtilar Supplies.—This branch has charge of all matters relating to the pro- 
curement and distribution of supplies, including means of transportation, stoves, and 
heating apparatus, and repair and maintenance of same, for heating barracks and 
quar' ers ; of ranges, stoves, and apparatus for cooking ; of fuel and lights for enlisted 
men, guards, hospitals, storehouses, and offices, and for sales to officers ; of cavalry 
and artillery horses ; of equipment of bake houses, to carry on post bakeries ; of the 
necessary furniture, textbooks, paper, and equipment for the post schools ; for the 
tableware and mess furniture for kitchens and mess halls for enlisted men ; of forage 
and bedding for the public animals of the Quartermaster’s Department, and for the 
authorized number of officers’ horses ; of straw for soldiers’ bedding ; of stationery 
and blank books for the Quartermaster’s Department, certificates for discharged sol- 
diers, blank forms for the Paymaster’s and Quartermaster’s Departments, and of the 
necessary correspondence connected with the work of this branch. 
This branch has also charge of matters relating to all contracts to which the Quar- 
termaster’s Department is a party. 
F. Clothing Supplies.—This branch of the office takes action upon all matters 
pertaining to the purchase and manufacture of clothing and equipage, and of the is- 
sues of same to the army, and to the militia of the states and territories in conformity 
with laws and regulations governing the same. 
G. Barracks and Quarters.—The work of this branch pertains to providing by 
hire, purchase, or construction, of barracks, quarters, hospitals, store-houses, stables, 
roads, sidewalks, wharves and bridges, shooting galleries and target ranges, and gen- 
erally to all structures furnished by the Quartermaster’s Department for the use of the 
army, including the repairs thereof, and matters relating to post cemeteries, except 
interments therein, and other miscellaneous duties, among which are the preparation 
of drawings, specifications, estimates, and studies of various works under the heads 
enumerated above, and of conducting the necessary correspondence, and keeping 
the requisite books and records of the transactions pertaining to the work of the 
branch. 
H. Inspection.—In this branch cognizance is taken of such matters as relate to 
the personnel of the officers of the Quartermaster’s Department, their assignment to 
stations, furnishing official bonds, etc., and to matters which pertain individually to 
clerks and employes in the office of the Quartermaster General and of the Quartermas 
ter’s Department at large. All reports, such as the biennial and annual returns of 
officers of the Quartermaster’s Department, and monthly and semi-monthly pay-rolls 
of clerks and employes in this office, are prepared therein, and action is taken on all THE QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT. 
63 
matters pertaining to the post quartermaster sergeants and the detachment of army 
service men, Quartermaster’s Department, at West Point. 
The distribution of books, orders, circulars, and other printed matter intended 
for the use of officers of the Quartermaster’s Department is made from this branch. 
I. Records and Files and Miscellaneous Claims.—This branch has the custody of 
the records and files of the office, from the date of its organization, June 15, 1818, and 
investigates and takes action upon miscellaneous claims for payment for services ren- 
dered as mechanics, teamsters, and laborers ; for extra-duty pay to enlisted men em- 
ployed in the Quartermaster’s Department ; for reimbursement to officers, soldiers, 
and civilian employes for expenses incurred while travelling on duty or under orders ; 
for the expenses of burial of officers and soldiers ; for awards for pursuing, appre- 
hending, and delivering deserters ; for recovery of lost and stolen public animals, and 
such other claims and accounts as do not specifically pertain to other branches of the 
office. 
The branch also has charge of the supply of newspapers and periodicals to military 
post libraries for the use and benefit of the enlisted men of the army, and of the print- 
ing and binding for the Quartermaster’s Department, and also all matters relating to 
claims filed arising under the act of July 4, 1864. 
K. Reservation.—This branch has charge of title papers to all lands in custody 
of the War Department for military uses, except such as are designed for permanent 
fortifications, or for armories, arsenals, and ordnance depots ; and of collecting and 
compiling information in regard to each reservation. It also has charge of all matters 
relating to water works and water supply, sewerage, plumbing, structural heating, 
lighting, fire protection, etc., and of conducting correspondence in connection there- 
with, 
National Cetneteries.—This branch has charge of matters pertaining to national 
cemeteries and the approaches thereto, and the superintendents of same. It exercises 
a general supervision over the proper disbursement of the funds provided by Congress 
for the care and maintenance of these cemeteries. 
Mail and Records.—This branch has charge of all matters pertaining to the keep- 
ing of the records, and briefing, entering, and indexing of communications received in 
the office of the Quartermaster General, as well as the typewriting and mailing of let- 
ters and endorsement. 
GENERAL DEPOTS. 
General depots have been established at New York City; Philadelphia 
and Schuylkill Arsenal, Pennsylvania; Washington, D. C.; Jeffersonville, 
Indiana ; San Francisco, Cal., and Saint Louis, Mo. 
These general depots of the Quartermasters’ Department are estab- 
lished in different sections of the country for the collection, manufacture 
and preservation of quartermasters’ supplies, until they are required for 
distribution to the army. They are under the immediate control of the 
Quartermaster General, and the officers in charge act under his sole 
direction. 
At the depots at Philadelphia, Jeffersonville, Ind., and San Francisco, 
all the clothing for the army is manufactured. 
By act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, there was established at 
Rock Island, 111., a prison for the confinement of offenders against the rules, 
regulations and laws for the government of the army of the United States, 
MILITARY PRISON. 64 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and subsequently by act approved May 21, 1874, the military prison was 
transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
This prison is governed by a board of five commissioners, consisting of 
three army officers, and two civilians. The commandant of the prison is 
an officer of the Quartermaster’s Department. 
In 1876, the manufacture of boots, shoes, etc., for the army by the con- 
victs of this prison was first commenced and has continued to the present 
time. 
Congress, under existing law of February 27, 1893, limits the amount of 
the annual appropriation for clothing for the army, that can be expended 
at the military prison, to $125,000. 
Another duty attached to the Quartermaster’s Department which re- 
sulted from the war, is that relating to burial places for the Union dead. 
The act of Congress approved July 17, 1862, provided that the President 
of the United States shall have power, whenever in his opinion it shall be 
expedient, to purchase cemetery grounds, and cause them to be enclosed, 
to be used as a national cemetery, for the soldiers who shall die in the serv- 
ice of the country. During the progress of the war, the sites selected for 
the interment of the Union dead, who were killed in battle or died in hos- 
pital, were usually those the most conveniently located for the purpose. 
After the close of the war, Congress by act approved February 22, 1867, 
provided for the purchase by the United States of sites for national ceme- 
teries. The work of selecting more suitable sites, securing fee simple titles 
and collecting and transferring thereto the Union dead, scattered over the 
length and breadth of the land, was assigned to the Quartermaster’s Depart- 
ment, and was a labor of great magnitude. This work has been continued 
under the direction of the Quartermaster’s Department until the present 
time, when there are 82 national cemeteries located either on military re- 
servations, or on land purchased for this purpose and owned by the United 
States, and which contain 331,755 interments. The national cemeteries are 
entirely distinct and disconnected from the local cemeteries. 
Congress appropriates annually about $161,880 for the care and main- 
tenance of these cemeteries, including the pay of the 72 superintendents. 
Under the fostering care of the Government, the national cemeteries 
have been made attractive, the graves of the Union dead provided with 
marble headstones, the grounds ornamented and beautified, thus creating a 
most fitting national monument to the memory of those who gave up their 
lives that the Union might be preserved. 
The regular appropriation for the service of the Quartermaster’s De- 
partment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, is as follows: 
AMOUNT DISBURSED. 
Regular Supplies $2,525,000 
Incidental Expenses 650,000 
Horses for Cavalry and Artillery 130,000 
Barracks and Quarters. 700,000 
Transportation of the Army and its Supplies 2,600,000 
Clothing and Camp and Garrison Equipage 1,200,000 THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT. 
65 
Construction and Repair of Hospitals $ 50,000 
Shooting Galleries and Ranges 8,000 
Quarters for Hospital Stewards 7,000 
National Cemeteries 100,000 
Pay of Superintendents of National Cemeteries 61,880 
Total $8,031,880 
ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY JANUARY I, 1894. 
The United States, under existing orders, is divided into eight military 
departments, viz.: 
Department of the East, 
Department of the Missouri, 
Department of the Platte, 
Department of Dakota, 
Department of Texas, 
Department of California, 
Department of the Colorado, 
Department of the Columbia. 
The enlisted strength of the army as authorized by existing laws is lim- 
ited to 25,000 men. There are, besides the staff departments provided by 
law: 
10 regiments of cavalry, 
5 regiments of artillery, 
25 regiments of infantry. 
The organization of the Quartermaster’s Department, as provided for 
under existing laws, is as follows : 
i Quartermaster General, brigadier general. 
4 Assistant Quartermasters General, colonels. 
8 Deputy Quartermasters General, lieutenant colonels.’ 
14 quartermasters, majors. 
30 assistant quartermasters, captains. 
1 military storekeeper, captain. 
(The last retirement in this grade will occur May 15, 1905, 
when by operation of the law, the grade will cease to exist.— 
Act of Congress approved March 3, 1875.) 
80 post quartermaster sergeants. 
117 army service men, Quartermaster’s Department, are on duty at 
West Point, New York. 
In addition to the above there is also an average of 135 officers of the 
line of the army, who are detailed for duty as acting assistant quarter- 
masters in the Quartermaster’s Department at the 94 posts and recruiting 
depots. 
was organized in 1883. Its object is to examine into the organization of 
the clerical force of the office, with a view to increase its efficiency ; to re- 
commend changes, promotions and transfers ; and to prepare and present a 
ADMINISTRATION BOARD 66 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
schedule of pay for the office force. The officers on duty in the Quarter- 
master General’s office compose the Administration Board. 
EQUIPMENT BOARD 
was organized in 1883. The object of this board of officers is to enable the 
Quartermaster General to get an authoritative expression of opinion upon 
current inventions, suggestions, results of improvements, etc., suitable or 
fit to be introduced into the military service through the Quartermaster’s 
Department, for the quartering, moving, equipment, supply and outfit of all 
troops in the United States military service. A record of all proceedings 
is kept, and reports made to the Quartermaster General. The officers on 
duty in the Quartermaster General’s office, and the depot quartermaster. 
Washington, D. C., compose the Equipment Board. THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
BYT. BRIG.-GEN. JOHN W. BARRIGER, 
Assistant Commissary General U. S. Army. 
THE first legislation relative to subsistence of the Army is found in 
the resolution of the Continental Congress passed June 16, 1775, 
creating general and general-staff officers for the Army of the 
United Colonies, which provided that there should be, among the 
latter class of officers, “ one commissary-general of stores and provisions.” 
On the 17th of July, 1775, Congress passed a resolution, upon the recom- 
mendation of Maj.-Gen. Philip Schuyler, commanding the New York De- 
partment, authorizing a deputy commissary-general of stores and provisions 
for that department, and immediately thereafter elected Walter Livingston 
to fill the office. 
On the 19th of July, 1775, a dispatch from Gen. Washington, dated 
Cambridge, July 10, 1775, reporting his assumption of command of the 
Army, and recommending, among other things, that Joseph Trumbull, of 
Connecticut, be appointed commissary-general of stores and provisions, was 
laid before Congress. After the same had been read and considered, the 
following resolution was passed : 
“Resolved, That Joseph Trumbull be commissary-general of stores and 
provisions for the Army of the United Colonies.” 
On the 29th of April, 1776, Congress, having had under consideration 
the report of the committee on supplying the troops in Canada, passed a 
resolution authorizing the appointment of a deputy commissary-general of 
stores and provisions for the Army of the United Colonies in Canada, and 
then elected Mr. J. Price to fill the office. 
In 1777, so much dissatisfaction prevailed with respect to the administra- 
tion of the officers of the “ Commissary’s Department,” that the matter was 
made the subject of an investigation by Congress, resulting in the passage 
of a resolution on the 10th of June, 1777, instituting a new system, upon a 
different principle, under an elaborate code of regulations. The following 
extracts from the code, which constituted the resolution, show the principal 
features of the new system : 
“Resolved— 
“ I. That for supplying the army of the United States with provisions, 
one commissary-general and four deputy commissaries-general of purchases, 
and one commissary-general and three deputy commissaries-general of 
issues, be appointed by Congress. 
“III. That the deputy commissaries-general have authority to appoint 
as many assistant commissaries to act under them as may from time to 
time be necessary, and the same to displace at pleasure, making returns 68 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
thereof to the commissaries-general respectively, who shall have full power 
to limit their numbers, to displace such as they shall think disqualified for 
their trust, and direct their respective deputy commissaries-general to ap- 
point others in their stead ; that special care be taken by the officers em- 
powered as aforesaid, to appoint none but persons of probity, capacity, 
vigilance, and attachment to the United States, and the cause they are en- 
gaged in ; and to make returns to the board of war, the commander-in-chief, 
and the commanders of the respective departments, of the assistant com- 
missaries by them respectively appointed, their several places of abode, the 
time of their appointment and dismission, and the post, place, magazine, or 
district to which they are severally assigned ; and that the deputy commis- 
saries-general of purchases, and issues, in the same district make similar 
returns to each other. 
“IV. That the commissary-general of purchases shall superintend the 
deputy commissaries-general of purchases, and assign to each a separate 
district, who shall constantly reside therein, and not make any purchases 
beyond the limits thereof; and every purchaser employed therein shall also 
have a certain district assigned him by the respective deputy commissary- 
general, in which he shall reside, and beyond the limits of which he shall 
not be permitted to make any purchases, unless by special order of his 
superior, directing the quantity and quality of provisions so to be purchased 
beyond his limits, and informing such purchaser of the prices given by the 
stationed purchaser in the district to which he may be sent. 
“ VII. That it shall be the duty of the commissary-general of purchases, 
with the assistance of the deputy commissaries-general, and assistant com- 
missaries of purchases, to purchase all provisions and other necessaries 
allowed, or which may be hereafter allowed by Congress to the troops 
of the United States, and deliver the same to the commissary-general 
of issues, or his deputies, or assistants, in such quantities, and at such 
places or magazines, as the commander-in-chief, or the commander of the 
respective departments, shall direct. 
“ XX. That the commissary-general of issue shall superintend the 
respective deputy commissaries-general of issues, and assign to each a sepa- 
rate district; and have full power to suspend them and appoint others for a 
time, as already appointed for the commissary-general of purchases.” 
By a resolution passed on the nth of June, 1777, the next day after the 
adoption of the new commissariat system, Congress directed that the com- 
missary-general of purchases should “ keep his office in the place where 
Congress shall sit, and that he or his clerk constantly attend therein.” 
On the 18th of June, 1777, Congress proceeded to the election of officers 
for the new Commissary’s Department, and the ballots having been taken 
and examined, the following persons were declared elected, viz., Joseph 
Trumbull, commissary-general of purchases, William Aylett, William 
Buchanan, Jacob Cuyler and Jeremiah Wadsworth, deputy commissaries- 
general of purchases; Charles Stewart, commissary-general of issues, and THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
69 
William Green Mumford, Matthew Irwin and Elisha Avery, deputy commis- 
saries-general of issues. 
An additional deputy commissary-general of purchases and one ad- 
ditional deputy commissary-general of issues, for supplying the troops in 
the State of Georgia, were authorized by a resolution of Congress passed 
August i, 1777. On the 6th of the same month, James Roe and John 
Bohun Garardeau, were elected to fill the offices, respectively. 
The resignation of Joseph'Trumbull, commissary-general of purchases, 
was received by Congress on the 2d of August, 1777, and on the 5th William 
Buchanan, a deputy commissary-general of purchases, was elected to fill 
the vacancy. 
On the 6th of August, Congress proceeded to the election of officers to 
fill vacancies in the Commissary's Department. Ephraim Blaine was elected 
a deputy commissary-general of purchases, vice Buchanan, promoted; 
Archibald Stewart, a deputy commissary-general of issues, vice Hoops, 
resigned; and James Blicker, a deputy commissary-general of issues, vice 
Avery, resigned. An additional deputy commissary-general of purchases 
was, on the same day, authorized for the Eastern Department, and Samuel 
Gray elected to fill the office. 
On the nth of August, 1777, Peter Colt was elected a deputy commis- 
sary-general of purchases, vice Wadsworth, resigned. 
On the 9th of April, 1778, Jeremiah Wadsworth, who had recently re- 
signed as a deputy commissary-general of purchases, was elected commis- 
sary-general of purchases, vice Buchanan, and administered the office until 
January 1, 1780, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Ephraim Blaine, 
then a deputy commissary-general of purchases. 
The laws relating to the purchasing branch of the Commissary’s Depart- 
ment were further perfected by the following resolution of Congress, passed 
November 30, 1780: 
"Resolved, That there be a commissary-general of purchases, whose duty 
shall be to purchase provisions under the direction of Congress, the com- 
mander-in-chief, or board of war; to call upon the principal State agents or 
commissioners for such supplies as their respective legislatures shall make 
provision for, keep up a regular correspondence with them, to the end that 
their prospects of furnishing such supplies may be fully known ; of which 
correspondence he shall keep a fair and correct register, as well as every 
other official transaction; to direct the quantities and species of provisions 
to be stored in the magazines of the several States, under the orders of the 
commander-in-chief, and cause the same to be furnished to the army, as 
occasion may require; for which purpose he is empowered to call on the 
quartermaster-general and the deputy quartermasters for the means of 
transportation; to make monthly returns to the commander-in-chief and 
the board of war of all persons employed by him, specifying for what time 
and on what terms ; and of all provisions received in each month, from 
whom, from what State, and the quantities delivered to the issuing commis- 
saries, their names, and at what posts ; also of all provisions remaining on 
hand, at what magazines, and in whose care; the returns to be made up to 
the last day of each month, and forwarded as soon as may be; to cause all 70 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
of his accounts with the United States to be closed annually, on the ist of 
January, and laid before the board of treasury for settlement by the ist day 
of March ensuing.” 
On the 28th of June, 1781, Congress passed the following order : 
“ Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to devise the mode 
of transferring to the superintendent of finance the business of the several 
boards and departments to which the institution of his office extends, in or- 
der that the said boards and departments may be discontinued as soon as 
the situation of affairs will admit.” 
On the 10th of July Congress, in pursuance of the object contemplated 
by the foregoing order, upon the recommendation of the Board of War, 
passed the following resolution, transferring the duty of procuring all sup- 
plies for the Army to the superintendent of finance, then the head of the 
Treasury Department: 
“ Resolved, That the superintendent of finance be, and he is hereby au- 
thorized, either by himself or such other person or persons as he shall, from 
time to time, appoint for that purpose, to procure, on contract, all necessary 
supplies for the army or armies of the United States, and also for the navy 
artificers, or prisoners of war, and also the transportation thereof; and all 
contracts or agreements heretofore made, or which shall be hereafter made, 
by him, or persons under his authority, for the purpose aforesaid, are hereby 
declared to be binding on the United States.” 
Under this resolution the commissariat system of subsisting the army 
was discontinued and the method of contracts for rations adopted in its stead. 
The office of superintendent of finance was abolished by an ordinance 
of Congress passed May 28, 1784. This ordinance created a board of 
three commissioners, styled the “ Board of Treasury,” to be appointed by 
Congress, to superintend the Treasury and manage the finances of the 
United States. All the duties of the superintendent of finance were trans- 
ferred to this board, including, of course, the furnishing of subsistence, and 
all other classes, of army supplies, and providing transportation for the 
same. This duty was, however, rendered almost nominal by the legislation 
of June 2 and 3, which fixed the strength of the forces to be maintained in 
the service of the United States at about 800 men, 700 of whom were 
militia called into service for twelve months, “ for the protection of the 
northwestern frontiers, and for guarding the public stores.” 
There was no further legislation touching subsistence of the army until 
after the reorganization of the Government under the Constitution. 
Under the provisions of the first section of the act of the ist Congress, 
entitled “ An Act to establish an Executive Department, to be denominated 
the Department of War,” approved August 7, 1789, the duty of procuring 
“ warlike stores ” was entrusted to the Secretary of War, but by Section 5 
of the act of May 8, 1792, making alterations in the Treasury and War 
Departments, the duty of making “all purchases and contracts for supply- 
ing the army with provisions, clothing, supplies in the quartermaster’s 
department, military stores, Indian goods, and all other supplies or articles 
for the use of the Department of War,” was again devolved upon the 
Treasury Department. THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT\ 
71 
An act was passed on the 23d of February, 1795, creating “ in the Depart- 
ment of the Treasury an officer to be denominated ‘purveyor of public sup- 
plies,’” whose duties were “under the direction and supervision of the 
Secretary of the Treasury, to conduct the procuring and providing of all 
arms, military and naval stores, provisions, Indian goods, and generally, ail 
articles of supply requisite for the service of the United States.” 
In 1798, there were serious apprehensions of a war with France, and 
Congress, apparently conscious of the inherent weakness of a military sys- 
tem so organized that the War Department did not have control of the pro- 
curement of its own supplies, restored to it that very essential function, by 
making the purveyor of public supplies, although an officer of the Treas- 
ury Department, subject to the orders of the Secretary of War in all matters 
relating to army supplies, except the auditing and settlement of accounts 
therefor, which were rendered to the Treasury Department, This restora- 
tion was effected by Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the act approved July 16, 1798, 
entitled “ An Act to alter and amend the several acts for the establishment 
and regulation of the Treasury, War and Navy Departments.” 
By Section 3 of the act approved March 16, 1802, entitled “An Act fix- 
ing the Military Peace Establishment of the United States,” it was provided 
that there should be “three military agents and such number of assistant 
military agents as the President of the United States shall deem expedient, 
not exceeding one to each military post; which assistants shall be taken 
from the line.” It was made the duty of the military agents “ to purchase, 
receive, and forward to their proper destination, all military stores and 
other articles for the troops in their respective departments, and all goods 
and annuities for the Indians, which they may be directed to purchase, or 
which shall be ordered into their care by the Department of War.” 
The military agency system proved to be unsatisfactory, but no action 
was taken by Congress towards its abolishment until 1812. Our relations 
with Great Britain had then become so much strained that Congress deemed 
it prudent to commence making preparations for war. An act was passed 
on the 2d of January of that year authorizing the President to raise a force 
of Rangers for the protection of the frontiers from invasion by the Indians; 
On the nth of the same month, an act was passed authorizing an increase 
in the army of ten regiments of infantry, two regiments of artillery, and 
one regiment of light dragoons and on the 6th of February another act was 
passed authorizing the President to accept the services of organized com- 
panies of volunteers, either of artillery, cavalry, or infantry, not exceeding, 
in the aggregate, 30,000 men. On the 28th of March, an act was passed 
abolishing the military agency system of supplying the Army, and substi- 
tuting therefor a Purchasing Department and a Quartermaster’s Depart- 
ment. 
The strained relations with Great Britain, heretofore alluded to, culmi- 
nated in a formal declaration of war by an act of Congress passed June 18, 
1812. 
The new staff system did not, however, bring with it any change in the 
mode of subsisting the Army, which was by contracts for rations delivered 
at the places of issue. This mode of subsisting the Army, although it had 72 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
been in operation since 1781, was now, for the first time, to be subjected to 
the test of war. It soon proved to be a great failure, as official reports from 
Gen. Dearborn and other commanders of troops on the Canadian frontier, 
show that as early as November and December, 1812, they were in dire ex- 
tremities on account of deficiency of rations, arising from failure of con- 
tractors to make deliveries according to their contracts. 
On the 3d of March, 1813, an act was passed with the significant title of 
“An Act better to provide for the supplies of the Army of the United 
States, and for the accountability of persons intrusted with the same.” The 
second section of this act provided that there should be a “ superintendent- 
general of military supplies,” whose functions were to keep proper accounts 
of all the military stores and supplies purchased for, and distributed to, the 
Army of the United States; to prescribe the forms of all returns and ac- 
counts of such stores and supplies, and to credit and settle the accounts of 
disbursing officers ; also, to transmit all such orders, and, generally, to per- 
form all such other duties respecting the general superintendence, purchase, 
transportation, and safe-keeping of military stores and supplies, and the 
accountability therefor as might be prescribed by the Secretary of War. 
Section 8 of this act empowered the President to appoint one or more 
special commissaries for the purpose of supplying by purchase or contract, 
and of issuing, or to authorize any officer or officers of the Quartermaster’s 
Department to supply and issue the whole or any part of the subsistence of 
the Army, in all cases when, from want of contractors, or from any default 
on their part, or from any other contingency, such measure might be proper 
and necessary in order to insure the subsistence of the Army. 
Notwithstanding this remedial legislation, the trouble about purchasing 
rations for the troops from the contractors continued. On the 12th of No- 
vember, 1814, the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Represen- 
tatives took up the matter, and, after having had the same under consider- 
ation, instructed its chairman to address a communication to the Secretary 
of War, requesting information on the following points, viz.: 
“ 1. What is the present mode of subsisting the Army? 
“ 2. If by contracts, what are the defects, if any, and the remedy ? 
“ 3. Whether any other mode can be adopted, combining, in a greater 
degree, certainty and promptitude with economy and responsibility? 
“ 4. Whether the alternative afforded by law of substituting commissaries 
for contractors has been adopted; and, if yes, what has been the general 
result ? ” 
Under date of December 23, 1814, the Acting Secretary of War, Hon. 
James Monroe, replied, in substance, that, not wishing to rely altogether on 
his own judgment in answering the inquiries of the committee as to the 
best mode of subsisting the Army, he had consulted the officers of the 
greatest experience who were within his reach, on the presumption that he 
should best promote the views of the committee by collecting all the infor- 
mation he could on the subject. He submitted, as inclosures to his reply, 
letters from Gen. Scott, Gen. Gaines and Col. Fenwick, all of whom ex- 
pressed a decided preference for the system of supply by commissaries to 
that by contractors. He also stated that he believed that officers generally THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
73 
concurred with them in that preference, and that the proposition to estab- 
lish the commissariat system of subsisting the Army had his unqualified 
approval. 
On the next day, January 24, 1814, after the Committee on Military 
Affairs had presented the report of the Acting Secretary of War to the 
House of Representatives, Hon. George M. Troup, of Georgia, the chairman 
of the committee, introduced a bill entitled “ A Bill making provision for 
subsisting the Army of the United States, by authorizing the appointment 
of Commissaries of Subsistence,” which was read the first and the second 
time, and referred to the Committee of the Whole. On the 7th of February 
the bill, after having been amended in some respects, was passed and sent 
to the Senate. 
The bill was taken up in the Senate on the 10th of February, read the 
first and the second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. 
On the nth of February it was reported back to the Senate, with some pro- 
posed amendments. On the 13th of February the Senate, sitting as in 
committee of the whole, agreed to the proposed amendments, when the 
committee rose, and the bill, as amended, was reported back to the Senate 
and ordered to be engrossed and read the third time, as amended. On the 
14th of February the bill was reported as correctly engrossed. On the 15th 
of February, on motion of Mr. Tait, of Georgia, the further consideration of 
the bill was postponed until the following Monday. This postponement 
was, presumably, due to the fact that on that day President Madison sent a 
message to the Senate transmitting a copy of the treaty of peace between 
Great Britain and the United States, which had been signed at Ghent on 
the 24th of December previous. 
On the 21st of February, the further consideration of the bill was again 
postponed until the following Monday. 
The return of peace had materially changed the aspect of our military 
affairs. The pressure of the necessity for immediate legislation changing 
the mode of subsisting the Army had been relaxed, and this, with the prox- 
imity of the end of the session of Congress, seems to have prevented the 
bill, although in such an advanced stage towards becoming a law, from being 
taken up according to postponement, or again before the final adjournment 
on the 4th of March, with which the Congress expired, and with it, of 
course, this, and all other pending bills. 
The subject was not again taken up by Congress until a repetition of our 
former adverse experiences with the contract mode of subsisting the Army 
brought it into conspicuous prominence. 
In 1817, the Seminole Indians, of Florida, then a province of Spain, be- 
gan to make hostile demonstrations on the southern frontier of Georgia, 
then embraced within the limits of the Division of the South, commanded 
by Maj.-Gen. Andrew Jackson. The available regular troops were ordered 
into the field, and, in addition, a brigade of Georgia militia, commanded by 
Brig.-Gen. Glasscock, was called into the service of the United States. 
The contractor for furnishing rations in the district covering the theatre 
of military operations, was duly notified to make deposits of provisions at 
the places where they would be needed in order to carry out the plan of 74 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
campaign, but he failed to do so with punctuality, and, in consequence, 
military movements were delayed, and, in December, 1817, and January, 
1818, the situation had become well-nigh desperate. 
On the 21 st of January, 1818, the matter was brought to the attention of 
the Senate by Mr. Williams, of Tennessee, of the Committee on Military 
Affairs, who introduced a resolution, which was adopted, requesting the 
President of the United States “to inform the Senate in what manner the 
troops in the service of the United States, now operating against the Semi- 
nole tribe of Indians, have been subsisted, whether by contract or otherwise, 
and whether they have been furnished regularly with rations.” 
On the 30th of January, the President, Hon. James Monroe, replied by 
message, inclosing a report on the subject of the inquiry, from the Secretary 
of War, Hon. John C. Calhoun, stating that the method of subsisting the 
troops was by contract; that the Department of War, anticipating an in- 
creased demand for rations in that quarter, had made early and liberal 
advances of money to the contractor to enable him to give prompt obedi- 
ence to the requisitions of the commanding general; that requisitions for 
deposits, in advance, under the terms of the contract, at the several posts 
on the frontier of Georgia and in the adjacent territory, had been made; 
that, according to the last official reports, these requisitions had not been 
complied with, and that the commandant had detailed officers of the Army 
to supply the deficiency by purchase. He called attention to inclosed 
reports from Gen. Gaines, Gen. Glasscock, Col. Brearly, and Lieut.-Col. 
Arbuckle, showing the extent of the actual failure and the evils appre- 
hended from an anticipated one. 
On the 18th of February, Hon. James Barbour, of Virginia, introduced 
the following resolution in the Senate : 
“Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to in- 
quire into the expediency of changing the mode of supplying the troops of 
the United States by contract, and substituting one cheaper and more effi- 
cient, by subjecting the parties who undertake that duty, to military law, 
in case of delinquency.” 
On the 20th of February, the Senate resumed consideration of this reso- 
lution, and adopted it. 
On the 24th of February, the Senate passed a resolution requesting the 
President of the United States to furnish the Senate with a copy of the 
contract under which rations were to be furnished at the several posts on 
the frontier of Georgia and in the adjoining territory; a statement of the 
amounts and dates of requisitions and by whom made; the particular in- 
stances in which the contractor had failed to furnish rations agreeably to 
his contract; the amount of money advanced by the Government for sup- 
plies, in consequence of such failures; and the amount of money advanced 
by the Government to the contractor, at or before the time of said failures. 
On the nth of March the President replied to the resolution, by mes- 
sage, transmitting a report from the Secretary of War containing the infor- 
mation called for. 
On the 20th of March, Mr. Williams, of Tennessee, from the Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs, to whom a bill entitled “ A Bill to reduce the THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
75 
Staff of the Army,” had previously been referred, reported the same back to 
the Senate, with an amendment, which was read and, on the 25th of March, 
adopted. After further amendments of the amendment, in both the Sen- 
ate and House of Representatives, the bill finally became a law on the 
14th of April, under the amended title of “ An Act regulating the Staff of 
the Army.” 
The amendments above referred to, constituted Sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 
10, of the act as passed, and laid the foundation of the present Subsistence 
Department. These sections were as follows : 
“ Section 6. That as soon as the state of existing contracts for the 
subsistence of the army shall, in the opinion of the President of the United 
States, permit it, there shall be appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, one commissary-general, with the rank, 
pay, and emoluments of colonel of ordnance, who shall, before entering on 
the duties of his office, give bond and security, in such sum as the Presi- 
dent may direct; and as many assistants, to be taken from the subalterns 
of the line, as the service may require, who shall receive $20 per month in 
addition to their pay in the line, and who shall, before entering on the 
duties of their office, give bond and security, in such sums as the President 
may direct. 
“ Section 7. That supplies for the army, unless, in particular and ur- 
gent cases, the secretary of war should otherwise direct, shall be purchased 
by contract, to be made by the commissary-general on public notice, to be 
delivered, on inspection, in the bulk, and at such places as shall be stipu- 
lated ; which contract shall be made under such regulations as the secretary 
of war may direct. 
“Section 8. That the President may make such alterations in the com- 
ponent parts of the ration as a due regard to the health and comfort of the 
army and economy may require. 
“ Section 9. That the commissary-general and his assistants shall not 
be concerned, directly or indirectly, in the purchase or sale, in trade or 
commerce, of any article entering into the composition of the ration allowed 
to the troops in the service of the United States, except on account of the 
United States, nor shall such officer take and apply to his own use any gain 
or emolument for negotiating or transacting any business connected with 
the duties of his office, other than what is or may be allowed by law; and 
the commissary-general and his assistants shall be subject to martial law. 
“ Section 10. That all letters to and from the commissary-general, 
which may relate to his office duties, shall be free from postage : Provided, 
That the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth sections of this act shall 
continue and be in force for the term of five years from the passing of the 
same, and thence until the end of the next session of Congress, and no 
longer.” 
Col. George Gibson, of Pennsylvania, then a quartermaster-general of 
division, which grade was abolished by Section 3 of the above-mentioned 
act, was appointed commissary-general of subsistence, on the 18th of April, 
1818, and his appointment was announced to the Army in a general order HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
issued on the 30th of April, 1818. The new system of subsisting the Army 
did not, however, go into operation until the 1st of June, 1819. 
On the 28th of December, 1820, pursuant to a resolution of the House 
of Representatives adopted on the 20th of November previous, Mr. Smyth, 
of Virginia, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported an elaborate 
bill to reduce the Army to six thousand men. This bill, after having been 
debated in both branches of Congress, and sundry amendments made 
thereto, finally became a law on the 2d of March, 1821, under the title of 
‘ An Act to reduce and fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United, 
States.” By the following section of this act, the organization of the Sub- 
sistence Department provided for by the act of April 14, 1818, was retained 
with only slight modifications : 
“ Section 8. And be it further enacted, That there shall be one commis- 
sary-general of subsistence ; and there shall be as many assistant commis- 
saries as the service may require, not exceeding fifty, who shall be taken 
from the subalterns of the line, and shall, in addition to their pay in the 
line, receive a sum not less than $10, nor more than $20, per month; and 
that assistant quartermasters and assistant commissaries of subsistence, 
shall be subject to duties in both departments, under the orders of the Sec- 
retary of War.” 
The foregoing resolution superseded so much of Section 6 of the Act of 
April 14, 1818, as related to the number and grades of officers in the Sub- 
sistence Department, and was a permanent enactment. The other pro- 
visions of Section 6, and Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10, of the Act of April 14, 
1818, which were untouched by this legislation, retained their temporary 
character. 
President Monroe, in his annual message to Congress, dated December 
3, 1822, in referring to the new system of subsisting the Army, made the 
following suggestion : 
“ It appearing that so much of the act entitled ‘ An Act regulating the 
Staff of the Army,’ which passed on the 14th of April, 1818, as relates to the 
commissariat, will expire in April next, and the practical operation of that 
department having evinced its great utility, the propriety of its renewal is 
submitted for your consideration.” 
On the 17th of December, 1822, Mr. Eustis, of Massachusetts, chairman 
of the Committee on Military Affairs, introduced a bill in the House of 
Representatives, to carry into effect the foregoing suggestion, which bill 
became a law on the 23d of January, 1823, in the following form ; 
“ An Act to continue the present mode of supplying the Army of the 
United States. 
“ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the seventh, eighth, ninth 
and tenth sections of the act entitled, ‘ An Act regulating the Staff of the 
Army,’ passed April fourteenth, eighteen hundred and eighteen, be, and the 
same are hereby, continued in force for the term of five years, and until the 
end of the next session of Congress thereafter.” 
On the 29th of April, 1826, the rank of brigadier-general, by brevet, was 
conferred on Colonel Gibson, the commissary-general of subsistence, under THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
77 
the provisions of Section 4 of the Act of July 6, 1812, “ for ten years’ faith- 
ful service in one grade.” 
On the 9th of November, 1827, General Gibson addressed a letter to the 
Secretary of War, Hon. James Barbour, making the following recommend- 
ations: “ Presuming that the utility of the present mode of subsisting the 
army to be sufficiently tested by eight years of successful experiment, I beg 
leave to suggest the expediency of asking Congress to make the depart- 
ment permanent. 
“ I am also induced to request your recommendation for a law authoriz- 
ing the appointment of two majors to Commissariat Department, whose 
services are required to enable me more efficiently to conduct its operations.” 
Secretary Barbour made this letter an enclosure to his annual report for 
that year, with the following commendatory reference : “ I beg leave, also, 
to recommend to the favorable consideration of Congress the alterations 
proposed by the commissary-general of subsistence, in the organization of 
the Subsistence Department, presuming that the mode of supplying the 
army by commissariat, whose advantages have been so satisfactorily mani- 
fested, will be continued by a new act of legislation, the former act being 
about to expire.” 
A bill in conformity with the foregoing recommendations was intro- 
duced in the House of Representatives, on the 2d of January, 1828, by Mr. 
Hamilton, of South Carolina, chairman of the Committee on Military 
Affairs. No further action, however, was taken on the bill until the next 
session of Congress, when it was taken up, and, after having been materially 
amended, was passed on the 2d of March, 1829, under the title of ‘"An 
Act to continue the present mode of supplying the Army of the United 
States.” 
This act extended for an additional term of five years, and until the 
end of the next session of Congress thereafter, the provisions of the sixth 
seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth sections of the Act of April 14, 1818, tempo- 
rarily establishing the commissariat system of subsisting the army, which 
had been similarly extended twice previously, and authorized the appoint- 
ment of two commissaries of subsistence, to be taken from the line of the 
army, one with the same rank, pay and emoluments as a quartermaster, 
and the other with the same rank, pay and emoluments as an assistant- 
quartermaster. 
The next legislation affecting the Subsistence Department was sug- 
gested by Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War. In his annual report for 
1833, he said: 
“ The act organizing the Subsistence Department expires by its own 
limitation on the 2d of March next. It was originally passed in 1818, and 
has been continued by successive temporary acts till the present time. 
The reason of this course of legislation is undoubtedly to be found in the 
fact that the introduction of this system was an experiment, and it was 
deemed prudent to test its operation before a permanent character was 
given to it. This has been fully done, and the result is, in every point of 
view, satisfactory. * * * 
“ I consider that the time has arrived when the present arrangement 78 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
should be rendered permanent, and I therefore present the subject with 
that view to your notice,” * * * 
On the 19th of December, 1833, Hon. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, 
from the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
introduced a bill “to render permanent the present mode of supplying the 
Army of the United States,” which, after some preliminary action thereon, 
went over to the next session of Congress, when it was taken up and 
passed—becoming a law on the 3d of March, 1835. 
A defect in the organization of the staff departments was brought to the 
attention of Congress by Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, of New York, Acting 
Secretary of War, in his annual report, dated December 3, 1836, which he 
described and commented upon as follows : 
“ The present system seems to have been formed upon the principle of 
concentrating the business of these departments at the seat of Government, 
and of employing therein a very small number of officers commissioned in 
the staff ; the deficiencies being supplied by selections from the line. This 
arrangement is very well adapted to a time of profound peace, when officers 
can be spared from the line without injury to the service : when the posi- 
tions of the troops are chiefly permanent; and when the changes which 
occur are made with so much deliberation as to afford ample time for pre- 
paring adequate means for transportation and supply ; but when large 
bodies of troops whose numbers and movements may be varied by unfore- 
seen contingencies, are to be supplied in the field, and at a great distance 
from the seat of Government, the system is worse than insufficient; it is the 
parent of confusion and delay. * * * To prevent inconveniences of this 
sort, it is evident that staff officers of experience and rank must be associ- 
ated with the commander; and to supply such associates, the staff depart- 
ments must be enlarged.” 
On the 8th of December, 1836, Hon. Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri, 
chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, introduced a bill in the 
Senate “ to increase the present Military Establishment of the United States, 
and for other purposes,” which contained provisions based on the foregoing 
recommendation. 
The bill was passed by the Senate on the 16th of February, 1837. It was 
taken up in the House of Representatives on the 3d of March, but on ac- 
count of the proximity of the end of the session, was laid over, and not 
taken up again until the next session of Congress, when it was passed, and 
became a law on the 5th of July, 1838. 
By Section 11 of this act, it was provided : 
“ That there be added to the commissariat of subsistence one assistant 
commissary-general of subsistence, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of 
a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry; one commissary of subsistence, with the 
rank, pay, and emoluments of a quartermaster of the army ; and three com- 
missaries of subsistence, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of assistant 
quartermasters.” 
The expansion of the Subsistence Department to the extent necessary to 
enable it to meet the requirements of the service in the war with Mexico, in 
1846, was provided for by Section 5 of an act entitled “ An Act supplemen- THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
79 
tal to an act entitled ‘ An Act providing for the prosecution of the existing 
war between the United States and the Republic of Mexico,’ and for other 
purposes,” approved June 18, 1846, which authorized the President, with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint as many additional officers as 
the service might require, not exceeding one commissary of subsistence with 
the rank of major for each brigade, and one assistant commissary of sub- 
sistence with the rank of captain for each regiment—the said additional of- 
ficers to “ continue in service only so long as their services shall be required 
in connection with the militia and volunteers.” 
On the 30th of May, 1848, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Gibson, commissary-general 
of subsistence, was appointed a major-general, by brevet, “ for meritorious 
conduct, particularly in performing his duties in prosecuting the war with 
Mexico.” 
On the 4th of January, 1850, Gen. Gibson addressed a letter to the Sec- 
retary of War, Hon. G. W. Crawford, requesting “ that there be added to the 
Subsistence Department four commissaries of subsistence with the rank of 
captain, to be taken from the line of the Army.” 
In explanation of the necessity for this increase, Gen. Gibson said : 
“ The addition of Oregon, California, New Mexico and Texas to our ter- 
ritory compels me to ask for an increase in the number of officers in the 
Subsistence Department. Each of these commands requires the presence 
of an officer of the Commissariat, and from no point occupied by my offi- 
cers can one be spared for these duties.” 
Gen. Gibson further explained that the necessity for the additional num- 
ber of officers asked for was of a permanent character. 
On the 30th of January, the Secretary of War transmitted copies of this 
letter to both branches of Congress, and recommended it to their favorable 
consideration. On the 26th of September, an act was passed, entitled “ An 
Act to increase the commissariat of the United States Army,” authorizing 
“ That there be added to the subsistence department four commissaries of 
subsistence, with the rank of captain, to be taken from the line of the army.” 
The next legislation affecting the Subsistence Department was to facili- 
tate its expansion to the extent necessary to meet the requirements for an 
increase in the Army of 500,000 men, provided for by the act entitled “ An 
Act to authorize the employment of Volunteers to aid in enforcing the Laws 
and protecting Public Property,” approved July 22, 1861. 
This act provided that the forces to be raised thereunder should be 
organized into divisions and brigades; each division to consist of three or 
more brigades ; each brigade of four or more regiments; and that each 
brigade, among other general-staff officers, should have “ one commissary 
of subsistence.” 
By Section 2 of an act entitled “An Act for the better organization of 
the Military Establishment,” approved August 3, 1861, the Subsistence De- 
partment was increased by the addition thereto of “four commissaries of 
subsistence, each with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a major of cavalry; 
eight commissaries of subsistence, each with the rank, pay, and emoluments 
of a captain of cavalry, and to be taken from the line of the army, either the 
volunteers or the regular army.” 80 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Gen. Gibson died on the 29th of September, 1861, after having served as 
commissary-general of subsistence forty-three years and five months. 
Lieut.-Col. Joseph P. Taylor, assistant commissary-general of subsist- 
ence, was promoted commissary-general of subsistence with the rank of 
colonel, vice Gibson, deceased. 
The 10th section of the act of July 17, 1862, entitled “ An Act to amend 
the Act calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress 
insurrection, and repel invasion, approved February 28, 1796, and the Act 
amendatory thereof, and for other purposes,” authorized the President “ to 
establish and organize army corps, according to his discretion.” The 10th 
section of the same act prescribed the staff of the commander of an army 
corps, and allowed to him, among other general staff officers, one commis- 
sary of subsistence with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, to be assigned by 
the President from the regular army or the volunteers. 
By the following act, approved February 9, 1863, the Subsistence De- 
partment was given a stronger and more symmetrical organization, better 
adapted to the exigencies of war : 
“ An act to promote the efficiency of the Commissary Department. 
“ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That there be added to the sub- 
sistence department of the army one brigadier-general, to be selected from 
the subsistence department, who shall be commissary-general of subsistence, 
and, by regular promotion, one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, and two 
majors; the colonels and lieutenant-colonels to be assistant commissaries- 
general of subsistence, and that vacancies in the above-mentioned grades 
shall be filled by regular promotions in said department; and the vacancies 
created by promotions herein authorized may be filled by selections from 
the officers of the regular or volunteer force.” 
Under the provisions of the foregoing act, Col. Joseph P. Taylor, com- 
missary-general of subsistence, was appointed commissary-general of sub- 
sistence, with the rank of brigadier-general. 
On the 29th of June, 1864, Gen. Taylor died, after having served as an 
officer of the Subsistence Department thirty-five years, and as its chief nearly 
three years in the most eventful period of its existence. 
Col. Amos B. Eaton, the senior assistant commissary-general of subsist- 
ence, was appointed the successor of Gen. Taylor. 
The War of the Rebellion closed in 1865. The magnitude of the opera- 
tions of the Subsistence Department during the four years of that war, is 
indicated by the following table, showing the amount of its disbursements 
for each year, and the total amount thereof : 
From July i, 1861, to June 30, 1862 $48,799,521.14 
From July 1, 1862, to June 30, 1863 69,537,582.78 
From July 1, 1863, to June 30, 1864 98,666,918.50 
From July 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865 144,782,969.41 
Total $361,786,991.83 
When the war closed there were in service of the Subsistence Depart - THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. 
81 
ment the 29 officers constituting the permanent establishment, and 535 com- 
missaries of volunteers, making a total of 564 officers. 
In referring to the operations of the Subsistence Department, in his an- 
nual report for 1865, Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, said : 
“ During the war this branch of the service never failed. It answers to 
the demand, and is ever ready to meet the national call.” 
The act of July 28, 1866, entitled “ An Act to increase and fix the Mili- 
tary Peace Establishment of the United States,” contained the following 
provisions fixing the organization of the Subsistence Department, and en- 
larging its province. 
“Section 16. And be itfurther enacted, That the subsistence depart- 
ment of the army shall hereafter consist of the number of officers now au- 
thorized by law, viz.: one commissary-general of subsistence, with the rank, 
pay, and emoluments of a brigadier-general; two assistant commissaries- 
general of subsistence, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of colonels of 
cavalry; two assistant commissaries-general of subsistence, with the rank, 
pay, and emoluments of lieutenant-colonels of cavalry; eight commissa- 
ries of subsistence, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of majors of cav- 
alry ; and sixteen commissaries of subsistence, with the rank, pay, and emol- 
uments of captains of cavalry.” 
“ Section 23. And be itfurther enacted, That the adjutant-general, quar- 
termaster-general, commissary-general of subsistence, surgeon-general, pay- 
master-general, chief of engineers, and chief of ordnance shall hereafter be 
appointed by selection from the corps to which they belong.” 
“ Section 25. And be it further enacted, That the office of sutler in the 
army and at military posts is hereby abolished, and the subsistence depart- 
ment is hereby authorized and required to furnish such articles as may from 
time to time be designated by the inspector-general of the army, the same 
to be sold to officers and enlisted men at cost prices, and if not paid for 
when purchased a true account thereof shall be kept and the amount due 
the government shall be deducted by the paymaster at the payment next 
following such purchase : Provided, That this section shall not go into ef- 
fect until the first day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven.” 
Section 16, above quoted, was a codification of all existing laws relating 
to the personnel of the Subsistence Department, except the provision of 
Section 8 of the act of March 2, 1821, authorizing not exceeding fifty assist- 
ant commissaries of subsistence, to be taken from the subalterns of the 
line, which, therefore, fell under the operation of the repealing clause. 
By Section 24 of the Army-appropriation act, approved July 15, 1870, it 
was provided that the pay of an acting assistant commissary of subsistence 
should be one hundred dollars per annum, in addition to the pay of his rank. 
The office of acting assistant commissary of subsistence was not au- 
thorized by a general law, but was maintained under a provision annually 
re-enacted in the army-appropriation acts. 
General Eaton, “ having served faithfully more than forty-five years.” 
was retired from active service, under the provisions of Section 12 of the act 
of July 17, 1862, by a general order issued on the 16th of February, 1874, to 
take effect on the 1st of May following. 82 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
General Eaton was granted a leave of absence from the date of the 
above mentioned order until the date of his retirement, and Col. Alex- 
ander E. Shiras, the senior assistant commissary-general of subsistence, was 
designated to perform the duties of commissary-general of subsistence, and 
ordered to relieve General Eaton. Colonel Shiras performed the duties of 
commissary-general of subsistence until the date of General Eaton’s retire- 
ment, and, thereafter, until the removal of the bar to promotions and 
appointments in the Subsistence Department and other staff corps and 
departments imposed by Section 6 of the Army-appropriation act of March 
3, 1869. 
By Section 3 of the Act of June 23, 1874, entitled “ An Act to reorganize 
the several Staff Corps of the Army,” the number of assistant commissaries 
general of subsistence with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, was increased 
from two to three, and the number of commissaries of subsistence with the 
rank of captain, was reduced from sixteen to twelve. 
Section 8 of the above-mentioned act repealed so much of Section 6 of 
the Army-appropriation act of March 3, 1869, as prohibited promotions and 
appointments in the Ordnance, Subsistence and Medical Departments, and 
Col. Shiras was then appointed commissary-general of subsistence, vice 
Eaton, retired. 
Gen. Shiras died on the 14th of April, 1875, and was succeeded by 
Maj. Robert Macfeely, commissary of subsistence. 
The office of “ acting assistant commissary of subsistence ” expired with 
the Army-appropriation act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, and 
was superseded by the office of “ acting commissary of subsistence,” which 
was provided for by the Army-appropriation act approved July 5, 18S2, and 
has since been continued by annual reenactments. 
Gen. Macfeely served as commissary-general of subsistence until July 1, 
1890, when, having reached the age of sixty-four years, he was retired from 
active service under the operation of the first section of the Act of June 30, 
1882. 
Col. Beekman Du Barry, the senior assistant commissary-general of 
subsistence, succeeded Gen. Macfeely, and upon his retirement from active 
service in December, 1892, was succeeded by Col. John P. Hawkins, the 
present commissary-general of subsistence. M A J O R-GENER AL 
ANTHONY WAYNE 
Commanding the Army, 1792-1796. THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
MAJOR CHARLES SMART, Surgeon U. S. A. 
THE Medical Department of the United States Army is as old as the 
United States, for when the patriot shouldered his rifle and sallied 
forth to see what was happening on the road to Lexington, the 
doctor hastily replenished his saddlebags and went out to help 
such of his neighbors as might require his professional assistance ; and by- 
and-bye, when the patriots became organized into companies and regiments, 
the doctor stayed with them, having been provided with an official status 
to warrant him in doing so. This authority came at first from the colonels 
of regiments, and the surgeons so appointed were authorized to select their 
own assistants or mates, as they were then called ; but the incompetency of 
this method to secure an efficient medical service was soon manifest, and 
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay took the matter in hand, 
requiring each candidate for a position in the Medical Department of the 
Army to be subjected to a close examination by qualified medical men. 
There was nothing pro forma in these examinations; for it is on record that 
no less than six of a set of fourteen were rejected on account of failure to 
come up to the standard. Examination to determine fitness is a recent re- 
quirement in the United States. The Civil Service Commission belongs to 
the last decade, and it is only the other day that military officers became 
subject to examination for promotion ; but medical men were examined for 
service in the military body away back in 1775, and the system then insti- 
tuted has never ceased to be the rule. 
The Provincial Congress discovered also that something more was re- 
quired for the proper care of soldiers on a campaign than the appointment 
of a surgeon and his mates. After the fight at Breed’s Hill they found it 
needful to establish a general hospital for the wounded from many regi- 
ments—to provide it with supplies irrespective of those at the command of 
regimental surgeons, and to have medical men in attendance who belonged 
to no regiment but to the hospital department in general. Thus there be- 
came established a small corps of staff surgeons. In a short time, as regi- 
ment after regiment from beyond the limits of Massachusetts joined the 
army at Cambridge, the necessity for the adoption of some system of organ- 
ization became manifest. Most of the regiments brought medical officers 
with them, but few were supplied with the needful stores and medical sup- 
plies. A bill was adopted providing for a director-general whose duties 
were to furnish bedding, medicines, and all other necessaries; to pay for 
the same, superintend the whole and make his report to and receive orders 
from the commander-in-chief; four surgeons, one apothecary, twenty mates, 
a clerk, two store-keepers, and a nurse to every ten patients. Congress 
appointed the director-general, who was authorized to appoint the surgeons, 
83 84 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and these in their turn selected their mates. Shortly after his appoint- 
ment, the first director-general, Dr. Benjamin Church, was accused of trea- 
sonable practices. A letter in cipher, giving full information concerning 
the strength and position of the Continental troops, was attributed to him. 
The doctor acknowledged its authorship, but claimed that his intention was 
to impress the enemy with such an idea of our superiority as to prevent an 
attack at a time when we were out of ammunition. The court found him 
guilty and referred the case to Congress for punishment. After a confine- 
ment of some months his health failed and he was set at liberty under 
bonds to appear for trial when called. He sailed shortly afterwards for the 
West Indies, and the vessel is supposed to have foundered at sea, for she 
was never heard of again. 
Church’s successor, Dr. John Morgan, labored earnestly to keep the 
army supplied with stores for its sick ; but the difficulty of his task may be 
appreciated when it is observed that he had to make an appeal to the 
“ Publick.” In September, 1775, a congressional committee was appointed 
“to devise ways and means for supplying the army with medicines”; but it 
did little to overcome the difficulty. Ultimately it was realized that a 
director-general with the army could not satisfactorily perform the duties 
of a purveyor in the larger cities, and it was decided to appoint a druggist 
in Philadelphia “whose business it shall be to receive and deliver all medi- 
cines, etc.”; but the director-general was not thereby relieved of the duty of 
seeing that this work was satisfactorily performed. 
Besides the hospital at Cambridge, one was established at Ticonderoga 
for General Schuyler’s command, and, in 1776, a third at Williamsburg, Va. 
The position of surgeon at this time was no sinecure, for small-pox, typhus 
and typhoid fevers, diarrhoea and dysentery, were rife in the Continental 
armies. The army at Cambridge in September, 1775, consisted of 19,365 
men, of whom 2817, or 14.5 per cent., were sick, present or absent; and in 
December the number taken sick weekly was from 675 to 1500, one-third of 
whom had to be sent to the small-pox hospitals. 
The general hospital system having been extended beyond the one hos- 
pital originally established at Cambridge, an act was passed allowing one 
surgeon and five mates to every 5000 men, with such other assistance as 
might be necessary. Certain of the provisions of this bill aroused a strong 
feeling on the part of the regimental surgeons against the hospital surgeons. 
It provided that the former should carry only medicines and instruments, 
and that when a man became so sick as to require medical stores he should 
be sent to hospital for treatment. The regimental surgeons claimed that 
they were thus subordinated too much to their comrades of the hospital. 
They had less rank and less pay than these, and now their stores and their 
sick were taken away, leaving them only the trifling ailments of camp to at- 
tend to. They claimed the right to take care of their own sick, and they 
were supported in this by a majority of the regimental and company officers; 
moreover, the hospitals were not prepared to take charge of the large num- 
ber of cases that would have been turned over to them at this time, and it 
was feared that an outbreak of typhus would be the result of attempting to 
overcrowd. A compromise was therefore effected by introducing the sys- THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
85 
tem of hospital fund which exists in our army to the present time. The 
rations of the sick were to be commuted by the commissary of subsistence, 
and needful articles purchased with the money. In this way certain of the 
sick could be provided with hospital stores and treated in camp, the hospi- 
tals be relieved and the regimental surgeons in some measure satisfied. 
At this time the suffering for want of medical supplies in the northern 
army was attracting general attention. Letters from the troops were filled 
with complaints. There was not in the army enough of lint to dress the 
wounds of fifty men, not a dose of cinchona although malarial fevers were 
of frequent occurrence, nor any bedding, not even straw for the sick, who 
lay on the bare boards of the hospital floor. The country expected some- 
thing to be done to remedy this deplorable state of affairs. Director- 
General Morgan had done all in his power apparently to relieve the necessi- 
ties of this army. All his surplus stores had been sent to it, but there was 
delay in their arrival, in fact for some time during their transportation 
they were to all intents and purposes lost,—neither those who sent them 
nor those who wanted them being able to hear anything of their where- 
abouts. Regimental surgeons held the hospital surgeons responsible for 
this destitution, claiming that everything was kept in hospital for an emer- 
gency that might not occur, while men were dying by the hundred with 
their regiments. At this time also it unfortunately happened that a dis- 
pute arose as to rank between the director of this army, Dr. Stringer, and 
the director-general. The latter in sending supplies at Stringer’s request had 
also sent some surgeons, and the appointment of these had been regarded 
by the director as an infringement of his rights. Accordingly, when Stringer 
was sent by his commanding general to New York to hurry up supplies, he 
took the opportunity of going to Philadelphia to represent his grievances to 
Congress. He contended that he was not subordinate in his directorship, 
while Morgan, on whom this contention seems to have been forced, held 
that there was but one General Hospital, though consisting of several divi- 
sions each under a separate director, and but one head, the director-general. 
Stringer was supported in his attack on Morgan by the influence of the 
regimental surgeons, who bore the latter a grudge for building up the gen- 
eral hospital system at their expense. Meanwhile a congressional committee 
which had been investigating the condition of the northern army, made its 
report, and a resolution was adopted that “ Dr. John Morgan, director-gen- 
eral, and Dr. Samuel Stringer, director of the hospital in the northern army 
of the United States be, and they are hereby, dismissed from any further ser- 
vice in said offices.” Congress appeared to consider the contention as to 
rank, as the root of all the troubles, whereas it really lay deeper and was 
wholly independent of this ; and in summarily disposing of the case in this 
manner it did an injustice to the director-general which was in part atoned 
for later. About a year after his dismissal he succeeded in having a con- 
gressional inquiry into his conduct of affairs which approved him as able 
and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and a resolution was passed to 
that effect; but he was not reinstated. He retired to private life, disappoin- 
ted, and died not long after. 
In 1777, after Morgan’s dismissal, the Army Medical Committee of Con- 86 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
gress reported a bill for the establishment of a Medical Department, which 
had been drawn up by Dr. Wm. Shippen and Dr. Jno. Cochran. This was 
an elaborate affair, based on the organization of the British service and 
accepted because it was so, for, as Washington said : “ The number of offi- 
ders mentioned in the enclosed plan, I presume, are necessary for us, be- 
cause they are found so in the British hospitals.” Shippen was appointed 
director-general. The bill provided also for a deputy director-general, a 
physician-general, a surgeon-general, and an apothecary-general for each of 
the departments; an assistant deputy director and a commissary for each 
of the hospitals; senior physicians and surgeons, second surgeons, mates, 
stewards, matrons and nurses ; also for a physician and surgeon-general for 
each army, to have control over the regimental surgeons and their mates. 
This unwieldly establishment, which had been built up gradually through a 
long series of years in a country where rank and class distinctions had a 
prominence that was not to be found in the colonies, was accepted as the 
only solution of a problem which had been proved to be one of infinite dif- 
ficulty. Experience during the remaining years of the War of the Revolu- 
tion simplified the organization by removing its functionaries with the high 
sounding titles; and there seems no reason to doubt that had a little longer 
time been given, the establishment would have been resolved into a corps 
of surgeons and assistants taking rank in their grade by seniority and 
assigned to duty in accordance with their rank. 
In 1777 most of the hospitals were not only deficient in supplies but 
crowded with men who were prevented from going to the front merely be- 
cause they were unprovided with shoes, clothing and blankets. A general 
complaint was raised, and Dr. Benjamin Rush, physician-general of the hos- 
pital of the Middle Department, did not hesitate to attribute the destitution 
of the hospitals to the mismanagement of the director-general. As a par- 
tial remedy for this state of affairs the deputy director-general of each 
department was relieved from all other duties except that of purveying; 
and as the influence of British institutions was still at work in the elabora- 
tion of the organization, each of these was provided with a deputy to aid 
him in his work. The deposed director-general, Morgan, joined forces with 
Rush in endeavoring to throw discredit on Shippen’s work, with the result 
of bringing him to trial; but the court exonerated him and Congress ap- 
proved its findings, and in 1780, when the Medical Committee reported 
a bill to simplify the cumbersome organization, Shippen retained the 
director-generalship; but he resigned soon after and was succeeded by 
Cochran. The bill provided for the director-general, a chief physician for 
the hospitals of each department, and one for each separate army, and a 
purveyor for the whole. Promotion by seniority was authorized next 
year,—and the Medical Department was getting into excellent working con- 
dition when prospects of peace put an end to further progress. Officers 
were mustered out and furloughed, so that in 1784 the army of the United 
States consisted merely of some detachments of artillerymen who guarded 
stores at Fort Pitt and West Point. 
For some years subsequent to the close of the War of the Revolution 
the army of the United States consisted of troops enlisted for short periods THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
87 
of service, with no provision for medical service other than that afforded by 
regimental medical officers. 
In 1798 quite a formidable force was raised in anticipation of trouble 
with France, and on the recommendation of Secretary McHenry, who had 
been a surgeon during the Revolution, a hospital establishment based on 
the later experiences of the war, was authorized ; but the war clouds became 
dissipated and this measure never went into practice. 
In 1802 a new departure was taken in appointing army medical officers. 
The army at that time was so small that the few surgeons and mates pro- 
vided on a regimental basis were wholly incapable of attending to the sick, 
scattered as they were at various posts along the frontier ; medical officers 
were therefore appointed to garrisons and posts and not to corps, as here- 
tofore. The act of March 16th allowed two surgeons and twenty-five mates 
as the peace or permanent garrison establishment. Additional troops levied 
in an emergency brought with them their regimental surgeons, and, if the 
needs of the service required the establishment of general hospitals, hos- 
pital surgeons of higher grade and rates of pay than the regular garrison 
surgeons were appointed temporarily. In this manner the Medical Depart- 
ment was enlarged to meet the necessities of the army in 1812. 
There was, however, no provision made for a chief of the department 
until March, 1813, when Dr. James Tilton, who had been a hospital surgeon 
during the Revolution, was appointed physician and surgeon-general. His 
management of affairs during the war appears to have given universal sat- 
isfaction. Many hospitals were established and broken up in the progress 
of events, but all were well kept, fully provided with necessaries and com- 
petent for all the work thrown upon them. Some, indeed, as that at Bur- 
lington, Vermont, under the superintendence of Surgeon Lovell, of the 9th 
Infantry, appear from the reports to have been model establishments. The 
regulations of these are extant and it is readily seen that their high charac- 
ter was due to efficient administration, discipline and cleanliness. During 
the Revolution Congress kept a special committee in constant session on 
the organization and needs of the Medical Department. During the War 
of 1812 the only legislation materially affecting the department was a much 
needed increase of pay for the regimental medical officers. These two facts 
alone suffice to indicate the excellence of Dr. Tilton’s administration. He 
returned to private life in 1815, when Congress fixed the peace establish- 
ment of the army at 10,000 men with a proportionally reduced staff of 
medical officers. 
In 1818 a bill which organized the general staff gave to the Medical De- 
partment for the first time in its history a permanent chief under the title 
of “ Surgeon - General.” The “ Director - General ” of the Revolutionary 
period and the “ Physician and Surgeon-General” of 1813 were temporary 
appointments to meet the emergencies of the times, but the surgeon-gen- 
eralcy now authorized, and to which Surgeon Joseph Lovell was promoted 
on account of his excellent record, was a permanent position on the military 
staff of the country. The same bill provided two assistant surgeons-gen- 
eral, one for each of the divisions, but these, from the duties prescribed for 
them, should rather have been called medical inspectors. Hospital and 88 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
garrison surgeons became consolidated under the title of post surgeons, and 
as these took rank after the surgeons of regiments, certain of the hospital 
surgeons who had served in high positions on important occasions had 
reason to be dissatisfied with the inferior status to which they were con- 
signed by this arrangement. 
The Medical Department was fortunate in having so able a man as Dr, 
Lovell appointed as its chief. He defined the duties of his subordinates, 
established an excellent system of accountability for property, revised and 
improved the character of the medical reports rendered, inspired his officers 
with the idea that as sanitary officers they had greater responsibilities than 
mere practicing physicians and surgeons, and labored earnestly to have 
their pay increased and their official status raised in proportion to his views 
of the importance of their duties. He also established an equitable system 
of exchange of posts or stations, so that one officer might not be retained 
unduly at an undesirable station. 
In 1821 the finishing touches were given to the organization of the 
department by doing away with the unnecessary positions of assistant sur- 
geons-general and apothecary-general, and consolidating the regimental 
surgeons with the general staff, so that the corps consisted simply of one 
surgeon-general, eight surgeons with the compensation of regimental sur- 
geons, and forty-five assistant surgeons with the compensation of post sur- 
geons ; but as this number was insufficient to provide one medical officer 
to each of the military posts, the system of employing civil physicians on 
contract was instituted. 
No great event occurred during the administration of Surgeon-General 
Lovell; but he kept the department in a high state of efficiency, so that 
when cholera appeared among the troops during the Black Hawk campaign 
of 1832, and when the Seminole outbreak took place toward the close of 
1835, nothing was lacking for the care, comfort and professional treatment 
of the sick and wounded. He died in 1836, and a memorial in the Con- 
gressional Cemetery at Washington, erected by the medical officers of the 
army, expresses their appreciation of his high qualities of mind and heart. 
The senior surgeon, Thomas Lawson, then serving with the troops in 
Florida, succeeded to the surgeon-generalcy. 
Little of general interest occurred during the next ten years. The most 
important papers filed during this period were arguments, opinions and 
decisions on points connected with uniforms, rank and precedence of medi- 
cal officers and their right to enter into private practice in the vicinity of 
their stations. At last the concentration of troops on the Rio Grande and 
the probability of war with Mexico led to radical change in the character 
of the reports and papers received at the surgeon-general’s office. The 
needs of the time occasioned an addition of two surgeons and twelve assist- 
ant surgeons to the medical staff, and ten new regiments were enlisted, 
each provided with a surgeon and two assistants. These were intended to 
be merely provisional appointments to be vacated by the incumbents when 
their services were no longer required at the close of the war. Ultimately, 
however, not only were the staff appointments made permanent, but 
ten additional assistants were authorized on account of the increasing THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
89 
needs of the department after the acquisition of California and New 
Mexico. 
During the Mexican War the senior surgeons were assigned as medical 
directors and in charge of general hospitals; certain of the juniors were on 
duty at the hospitals and purveying depots and the others in the field as 
regimental officers with the regular troops ; volunteer surgeons were on 
duty with their regiments with occasional details for duty in the hospitals. 
The surgeon-general left his office and took the field with General Scott 
that he might better superintend the operations of his department. General 
hospitals were established at New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., at Point 
Isabel, Matamoras, Camargo and Monterey, at Vera Cruz, Plan del Rio, 
Jalapa and other points en rozite to the City of Mexico, and lastly, in that 
city itself. There was much sickness during the invasion. Diarrhoea, 
dysentery and remittent fevers were the prominent diseases. These were 
attributed to exposures on the plateaus immediately after the march across 
the tierra caliente, where, on account of the heat, the troops, many of them 
raw, had thrown away their overcoats and blankets, and had not been able 
to replace them. Moreover, many of the commands had become infected 
with yellow fever while at Vera Cruz. Nevertheless the hospital service 
was competent to the care of all cases, and every official report that was 
rendered commented on the excellent management of the Medical Depart- 
ment. “ The Medical Staff,” said General Taylor after the battle of Buena 
Vista, “ under the able direction of Assistant Surgeon Hitchcock, were 
assiduous in their attentions to the wounded upon the field and in their 
careful removal to the rear. Both in these respects, and in the subsequent 
organization and service of the hospitals, the administration of this depart- 
ment was everything that could be wished.” The surgeon-general gained 
the rank of brigadier-general by brevet and other medical officers seem to 
have earned brevets although they did not receive them. Every subordinate 
commander had something to say in his reports of the ability, energy and 
courage of the members of the medical staff on duty with his command. 
The intrepidity with which they exposed themselves on the field gained 
them special mention after every battle. Some of them, indeed, were over 
gallant, and exposed themselves outside of the line of their duty. Thus, 
General Wool noted the gallantry of Assistant Surgeon Prevost, whom he 
took for a newly arrived staff officer and addressed as captain, making use 
of him in rallying the flying troops and in bringing up the Mississippi and 
Tennessee regiments to charge the enemy under most trying circumstances. 
This was commendable service on the part of this young officer, as the con- 
ditions were special and urgent and affected the well-being of the whole 
army; but the same cannot be said of the action of Assistant Surgeon 
Roberts, who left his wounded to the care of the steward and nurses to 
take the place of a disabled company officer in the attack on Molino del 
Rey, and was mortally wounded while leading the company. In encoun- 
ters with Indians in earlier and later times medical officers have been fre- 
quently called upon to engage as combatants until the time of general dan- 
ger was over, because the loss of the field in such a case meant the slaughter 
of every wounded man ; but the sacrifice of his life by Dr. Roberts seems 90 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
to have been wholly uncalled for by the conditions of the moment. Lastly, 
at Puebla, when 800 of our troops with 1500 sick in the hospitals were be- 
sieged for thirty days by Santa Anna, those of the invalids who were able 
to bear arms were organized by Surgeon Madison Mills and contributed 
materially to the defense. The war with Mexico was as brilliant a series of 
victories for the medical staff in overcoming the difficulties of the environ- 
ment and caring tenderly for their sick and wounded as it was for the in- 
vading columns of our small army. 
The additions to the numerical force of the Medical Department during 
and after the Mexican War proved insufficient for the needs of our scattered 
army ; but although the surgeon-general repeatedly called attention to his 
necessities, it was not until 1856 that an increase of four surgeons and eight 
assistants was authorized. The same bill provided for the enlistment of 
hospital stewards with the rank, pay and emoluments of sergeants of ord- 
nance, and gave extra duty pay to the men detailed as cooks and nurses in 
the post hospitals. Up to this time the steward had been merely a detailed 
man, and it not unfrequently happened that after a medical officer had 
spent much time and labor in educating one and instructing him in his 
special duties, his work would be lost by the return of the man to his com- 
pany. Extra duty pay had been allowed to hospital attendants from 1819, 
but a ruling of the Treasury Department had deprived them of it and ren- 
dered necessary the clause relating to it in this bill. 
The Utah expedition of 1857 found the Medical Department fully pre- 
pared for any emergency, but no general hospital was established, as the 
regimental hospitals sufficed for the care of the sick. 
Surgeon-General Lawson died of apoplexy in 1861, after a service of 
forty years, during thirty-four of which he had been chief of the depart- 
ment. To his earnestness of purpose and untiring energy the medical offi- 
cers of the army owed much of the recognition which they had obtained 
from Congress. He was succeeded by Dr. Clement A. Finley, then the 
senior surgeon on the army list. 
Just before the death of Surgeon-General Lawson the Civil War had 
been opened by the attack on Fort Sumter; and from the calls for large 
bodies of troops issued by the President, and the feeling north and south 
that a desperate struggle was before the country, it was evident that with- 
out large reinforcements the Medical Department would be incapable of 
carrying on successfully its share of the work. At this time it consisted of 
one surgeon-general with the rank of colonel, thirty surgeons with the rank 
of major, and eighty-three assistants with the rank of lieutenant for the first 
five years of their service and that of captain until subsequent promotion. 
Three of these surgeons and twenty-one assistants resigned “to go South,” 
and three assistants were dismissed for disloyalty. In August, 1861, ten 
additional surgeons and twenty assistants were authorized, and a corps of 
medical cadets was formed, not to exceed fifty in number, to be employed 
under the direction of medical officers as dressers in hospital. Some of the 
members of this corps did excellent service, but as a whole it was numer- 
ically too small to make itself felt as a power for good. 
The medical staff of the regular establishment was speedily assigned to THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
91 
duty in connection with the preparations for the coming struggle. Some 
took charge as medical directors of the corps and armies that were formed, 
instructing the volunteer officers in the duties of camp, and organizing 
them by brigades for hospital and battle-field service ; others acted as medi- 
cal inspectors, aiding the directors in their work of supervision and educa- 
tion ; some organized general hospitals for the sick that had to be provided 
for on every move of the army, while others kept these hospitals and the 
armies in the field supplied with medicines, hospital stores, furniture, bed- 
ding, and surgical supplies ; the remainder were assigned to field service 
with the regular regiments and batteries. 
Each volunteer regiment brought with it a surgeon and an assistant 
(afterwards two assistants) appointed by the Governor of the State after ex- 
amination by a State medical board. The efficiency of this service was 
further guarded by a central board for the reexamination of any regimental 
medical officer whose professional competency had been called in question. 
The senior surgeon of each brigade became invested with authority as on 
the staff of the brigade commander; but as seniority was determined by a 
few days or weeks at furthest, it often happened that the best man for the 
position was not rendered available by this method. Congress therefore 
authorized a corps of brigade surgeons who were examined for position by 
the board then in session for officers of the regular corps. One hundred 
and ten of these brigade surgeons were commissioned. 
In April, 1862, a bill was passed by Congress to meet the pressing needs 
of the Medical Department. This gave the regular army an addition of ten 
surgeons, ten assistants, twenty medical cadets and as many hospital stew- 
ards as the surgeon-general might deem necessary ; and it provided for a 
temporary increase in the rank of those officers who were holding positions 
of great responsibility. It gave the surgeon-general the rank, pay and 
emoluments of a brigadier-general; it provided for an assistant surgeon- 
general and a medical inspector-general of hospitals, each with the rank, 
etc., of a colonel of cavalry, and for eight medical inspectors with the rank 
of lieutenant-colonel. These original vacancies were filled by the President 
by selection from the army medical officers and the brigade surgeons of the 
volunteer forces, having regard to qualifications only instead of to seniority 
or previous rank. At the termination of their service in these positions 
medical officers of the regular force were to revert to their former status in 
their own corps with such promotion as they were properly entitled to. 
About the time of this enactment Surgeon-General Finley was retired at his 
own request after forty years service and Assistant Surgeon Wm. A. Ham- 
mond was appointed the first surgeon-general with the rank of brigadier- 
general. In December following eight more inspectors were added. Their 
duties were to supervise all that related to the sanitary condition of the 
army, whether in transports, quarters or camps, as well as the hygiene, 
police, discipline and efficiency of field and general hospitals; to see that all 
regulations for protecting the health of the troops, and for the careful treat- 
ment of the sick and wounded, were duly observed ; to examine into the 
condition of supplies, and the accuracy of medical, sanitary, statistical, mili- 
tary and property records and accounts of the Medical Department; to in- 92 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
vestigate the causes of disease and the methods of prevention ; they were 
required also to be familiar with the regulations of the Subsistence Depart- 
ment in all that related to the hospitals, and to see that the hospital fund 
was judiciously applied ; finally, they reported on the efficiency of medical 
officers, and were authorized to discharge men from service on account of 
disability. 
Shortly after this the corps of brigade surgeons was reorganized to give 
them a position on the general staff similar to that of the army medical 
officer, and render their services available to the surgeon-general at any 
point where they might be most needed irrespective of regimental or brigade 
organizations. They henceforth became known as the “ Corps of Surgeons 
and Assistant Surgeons of Volunteers ” ; and the appointment of forty 
surgeons and one hundred and twenty assistants was authorized. 
Promotion or increased rank is the reward in the military service for 
duty well performed; but little incentive of this kind was offered to medical 
officers during the War of the Rebellion. Many who entered as surgeons 
had no promotion to look forward to; and they saw their comrades of the 
line, formerly their equals or inferiors in rank, mount upwards step by step 
while there remained to them nothing but the reward of a good conscience. 
The sixteen lieutenant-colonelcies held by the medical inspectors offered no 
chance of promotion to the vast number of those who looked up to them. 
Surgeon-General Hammond made several efforts to obtain increased rank 
for the medical directors of armies. That a medical officer on duty as 
medical director held only the rank of major, although responsible for the 
work of five or six hundred officers, one-third of whom had a rank equal to 
his own, seemed an oversight that required only to be pointed out to be im- 
mediately remedied,—the more so that the corresponding officers of the 
Adjutant General’s, the Quartermaster’s and Subsistence Departments, were 
assigned to their duties as colonels; yet the efforts of the surgeon-general 
were met by a curt refusal on the ground that the skill and efficiency of 
surgeons were not dependent upon rank and pay. The reply was to the 
effect that surgical ability was not in question; that the duties of a medical 
director were purely administrative, and that for the proper performance of 
such duties rank was essential; but no action was taken upon this subject 
until towards the close of the war, when Congress recognized the responsi- 
bilities of these officers by giving the rank of lieutenant-colonel to the 
director of a corps and of colonel to that of an army. 
It is seen, therefore, that during this great war the work of the Medical 
Department was performed by the regular medical officers and the corps of 
volunteer surgeons and assistant surgeons, both commissioned by the 
President, and by the large body of regimental medical officers commis- 
sioned by the Governors of States. In addition to these, civil physicians, 
known as acting assistant surgeons, were employed under contract, mostly 
in the wards of the general hospitals established in the vicinity of the na- 
tional capitol and many of the large cities. Just before the close of the war 
another class of medical officers was authorized. Regimental surgeons 
whose regiments had been mustered out on account of the expiration of 
their terms of service were offered the position of acting staff surgeons as THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
93 
an inducement for them to continue in service ; and a few were thus led to 
return, for assignment in the field or base hospitals. The ambulance corps 
must also be mentioned as a part of the machinery of the Medical Depart- 
ment. An ambulance service consisting of men specially enlisted and under 
the command of medical officers was urged by General Hammond, but no 
action was taken at the time on his suggestion. Somewhat later, however, 
a corps was organized from detailed men, with lieutenants as brigade and 
division officers, and a captain on the staff of the commanding general as 
chief of ambulances of the army corps. These officers were practically 
acting quartermasters for the Medical Department so far as related to the 
transportation of the sick and wounded. 
In 1864 Surgeon-General Hammond was tried by court-martial and dis- 
missed from the service on account of disorders and neglects in relation to 
the purchase of blankets, medicines and medical stores of inferior quality. 
General Hammond contended that the law authorized him not only to in- 
dicate to medical purveyors what and where they should purchase, but even 
to send the order himself, particularly under the emergency calls of a great 
war, and that in none of the specified instances had he been actuated by 
any motive other than that of performing the important duties of his office 
with credit to himself and benefit to the invalids who depended on his 
department for their care and comfort. Nevertheless, the proceedings were 
approved August 18, 1864, and Medical Inspector-General J. K. Barnes, 
who had been acting surgeon-general pending the trial, was appointed to 
the vacancy. It is scarcely needful, so far as General Hammond is con- 
cerned, to say that this sentence has been annulled and set aside. Fourteen 
years after it was promulgated he came before Congress for relief. The 
Senate Military Committee in its report reviewed the case and the history 
of the times, showing how there came to be a want of cordiality between 
the Secretary of War and the surgeon-general, and that, in consequence, 
the weaker went to the wall. The bill which replaced his name on the 
Army Register was approved March 18, 1878. 
In the early period of the war the unit of organization for field work 
was the regimental hospital, but the advantages of consolidation became 
speedily manifest. When the sick exceeded the capacity of the regimental 
accommodation, brigade hospitals were established to receive the overflow 
and obviate the necessity for sending temporarily disabled soldiers to dis- 
tant general hospitals. After a battle the cooperative work of the surgeons 
of a brigade was found to give infinitely better results than could be 
obtained by preserving the individuality of the regimental hospitals. A 
larger experience of these advantages led to the consolidation of the brig- 
ade hospitals of a division for administrative purposes into a field hospital 
for the division. These worked so well in the Western Army, and in the 
Army of the Potomac during the battle of Antietam, that thereafter orders 
were published calling for their establishment as soon as an engagement 
was imminent. A medical officer was assigned to the command of the 
division hospitals; assistants were detailed to provide food and shelter and 
keep the records, and the best surgeons of each brigade were assigned to 
duty at the operating tables. Those officers who were not required for 94 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
special service in the hospital accompanied their commands into action and 
established dressing stations at convenient points in rear of the line of bat- 
tle where the wounded were prepared for transportation by the ambulances 
of the hospital. At the beginning of a campaign a standing order was pro- 
mulgated by the medical director detailing his medical officers to their 
various duties in case of an engagement. The chief of the hospital and his 
assistants were permanent details, sometimes staff instead of regimental 
surgeons. They remained at all times with the ambulances on the march 
and in camp. When a line of battle was formed, a suitable site was selected 
to which the ambulance train brought up the tents and supplies for the 
establishment of the hospital, and the ambulance officers proceeded to the 
dressing stations to bring in the wounded. The success of this field hos- 
pital system was such that in many commands its existence was continued 
during the period of inactivity in winter quarters, only trivial ailments being 
treated in camp by the regimental medical officers, whose medical knap- 
sacks were replenished from time to time from the supplies of the hospital. 
When established on the battle-field the objects of the division hospital 
were to give shelter and surgical care, with time and facilities for the per- 
formance of all needful primary operations. As soon as this work was 
accomplished the wounded were sent to the base of supplies in ambulance 
or other available wagons of the Quartermaster, Subsistence or Ordnance 
Department, and from this they were shipped by rail or steamboat to north- 
ern cities where ample accommodation and comforts were provided in the 
magnificent system of general hospitals which had been established. 
At first the Medical Department labored under considerable disadvan- 
tage on account of its dependence on the Quartermaster Department for its 
transportation in the field, and by sea and rail, as well as for its hospital 
buildings ; but in progress of time these difficulties became smoothed over 
by the organization of the ambulance corps for the field transportation of 
the wounded, and the building of special hospitals and hospital steamers 
which were placed under the orders of the Medical Department. The ex- 
tent of the provision for the care and treatment of the sick and wounded 
may be appreciated when it is observed that in December, 1864, there were 
in the general hospital of the North 118,057 beds, 34,648 of which were un- 
occupied and ready for the accommodation of those who might be disabled 
at any time in the progress of events on the theatre of war. During the 
war there were reported on the monthly reports of medical officers 6,454,834 
cases of sickness and injury, 195,627 of which were fatal. Of the diseases, 
diarrhoea and dysentery, fevers of a typhoid character and pneumonia were 
the most prevalent and fatal. 
Medical and hospital supplies for all these cases were provided mainly 
from the purveying depot in New York City in charge of Surgeon R. S. 
Satterlee, whose honorable record extended from the Florida and Mexican 
wars to this important duty during the Civil War. Supplies were also pur- 
chased in Philadelphia and to some extent in Chicago, St. Louis, Cincin- 
nati, etc. The expenditures on behalf of the Medical Department in 1861- 
1866 amounted to 48 million dollars. 
The museum and library of the Surgeon-General’s Office, both of which THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
95 
have now a world-wide reputation, had their beginnings during the war. 
Surgeon-General Hammond, in a circular in May, 1862, announced the in- 
tention of establishing an Army Medical Museum, and requested medical 
officers to collect specimens of morbid anatomy, medical and surgical, 
which might be regarded as valuable, together with projectiles or foreign 
bodies removed, and such other matters as might prove of interest in the 
study of military medicine and surgery. Later circulars gave more specific 
instructions regarding the collections to be made. For a number of years 
the museum was installed in the old theatre building in which President 
Lincoln was assassinated, but recently a handsome and commodious build- 
ing has been erected in the Smithsonian grounds at Washington, D. C., 
where are now aggregated over 31,000 specimens, two-thirds of which are 
anatomical and pathological and the remainder microscopical, with, in the 
library, nearly 107,000 bound volumes and 166,000 unbound theses and 
pamphlets. Congress has provided for the publication of an index catalogue 
of the library, thirteen volumes of which have been published, bringing the 
work nearly to the end of the letter S. This catalogue, the work of Major 
John S. Billings, has given a marvellous impetus to medical literature and 
education in this country, as it places the valuable stores of the library 
within easy reach of those who are qualified to make use of them. The 
original intention was to have the library and museum connected with a 
hospital and medical school for the special training of those intended for 
the medical service of the army, but since the war the military force of the 
country has been too small to warrant the support of an institution of this 
kind. The library and museum have, however, taken a higher position than 
that originally intended, for they are now regarded as belonging to the 
medical profession of the country and not to any special school, hospital or 
section. Another of the notable results of the war is the “ Medical and 
Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion.” The six large quarto vol- 
umes of this work were published at various times from 1870 to 1888, when 
the last was issued. These volumes show that while the work of the Medi- 
cal Department, in field and hospital, was carefully performed as regards 
the individual case, the necessary reports and papers were fortunately not 
forgotten. Some volunteer surgeons who took pride in considering them- 
selves practical men, because they gave but little care to what they were 
pleased to term the red-tapeism of the department in calling for reports, 
have since then learned to appreciate the importance of these reports in 
their connection with the immense business of the Bureau of Pensions. 
Secretary Stanton has put on record his testimony to the efficiency of 
the Medical Department during the war, not only as regards the care and 
comfort of the sick and wounded, but as to the accomplishment of its im- 
portant duties without in any instance impeding or delaying the movements 
of the army. Its casualty list affords proof of the courage and zeal of its 
members and of their devotion to duty, for 32 were killed in battle or by 
guerrillas, and 83 were wounded, of whom 10 died in consequence ; 9 were 
killed by accident; 4 died in rebel prisons, 7 of yellow fever, and 271 of 
disease incidental to camp life and resulting from exposure. 
The latter part of the year 1865 was devoted to the breaking up of the 96 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
depots and general hospitals, and next year the Medical Department was 
again placed on a peace footing with a personnel consisting of a surgeon- 
general ; an assistant surgeon-general with the rank of colonel; a chief 
medical purveyor and four assistants, lieutenant-colonels; sixty surgeon- 
majors, and one hundred and fifty assistants, captains and lieutenants. In 
1872 provision was made for a chief medical purveyor with the rank of 
colonel; but in the meantime all promotions and appointments had been 
interdicted, so that the reports of the surgeon-general speak in urgent terms 
of the crippled condition of his department. In 1873 there were 59 vacan- 
cies, and in the following year, to meet the demands of the service, no less 
than 187 surgeons had to be employed on contract. At this time Congress 
authorized the appointment of assistants surgeons, but cut off two of the 
assistant medical purveyorships and ten of the sixty surgeons, prohibiting 
promotion until the number became thus reduced ; and in 1876 the number 
of assistant surgeons was cut down to 125. 
From the close of the War of the Rebellion the want of higher rank and 
corresponding increase of pay for the older officers of the corps had received 
a good deal of attention, and several efforts were made to give these officers 
a status similar to that provided for the seniors of the other staff corps. 
These were at last successful in 1876, when, in addition to the existing 
grades there were authorized four surgeons, colonels, and eight lieutenant- 
colonels, giving the members of the corps their present rank, viz., 1 brigadier- 
general, 6 colonels, 10 lieutenant-colonels, fifty majors and 125 captains and 
lieutenants. 
For some time after this the department was crippled by the retention 
on the active list of members who were wholly incapacitated by reason of 
advanced age. Officers of the other staff corps and of the line were placed 
on the retired list and their places taken by younger men, but the seniors 
of the Medical Department were permitted to remain on nominal active 
service until removed by death. At last the compulsory retirement law of 
1882 gave a recognizable and gratifying impetus to what had hitherto been 
the stagnation of promotion. Among the first removed by this law was 
Surgeon Jno. M. Cuyler, who had held his position on the active list for 
forty-eight years. Surgeon-General Joseph K. Barnes was also removed; 
he did not long survive his retirement, nor did his successor, General 
Charles H. Crane, continue long in office after him. Both these officers 
were for nearly twenty years associated in the management of the depart- 
ment, and their deaths occurred within a few months of each other. General 
Barnes possessed the full confidence of Secretary Stanton in all matters 
pertaining to the administration of the department, and to this was due the 
independent status of general hospitals in time of war, together with the re- 
moval of hospital transportation, both by sea and land, from any interference 
by other than medical authority,—two important decisions which tended 
much to the efficiency of the medical service during the War of the 
Rebellion. 
General Robert Murray succeeded General Crane, and after a few years 
was followed by General John Moore. Dr. J. H. Baxter, who had servedas 
a surgeon of volunteers during the war, and had entered the regular service THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
97 
in 1867 as a lieutenant-colonel, filling an original vacancy as assistant medi- 
cal purveyor, received the appointment on the retirement of General Moore 
in 1890, but he died suddenly a few weeks after his promotion and was suc- 
ceeded by the present incumbent, General Charles Sutherland. 
Some of our medical officers have recently raised a contention for the 
military title. They may possess their souls in peace. Given the rank, pay 
and emoluments and the titles will come because there is a need for them. 
The first object of the army medical officer of to-day is to preserve the 
health of his command. He is a sanitary officer on the staff of his com- 
mander, and it is an anomaly to give the same title to the young officer on 
the staff of a captain in command of a one-company post and to the veteran 
of forty years experience on the staff of the division commander. Even our 
older medical officers, who have a fondness for the title of doctor because 
they have borne it all their lives, begin to recognize that they are colonels 
in the Medical Department, when seated at their desks revolving some 
knotty point of policy or administration that has just been respectfully re- 
ferred for their consideration. Congress has seen the necessity for giving 
these officers rank, pay and emoluments of colonels, etc., and the same 
necessity brought into official business and the ordinary intercourse of life 
will bring them their distinctive titles. Some ultra conservative may per- 
sist to the end in calling the medical officer “ doctor,” but the ultra conserva- 
tive will die and the chariot of progress will roll over his bones without being 
in the least impeded. 
During the past few years one of the greatest advancements and improve- 
ments in the practical working of the Medical Department has been effected 
by the addition of the Hospital Corps to the army. Formerly all the work 
of the department, including nursing and cooking in hospitals, and litter 
carrying and ambulance work in the field, was performed by men detailed 
from the command to which the medical officers were attached. It was 
difficult to obtain good men for these important duties, for company com- 
manders oftentimes objected to the details asked for by the surgeons, and 
even when good men were assigned to hospital duty the frequent changes 
taking place in the constitution of a command would often remove them 
from the service of the hospital as soon as they had attained enough of ex- 
perience to become really useful. The status of these men was fully recog- 
nized in the army; they received extra pay for their services, and as 
long ago as 1828, orders were issued exempting them from all military duties, 
except attendance on weekly inspections and regular musters for pay. The 
whole system was, however, so objectionable that medical officers frequently 
urged the establishment of a corps of men for special service in the hospital 
department. In his annual report for 1862 to the Secretary of War, the 
surgeon-general suggested the establishment of such a corps. Again in 1885 
a similar recommendation was made, and this time with effect, for a bill, ap- 
proved March 1,1887, provided that the Hospital Corps of the United States 
Army should consist of hospital stewards, acting hospital stewards and pri- 
vates, and directed that all necessary hospital services in garrisons, camp or 
field, including ambulance service, should be performed by its members. The 
regulations prescribed under the terms of the law provided for the education 98 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
of four men from each company in litter drill and first aid to the wounded. 
These men, called company bearers, are intended to act in emergencies until 
relieved by the regular members of the Hospital Corps. Provision was made 
for the enlistment of intelligent men from civil life into the corps, and for the 
organization of companies of instruction in which the training of the men 
in all the details of hospital service as cooks, nurses, attendants, litter- 
bearers, etc., is perfected under the supervision of the medical officers. 
Certain of these men are selected for assignment as acting hospital stewards 
after an examination to determine their proficiency in pharmacy, materia 
medica and the management of medical and surgical emergencies ; and after 
a year, at least, of service and a further examination on these subjects, to- 
gether with minor surgery and the elements of practical sanitation, they are 
eligible for promotion to the position of hospital steward. 
The advantage of this organization and training has been demonstrated 
on several occasions during the past few years. The corps consists at pres- 
ent of 130 hospital stewards, 100 acting hospital stewards and 600 privates. 
The hospital stewards of the army were originally appointed to take charge 
of hospital stores, furniture and supplies for the sick, and to receive and 
distribute rations at hospitals ; but as no pharmacist was provided for hospi- 
tals, the duty of making up prescriptions and having general charge of the 
sick in the absence of the medical officers fell to the lot of the hospital 
steward, and came by degrees to be regarded as his most important work. 
The recent law gives him his proper status and a corresponding increase 
of pay. 
The perfection of the corps by enlistment of the best material would 
enable the Medical Department not only to meet all the requirements of its 
existing service, but to expand with the requirements of an emergency to 
supply the needs of an army many times the size of that now authorized. If 
the act which established it be examined it will be found that the corps is 
intended to be what all military organizations ought to be, a training school 
for war service ; and its efficiency as such depends, of course, on the ability 
and energy of the officers and the intelligence and interest of the men. In- 
telligence is required on the part of the latter not only to understand but to 
teach; for the system adopted involves transmissions of knowledge from 
those who have been advanced, to those who have been accepted from 
the ranks to fill the vacated positions. The acquirement of information 
bearing on the management of sick and wounded, and the methods of turn- 
ing such information to practical account when called for by the require- 
ments of the occasion, are the objectives of the corps ; and their pursuit, 
as may be readily appreciated, tends as well to prepare the hospital establish- 
ment for efficient service in the undesired event of war as to perfect it in the 
discharge of its current work. When every acting hospital steward is 
qualified to undertake the duties of steward, and the private of the corps in 
general ready to step into a higher position, the expansion of the corps in an 
emergency can be effected by recruiting merely for the last mentioned 
grade. Only in the event of a great war calling for the strength of the States 
to take the field would the system fail for want of men qualified for the 
positions; but this will ultimately be met, no doubt, by the assimilation of THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 
99 
the Medical Department of the National Guards to that of the regular forces, 
so that when each State regiment is mustered into the United States service 
it will bring with it its quota to the Hospital Corps. 
In reviewing the history of the Medical Department, it seems to the writer 
that its officers, and those of the army as a whole, have reason to feel 
gratified. Having had its beginning as we have seen in the patriotism of the 
individual medical man, which led him to pack his saddle-bags with need- 
ful supplies for the care of his friends and neighbors who might come to 
grief on the road between Boston and Concord, it has evolved through the 
medium of experience in the Revolutionary War, in that of 1812, in the 
Mexican War, in campaigns innumerable against hostile Indians, and in the 
terrible trials of the War of the Rebellion, into a corps of officers whose 
members are tied down to no specific duties, but are available for assign- 
ment in an emergency to the duty which each is best qualified to undertake, 
and whose rank, pay and emoluments increase with their age and experi- 
ence. The simplest form of organization has been shown by experience to 
be the best, and this that we now possess is the simplest for medicor-military 
organization. The Hospital Corps is constituted on similarly simple lines, 
so that there is needed only the adoption and education of a similar corps 
by the State forces to enable the country to meet the probable emergencies 
of the future, so far as the Medical Department of the Army is concerned. THE PAY DEPARTMENT. 
By COLONEL A. B. CAREY, U. S. ARMY. 
Pay Department. 
THE earliest legislation creating a Pay Department, is the resolution 
of the Continental Congress, in session at Philadelphia, Pa., June 
16, 1775, as follows : 
Resolved, “ That there be one Paymaster General, and a Deputy under him, for 
the Army, in a separate department; that the pay for the Paymaster General himself 
be one hundred dollars per month, and for the Deputy Paymaster under him, fifty 
dollars per month.” 
James Warren, of Massachusetts, was elected Paymaster-General, by 
Congress, on July 27, 1775. 
By resolution of January 9, 1776, the Deputy Paymaster-General was 
authorized to appoint two Assistant Paymasters, and it was required that 
all the troops of the Northern Department be paid in person by him or his 
assistants. 
Colonel Warren’s resignation was accepted by Congress on the 19th of 
April 1776, and on the 27th William Palfrey, of Massachusetts, then aide- 
de-camp to General Washington, was appointed by Congress Paymaster- 
General of the Army, and on June 12, Ebenezer Hancock was appointed 
Deputy Paymaster-General for the Eastern Department. 
Congress on the 9th of July, 1776, resolved: “That Mr. Palfrey, late 
aide-de-camp of General Washington, have the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel 
in theContinental Army,” and on the 16th a regimental paymaster for each 
regiment was provided at a salary of per month, and by resolution of 
October 10th, regimental paymasters were to have “ the rank of First Lieut- 
enants and rations as Captains.” 
Deputy Paymaster-Generals were appointed by Congress for Virginia 
and Pennsylvania on July 11, 1777, and for Georgiaon August 6th. On the 
20th the pay of the Paymaster-General was increased to $150, and that of 
the Deputy under him to $75 per month. By the resolution of August 28th, 
the Deputy Paymaster-Generals of the Northern, Eastern and Southern 
Departments were empowered to appoint assistants when necessary. On 
May 27, 1778, Congress resolved, “ That the paymaster of a regiment be 
chosen by the officers of the regiment out of the captains or subalterns, and 
appointed by warrant issued by the Commander-in-chief, or the com- 
mander in a separate department.” They were required to take charge of 
the clothing for the troops, and to distribute the same. By resolution of 
January 21, 1779, Congress directed that the Paymaster or Deputy Pay- 
master-General should provide an office near headquarters, and on May 29th, 
the Paymaster-General was required to keep his office in the place where THE PA Y DEPARTMENT. 
Congress should, from time to time, hold its sessions. Authority was given 
for the employment of clerks, directions for keeping regular books ; and, 
in general terms, the duties of the office were defined. A Deputy Paymaster- 
General was authorized, by the same resolution, for the army under the im- 
mediate command of General Washington. On November 12, 1779, Con- 
gress granted the sum of $20,000 to Paymaster-General William Palfrey, as 
a further compensation for past services, and allowed the Paymaster-Gen- 
eral salary at the rate of $14,000 per annum until further order of Con- 
gress. Colonel Palfrey had filled the office of Paymaster-General since 
April, 1776. “During this period he had exhibited such proofs of his talents 
for business, fidelity and devotedness to the cause of his country, that, on 
the 4th of November, 1780, he was elected Consul General from the United 
States to France, an office at this time of much consideration, as it involved 
the duties of making extensive purchases of military and other supplies for 
the country, and an examination and settlement of all the accounts in which 
the United States were concerned with public and private agents in Europe, 
and which had been multiplying and accumulating since the commence- 
ment of the war. 
“ He sailed for France, but the vessel in which he took passage was lost 
at sea, and every one on board was supposed to have perished.”* 
Colonel Palfrey was succeeded as Paymaster-General by John Pierce, 
of Connecticut, who was elected to the office by Congress on January 17, 
1781. 
General officers had been empowered by Congress to draw warrants on 
the Paymaster-General for payment of troops under their command. On 
a report from the Secretary of War, to whom was referred a plan of the 
Paymaster-General for the better regulation of the pay of the army, Con- 
gress, on April 8, 1782, 
Resolved, ‘ ‘ That as all returns necessary to check the accounts of pay and rations, 
and to give full information of public issues of clothing and stores, are lodged at the 
War Office, the Secretary of War is hereby empowered and directed to issue his war- 
rants on the Paymaster-General, in favor of each regimental paymaster, for the pay 
and rations which shall appear, on adjustment of their accounts to be due to the regi- 
ments respectively, and to the head of each department, for the pay and rations due 
to such department; that the accounts for the pay and rations of each regiment, and of 
each department in the army, from January 1, 1782, shall be made out at the end of 
every month, and be transmitted to the War Office for examination and warrants : 
‘ ‘ That the manner of making the payments, of keeping the accounts, and the re- 
turns of the regimental paymasters be regulated by the Secretary of War : 
“ That the Paymaster-General shall pay on the warrants of the Secretary of War, 
from such monies as shall be put into his hands for the pay and rations of the troops, 
and to the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, or officer commanding the Southern 
army, from such monies as shall be placed in his disposal for contingencies. 
Resolved, “ That all resolutions heretofore passed empowering general officers to 
draw warrants on the Paymaster-General, except that empowering the officer com- 
manding the Southern army, be, and the same are hereby repealed.” 
* Spark’s Writings of Washington. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
102 
Resolved, “ That there be one Deputy-Paymaster for the Southern army : 
“ That there shall be one assistant allowed to the Paymaster-General, who shall do 
the duties of a clerk : 
“That the Paymaster-General be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint his 
deputy and his assistant: 
“ That the Paymaster-General immediately give bonds with two sureties, to the 
Superintendent of Finance, in the sum of $15,000, for the faithful performance of his 
office.” 
The Paymaster-General was authorized, on May 16th, to appoint a 
Deputy-Paymaster to reside with the main army. 
The Revolutionary army was disbanded on the 3d of November, 1783, in 
pursuance of a proclamation issued by Congress on the 18th of October 
previous. On April 1, 1785, Congress resolved that 700 troops were neces- 
sary for the protection of the north-western frontier, and on April 12, 1785, 
specified the number which should be furnished by certain States, and pro- 
vided that a lieutenant should act as Paymaster. 
The resolve of Congress of the 20th of October, 1786, increased the 
number to 2040 non-commissioned officers and privates. The army was 
fixed by the resolve of October 3, 1787, at 
1 regiment of Infantry, 8 companies. 
1 battalion of Artillery, 4 companies. 
Paymaster-General John Pierce had been continued in service settling 
his accounts, and as commissioner for settling the accounts of the army. 
The two offices were united by resolution of Congress of March 23, 1787, as 
follows: 
Resolved, “ That the services and duties of Paymaster-General be, and 
hereby are, united with those of Commissioner of Army Accounts.” John 
Pierce died in August, 1788. 
The first session of the first Congress of the United States was held on 
the 4th of March, 1789, at New York. 
The Act of September 29, 1789, recognized the force authorized by the 
resolve of October 3, 1787, “to be the establishment for the troops in the 
service of the United States.” The pay and allowances were to be the 
same as had been established by the resolution of April 12, 1785. 
The Act of April 30, 1790, directed an increase of the force, and pro- 
vided a paymaster for the battalion of artillery. 
After the death of John Pierce in 1788, the duties of the office of Pay- 
master-General were administered by Joseph Howell, Jr., Commissioner of 
Army Accounts, until a paymaster for the Army was provided by the Act 
of May 8, 1792, as follows : 
Section 3. “ That there be a paymaster to reside near the headquarters of the 
troops of the United States. That it shall be the duty of the said paymaster, to re- 
ceive from the treasurer, all the monies which shall be intrusted to him for the purpose 
of paying the pay, the arrears of pay, subsistence, or forage, due to the troops of the 
United States. That he shall receive the pay abstracts of the paymasters of the sev- 
eral regiments or corps, and compare the same with the returns or muster rolls which 
shall accompany the said pay abstracts. That he shall certify, accurately, to the com- 
manding officer, the sums due to the respective corps, which shall have been examined THE PA Y DEPARTMENT. 
as aforesaid, who shall thereon issue his warrant on the said deputy paymaster for the 
payment accordingly. That copies of all reports to the commanding officer, and the 
warrants thereon, shall be duly transmitted to the office of the accountant of the War 
Department, in order to be there examined, and finally adjusted at the Treasury. 
That the said paymaster shall give bond in the sum of $20,000, with two sufficient 
sureties, for the faithful discharge of his duty ; and he shall take an oath faithfully to 
execute the duties of his office. That the compensation to the said paymaster shall be 
$60 monthly, with the same rations and forage as a major.” 
Caleb Swan, of Massachusetts, was appointed Paymaster of the Army 
on May 8, 1792, and continued in the office until the 30th of June, 1808. 
Act of May 9, 1794, directed the raising of 764 enlisted men, to be incor- 
porated with the Corps of Artillery, and to be denominated the Corps of 
Artillerist, and Engineers, of four battalions, with an adjutant and pay- 
master to each battalion. 
A Paymaster-General was provided by the act approved May 30, 1796, 
and it was further provided that paymasters of regiments should be ap- 
pointed from the subalterns of their respective regiments. The general 
staff authorized by the act was to continue in service until the 4th of March 
following, and no longer. 
Act of May 3, 1797, to amend and repeal in part the previous act, provi- 
ded for a Paymaster-General. 
A regiment of Artillerists and Engineers was provided by the act of April 
27, 1798, with an Adjutant and Paymaster to each battalion. 
The act of May 28, 1798, to raise a provisional army, provided for the 
employment of a Paymaster-General, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, who should have the rank, pay, and emoluments of a Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel. 
The act of July 16, 1798, to augment the Army of the United States, pro- 
vided for the appointment of one Paymaster to each regiment. 
The act for the better organizing of the troops of the United States, and 
for other purposes, approved March 3, 1799, provided for one Paymaster to 
each regiment of cavalry, artillery and infantry. The same act provided for 
the appointment of Deputy Paymasters, and prescribed the bond to be given 
by the several regimental paymasters, as follows : 
Section 15. “That the Paymaster-General of the armies of the United States, 
shall always quarter at or near the headquarters of the main army, or at such place as 
the Commander-in-Chief shall deem proper ; and that, to the army on the western 
frontiers, and to detachments from the main army, intended to act separately for a 
time, he shall appoint Deputy Paymasters, who shall account to him for the money 
advanced to them, and shall each give a bond, in the sum of $15,000, with sufficient 
sureties, for the faithful discharge of their duties respectively, and take an oath faith- 
fully to execute the duties of their offices; and the several regimental paymasters shall 
also give bond, in the sum of $5000, with one or more sufficient sureties, and take an 
oath, as aforesaid, for the faithful discharge of the duties of their offices respectively ; 
and that the Paymaster-General shall receive $80 per month, with the rations and for- 
age of a major, in full compensation for his services and travelling expenses; and the 
deputy, in addition to his pay, and other emoluments, $30 per month, in full compen- 
sation for his extra services and travelling expenses.” 104 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Act of March 16, 1802, fixing the military peace establishment, provided 
that from and after June i, 1802, the peace establishment should be com- 
posed of one regiment of artillerists, two regiments of infantry, and a corps 
of engineers. Section 3 of this act provides : 
“ One Paymaster of the Army, seven paymasters, and two assistants, to be attached 
to such districts as the President of the United States shall direct, to be taken from the 
line of commissioned officers, who, in addition to their other duties, shall have charge 
of the clothing of the troops.” With pay as follows: “To the Paymaster of the 
Army,$120, without any other emolument, except such stationery as may be requisite 
in his department and the use of the public office now occupied by him ; each Pay- 
master attached to districts, $30, and each assistant to such Paymaster, $10, in addition 
to his pay in the line.” 
Section 13 of this act provides : 
“ That the said corps shall be paid in such manner that the arrears shall at no time 
exceed two months, unless the circumstances of the case shall render it unavoidable.” 
Section 16 : 
“That the Paymaster shall perform the duties of his office, agreeably to the 
direction of the President of the United States, for the time being: [and before he 
enters on the duties of the same, shall give bonds, with good and su fficient sureties, 
in such sums as the President shall direct, for the faithful discharge of his said office ; 
and shall take an oath to execute the duties thereof with fidelity ; and it shall, more- 
over be his duty to appoint from the line, with the approbation of the President of the 
United States, the several Paymasters to districts and assistants prescribed by this act ; 
and he is hereby authorized to require the said Paymasters to districts, and assistants, 
to enter into bonds, with good and sufficient surety, for the faithful discharge of their 
respective duties].” 
The Act of March 16, 1802, seems to have done away with regi- 
mental and battalion paymasters, but the office was again created by the 
act of April 12, 1808, which provided an additional military force of five 
regiments of infantry, one of riflemen, one of light artillery, and one of 
light dragoons, with one paymaster to each regiment, with $10 per month 
in addition to pay in the line, and $6 for forage when not furnished in kind. 
Caleb Swan resigned as Paymaster of the Army on the 30th of June, 
1808, and was succeeded by Robert Brent, of the District of Columbia. 
The act of January n, 1812, provided one Paymaster to each of the ten 
regiments of infantry, two of artillery and one of light dragoons raised by 
that act. The act of April 29, 1812, provided a Paymaster for the Corps of 
Engineers, to be taken from the subalterns. This was repealed by the act 
of July 5, 1838, which provided for transfer of the Paymaster of the Corps 
of Engineers to the Pay Department of the army. 
The act May 16, 1812, provided: 
“ That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized and 
empowered to appoint so many district paymasters as, in his judgment, the service 
may require ; and, if such paymasters are taken from the line of the army, they shall 
respectively, receive $30 per month, in addition to their pay in the line: Provided, 
The same shall in no case exceed the pay and emoluments of a major ; and, if not 
taken from the line, they shall receive the same pay and emoluments as a major of 
infantry.” THE PA Y DEPARTMENT. 
105 
Section 2: 
“ That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized and 
empowered to appoint a paymaster to each regiment on the peace establishment, who 
shall receive the same pay and emoluments as a captain of the regiment to which he 
belongs: Provided, That all district and regimental paymasters shall be subject to 
the rules and articles of war, and give such bonds to the United States as the secre- 
tary of the department of war may direct, for the faithful performance of their duties. 
And it shall be the duty of the commanding officer, when requested by the paymaster, 
to furnish a capable non-commissioned officer or soldier to aid him in the discharge of 
his duty, who, while so employed, shall receive double pay. 
The act of June 26, 1812, provided that there be one paymaster to each 
regiment authorized by that act. And the act of July 6, 1812, authorized 
the President to appoint one Deputy Paymaster-General from the line, to 
any army, other than that in which the Paymaster of the Army shall serve, 
with $50 per month in addition to his pay in the line, “ and assistant depu- 
ties (not exceeding three to each department) as the public service may 
require, who shall, in like manner, be taken from the line, and who shall, 
each, be entitled to $30 per month, in addition to his pay and other emolu- 
ments, which shall be in full compensation for his extra services.” 
The act of January 29, 1813, provided one paymaster for each regiment 
raised under that act, and the acts referred to therein ; as does the act of 
February 10, 1814, entitled “An act to raise three regiments of riflemen.” 
Section 20 of the act of March 30, 1814, provided “That in no case shall 
the district paymasters or quartermasters of any grade be taken from the 
line of the army,” and this act does not provide Regimental or Battalion 
Paymasters for the organizations created by it. 
The act of April 18, 1814, fixed the annual salary of the Paymaster of the 
Army at $2000, and allowed a sum for clerk hire and contingent expenses 
of office. Also authorized the appointment of Assistant District Paymas- 
ters, and defined the duties of Paymaster, District and Assistant Dis- 
trict Paymasters. 
The act of March 3, 1815, reduced and fixed the military peace estab- 
lishment at 10,000 men, and provided that there should be one Paymaster 
to each regiment, to be taken from the subalterns of the line. 
By this act the office of District and Assistant District Paymaster was 
abolished, but the act did not affect the office of Paymaster of the Army, 
or of Deputy Paymaster-General. By Executive General Orders of May 
17, 1815, two Deputy Paymasters and two Assistant Deputy Paymasters 
were provisionally retained. 
The act of April 24, 1816, organizing the general staff and making fur- 
ther provision for the Army of the United States, provided for a Pay De- 
partment as follows: 
Sections, “ That the pay department shall consist of one paymaster-general of 
the army, with the annual salary of two thousand five hundred dollars, and that, in 
addition to regimental paymasters, there be appointed one paymaster to each battalion 
of the corps of artillery, who, as well as the regimental paymasters, in addition to the 
regular and punctual payment of their respective regiments or corps, shall discharge 
the duties of district paymasters within such district as shall, from time to time, be 106 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
assigned them by the paymaster-general, under the direction of the secretary of war. 
Provided, That regimental and battalion paymasters may be taken either from the sub- 
alterns of the army, or citizens, and appointed by the President of the United States. 
Provided, also, That regimental and battalion paymasters shall receive the pay and 
emoluments of major, and shall be allowed a capable non-commissioned officer as 
clerk, who, while so employed, shall receive double pay, and the actual expense of 
transportation while traveling under orders in the discharge of his duty.” 
Section 4 of this act defines the duties of regimental and battalion 
paymasters. 
Section 6 prescribes that good and sufficient bonds shall be given. 
Robert Brent resigned as Paymaster-General on the 28th of August, 
1819, and was succeeded by Nathan Towson, of Maryland. Colonel Tow- 
son was appointed Colonel, Second Artillery, on the 1st of June, 1821, but 
his appointment was negatived by the Senate. On the appointment of 
Colonel Towson to the Artillery, June 1, 1821, Daniel Parker, of Massa- 
chusetts, then Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army, was appointed 
Paymaster-General, but was superseded on the 8th of May, 1822, by the re- 
appointment of Colonel Towson, who continued in office as Paymaster- 
General of the Army until the date of his death. 
Section 9 of the act of March 2, 1821, provided “ That there shall be 
one paymaster general, with the present compensation, and fourteen pay- 
masters with the pay and emoluments of regimental paymasters.” 
In the annual report of Paymaster-General B. W. Brice, for 1868, General 
Towson is referred to as the author of the present organization of the 
Pay Department and the arrangement of its duties, giving to paymasters 
the field grade of major, and making it an independent staff corps. In a 
report dated April 29, 1839, to the Secretary of War he (Towson) gives the 
following facts in the history of army paymasters : 
First.—From 1808 to 1811, before the war, the average annual loss by 
the defalcation of regimental and battalion paymasters amounted to 1.58 
per centum on the amount disbursed, and the annual average expenses for 
paying the army to 3.10 per centum. 
Secotid.—From the beginning of the war to 1816, under the same sys- 
tem, these averages were : defalcations, 2.98 per cent., and the expenses, 4.36. 
Third.—From the date of the reorganization, in 1821, on the new plan 
(the present one) to 1825, the average defalcations were 22-100; little more, 
it will be perceived, than the one-fifth of one per cent., which was finally 
paid into the Treasury ; expenses for the same period, 2.13. 
Fourth.—From 1825, after the new system had been well established, 
not one dollar of defalcation, and the total average expenses reduced to one 
and one-third per cent. 
Section 4 of the act of July 14, 1832, provided, ‘‘That it shall be the 
duty of the district paymasters of the army of the United States, in addi- 
tion to the payments required to be made by them to the regular troops, to 
make payment to all other troops in the service of the United States, 
whenever required thereto by order of the President.” 
“Section 2 of the act of March 2, 1833, authorized the Secretary of 
War to allow, and pay, district paymasters a commission, not exceeding THE PA Y DEPARTMENT. 
107 
one per centum upon the amounts paid by them, respectively, to the miiitia 
ordered into the service of the United States according to law. 
The act of July 4, 1836, authorized the appointment of three pay- 
masters, and provided for the detail of any officer of the army to the duty 
of Paymaster, when volunteers or militia were called into service. 
This is replaced in part by section 25 of the act of July 5, 1838, and 
modified by section 31 of the same act, which prohibits the separating of 
any officer of the line of the army, employed as Paymaster, from his regi- 
ment or company. (See R. S. sec. 1224.) 
Section 24, act of July 5, 1838, provides : “ That hereafter the officers of 
the pay and medical departments of the army shall receive the pay and 
emoluments of officers of cavalry of the same grades respectively ac- 
ording to which they are now paid by existing laws.” 
Section 25 provides for a temporary expansion of the Pay Department 
whenever militia or volunteers are called into service, as follows : 
“ That when volunteers or militia are called into the service of the United States, 
so that the paymasters authorized by law shall not be deemed sufficient to enable them 
to pay the troops with proper punctuality, it shall be lawful for the President to ap- 
point as many additional paymasters as he shall deem necessary, who shall perform the 
same duty, give the same bond, be subject to the same liability, and receive the same 
pay and emoluments, as are now provided for paymasters of the army: Provided, 
however, That the number so appointed shall not exceed one for every two regiments 
of militia or volunteers : And provided also, That the persons so appointed shall con- 
tinue in service only so long as their services are required to pay militia and volun- 
teers.” 
Under the authority given by the foregoing section of July 5, 1838, the 
Pay Department was increased during the war with Mexico and the war 
of the rebellion by the appointment of a number of Additional Paymasters 
sufficient for the payment of the volunteer force called into the service of 
the United States, as follows : 
ADDITIONAL PAYMASTERS. 
Employed during war with Mexico 17 
Accounted for as follows : 
Died 2 
Resigned 2 
Discharged (disbanded March 4, 1849) 9 
Retained in permanent establishment 4 17 
Subsequently appointed in permanent establishment 1 
Employed during the war of the rebellion 562 
Died 28 
Resigned 171 
Cashiered 3 
Dismissed 14 
Honorably mustered out of service 318 
Retained in permanent establishment 28 562 
Subsequently appointed in permanent establishment 17 108 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Section 9 of the act of July 7, 1838, allowed the Paymaster-General and 
Surgeon-General of the army the additional rations for every five years’ 
service, granted by the act of July 5, 1838. 
The act of June 17, 1846, authorized an increase of three paymasters. 
The department was again increased by section 12 of the act of March 
3, 1847, which authorized the President “ to add to the pay department of 
the army two deputy paymaster-generals, with the pay and allowances, 
each, of a deputy quartermaster-general, and ten paymasters, with the pay 
and allowances, each of a paymaster of the army; and the officers so ap- 
pointed shall give such bonds as the President shall, from time to time, di- 
rect : Provided, That the deputy paymaster-generals shall, in addition to 
paying troops, superintend the payment of armies in the field.” 
The ten paymasters appointed under this act were to be disbanded on 
the 4th of March, 1849, under section 3 of the act of July 19, 1848. 
Section 13 : That the officers of the pay department shall have rank corresponding 
with the rank to which their pay and allowances are assimilated : Provided, That pay- 
masters shall not in virtue of such rank be entitled to command in the line or other 
staff departments of the army : Provided, also, that the right to command in the pay 
department, between officers having the same rank, shall be in favor of the oldest in 
service in the department, without regard to the date of commission under which they 
may be acting at the time.” 
The last proviso of this section being sequent upon the act of May 15, 
1820, which required a reappointment every four years, is obsolete; rank 
being determined by date of commission or appointment. 
Section 14. “That all paymasters hereafterto be appointed by the Pres- 
ident for the volunteer service of the United States shall be nominated to 
the Senate for confirmation to such office.” 
The act of August 12, 1848, authorized the Paymaster-General to allow 
to any Paymaster of the army who had been employed in the payment of 
volunteers, during the war with Mexico, a commission, not exceeding one- 
half of one per centum, on all sums disbursed by them to volunteers, pro- 
vided said commission did not exceed $1000 per annum, from commence- 
ment to close of the war. 
The act approved March 2, 1849, provided 
“ That the pay department of the army shall consist of a paymaster-general, who 
shall have the rank of colonel, and the same pay and allowances as are at present pro- 
vided by law for such officers, and the same tenure of office as the heads of other dis- 
bursing departments of the army; two deputy paymasters-general, with the same rank, 
pay and allowances as are now provided by law for such officers, and the same 
tenure of office as officers of like grade in other disbursing departments of the army ; 
and twenty-five paymasters, with the same rank, pay, and allowances as are now pro- 
vided by law for such officers, and the same tenure of office as officers of like grade in 
other disbursing departments of the army. That it shall be the duty of all disbursing 
officers of the pay department to renew their bonds, or furnish additional security, at 
least once in four years, or as much oftener as the President may direct. 
“ That the officers of the Pay Department, provided for by the first section of this 
act, shall consist of the paymaster-general, the two deputy paymasters-general now in 
commission, the fifteen paymasters who were in service under the acts in force at the THE PA V DEPARTMENT. 
commencement of the war with Mexico, and ten paymasters to be selected from the 
additional paymasters now in service, and the thirteen paymasters authorized by the 
acts of the 17th of June, 1846, and the 3d of March, 1847.” 
There does not appear to have been any further legislation relative to 
the Pay Department, and the organization, as provided by the above act, 
continued until 1866. Colonel Nathan Towson died at Washington, D. C., 
on the 20th of July, 1854, and was succeeded as Paymaster-General, by the 
promotion of Colonel Benjamin F. Larned, of Massachusetts, then Deputy 
Paymaster-General, who continued in office to the date of his death, at 
Washington, D. C., September 6, 1862. 
Colonel Timothy P. Andrews, of the District of Columbia, then Deputy 
Paymaster-General, was promoted to be Paymaster-General, on Septem- 
ber 6, 1862, and continued in the office until he was retired, on his own ap- 
plication, after forty or more consecutive years of service, in conformity 
with Section 15 of the act of August 3, 1861. Colonel Andrews was suc- 
ceeded by Benjamin W. Brice, of Virginia, then a Major and Paymaster, 
fifth in rank in the Pay Corps, who was appointed Paymaster-General, 
November 29, 1864, with the rank of Colonel, to July 28, 1866, and Briga- 
dier-General since that date. 
The statistics of the Pay Department show that during the war of the 
rebellion, in which it disbursed $1,100,000,000, the defalcations and losses 
of all kinds were less than one-tenth of one per cent., and the cost of pay- 
ing the troops, including expenses, defalcations and losses of all kinds, 
falls short of three-fourths of one per cent, on the amount disbursed ; that 
chiefly within the three months of June, July and August, 1865, $270,000,- 
000 were paid to 800,000 individual men by the small regular force of the 
Pay Department and the additional force employed under the act of July 
5, 1838, which drew from General Brice the following in his annual report 
for 1865: 
“ No similar work of like magnitude, regarding its immensity both as to 
men and money and the small limit of time in which it has been performed, 
has, it is believed, any parallel in the history of armies * * *, ” and 
vindicates the language used by him : “ No system can be devised which, 
equal to the present one, can be made to combine the advantages of prompt 
payment, the safety of the public money, and an accurate and prompt 
accountability, with the least possible liability to embezzlement or corrupt 
defalcation.” 
Section 18 of the Act of July 28, 1866, provided “That the pay depart- 
ment of the army shall hereafter consist of one paymaster-general, with the 
rank, pay, and emoluments of a brigadier-general; two assistant paymas- 
ters-general, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of colonels of cavalry; 
two deputy paymasters-general, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of 
lieutenant-colonels of cavalry; and sixty paymasters, with the rank, pay, 
and emoluments of majors of cavalry, to be selected from persons who 
have served as additional paymasters.” 
Section 23 provides that the Paymaster-General shall be appointed by 
selection from the Corps to which he belongs. 
Section 6 of the act of March 3, 1869, prohibited new appointments and 110 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
promotions in the Pay Department, but was so far modified by the act of 
June 4, 1872, as to authorize the President to “ appoint a Paymaster-Gen- 
eral, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a colonel, to date from the time 
the appointee assumed the duties of the office, to fill the vacancy now 
existing. 
General Brice at his own request was retired from active service on 
January 1, 1872, in conformity with Section 12 of the act of July 17, 1862. 
Benjamin Alvord, of Vermont, then a Major and Paymaster, fourth in 
rank in the Pay Corps was selected and appointed Paymaster-General of 
the army, with the rank of Colonel, from January 1, 1872. 
The act of March 2, and Joint Resolution of March 3, 1875, established 
the number of paymasters at fifty and authorized the appointment of maj- 
ors ; and by the act of July 22, 1876, the rank of paymaster-general was 
made brigadier-general, under the authority of which General Alvord was 
appointed brigadier-general. 
The act of March 3, 1877, repealed so much of the act of March 3, 1869, 
as prohibited promotions in the Pay Department. 
General Alvord was retired on June 8, 1880, at his own request, having 
served over forty years (Sec. 1243 R. S.); and Nathan W. Brown, of New 
York, the senior colonel, was selected and appointed Paymaster-General 
same date, and retired on the 6th of February, 1882, under the provisions 
of Sec. 1244 R. S. 
William B. Rochester, of New York, then a major and paymaster, tenth 
in rank in the pay corps, was selected and appointed paymaster-general on 
February 17, 1882. 
The act of July 5, 1884, making appropriations for the support of the 
army for the year ending June 30, 1885, provides: that hereafter any pay- 
master of the rank of major who has served twenty years in the United 
States Army as a commissioned officer may, upon his own application or 
by direction of the President, be placed upon the retired list of the 
army, until the pay department shall be reduced to thirty-five members, as 
follows: one paymaster-general, with the rank of brigadier-general; two 
assistant paymasters-general, with the rank of colonel; three deputy pay- 
masters-general, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and twenty-nine pay- 
masters, with the rank of major ; and no more appointments of paymasters 
shall be made in the pay department until the number shall be reduced 
below twenty-nine majors, and thereafter the number of officers in the pay 
department shall not exceed thirty-five. 
General Rochester was retired by operation of law February 15, 1890 
(act of June 30, 1882), and on March 10, 1890, William Smith, lieutenant- 
colonel and deputy paymaster-general, was selected and appointed pay- 
master-general. Brigadier-General 
JAMES WILKINSON 
Commanding the Army, 1796-1798, 1800-1812. THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
By Brevet Brigadier-General HENRY L. ABBOT, U. S. Army, 
Colonel, Corps of Engineers. 
THE earliest records relative to what is now known as the Corps of 
Engineers must be sought among the incomplete documents which 
have come down to us from the period of the Revolution. The 
Journals of the Continental Congress indicate the gradual devel- 
opment of this arm of service under the peculiar conditions then existing. 
Thus, on June 16, 1775, the day before the battle of Bunker Hill, one chief 
engineer and two assistants were authorized “ at the grand army,” and one 
chief engineer and two assistants “ in a separate department.” These 
officers were commissioned in the grades of colonel and captain respect- 
ively. On January 16, 1776, it was resolved “ That if General Washington 
think proper Col. R. Gridley be continued chief engineer in the army at 
Cambridge.” 
On December 27,1776, General Washington was authorized, for a period 
of six months, “ to raise and collect * * * a corps of engineers and to 
establish their pay.” The records are silent as to what action, if any, was 
taken on this resolution. 
On July 8, 1777, it was resolved “ That the treaty made by the Commis- 
sioners in France on the 13th day of February last, be confirmed as far as 
it respects the chevalier du Portail, monsieur de la Radiere, and monsieur 
du Gouvion ; the first to be a colonel, the second a lieutenant-colonel, and 
the third a major of engineers.” These officers were from the Royal Corps 
of Engineers in the French army, who with other educated military en- 
gineers had been drawn to this country by the war. From the lack of 
trained engineers in the native continental establishment, their assistance 
was highly appreciated ; and for many years this foreign influence prepon- 
derated in the service. 
Although the subject had previously attracted official attention, the first 
formal establishment of a Corps of Engineers by resolution of Congress 
dates from March 11,1779. Among other provisions are the following: 
“ That the engineers in the service of the United States shall be formed in 
a corps and styled the Corps of Engineers, and shall take rank and enjoy 
the same rights, honors and privileges with the other troops in the Con- 
tinental establishment. That a Commandant of the Corps of Engineers 
shall be appointed by Congress, to whom their orders or those of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief shall be addressed, and such Commandant shall render to 
the Commander-in-Chief, and to the Board of War, an account of every 
matter relative to his department.” On the nth of May following, Briga- 
dier-General du Portail was appointed Commandant of the Corps of En- 
gineers. 
Ill 112 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The services of this revolutionary corps, including its companies of 
sappers and miners to which reference will soon be made, were important 
and honorable; numbers of its officers were brevetted by Congress, and its 
chief, on November 16, 1781, was promoted to the grade of major-general, 
“ in consideration of his meritorious services, and particularly of his dis- 
tinguished conduct in the siege of York, in the State of Virginia.” The 
names of one brigadier-general, six colonels, eight lieutenant-colonels, 
three majors and ten captains are preserved on the records, and unques- 
tionably the list is incomplete. In November, 1783, the corps was dis- 
banded. 
The next need for the services of military engineers occurred at the 
period of threatened European complications during the administration of 
Washington. On March 20, 1794, Congress authorized the President to 
fortify certain harbors on the coast, and there being no engineers in service 
he appointed temporarily several foreign born gentlemen, a number of 
whom had served in the war, to direct the work. On May 9, 1794. Con- 
gress passed an act raising for a term of three years (subsequently ex- 
tended) a corps of artillerists and engineers, to be incorporated with the 
Corps of Artillery then in service. The new organization was stationed at 
West Point, and preliminary steps were then taken for forming a military 
school there. By the Act of April 27, 1798, a second regiment of artillerists 
and engineers was authorized, on the same footing as the earlier corps. 
On July 16, 1798, four “teachers of the arts and sciences” were authorized 
for the instruction of this organization ; which was only discontinued by 
the Act of March 16, 1802, fixing the new military establishment. 
This latter act authorized the President to organize and establish a Corps 
of Engineers, not to exceed 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, 4 cap- 
tains, 4 first lieutenants, 4 second lieutenants, and 4 cadets. It was pro- 
vided that the said corps “shall be stationed at West Point, in the State of 
New York, and shall constitute a Military Academy; and the engineers, 
assistant engineers, and cadets of said corps, shall be subject at all times 
to do duty in such places and on such service as the President of the United 
States shall direct.” This was the germ of the present Corps of Engineers. 
Most of the officers were soon dispersed along the coast on various military 
duties, but the superintendence and the responsibility for the successful 
operation of the Academy remained with the Corps until July 13, 1866, when 
the institution passed to the army at large, having attained a standard of 
excellence which needs no eulogy here. 
In the earlier period of its organization the duties now pertaining to the 
Corps of Engineers were divided between two different branches, sometimes 
under a common head and at other times separately commanded. Space 
will be saved by considering this subdivision here. 
Although a somewhat similar organization existed in the revolutionary 
war, no officers with the special functions of topographical engineers were 
provided for our armies until the early part of the war of 1812, when con- 
gress by Act of March 3, 1813, authorized as part of the General Staff, 8 to- 
pographical engineers with the brevet rank, pay and emoluments of majors 
of cavalry, and 8 assistants with the brevet rank, pay and emoluments of THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
113 
captains of infantry. The law authorized these officers to be appointed, or 
transferred from the line without prejudice to their rank and promotion 
therein, but the full number seems never to have been selected ; and at the 
conclusion of peace all but two majors were mustered out of service under 
the requirements of the Act of March 3, 1815. By Act of April 24, 1816, 
however, the Corps was reestablished, three topographical engineers and 
two assistants (still attached to the General Staff) being provided for each 
division of the army. This staff assignment continued until, by general 
order dated July 2, x818, the officers were “arranged to the Engineer’s De- 
partment, and * * * made subject to the orders of the chief and com- 
manding engineers.” In the August following a separate topographical 
bureau was established in the War Department, under the immediate direc- 
tion of the Secretary of War and the chief engineer. The work of this 
branch of the Engineer Department soon increased, calling for an average 
detail of about twenty-five officers of the line of the army and the employ- 
ment, under the Act of April 30, 1824, of a still larger number of civil en- 
gineers. On June 21, 1831, the topographical bureau was constituted by 
the Secretary of War a distinct bureau of the War Department; and by Act 
of July 5, 1838, an independent Corps of Topographical Engineers was cre- 
ated by Congress. 
By the Regulations of 1841, issued shortly after this separation, the 
engineering duties of the War Department were divided between the 
Corps of Engineers and the Corps of Topographical Engineers upon the 
following basis : 
“ The duties of the Engineer Corps comprise reconnoitring and survey- 
ing for military purposes, the selection of sites, and formation of plans, pro- 
jects, and estimates for military defenses of every kind; the construction 
and repair of fortifications and defensible works of every description, 
whether temporary or permanent, the planning, laying out, and superin- 
tending all military works, defensive or offensive, of troops in the field, 
camp, or cantonment; the planning and construction of military bridges; 
the planning, laying out, and superintending military trenches, parallels, 
saps, mines, and other works of military attack and siege; the planning and 
executing such works of river or harbor improvement, including sea-walls, 
breakwaters, and light-houses, as may be assigned to it by law, or by the 
President of the United States; the general direction and management of 
disbursements for the above works, including purchases of sites and mate- 
rials, hiring workmen, and making contracts for supplies of materials or 
workmanship ; the collection, arrangement, and preservation of all reports, 
memoirs, estimates, plans, drawings, and models, relating to the several 
duties above enumerated ; and the superintendence and inspection of the 
Military Academy. 
“ The duties of the [Topographical Engineer] Corps shall consist, in sur- 
veys for the defense of the frontier, inland and Atlantic, and of positions for 
fortifications ; in reconnoissances of the country through which an army has 
to pass, or in which it has to operate ; in the examination of all routes of 
communication by land or by water, both for supplies and military move- 
ments ; in the construction of military roads and permanent bridges con- 114 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U, S. ARMY. 
nected with them, and, in the absence of an officer or officers of the Corps of 
Engineers, of military bridges, and of field-works, for the defense of encamp- 
ments, fords, ferries, and bridges. For which purposes, officers of the Corps 
of Topographical Engineers shall always accompany armies in the field.” 
In the Regulations of 1857 and in subsequent editions, the duties of the 
two corps were defined jointly under a common heading, being practically a 
summation of those comprised in the Regulations of 1841 for both. In time 
of peace this modification of the Regulations introduced no change and no 
confusion, the Corps of Engineers retaining charge of the works for per- 
manent defenses and of certain other public constructions, and the Corps of 
Topographical Engineers of the survey of the lakes, the exploration of the 
Western wilderness, and the demarcation of State and International boun- 
daries,—while officers of both corps served upon works of river and harbor 
improvement, and upon the Coast Survey, the Light-house establishment 
and other special duties. At the outbreak of the Civil War however, it was 
soon discovered that engineer duties with armies in the field admitted of no 
advantageous division between different organizations. The officers were 
few in number, and the work was so onerous that practical consolidation 
on the staffs of commanding generals very soon resulted. Legal union, 
however, was desired by the officers themselves ; and a petition to this 
effect, prepared by a joint committee representing both corps, was urgently 
favored by General McClellan, General Halleckand General Banks, and was 
approved by Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War. A bill uniting the two 
corps was passed by the House of Representatives in 1862 and was favor- 
ably reported in the Senate, but received no action. Finally by Act of 
March 3, 1863, it was provided : “That the Corps of Topographical Engi- 
neers, as a distinct branch of the army, is hereby abolished, and from and 
after the passage of the Act, is merged into the Corps of Engineers which 
shall have the following organization: * * * That the general officer 
provided by the first section of this act shall be selected from the Corps of 
Engineers as therein established ; and that officers of all lower grades shall 
take rank according to their respective dates of commission in the existing 
corps of engineers or corps of topographical engineers.” 
The Corps of Engineers, as thus established, and as at present consti- 
tuted, becomes therefore the heir to the honorable record of both the origi- 
nal corps. 
The same Act of March 3, 1863, also inaugurated the present system of 
examinations for promotion in the army by providing that no engineer 
officer below the grade of field officer shall thereafter be promoted before 
having passed a satisfactory examination before a board of three engineers 
senior to him in rank ; a like provision was also inserted for the Ordnance 
Department. 
The Engineer Department.—Another organization should not be over- 
looked in tracing the history of the development of the service. The 
“ Engineer Department ” was established by order of the President shortly 
after the war of 1812, as a separate command with geographical limits co- 
extensive with those of the United States and embracing the Corps of Engi- 
neers, and such officers of topographical engineers and other arms of service THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
115 
as might be attached thereto, and the Military Academy. Thus the chief 
engineer in early days exercised the functions of a department commander, 
being allowed an aide-de-camp, convening courts-martial, assigning officers 
to stations, granting leave of absence, and placing officers on “ waiting 
orders.” The headquarters which had been first established in New York, 
were transferred to Washington by order of the President on April 3, 1818. 
While this organization has nominally ceased to exist, its most essential 
functions are still vested in the chief of engineers as commandant of the 
Corps of Engineers. 
The Board of Engineers.—On November 16, 1816, a “Board of Engi- 
neers for Fortifications ” was constituted by the War Department to perform 
the following duties: 
“ It shall be the duties of the officers of this board to examine, in con- 
junction, all those positions where permanent works are or maybe proposed 
to be erected. They shall select the proper sites for, and form the plans of 
all new works. Where fortifications have been commenced or are finished, 
they shall report how far the sites for such fortifications have been judici- 
ously selected, or whether or not the works are adequate to the defense of 
the prospective positions, and they shall propose such alterations or addi- 
tions to them as may be deemed necessary. * * * 
“ The report and plans adopted by the board, shall be submitted with 
accurate estimates * * * to the chief of the corps. 
“ The original reports and plans agreed upon by the board, as well as those 
reported by any member of it, shall be submitted by the Chief of the Corps 
of Engineers, with such remarks as he may deem proper, to the Secretary of 
War, for final adoption, and they shall be deposited in the secret bureau of 
the Department of War.” 
Under the Act of April 30,1824, inaugurating works of internal improve- 
ment, a similar “ Board of Engineers for Internal Improvement ” was 
organized and continued until about the date of the segregation of the 
topographical engineers into a distinct bureau of the War Department; after 
which these functions seem to have devolved on special boards of greater 
or less permanency until, by authority of the Secretary of War, in an order 
issued on September 2, 1879, the functions of the “Board of Engineers for 
Fortifications,” which had continued unchanged since 1816, were extended 
to include such works of river and harbor improvement, and other matters as 
may be referred to it by the chief of engineers. This organization, now 
officially designated “ The Board of Engineers,” continues to the present 
date. 
Engineer Troops.—In view of the persistent efforts which have been 
made to class the engineer arm of service with the staff of the army, it 
should be noted that the Continental Congress established three companies 
of sappers and miners before it definitely constituted the Corps of Engi- 
neers. The dates of the resolutions effecting these objects are May 27, 
1778, and March 11, 1779, respectively. Each of these three companies 
consisted of 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals and 60 pri- 
vates. It appears that subsequently another company was added ; for by 
the resolution of February 7, 1780, four captains were commissioned by 116 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
name. The duties assigned were the following: “ These companies to be 
instructed in the fabrication of field works, as far as relates to the manual 
and mechanical part. Their business shall be to instruct the fatigue par- 
ties to do their duty with celerity and exactness, to repair injuries done to 
the works by the enemy’s fire, and to prosecute works in the face of it. 
The commissioned officers to be skilled in the necessary branches of mathe- 
matics ; the non-commissioned officers to write a good hand.” 
These companies of sappers and miners were assigned to the command 
of Brigadier-General du Portail, the first commandant of the Corps of 
Engineers, and served throughout the war, being disbanded with that corps 
in November, 1783. It is interesting to note that David Bushnell, “ the 
father of submarine mining ” was appointed to this body of troops on the 
recommendation of Governor Trumbull of Connecticut; he signed one of 
the last returns (now on file in the archives of the Department of State) at 
West Point on June 4, 1783, as “ Captain Commanding.” 
The two regiments of Artillerists and Engineers, formed before the reor- 
ganization of the army in 1802, each contained 992 enlisted men; of the 
privates 672 were designated sappers and miners and 160 artificers; the re- 
maining 160 were non-commissioned officers and musicians. 
After the reorganization of 1802 a few enlisted engineer soldiers [one 
artificer and eighteen privates] were authorized to be enlisted by Section 3, 
Act of February 28, 1803. By the Act of April 29, 1812, it was enacted 
that there be attached to the Corps of Engineers “either from the troops 
now in service or by new enlistments, as the President of the United States 
may direct, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 teacher of music, 4 musicians, 19 
artificers, and 62 men, which non-commissioned officers, musicians, artifi- 
cers, and men, together with the artificers and men already belonging to 
the Corps of Engineers, shall be formed into a company to be styled a com- 
pany of bombardiers, sappers and miners, and be officered from the Corps 
of Engineers, according as the commanding officer of that corps may, with 
the approbation of the President of the United States, direct.” 
From the 9th of June, 1814, this company served along the Niagara 
frontier, especially at Fort Erie and in the sortie from that work. It was 
disbanded by the Act of March 2, 1821, fixing the peace establishment of 
the United States, which retained no engineer troops. 
At the outbreak of the Mexican war, Congress, by the Act of May 16, 
1846, created a company of engineer soldiers which were “ entitled to the 
same provisions, allowances and benefits in every respect as are allowed to 
the other troops constituting the present peace establishment.” It was to 
“ compose a part of the Corps of Engineers, and be officered by officers of 
that corps as at present organized.” Its functions included “ all the duties 
of sappers, miners and pontoniers ” ; and it was also to “ aid in giving prac- 
tical instructions in these branches at the Military Academy.” The en- 
listed organization comprised 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 2 musicians, and 
78 privates. 
This company joined the column of General Taylor on October 11, 1846, 
but was soon transferred to that of General Scott, where it took a gallant and 
distinguished part in all the battles from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
117 
In 1853 a detachment of 25 men assisted on the survey of the Northern 
Pacific railroad ; in 1858 the company took part in the Utah expedition; in 
1858, 1859 and i860 a detachment of 30 men served with the troops in Oregon 
and Washington territory, taking part in the Wallen expedition to Salt Lake, 
the joint occupation of San Juan Island, and performing other important 
services. 
In the feverish excitement preceding the Civil War the company was 
ordered to Washington to guard public property, and at the inauguration of 
President Lincoln it was selected to form his immediate body guard when 
proceeding to the Capitol. It formed part of the second relief expedition to 
Fort Pickens, sailing from New York on April 8, and after spending the 
summer at that fort, putting the works in a state of defense, returned to 
Washington in October 1861. 
By the Acts of August 3 and August 6,1861, three additional companies 
of engineer soldiers and 1 company of topographical engineer soldiers were 
added to the military establishment. They were to have “the same pay and 
rations, clothing, and other allowances, and to be entitled to the same bene- 
fits in every respect as the company created by the Act for the organization 
of a company of sappers and miners and pontoniers, approved May 15, 1846.” 
The old company and each of the new companies was to be composed of 10 
sergeants, 10 corporals, 2 musicians, 64 privates of the first class, and 64 
privates of the second class,—in all 150 men. During the war no legal 
battalion organization existed, although the companies were so organized 
in orders ; but by the Act of July 28, 1866, this defect was remedied by the 
addition of a sergeant-major and a quartermaster-sergeant, and the recog- 
nition of the detail of officers of engineers to act as adjutant and quarter- 
master, the battalion thus comprising a total of 752 enlisted men,—its pres- 
ent legally authorized strength. 
These engineer companies after the return from Fort Pickens served 
throughout the Civil War with the Army of the Potomac. Space is lacking 
to detail their important and gallant services. The battalion was attached 
to the headquarters of the army, under orders of the chief engineer, and be- 
sides its special duties was often placed in the line of battle. Its officers 
were habitually detached, as needed, to serve temporarily on the staffs of 
generals commanding army corps and divisions. Its colors were officially 
authorized to bear the names of the following engagements : Vera Cruz, 
Mexico, 9 and 28 March, 1847; Cerro Gordo, 17 and 18 April, 1847; 
Contreras and Churubusco, 19 and 20 August, 1847; Molino del Rey, 
8 September, 1847 ; Chapultepec and City of Mexico, 13 and 14 September, 
1847; Yorktown, Va., 4 May, 1862; Fair Oaks, 31 May, 1862; Mechanics- 
ville, 26 June, 1862; Gaines’s Mill, 27 June, 1862; White Oak Swamp, 28 
June, 1862; Malvern Hill, 1 July, 1862; Antietam, Md., 17 September, 1862; 
Fredericksburg, Va., 13 December, 1862; Chancellorsville, 4 May, 1863; 
Franklin Crossing, 5 June, 1863 ; Kelly’s Ford and Rappahannock Station, 
7 November, 1863 ; Wilderness, 5 and 6 May, 1864 ; Po River, 8 May, 1864; 
North Anna, 23 May, 1864; Cool Arbor, 3 June, 1864; Siege of Petersburg, 
June, 1864 to April, 1865. 
Immediately after the close of the war the headquarters of the battalion 118 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
weie established at Willet’s Point, New York harbor, where has been 
gradually developed the present engineer school of application. All officers 
on assignment to the Corps of Engineers are attached for two or three years 
to one of the companies to acquire practical experience with troops, and to 
supplement their course of instruction in engineering received at the Mili- 
tary Academy. The captains commanding the companies under the super- 
vision of the battalion commander act as instructors. The school was in- 
formally organized by General Humphreys on August 8, 1866, shortly after 
his appointment as Chief of Engineers; and it received the official recognition 
of the War Department on February 28, 1885. 
One company of the battalion is usually stationed at West Point to aid 
in giving practical instructions in its special duties to the cadets of the Mili- 
tary Academy. For several years after the Civil War two companies were 
posted, one at San Francisco and the other at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to 
be available for any military duty pertaining to their arm of service. When, 
under the changed conditions of the Indian problem, these detachments 
became unnecessary, they were discontinued. 
Three times since the Civil War the Battalion of Engineers has been 
called upon, by order of the President, to join its comrades of the line of 
the army in aiding the civil authority to enforce the law. The first occa- 
sion was the suppression of illicit distilleries near the Brooklyn Navy Yard 
in December, 1869. The second was on similar duty in Brooklyn, in No- 
vember, 1870, together with the occupation of the Army building to be in 
readiness to suppress anticipated rioting in New York City at the election 
of that month. The third was to aid in putting down the railroad riots in 
the summer of 1877 ; and it so happened that the only regular soldier who 
was wounded in this service was a private of Company A, Battalion of En- 
gineers. Small detachments have repeatedly been made to assist officers of 
the Corps in reconnaissances, surveys, and other professional duties ; and the 
battalion has frequently paraded with other troops on National occasions. 
One important duty of the engineer troops in times of peace has always 
been to aid in perfecting the materiel pertaining to their arm of service in 
war. This has been done with marked success. The bridge equipage has- 
tily organized for the Mexican war had proved unsatisfactory, and in 1858 
experiments were begun to determine the best composition of trains for 
our service. These studies included trials with and the improvement of 
samples of those used in the European armies most experienced in the art 
of military bridge making. The materiel, except a few iron boats, was all 
fabricated by Company A at West Point, and the investigation was con- 
ducted in so thorough and systematic a manner by Lieut. Duane (since 
Chief of the Corps) that at the outbreak of war in 1861 every need of our 
armies operating in a theatre much obstructed by great rivers was perfectly 
met. After the Civil War similar duties were devolved upon the Battalion 
of Engineers in the development of a system of submarine mines for the 
defense of our harbors and rivers; and the materiel and methods now offi- 
cially determined and established by the Chief of Engineers with the 
approval of the Secretary of War, have resulted from these studies. The 
duty of employing these weapons in war was on July 1, 1871, added to the THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
119 
other military duties of engineer troops by Congress. The school of sub- 
marine mining forms a branch of the Engineer School of Application at 
Willet’s Point; all officers of the Corps of Engineers are required, and 
officers of other arms of the service are allowed upon application to take 
this special course. 
War Record of the Corps of Engmeers.—Beside the military duties as- 
signed to engineer troops, there are important professional functions which 
devolve upon engineer officers serving on the staff of generals commanding 
armies in the field ; and in our service the command of volunteer troops, 
as well, has often devolved on officers of the Corps. In every war with a 
civilized power since the earliest history of our country these duties have 
been performed by them in a manner to merit and receive distinguished 
commendation ; and in all these wars their blood has been shed on the field 
of honor. That this is no exaggeration is shown by the following list of 
officers who have been killed or mortally wounded in battle since the 
organization of the present Corps in 1802. All were graduates of the Mil- 
itary Academy : 
Capt. and Bvt. Lieut.-Col. E. D. Wood, Sept. 17, 1814, Sortie from Fort 
Erie, U. C. 
Capt. W. G. Williams, Sept. 21, 1846, Monterey, Mexico. 
1st. Lieut, and Bvt. Captain W. H. Warner, Sept. 26, 1849, by Indians 
near Pitt River, Cal. 
Captain J.W. Gunnison, Oct. 26, 1853, by Indians near Sevier Lake, Utah. 
Maj.-Gen. I. I. Stevens, U. S. V., Sept. 1, 1862, Chantilly, Va. 
Brig.-Gen. J. K. F. Mansfield, U. S. A., Sept. 18, 1862, Antietam, Md. 
1st. Lieut, and Bvt. Col. J. L. K. Smith, Oct. 12, 1862, Corinth, Miss. 
1st. Lieut, and Bvt. Major O. G. Wagner, April 21, 1863, Siege of York- 
town, Va. 
Major and Bvt. Major-Gen. A. W. Whipple, May 7, 1863, Chancellors- 
ville, Va. 
Captain and Bvt. Col. C. E. Cross, June 5, 1863, Franklin’s Crossing of 
Rappahannock River, Va. 
1st Lieut, and Bvt. Col. P. H. O’Rorke, July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, Pa. 
Captain and Bvt. Col. H. S. Putnam, July 18,1863, Assault of Fort Wag- 
ner, S. C. 
Captain and Bvt. Col. A. H. Dutton, June 5, 1864, Bermuda Hundred, 
Va. 
Major and Bvt. Brig.-Gen. J. St. C. Morton, June 17, 1864, Petersburg, 
Va. 
Brig.-Gen. U. S. A., J. B. McPherson, July 22, 1864, Atlanta, Ga. 
1st Lieut, and Bvt. Maj. J. R. Meigs, Oct. 3, 1864, Harrisonburg, Va. 
1st Lieut. Jacob E. Blake, Topographical Engineers, deserves to be men- 
tioned in this list, although his death resulted from the accidental discharge 
of his own pistol on the field of Palo Alto after an act of the most con- 
spicuous gallantry performed in the sight of both armies. 
Very many of the officers of the Corps have been wounded in battle, 
some several times, but the list is too long for the space allotted to this 
paper. 120 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
During the war with Mexico 19 officers of the Corps of Engineers and 
24 officers of the Corps of Topographical Engineers served actively in the 
field. One of them, Captain Williams, was killed, and sixteen wounds were 
divided among the others. Among those of this little band who subse- 
quently, in the Civil War, reached high rank and distinction may be men- 
tioned in order of seniority in their respective corps : Generals Mansfield, 
Robert E. Lee, Barnard, Beauregard, Isaac I. Stevens, Halleck, Tower, 
G. W. Smith, McClellan, Foster, Joseph E. Johnston, Emory, Fremont, 
Meade, Pope, Franklin, and T. J. Wood. 
During the Civil War the officers of both Corps with few exceptions 
served with the armies in the field. Some were attached to the battalion, 
others were on the staffs of army and division commanders, and many held 
volunteer commissions in command of troops. This latter list would have 
been much larger at the beginning of the war had not the ground been 
taken at the War Department that their services in their own arm were too 
important to be spared in volunteer grades lower than that of brigadier- 
general. 
It is a matter of record that 33 officers who either held or had held com- 
missions in the Corps of Engineers, were appointed during this war general 
officers in command of troops. Of these, 3 became major-generals, and 3 
brigadier-generals in the regular army; 15 were major-generals, and 1? were 
brigadier-generals of volunteers; 8 of the 33 commanded armies; and 10, 
army corps. At least 8 general officers in the Confederate armies had been 
officers of our Corps of Engineers, and among them were General Robert E. 
Lee and General Joseph E. Johnston. 
Peace Record of the Corps of Engineers.—The limits of this paper forbid 
any attempt at details. The subject can hardly be covered more concisely 
than by the following extract from a letter of General Humphreys when 
Chief of Engineers, addressed to the Secretary of War in response to a cir- 
cular of September 4, 1876, inviting suggestions upon the subjects before a 
commission for the reform and reorganization of the army. This paper, 
which is reproduced nearly verbatim in Hamersly’s Army Register for 100 
years, contains historical sketches of the two Corps compiled by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Casey, now Chief of Engineers. It involved much research and 
has been freely used in preparing the foregoing pages. General Humphreys 
writes : 
“ From the earliest period, the several organizations of engineers which 
we have had in our service, have invariably and exclusively made the sur- 
veys for, and the plans of, our sea-coast defenses, whether of a temporary 
character which were built up to 1818, or of the permanent character which 
have been since that time projected, and have superintended their con- 
struction and the disbursement of the funds appropriated by Congress for 
the same. 
“ Up to about 1831, its officers were to a great degree the repositors in 
this country, of that knowledge which was requisite for the purpose of mak- 
ing accurate surveys. The location and construction of the roads, canals, 
and bridges built for the development of the resources of the country, and 
the accurate methods of surveying, geodetic, topographic, and hydro- THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
12 I 
graphic, now in use, are in a great measure due to the talents and labors of 
its officers. 
“Almost all the great routes of internal communication in the interests of 
commerce and speedy transit, now in existence in the country, were first ex- 
plored, located, and projected by officers of this Corps. The files of the 
bureau of the Corps in Washington, and the Congressional documents, are 
rich in reports upon the works of this character, that have been examined 
into under authority of law, by the Corps of Engineers. 
“ In the matter of the improvement of rivers and harbors, in the interest 
of commerce, the Corps of Engineers has had almost the exclusive control, 
and the information on this subject contained in reports of its officers, from 
the early years of this century to the present time, now filed in the Bureau 
of the Corps, is a monument to its labors and a most valuable collection of 
precedents to be used in the future prosecution of such works. 
“ The surveys, examinations, and constructions which have been made 
by officers of the Corps, have not been confined to such matters as are solely 
in charge of the War Department. From time to time the State Depart- 
ment, the Navy Department, the Treasury Department, and the Interior 
Department have employed its officers in the running of boundary lines, and 
the surveys for the maps necessary to be used in delicate diplomatic nego- 
tiations ; in the surveys for, and the constructions of, dock-yards ; the sur- 
veys for canal routes across the Isthmus of Panama; upon astronomical 
observations in the interest of science ; in the surveys of the coasts, the 
planning and construction of light-houses and other fixed aids to navigation ; 
the planning and construction of public buildings, of custom houses, post- 
offices, marine hospitals, etc.; and especially in the construction of the 
Capitol, the General Post Office, and the Washington Aqueduct in this city. 
“ Scarcely a branch of engineering, whether military or civil can be men- 
tioned, that has not been improved and expanded by the study and labors 
of the officers of this Corps. 
“ It is difficult to enumerate all the duties which may have been, or which 
can be devolved on the Corps of Engineers in time of peace. As the duties 
generally are such as require familiarity with the sciences and arts, any duty 
which the Government needs performed which involves the application of 
this character of learning and comes within the professional training of the 
several members of the Corps, maybe devolved by the President upon them.” 
The labors of the Corps of Engineers have been largely increased by the 
Act of August ii, 1888, which imposes upon the Secretary of War thedutyof 
establishing harbor lines when in his judgment they are essential for the pre- 
servation and protection of harbors ; also by the Acts of September 19, 1890, 
and of July 13, 1892, which contain important provisions relative to bridges, 
dumping, wrecks, and other obstructions to navigation. 
Present Organization of the Corps of Engineers.—The headquarters of 
the Corps are now in Washington, where under the direction of the Secre- 
tary of War the engineer department, including its bureau, is commanded 
by its chief. His office is subdivided into five divisions. In general terms, 
the first includes fortification ; the second, engineer troops and depots, 
with Corps orders, returns and personnel; the third, civil works of improve- 122 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ment; the fourth, appropriations and disbursements; the fifth, surveys, 
maps and claims. Officers of the Corps, usually three in number, are detailed 
to take charge of these divisions. 
A permanent board of engineers of not less than three members, usually 
high in rank, plans and revises projects of permanent fortification and 
works of river and harbor improvement, and considers such other matters 
as may be referred to it by the Chief. The latter submits all important re- 
ports, with his views thereon, to the Secretary of War without whose sanc- 
tion no important work is.undertaken. 
The geographical limits of the United States are divided into districts 
usually about fifty in number, the military and civil engineerings works in 
each of which are in charge of an officer of experience in the corps. These 
officers execute the works, disburse the funds, and submit such projects and 
estimates as may be ordered. 
Such of these districts as are in charge of officers below the grade of 
lieut.-colonelare grouped in divisions, the number and extent of which are 
determined by the Chief of Engineers. At present there are five, each in 
charge of a Colonel of the Corps. Division engineers exercise care and over- 
sight over the works in progress, inspect them at least once a year, and 
counsel, advise, and in case of emergency direct the district officers in matters 
pertaining to the engineering features of their works, reporting such action, 
promptly to the Chief of the Corps. All papers connected with engineering 
project, plan and construction within his division pass through the office of 
the division engineer. 
The engineering works of all districts are inspected annually by the 
chief of engineers or by the division engineers. 
Officers of the Corps are detached under the Treasury Department to 
act as light-house engineers in each of the sixteen districts into which the 
country is divided; and others are detailed to serve as members and as 
engineer secretary of the Light-house Board. 
Under the Act of June 11,1878, an officer of the Corps, with two Engineer 
officers as assistants, is detailed as one of the three commissioners for the 
Government of the District of Columbia. Other officers are detached for 
service in connection with the Military Academy, and on special duties 
such, for example, as the demarcation of State and International boundaries. 
The battalion is officered by details from the Corps, and other officers 
may be detached to serve on the staffs of generals commanding depart- 
ments. 
From the above it will be seen that the duties of our Corps of Engineers 
combine the functions of the Corps du Genie, and of the Ponts et Chaussees 
in the French service ; and in time of war include many of the functions of 
the Etat Major. That these duties are performed by an aggregate of 109 
officers, not including the additional 2d lieutenants authorized by Act of 
May 17, 1886, sufficiently demonstrates the onerous nature of the services 
exacted from the Corps. 
It may be added in conclusion that the term “ staff corps ” sometimes 
erroneously applied has always been repudiated by officers of the Corps of 
Engineers as a designation not in accordance with our statute law or THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
with the practice of other armies. The Corps forms no part of the staff of 
the army, for it in no case furnishes the means necessary for its subsistence, 
comfort, mobility, and action to any greater degree than does the artillery 
or cavalry. In most services it is termed a special arm, and in all services it 
is assigned a place in the line of battle. With us the honor of the right of 
the line is conceded by the regulations. This fact from the very derivation 
of the term is sufficient to justify the claim that the Corps belongs to “the 
line ” of the army and that its officers are properly so classed except when 
specially detailed for staff duty. 
In view of the general misapprehension prevailing as to the old 63d 
Article of War, now expunged from the list, some reference to its history 
and true import seems appropriate. The article was enacted by the Act 
of April 10, 1806, and read as follows: 
“ The functions of the engineers being generally confined to the most 
elevated branch of military science, they are not to assume, nor are they sub- 
ject to be ordered on, any duty beyond the line of their immediate profes- 
sion, except by the special order of the President of the United States ; but 
they are to receive every mark of respect to which their rank in the army 
may entitle them respectively, and are liable to be transferred, at the discre- 
tion of the President, from one corps to another, regard being paid to rank.” 
This enactment was the outcome of a dispute which in 1803 arose be- 
tween Colonel Williams, Commandant of the Corps of Engineers, and 
Captain Izard of the Artillery, whose company was stationed at West Point, 
upon a question connected with the command of the post. 
The matter was referred to the Secretary of War, then Hon. H. Dear- 
born, who decided “ that no officer, cadet, or soldier of the Corps of Engi- 
neers was subject to the orders of any officer of any other corps, but to the 
orders of the President only, or when in actual service to the orders of the 
commanding general, and that no officer of engineers should, under any 
circumstances, command any officer or troops, of any other corps, except 
by the special orders of the President.” 
This decision limiting command of engineer officers being in contraven- 
tion of the then Articles of War, published by order of Congress on Sep- 
tember 2, 1776, was received with great mortification and dissatisfaction by 
the officers of the Corps of Engineers, who felt themselves justly aggrieved 
thereby. No reply being received to a memorial on the subject addressed 
to the President, Mr. Jefferson, the whole Corps determined to resign their 
commissions ; and Colonel Williams and Major Wadsworth, the only field 
officers then in the Corps, did actually resign. 
As it was apparent that the military pride and sense of justice of the 
officers was severely wounded, the Secretary of War sanctioned a corre- 
spondence between General Wilkinson, the commanding general of the 
army, and Colonel Williams, inviting him to return to the command of the 
Corps, accompanied with a project of a General Order containing the prin- 
ciples, and substantially the expressions, subsequently embodied in the 63d 
article above quoted. Upon this basis the difficulty was settled. The arti- 
cle was in truth a compromise, accepted but never favored by the Corps of 
Engineers. 124 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY,. 
This article did, however, contrary to the usage of other nations, deprive 
engineer officers of the right of succession in command by virtue of sen- 
iority of commission, when different corps of the army joined to do duty 
together. Foreseeing the trouble which might arise in consequence, Con- 
gress wisely enacted in the organic acts raising the engineer troops now in 
service, the provision that these organizations “ shall be entitled to the 
same provisions, allowances and benefits in every respect as are allowed to 
other troops constituting the present military peace establishment.” 
This legislation has settled the old standing controversy as to right of 
command in actual service with troops. The Battalion of Engineers has 
often served with other troops both of the army and navy, and always upon 
the basis thus laid down; which, moreover, was officially recognized by 
General Sheridan when commanding the army. In an indorsement dated 
July 7, 1885, he wrote: “When engineers are on duty with organized bodies 
of troops of their own corps, they are or should be considered, as line officers, 
and when a command of engineer troops happens to join or do duty with 
the troops of other corps, the engineer officers should be entitled to com- 
mand, or to be commanded, according to seniority of rank. 
“ Paragraph 9 of the present Army Regulations, fixes the position in 
lines, of the different corps, including engineers on all occasions of pa- 
rade and ceremony, and I believe it to be for the interest of the service, 
generally, that the engineer troops should in our service, as in that of 
other nations, be considered as of the line of the army,—an arm of 
service. * * * 
“ In 1861, a battalion of engineer troops was formed, and with a strength 
varying from 200 to 750 enlisted men, has been continued in the permanent 
establishment. The Battalion of Engineers, comprising the companies 
stationed at Willet’s Point and one company of engineer soldiers stationed 
at West Point, having an aggregate strength of 466 officers and men, is one 
of the most efficient bodies of troops in our service.” 
In the early part of its history the Chief of the Corps took an active 
part in the operation of armies in the field. The latest example was in 
the case of General Totten, who personally directed the duties of his arm 
of service in the siege of Vera Cruz. In one instance, that of General 
Alexander Macomb, the Chief of the Corps was promoted to the command 
of the army with the rank of Major-General. 
The limited space allotted to this paper has precluded, for the most 
part, the mention of individual members of the Corps, although many of 
them have played an important part in the history of the country. The 
list on the following page of the successive commanders, however, should 
find a place: THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 
125 
CHIEFS OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, 1774 TO 1893. 
Name. 
Rank. 
Title. 
Date 
of 
Appointment. 
Where 
Appointed 
From. 
Richard Gridley 
Colonel 
Chief Engineer 
£ < 
June 
, 1775 
Mass. 
Rufus Putnam 
£ 4 
Aug. 
5, 1776 
Lewis du Portail 
“ 
££ 
July 
22, 1777 
France 
Lewis du Portail 
Brig. Gen. 
£ £ 
Nov. 
17, 1777 
£ £ 
Lewis du Portail 
Maj. Gen. 
a 
Nov. 
16, 1781 
£ £ 
Stephen Rochefontaine 
Lt.-Col. 
Comdr. Corps of 
Artillerists and 
Engineers 
Feb. 
26, 1795 
Henry Burbeck 
Comdr. ist Regt. 
Corps Artillerists 
and Engineers 
May 
7, 1798 
Mass. 
Jonathan Williams 
* ‘ 
Principal Engineer 
July 
8, 1802 
Penn. 
Jonathan Williams 
Chief Engineer 
April 
19, 1805 
Jonathan Williams 
Colonel 
Feb. 
23, 1808 
Joseph G. Swift 
“ 
Tuly 
31, 1812 
Mass. 
Walker K. Armistead 
a 
££ 
Nov. 
12, 1818 
Va. 
Alexander Macomb 
“ 
June 
1, 1821 
New York 
Charles Gratiot 
“ 
££ 
May 
28, 1828 
Mo. Ter. 
Joseph G. Totten 
£ < 
“ 
Dec. 
7, 1838 
Conn. 
J. J. Abert 
“ 
Chief T op. Engineer 
£ < a 
July 
7, 1838 
D. C. 
Stephen H. Long 
44 
Sept. 
9, 1861 
New Hamp. 
Joseph G. Totten 
Brig. Gen. 
Chief Engineer 
Mar. 
3. 1863 
Conn. 
Richard Delafield 
£ £ 
April 
22, 1864 
New York 
Richard Delafield 
44 
Chief of Engineers 
July 
13, 1866 
£ £ 
Andrew A. Humphreys 
44 
£ £ 
Aug. 
8, 1866 
Penn. 
Horatic G. Wright 
4 4 
£ 6 
June 
30, 1879 
Conn. 
John Newton 
44 
“ 
Mar. 
6, 1884 
Va. 
James C. Duane 
“ 
4 £ 
Oct. 
11, 1886 
New York 
Thomas L. Casey 
4 ‘ 
ii 
July 
6, 1888 
R. T. THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 
THE Ordnance Department was organized as a distinct branch of our 
military establishment by an act of Congress approved May 14, 
1812. The duty of providing military stores for the army and militia 
had devolved prior to that time upon a purveyor of public supplies 
acting under the direction of the Secretary of War. Everything except small 
arms was purchased, mainly by contract, and the Secretary personally 
supervised the contracts. The examination of accounts now performed in 
the staff bureau was made in the office of an accountant of the War Depart- 
ment. The duties of supplying ordnance material vested in the Secretary 
himself. When an addition of 6000 men was made to the army in 1808 these 
duties became excessive and burdensome to the Secretary, but no relief was 
granted until the war with Great Britain was impending, when bills were 
passed establishing a Quartermaster and an Ordnance Department. An act 
of May 14, 1812, provided for a Commissary General of Ordnance, an assis- 
tant commissary general, four deputy commissaries, and as many assistant 
deputy commissaries as the President might think necessary not exceeding 
eight. 
An act approved February 5,1815, “ For the better regulation of the Ord- 
nance Department,” provided a body of officers, consisting of one colonel, one 
lieutenant colonel, two majors, ten captains, and ten of each of first, second 
and third lieutenants. As this act, so far as relates to the Department itself, 
independently of its personnel, is regarded as its organic law, and, with only 
minor modifications by more recent acts, is still in force, it may be well to 
indicate briefly its most important features. It authorized the chief officer 
of the new department, “ under the direction of the Secretary for the De- 
partment of War,” to enlist artisans and laborers ; to direct the inspection 
and proof of all cannon and small arms ; to direct the construction of gun 
carriages, equipments, implements, and ammunition ; to make estimates 
and contracts for, and purchases of ordnance supplies and stores, and to 
issue them to the army ; to exact from armories and arsenals quarterly re- 
turns of property and to receive from all responsible officers reports of 
damages to ordnance material; to establish ordnance depots; to prepare 
regulations for the government of the Ordnance Department and forms of 
returns and reports. The public armories and arsenals were placed under 
his direction, and the duty of arming and equipping the militia from the 
permanent appropriation of $200,000 per annum provided by the law of 
April 23, 1808, devolved upon the new department. 
The colonel and chief of the new corps was Decius Wadsworth and the 
lieutenant colonel was George Bomford, both officers of ability and distinc- 
Major C. E. DUTTON, Ordnance Dept., U. S. A THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT\ 
127 
tion. Little is known of the state of this service in the six years following 
the war with England beyond what appears in the routine records. These 
records suffice to show that great improvements were effected in modes of 
administration and a system introduced for securing promptness, efficiency, 
economy and responsibility to a degree which was before unknown and 
which in its main features has lasted down to the present time. Whoever 
reads the Ordnance regulations of 1818 will be surprised to see how little 
rather than how much they differ from those now in force. 
In the reduction of the army in 1821, the Ordnance Corps ceased to exist, 
the majority of its officers being re-commissioned in the artillery. But the 
Ordnance Department remained. Its duties were performed by officers de- 
tailed from the artillery. Bomford, who had been the lieutenant colonel of 
the corps and was made lieutenant colonel of the 1st Artillery, became the 
head of the Department. The law provided for four supernumerary captains 
of artillery who should be available for ordnance duty, and these were so 
assigned. Their details were practically permanent, though not necessarily 
so ; their continuance depending upon the pleasure of the Secretary of War. 
All other officers whose services might be required were to be detailed for 
the term of one year from the artillery. 
Whatever may be the merits, under favorable conditions, of an ordnance 
service performed by officers detailed from the line, it is now apparent that 
they could not be realized under the law of 1821. The periods of detail 
were much too short to enable them to become proficient, and the little ex- 
perience they might have gained was lost to the Ordnance service by the 
return of the officers to their regiments. Then, as now, the duties required 
men of special and long experience, and once secured they could not be 
easily spared. The service degenerated, and after the retirement of Mr. 
Calhoun in 1825 his successors urged with increasing pressure the reestab- 
lishment of the Ordnance Corps. In 1832 Congress yielded and passed the 
bill. It provides for one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, two majors and 
ten captains, to be selected from the artillery. Bomford was made chief of 
the corps. He was a man of vigor and great intelligence, a capable organ- 
izer and well qualified to renovate and build up an important administra- 
tive bureau. He brought to his new office certain qualifications which are 
most essential to it; above all, the faculty of impressing himself strongly 
upon public men in Congress and at the head of administrations. His social 
standing and connections were eminent; his address impressive, yet pleas- 
ing. His official papers in particular were models of reserve force, lucid ar- 
gument, and fluent style. The personnel of the new corps was carefully se- 
lected. All of them had excellent records. Three of them, Lieut. Colonel 
George Talcott, Major H. K. Craig, and Captain R. L. Baker, had been su- 
pernumerary captains of artillery during the consolidation period, serving 
continuously in the Ordnance. One name, however, was conspicuous by its 
absence. Captain William Wade, who had been one of the supernumerary 
captains, had served as an Ordnance officer since 1812, and with conspicu- 
ous merit. In the natural course of appointments it was expected that he 
would be made the second major; but the place was given to Captain and 
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William J. Worth. Wade, though offered a cap- 128 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
taincy, considered himself overslaughed, and resigned from the army.* If 
he was wronged, he secured a noble revenge. For the time came when the 
department was in urgent need of just such services as Wade was, of all 
men, most capable of rendering. He gave them loyally, with lasting honor 
to himself, and with great advantage to the government. Among the cap- 
tains, the first place in respect to ability must be conceded to Alfred Mor- 
decai. He rose rapidly by force of merit to a fame less brilliant, but not 
less solid than Rodman's. His memory is entitled in a peculiar degree to 
the care of army historians, for his work was such as appeals to technical 
and professional men rather than to the multitude. His contributions 
came, not in the shape of a few large nuggets, but in a steady stream of gold 
dust sustained for many years and far outweighing the nuggets in the end. 
The value of his work consisted in its accuracy, its systematic character, and 
its immediate utility, and still more in the subtle, potent way in which the 
spirit of it pervaded almost insensibly the entire corps, 
Mordecai was not the only one whose merit was greater than his popular 
fame. Of some of them I knew too little to speak, and all had gone from 
the corps when I entered it. But I well remember the accounts of them 
given by those who had served under them and whose own conduct was 
the best illustration of the discipline and training they had learned to emu- 
late. Their abilities were chiefly executive. They may perhaps be gauged 
by the generally admitted fact that the armories and principal arsenals be- 
came the model workshops of the country. 
The field open to the new corps was a broad one. The stagnation of the 
preceding decade had pervaded the entire army, and most of all the Ord- 
nance service. It had caused, not indeed retrogression, but a lack of pro- 
gress. The Indian wars of the thirties once more awakened the interest of 
Congress in the army and the army’s interest in itself. The equipment of 
the new regiment of dragoons, the renovation of the field-guns and their 
mounting, the improvement of cast iron with a view to heavier calibres in 
the fortresses, the important changes in their carriages, experiments with 
breech-loading small arms, all engaged attention. Although progress was 
made, the full fruition of that progress did not become manifest until ten 
to sixteen years later, for the problems were difficult and the general state 
of the arts and sciences was not at that time such as to render a very rapid 
progress possible. 
By an act approved July 5, 1838, the President was authorized to add to 
the Ordnance Department two majors and to transfer to it from the artil- 
lery ten first lieutenants and ten second lieutenants. A supplementary act 
approved two days later, July 7, 1838, limited the number of lieutenants to 
be transferred to twelve. Among the new names of the corps we find those 
of Captains Maynadier and Thornton and Lieutenants Whitely, John F. 
Lee, Hagner, Wainwright, and Dyer, all of whom rose to distinction in after 
years. Worth was appointed colonel of the 8th Infantry, Ripley was pro- 
* Worth’s commission as captain of artillery was senior to Wade’s, but I think he had never 
before served in the Ordnance. In 1838 he was appointed colonel of the newly organized 8th In- 
fantry and his career in the Mexican War, where he served in his brevet rank of major general, is 
familiar history. THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 
129 
moted to be major, and Lomax was transferred and reappointed major from 
the artillery. In 1841 were added the names of Gorgas and Rodman, in 
1842 those of Laidley and Benton. 
The decade from 1840 to 1850 was a most creditable one. The propor- 
tion of very able men in the corps was such as could be equalled by very 
few organizations in any army. In 1841 the Ordnance Board was estab- 
lished,—a feature of the department which still exists, though its functions 
are in a large measure superseded by the Board of Ordnance and Fortifica- 
tion. It has been a very serviceable institution. It has always been com- 
posed of ordnance officers of great experience and ability. The mixed 
boards which preceded it had yielded comparatively small results, owing to 
want of harmony of views among the members. The new board being 
more homogeneous accomplished more every year than its predecessors 
had accomplished in three or four. The first work before it was systema- 
tizing the armament of the country, including, so far as practicable, the 
entire range of ordnance material, making complete the equipment of 
every arm of the service in all details, preparing working drawings of every 
part in such manner that they could be made of exact record and regula- 
tion. It was also advisory to the Chief of Ordnance on all matters referred 
to it concerning improvements in material and as to experiments upon new 
devices or inventions. Its systematic work lasted eight years, at the end of 
which time (1849) it may be said that we had, in theory at least, a true sys- 
tem of ordance material and the means of creating any amount of it that 
Congress might deem it fitting to appropriate the money for. The equip- 
ment of light batteries was completed in 1842, and their performance in the 
Mexican War is well known. Material for siege trains had received full con- 
sideration by 1845, and at the outbreak of that war an effective siege train 
was assembled by Huger assisted by Hagner, and took a highly creditable 
part in the operations of General Scott’s army from Vera Cruz to the City 
of Mexico. The mounting of guns in casemate and barbette was com- 
pletely revised, the cast-iron carriages which had been preferred since 1820 
being virtually condemned in 1839, and timber carriages were again 
adopted.* 
The armories at Springfield and Harper’s Ferry since their first estab- 
lishment in 1798 had been under the immediate charge of civil superinten- 
dents. Though placed under the nominal control of the Ordnance De- 
partment by the law of 1815, it seems to have been held that the executive 
management of the affairs of the armories was vested by law in the super- 
intendents. Although some highly objectionable features of the manage- 
ment had grown up and were well known, no decisive measures were taken 
by the Secretary of War to correct them until 1842. By an act approved 
August 23, 1842, the offices of civil superintendents were abolished and 
the duties were imposed upon officers of the Ordnance Corps. Craig was 
put in command at Harper’s Ferry, and Ripley at Springfieid. 
The same act provided for the employment by the Ordnance Bureau of 
a competent person to superintend the manufacture of iron cannon. This 
* Lieut Birkhimer's •' History of the Artillery ” gives a goo'd summary of the changes in heavy 
gun carriages, page 254. 130 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
was no doubt intended for the recall of Wade to his proper sphere. Since 
his resignation in 1832 he had been in the employ of the Fort Pitt Foundry 
at Pittsburg, and as a result of many costly experiments had made great 
progress in obtaining large iron castings of increased strength and reliability. 
This was of much importance in view of the desire to obtain guns of 
greatly increased power. About 1830 Bomford had designed a class of 
large guns for firing shells to which he gave the grotesque name of “ Co- 
lumbiads.” At first they were 50 and ioo-pounders, but owing to the un- 
certain character of the metal it was deemed inexpedient to procure more 
than sufficed for a trial of them. In 1843 shell guns (columbiads) of 8 and 
10-inch calibre were undertaken with some degree of success. The metal 
was of excellent quality, but it had become plain that its advantages could 
not be fully realized until advances were made in the knowledge of gun- 
powder and in controlling its action. Experiments upon gunpowder were 
begun by Mordecai at the Washington Arsenal in 1843. As models of 
scientific method in research they will always rank high. The results lie at 
the foundation of those remarkable improvements in the use and control of 
that agent which came in after years. Their completion rendered possible 
a considerable advance in the power of heavy artillery. 
In 1842 Talcott became the real Chief of Ordnance, and after Bomford’s 
death in 1848 was promoted to be colonel. During the Mexican War there 
were added to the corps by the act of March 3, 1847, two captains and six 
lieutenants. Among the new names, appear those of Charles P. Stone 
(1845) and Jesse L. Reno (1846), Julian McAllister (1847), and S. V. Benet 
(1849), all of whom attained distinction in after years. 
Great as had been the advances from 1840 to 1850, those from 1850 to 
i860 were greater still. But it will be impossible to do more here than to 
allude to the most important. First in importance was the adoption of the 
rifled musket in place of the smooth-bore. The invention of the sub-calibre 
expanding bullet was the turning point. Prior to that, the rifle was the 
inferior arm in the main line of battle, and its utility had been limited to 
special corps of troops. The new bullet made it superior for all purposes, 
and in 1855 the rifle was adopted in all the armies.of the world as the in- 
fantry arm. It was in the early part of this decade that Rodman’s experi- 
ments were mostly conducted on metals, resulting in the establishment of 
the principle of initial tensions in the construction of cannon. His exper- 
iments on gunpowder, establishing the control of its combustion and carry- 
ing that control further than had ever before been contemplated soon 
followed. Of all methods of applying the principle of initial tensions, 
Rodman’s was the crudest and least satisfactory. But the demonstration cf 
the principle itself, remains as the most important contribution to the art 
of gun construction which has ever been made, and established his fame 
as effectively as the twitching of the frog’s legs established the fame of 
Volta. Little if any less important was the control of the action of gun- 
powder. But Rodman’s contribution in this line, while entitling him to 
high honor, must be shared by others. 
This decade 1850-1860 was remarkable for the extraordinary number of 
devices for breech-loading arms, as well as for attempts to introduce rifled THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 
cannon. The results were at best very imperfect, though important ad- 
vances and some partial successes were attained. The introduction of 
breech-loading arms as a finality took place immediately after the war, and 
was determined by a great invention which in the period was little thought 
of though it was foreshadowed. This will be spoken of further on. The 
cavalry, however, accepted the Sharp’s carbine in 1857, after a stubborn 
resistance to all breech-loading arms, beginning with the organization of 
the 1st Dragoons in 1833. Of the many forms of breech-loading arms, 
Sharp’s model was doubtless the best, but the ammunition was from its 
nature very perishable. 
Perhaps no better indication of the character of the progress of that 
decade can be found than in two inventions, Rodman’s pressure gauge, and 
Benton’s electro-chronograph. The first (with the crusher improvement) 
is indispensable in interior ballistics; the second was an important addition 
to the many devices which are equally indispensable in exterior ballistics. 
They effected a revolution in scientific methods of investigating the more 
difficult problems of gunnery. 
In this decade also began the transitions from ancient to modern artil- 
lery. It proceeded by slow and difficult steps. The establishment of the 
principle of initial tensions and the control of gunpowder were two great 
achievements. But before they could be so utilized as to secure the enor- 
mously improved results which were afterwards reached, collateral advances 
along other lines were necessary. The enlarged chamber leading to the 
principle of variable “ density of loading” was a third advance. The devel- 
opment of the art of making large masses of steel suitable for guns was the 
fourth, and the longest delayed, as well as the most costly. 
In 1851 Talcott was succeeded by Craig. Between 1850 and 1859 the 
corps received Crispin, Balch, Shunk, Treadwell, Baylor, O. O. Howard, 
Strong, Horace Porter, and Edson. Soon after the war Balch and Porter 
resigned ; the others (except Major General Howard) are all dead. The 
seven senior officers of the corps now on the active list entered it in 1861. 
The outbreak of the Civil War found the Ordnance Department in a 
trying situation. It had been its policy since its organization to accumu- 
late as large a store of the durable munitions of war as its appropriations 
permitted. But the change from smooth-bore to rifle in 1855 had rendered 
the old muskets obsolete. Such rifles as had been procured since that year 
had been mostly distributed to the army and militia, and nearly all of the 
remainder had been sent by Secretary Floyd to the Southern States in an- 
ticipation of secession. The first Secretary under Mr. Lincoln took the 
matter of providing arms to volunteers in chief part into his own hands, 
and sent agents to Europe to purchase whatever arms could be found. 
Meantime, measures were taken to enlarge the capacity of Springfield 
Armory, and contracts were made with private armories to furnish with the 
greatest practicable haste large supplies of muskets of the Springfield pat- 
tern. This required time, and the first volunteer troops were in many cases 
armed with indifferent weapons derived largely from Europe, and of several 
widely distinct patterns. All other supplies were forthcoming in abundance 
about as fast as the troops were ready to receive them, and from the begin- 132 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ning to the end of the war there was no lack of small arms, artillery ammu- 
nition, or equipments. Much of the contract work and material was of 
inferior quality in comparison with the outputs of the Arsenal, but this was 
due in a great measure to the fact that the Government had accumulations 
of good raw materials and specially-trained workmen, while contractors 
found it difficult and sometimes impossible to secure them. The efficiency 
of a well-trained corps of officers was signally displayed in the promptness, 
accuracy and good judgment with which all demands upon it were met, 
and in the judicious economy with which its material was managed and 
husbanded. 
But at the outbreak of the war, the corps lost some of its best officers. 
Mordecai resigned, but did not give his great abilities to the South. Gorgas 
became Chief of Ordnance to the Confederacy, and displayed the highest 
ability in that office. Bell, Huger, John F. Lee, and Welcker, resigned and 
entered the Confederate service. Strong became a brigadier, and after- 
wards a major general of volunteers, and was killed in the attack on Fort 
Wagner. Reno (Jesse L.) also became a major general of volunteers and 
died most gallantly at South Mountain. The distinguished career of Oliver 
O. Howard, who was a first lieutenant of Ordnance at the beginning of the 
war, can only be alluded to here. 
The need of more Ordnance officers was obvious, and the act of August 
3, 1861, provided that “there shall be added to the Ordnance Department 
* * * one Chief of Ordnance, with the rank, pay and emoluments of the 
Quartermaster General of the army, one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, and 
six second lieutenants, the field officers to be appointed by selection from 
the officers of the army, and the second lieutenants from the graduates of 
the Military Academy, by transfers from the engineers, or the topographi- 
cal engineers, or the artillery.” The office of Chief of Ordnance, with the 
rank of brigadier general being thus an original vacancy, was filled by the 
promotion of Ripley over the head of Craig. The field officers were selected 
from the Ordnance Corps in accordance with seniority. As thus organ- 
ized, the corps numbered (January i, 1862), one brigadier general, two 
colonels, two lieutenant colonels, four majors, twelve captains, twelve first 
lieutenants, eight second lieutenants, twelve storekeepers, and four vacan- 
cies in the lowest grade. 
The act of March 3, 1863, provided for the addition of one lieutenant 
colonel, two majors, eight captains, and eight first lieutenants, to be ap- 
pointed by promotion, and the vacancies at the foot of the list to be filled 
by transfers from regiments or other corps of the army. It also provided 
“ that no officer of the Ordnance Department below the rank of a field offi- 
cer shall be promoted to a higher grade, nor shall any officer of the army 
be commissioned as an Ordnance officer, until he shall have passed a satis- 
factory examination before a board of not less than three Ordnance officers 
senior to him in rank.” It also provided that this organization should con- 
tinue only during the Rebellion, and that thereafter the officers promoted 
should have the rank they would have had if the act had not passed, and 
the number should be reduced to the organization of August 3, 1861. By 
the act of July 28, 1866, the number of officers authorized by the act of THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 
133 
March 3, 1863, was made permanent, but with the following grades: one 
brigadier general, three colonels, four lieutenant colonels, ten majors, 
twenty captains, sixteen first lieutenants, ten second lieutenants, and thir- 
teen Ordnance storekeepers. 
In June, 1863, Craig, and in September following, Ripley, were retired 
after more than forty-five years of active service, and George D. Ramsey was 
appointed Chief of Ordnance. He was the senior officer of the corps at the 
time of Ripley’s retirement, having entered the artillery in 1820 and 
transferred to the Ordnance as a captain in 1835. In September, 1864, 
Ramsey was retired, and Major A. B. Dyer, then commanding the Spring- 
field Armory, was appointed Chief. 
The close of the war was followed by dark days for the Ordnance. Dis- 
appointed contractors and inventors whose hopes had not been realized, 
were embittered against the bureau and carried their grievances into Con- 
gress, A joint committee v'-as appointed to investigate their complaints, 
and the procedure, it is gratifying to know, has not often been paralleled 
in Congressional committees. Its report (drafted by the most bitter and 
most unreasonable of the complainants) reflected severely upon General 
Dyer, who at once asked for a court-martial. It was refused, and he then 
asked for a court of inquiry, which was granted. The inquiry of the court 
was long and thorough, and not only exonerated him, but held him up as 
an example worthy of the imitation of all army officers. Probably the 
worst effect of the investigation by the Congressional committee was the 
encouragement it afforded to similar attacks, and though this appears to 
have been the only personal one, the Ordnance Department found to its 
great embarrassment that similar influences were ever present to poison the 
minds of Committees against all its projects for the improvement of heavy 
ordnance, and to impose upon it heavy burdens of proof against other projects 
which it could in no way recommend. These influences were maintained 
through many years. They created a feeling of distrust towards the Depart- 
ment and its officers for which there was no real ground. They caused 
Committees to give precedence to and vote large sums for, the trial of costly 
devices whose failure was assured in advance, and every attempt in the true 
path of improvement was hampered or kept waiting indefinitely. 
The year 1866 marks a revolution in the armament of the infantry. To 
say that it marks the change from the muzzle-loading to the breech-loading 
musket does not accurately nor logically express its real significance. 
Breech-loading arms, both great and small, have been experimented with 
for at least three, and perhaps four, centuries. The period from 1840 to 1857 
abounded in devices for breech loading which became more numerous 
every year. It is a common idea that the aversion to them on the part of 
all officers was founded in mere conservatism, or even prejudice. But the 
truth was otherwise. All things considered, the breech-loaders were inferior 
to muzzle-loaders, and the superiority of the former was established only when 
the centre fire metallic cartridge was perfected. The ordinary notion is 
that powder and ball are mere accessories to the gun ; that the gun is the 
all-important and substantive thing, while the cartridge is a minor incident. 
So all-pervading has this idea been in times past, that even the most expert 134 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
have been not only influenced by it, but sometimes governed by it. The 
truth is the opposite. The cartridge is primary and antecedent, the gun 
secondary and consequent. Before the metallic cartridge was perfected, 
breech-loading arms were all of varying degrees of badness ; afterwards they 
were all of varying degrees of goodness. At no time since, has there been 
a year in which it was not possible to select half a dozen or more designs of 
breech-loaders, such that if we were to assign ioo as a figure of merit for the 
best, the corresponding figure for the poorest would be at least 90 and per- 
haps 95. Under the old system, the ball, the powder and the priming were 
separate and separately handled ; under the new system, they formed one 
piece. The gun with its breech mechanism follows as a logical sequence. 
We may now perceive why progress with breech-loading arms was so 
slow, prior to the war, and why “ science moved but slowly, slowly, creeping 
on from point to point.” All inventive thought was concentrated on the 
gun as the primary factor. But when the centre fire metallic cartridge was 
developed—presto ! “ Science ” had put on its seven-leagued boots. The 
change to the breech-loader took place at a bound. 
These remarks are offered as a general answer to the frequent criticism 
that Ordnance officers were slow to adopt improved arms, and that they 
were behind other nations in this respect. If our army was later than others 
in receiving breech-loaders, it was the first to have the metallic cartridge, 
and other armies only got bad muskets and worse ammunition by being too 
previous. 
The metallic cartridge it seems to me is the greatest military invention 
since the discovery of gunpowder. It is, however, an evolution rather than 
an invention, embodying a slow accretion of the ideas of many workers and 
inventors. The earliest patent I am aware of on the centre-fire form is that 
of Morse, though his design is crude. It was, however, worked up to a 
thoroughly effective form and with many changes at the Frankford Arsenal. 
With the developed form came the necessity of providing machinery for 
manufacturing it rapidly and cheaply. This, too, was accomplished at the 
same arsenal during the commands of Benet and Treadwell. The designer 
of this machinery was Jabez H. Gill, a master mechanic at Frankford, who 
was much aided by Robert Bolton, the foreman of the cartridge factory. 
Achievements such as theirs, if attained outside of the government service, 
would have made their names illustrious. 
The development of the Springfield rifle, with the swinging breech-block, 
quickly followed. Though some minor improvements have been made from 
time to time, its essential features have lasted to the present. While foreign 
armies have changed their arms repeatedly, and while our own Ordnance 
Department has repeatedly offered competing arms which seemed from the 
tests of the proving ground to be better, the infantry have clung to the 
Springfield arm with a tenacity for which Ordnance officers sometimes find 
it difficult to account. In the change to the magazine system, the policy of 
the Department has been the same as in the sixties; it is comprised in the 
old proverb : “ Be sure you are right and then go ahead.” In this second 
change, something more than a device for the more rapid loading and dis- 
charge of cartridges was required, and that was a cartridge of reduced size and THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 
135 
weight, without any reduction, but rather with an increase of power. Until 
the cartridge was greatly improved the change was at best of very doubtful 
advantage. 
The act of March 8, 1869 (Army Appropriations bill), stopped all promo- 
tions and appointments in the staff corps until further legislation. The act 
of June 23, 1874, reopened promotions and gave to the corps its present 
organization. The grade of second lieutenant of Ordnance was abolished, 
and also Ordnance storekeepers, but without affecting the status of the 
storekeepers then in service. All vacancies in the grade of first lieutenant 
were to be filled by transfer from the line, and all promotions and appoint- 
ments to be subject to a satisfactory examination before a board of Ord- 
nance officers. These provisions have been of great value and importance to 
the corps, and are in a large measure due to the efforts of the lamented Lyford. 
They have secured a class of officers to whom the professional reputation of 
the corps may be entrusted for many years to come with the entire confi- 
dence of the army and the country. There might seem to be one drawback, 
as it has thus far had the effect of taking from the artillery some of its 
brightest and most capable lieutenants; but that corps is so abundantly 
supplied with splendid material of that kind that it will hardly feel the 
drain. 
In May, 1874, General Dyer, after a long illness, passed away, and in the 
following month, S. V. Benet, then a major in the corps, wras appointed 
Chief of Ordnance, which position he held until his retirement in 1891. 
Since the close of the war, the corps has suffered the severest visitations 
of death. The complete list of those who have died in active service since 
the war is, Wainwright, Rodman, Benton, Crispin, Shunk, Todd, Tread- 
well, Baylor, Edson, Bradford, Hill, Buel, Lyford, Edie, Chaffee, C. F. Rock- 
well, McKee, Ramsay, Jr., Michaelis, Prince, Poland, Clifford, Wright, Star- 
ring, Wier, Medcalfe. If death loves a shining mark, he seldom missed it 
when he aimed at the Ordnance Corps. If the average efficiency of their 
successors shall be as great as theirs, more could not reasonably be asked 
nor expected. The names of those who have passed in the same time to 
the retired list and thence to their graves will also serve to recall the early 
history of the corps in whose achievements they bore a highly honorable 
part. The assemblage of names is a strong one: Craig, Ripley, Ramsay, 
Maynadier, Thornton, Hagner, Laidley, McAllister. Of the corps which 
antedates the Mexican War, there is but one survivor, Colonel and Brevet 
Brigadier General R. H. K. Whiteley, whom the older officers of the present 
corps recall, not only with profound respect and admiration, but with affec- 
tion. He and his contemporaries just mentioned, present themselves to 
our recollection as models to be imitated in respect to industry, fidelity, 
discipline, devotion to duty in the military relation, and dignified courtesy 
in the private one. 
The recency of General Benet’s command would make it from a military 
point of view indecorous for me to do more than to respectfully offer my 
congratulations upon the high efficiency of the corps and of the department, 
at the term of his administration. THE SIGNAL CORPS. 
LIEUT. W. A. GLASSFORD 
Signal Corps, U. S. A. 
THE genesis of military signaling is written in the labors of Myer. 
What from the most ancient times other commanders had dimly 
comprehended, Napoleon first saw clearly enough to crystalize into 
his maxim, “ Le secret de la guerre est dans le secret de communica- 
tions.'' What the great captain of modern warfare recognized but could 
not attain was the problem whose solution fell to Albert James Myer of the 
Medical Department, United States Army. In all campaigns from the re- 
motest times the maintenance of communication by transient signals had 
presented itself to commanders as of paramount importance, but in practice 
it had eluded them. When simple the signal was inefficient, when efficient 
it was so unwieldy as to be impracticable ; the flashing shield at Sunium and 
the fingers of Chappe’s semaphore were alike in their unavailability upon 
the field of battle. The waving flag and torch of Myer were the first con- 
tribution to the solution of the problem which were efficient without cum- 
bersome machinery, and while so simple as to be easily extemporized from 
any chance materials were yet capable of performing every service which 
they could be called upon to render. 
From the flag and torch of the enthusiastic inventor to a highly devel- 
oped corps of the general staff is a long step. To show how it was taken, 
to present some of the more striking features of this growth, rapid in the 
heat of battle, to sketch the plan on which the Signal Corps was built, this 
chapter of the history of the war has been written from study of the com- 
piled Official Records of the Union and Confederate armies. 
In the beginning, the corps was enfolded in the enthusiasm and deter- 
mination of Myer. In fact there was no corps, but there was Myer. A 
chief without a corps, it was his consuming ambition to surround himself 
with a staff of trained assistants; he succeeded in his ambition in 1863, but 
such were the animosities excited by his success that he was removed from 
the command of the corps he had created and in 1864 was out of the Army. 
Yet such was the influence he was still able to exert that he prevented the 
confirmation of Colonel Fisher twice appointed to succeed him. It is with 
the period between these two phases of signal service that most of this 
sketch has to do. 
Dr. Myer entered the Army in 1854 as an assistant surgeon. His active 
interest in sign language, already displayed in his graduating thesis, was 
manifested at once by its development into a system of signal communica- 
tion, for in 1856 he drafted a memorandum of his device. This, however- SIGNAL CORPS. 
137 
attracted little or no attention at the War Department, and not before 185b 
was the inventor successful in bringing his plans before a military board 
duly authorized to consider them. Yet another two years of exertions, 
strenuous though unrecorded, passed by before Congress created the posi- 
tion of signal officer of the Army. On June 27, i860, Myer was gazetted 
Major and Signal Officer, the first known to history, and the first acknowl- 
edgment that the Napoleonic maxim was worthy a place in practical 
military science. 
Within a fortnight he was despatched to the plains. It is interesting to 
note who ordered the duty and to whom this inventor of the latest feature 
of military art was sent. It was Floyd who wrote the order, it was Faunt- 
leroy of the First Dragoons who commanded the Department of New Mex- 
ico to which the signal officer was assigned ; within a year they were both 
under arms in the Rebellion, and the signal officers of the Confederacy were 
conveying messages on Myer’s system in the very front of Washington be- 
fore the National Army had fairly realized that it had a signal officer. 
Fortuitous as this coincidence may be, Major Myer on reaching his distant 
post was ordered to participate in the Navajo campaign in Colonel Canby’s 
command. Here again the senior officer designated for a course of signal 
instruction and to act as assistant in the field was among those who joined 
Floyd and Fauntleroy. This expedition in the severest rigors of mid-winter 
upon the mountains of New Mexico proved a test which showed the new 
signal system to be capable of all that was claimed for it. The test which 
proved the system satisfactory must also be regarded as a test of the author. 
The examination of what he did in this campaign gives a clue to his suc- 
cesses as well as his failures in the graver war which followed, and the test 
is a more than fair one, since it is judging him by his own standard. 
Myer was an enthusiast, but his enthusiasm was often expended on trivi- 
alities. Strong on details he was weak on great principles. Having 
founded his system of signal communication upon a code of three elements 
he failed to grasp the induction which should have led him higher. He 
was diligent in repeating the same three elements in all sorts of guises 
having developed the system for the eye he devised codes to appeal to the 
other senses of touch, hearing and even of smell. He multiplied instance 
upon instance and repeated needlessly the demonstration of that which was 
already proved. In connection with the torch he was minute in measuring 
the diameter of the flame-shade and its linear distance below the wick. He 
attributed the failure of his dial signal-telegraph train to the fact that curi- 
ous soldiers cut the trailing insulated wire to see what it was made of; he 
could not be brought to see the inherent inefficiency of an apparatus which 
could not be made to work over ten miles of wire, even if uncut, because 
wrong in principle. 
It is essential to a proper comprehension of the corps in the early chap- 
ters of the war to understand these traits of the man who called the corps 
into being. How he did it, how he induced the creation of a staff corps, 
how he was himself overpowered in the very success, these are matters 
which appear in the Rebellion records, here a piece and there a piece with 
many gaps which demand close attention to fill them up. 138 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
When in 1861, war unexpectedly broke out Major Myer was prompt to 
suggest the practical value of signals to the Army, and on this account he was 
called from the west, since the patriotic zeal at headquarters would neglect 
no chance that gave even the faintest promise of assistance. In Washing- 
ton there was haste to meet the emergency so suddenly thrust upon the Army 
not yet recovered from the paralysis of wholesale resignations. Little was 
known of the new military device and Myer found officials too busy to give 
much attention to his plans. Lights appeared on the Virginia hills by night 
and waving flags by day, a device of the enemy. Incomprehensible to all 
others and menacing, these things were clear to Myer, who renewed his 
efforts under this stimulus and succeeded in gaining the official ear. A 
course of signal instruction was initiated on June io, 1861, at Fort Monroe, 
where eleven subaltern officers detailed from the forces near that post were 
hastily instructed in signal duties. This course continued but a few weeks 
and came to a sudden close when Major Myer was ordered to the Depart- 
ment of Northeast Virginia, and called upon to establish communication 
without being allowed a single trained assistant. Blunder as it was, yet it 
was fruitful in results, since nothing short of the spectacle of the Signal 
Officer of the Army idle upon the field of Bull Run, could avail to show those 
charged with the conduct of affairs, that the individual signal officer is valu- 
able only as a part of perfected machinery. However, rudely acquired, this 
knowledge led to the establishment on August 30, 1861, of the Signal Camp 
of Instruction on Red Hill, Georgetown, D. C., a permanent institution 
where under the diligent charge of Lieut. Samuel T. Cushing, who was as- 
sociated with Major Myer in the Navajo campaign, signal parties were in- 
structed and equipped to attend each army that took the field. 
Established under these circumstances, the activity of the Signal Corps 
during the war can best be studied in connection with the great military 
operations of the campaigns which it so materially assisted. Reference to 
the general maps of the war will show the Confederacy to have held posses- 
sion of the interior lines of communication, a decided advantage, the want 
of which imposed upon the Federal commander grave inconvenience and 
considerable hazard, in that it enforced upon him the necessity of attack by 
widely disconnected armies operating in regions equally separated. Com- 
paring all the campaigns it may in a broad way be said that the Federal at- 
tack was directed midway between the four cardinal points. Hasty move- 
ments began the attack upon the northeast where the valleys of Virginia, 
Maryland and Pennsylvania were the theatres of the hardest fighting. In the 
southeast, the coast of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas formed another 
point of attack. Louisiana and the lower Mississippi were the scene of the 
southwestern attack. The assault upon the northwest moved along the 
great military lines of the Tennessee and the Cumberland. Any study of the 
growth of the corps during the war will involve the necessity of tracing its 
history in each of these approaches to the heart of the Confederacy. 
This method of examination of the materials at hand, while sacrificing 
unity of time, yet in its stead renders it possible to present in clear terms 
the independent but co-ordinate development of four bodies of signal officers, 
each in its own field. This in due course of time made it possible for Major SIGNAL CORPS. 
139 
Myer, as with intent to bring about a uniform degree of signal efficiency 
throughout the armies, to embody in a single centralized corps these organiza- 
tions which were practically as independent of him as of one another. The 
period comprehended within the scope of the more detailed part of this 
paper, is that during which the system of regimental signal officers obtained, 
which was concluded in 1863 by the act creating the Signal Corps to con- 
tinue during the Rebellion. However successful the system of signals 
proved itself, it must be seen that the plan of detailing regimental officers 
crudely instructed broke down completely under the strain of actual cam- 
paign. One of the most distinct lessons of the war is this which appears 
unmistakably in every report. 
Recurring to the four columns of inquiry a brief presentation will be 
made of the development of signals in each up to the period noted. This 
happens most opportunely to correspond with the limit of the Rebellion 
records thus far published, beyond which it is not deemed advisable to push 
a detailed inquiry in which the chances of error are considerable. 
Instruction at the Georgetown camp had been but a few weeks under 
way when the Signal Officer was called on to detail officers for an expedition 
then fitting out at Annapolis for an unknown destination. This was the be- 
ginning of the operations on the southeast at the close of 1861, and the ex- 
pedition was that commanded by General Thomas W. Sherman against 
Port Royal in which the signal officers were efficient in maintaining com- 
munication and won for the signal system in a particular degree the commen- 
dation of the Navy. Early im862 signal officers accompanied General Burn- 
side’s Roanoke expedition and secured a foothold upon the coast of North 
Carolina. Thereafter, during 1862 and 1863 the Signal Corps was present at 
the operations in the two Carolinas with ever growing efficiency. It must 
suffice to indicate in broad outline the growth in the southeast quarter up 
to the time when the corps was placed upon a solid basis, which corre- 
sponds closely with the engineering successes before Charleston. The be- 
ginning was small at Port Royal; at Roanoke the signal officers did no signal 
duty at all and won mention by volunteer service as aides. From this hum- 
ble start the progress in the next eighteen months though slow was steady, 
and as the novel service won, little by little, the confidence of commanding 
generals, it was stimulated to greater efficiency. The result attained is appar- 
ent in the reports of the chief acting signal officer of the Department of the 
South which detailed the events just prior to and including the fall of Fort 
Wagner and Battery Gregg, the approaches to Charleston. It is shown 
plainly in his record of events ; but more prominently yet in the attitude 
which he seems to have felt justified in assuming toward officers his super- 
iors in lineal rank, and in the freedom with which he called upon the other 
staff corps to render him assistance in erecting the ingeniously constructed 
signal towers which overlooked Charleston harbor and roads. 
The scanty record of signal operations in the southeast presents one 
difficulty,—lack of material; the record in the northeast, being voluminous, 
presents another and even harder difficulty, that of selection and condensa- 
tion. Major Myer, who was designated Chief Signal Officer of the Army of 
the Potomac, published in 1864 his report of its two-year-old signal opera- 140 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
tions, written with less reference to its military value than to its political bear- 
ing upon legislation then under consideration in Congress. From these rec- 
ords, diffuse in details and silent as to essentials, it is a hard task to arrive 
at the methods by which the Signal Officer proposed to utilize the military 
results of his actions, in firmly establishing his own position which as yet 
had not emerged from the insecurity which must attach to any experiment. 
On this northeastern approach there was some signaling done in 1861 ; 
the officers instructed at Fort Monroe put their lessons into practice, but 
they contributed little to the success of these early engagements. But in 
1862 the Signal Corps, after its full winter’s training at Georgetown, was as 
eager to press on to Richmond as any portion of that luckless army. Myer 
moved with his corps ; he saw what each man did and made a note of it; 
nothing escaped his attention and few events but were made to contribute 
to the greater glory of the new arm of the service. He diligently recorded 
that on the voyage down the Potomac the Signal Corps prevented marine 
disaster; at Yorktown it became in the person of its officers, prominent by 
reason of the incessant waving of their flags, the target for artillery practice ; 
it served at intervals in the Seven Days Battles, and that the service was in- 
terrupted was the fault, not of the system, but of the battle clouds of smoke ; 
it changed its base to the James and directed the gunboat fire at Malvern ; 
it fell back with the rear guard from Richmond with the great army to 
which it was attached. At every step, after the corps had done anything 
noteworthy, Myer insured the future of his system by securing a letter to 
that effect from the general or flag officer who had seen it done. 
Another Signal Corps at the same time was operating with Pope’s army 
at Cedar Mountain and Second Bull Run as it had done in the early spring 
with Banks at Strasburg and Winchester, but its history is obscure, since 
its successful work was not heralded by Myer’s reports until the Army of 
the Potomac moved north in September. Then came the operations about 
Frederick, Md., the engagements at South Mountain and Antietam, in all 
which the corps was efficient in its proper function. With these northern 
battles the signal operations assume a status of more real value and are 
better recognized by commanders; Fredericksburg brings the corps promi- 
nently to the dangerous front, Chancellorsville shows Hooker making in- 
telligent use of this body of trained officers both to observe and to com- 
municate, and at Gettysburg the Signal Corps is acknowledged as firmly 
fixed in the military household by Meade’s circular before the battle, in 
which he calls upon this as upon all other staff corps to aid him in the im- 
pending engagement. First appearing as an idle spectator at Bull Run, 
later summoned to the council of war at Gettysburg, these two facts tersely 
illustrate the two years’ growth of the signal system on this front. 
In the southwest the signal officers, like the son of Achilles, came late 
to the war. When Farragut ran Forts Jackson and St. Philip no signal 
men were with him, nor did they come until the first assault was over and 
New Orleans was occupied by the Federal forces. It was not indeed until 
1863 that the Signal Corps made its mark in this field of the war. Having 
had just enough duty in small skirmishes to bring it into efficiency, it in 
vested Vicksburg and Port Hudson with Grant and Banks; from its towers SIGNAL CORPS. 
141 
and treetops it covered the beleaguered towns with vigilance ever alert; it 
saw every movement in time and gave warning to the besiegers, for whom it 
was not only eyes but tongue as well. 
The beginning of the war on the northwest was most distinctly marked 
by the failure of signal operations, not so much by reason of any ineffici- 
ency of the system, as through the chapter of accidents which so greatly re- 
tarded military operations upon that approach. The first signal party was 
sent to General Halleck at St. Louis late in March of 1862, but the use of 
this new military art was not fairly appreciated, and the detachment was 
soon dissolved. At Shiloh, Grant’s army had no signal officers; Buell’s had, 
but almost the sole mention of their activity is that they were ordered back 
to duty with their companies. At Perryville the record shows that the sig- 
nal system was in operation, but by a strange mischance it did not succeed 
in conveying to Buell the knowledge that a battle was in progress. But an 
improvement was noticeable when on the last day of 1862 Rosecrans fought 
the battle of Stone’s River, and found his signal officers to be relied upon in 
the discharge of their proper duties. Thenceforward the progress was 
distinct, the service was growing in efficiency and in reputation, and in each 
regard an improvement may be noted after Franklin, Tullahoma, Chicka- 
mauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Knoxville. In. a year 
and a half the Signal Corps had, from a position in which it was treated 
with indifference, advanced in this army also to the burden of grave respon- 
sibilities, in which it proved itself deserving of the reliance placed upon it. 
On the Confederate side signal officers were no less active, although 
the close details of their operations exist only in fragmentary reports. It 
has been already remarked that the Confederate army made earlier use of 
signals than the Union forces, and that the sight of their flags and flames 
on the Virginia hills served to hasten consideration of Major Myer’s plans. 
The Richmond Congress early recognized the value of this service and 
drafted a measure which authorized the creation of a Signal Corps of con- 
sistent and comprehensive efficiency. Under this act the Signal Corps of 
the Provisional Army of the Confederacy was instituted and placed in 
charge of Major Norris. The plan was excellent but when it came to put- 
ting it into operation it would seem that of the two duties of the signal officer, 
observation and communication, which the model signal officer of the future 
must combine, Norris, not being actuated by the inventor’s enthusiasm, de- 
voted his attention to the former. The reports of Norris’ bureau which 
have survived are in the majority of cases the details of scouting exploits 
within the Federal lines ; the system seems to have grown into a matter of 
high-class spying in which the commission and uniform were expressly de- 
signed to serve as a cloak to the operations and to enable the operator, if 
captured, to offer a specious plea against the customary penalty of spying. 
To perform the legitimate duties of signal communication there grew up 
another body, the Independent Signal Corps under Major Milligan, which 
operated in Virginia and North Carolina, and probably enjoyed a still wider 
field. 
In the four fields of war in which the signal officers prosecuted their op- 
erations the work in this formative period was done by acting signal officers, 142 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
that is, subalterns of volunteer regiments detached for this special service. 
To understand their position attention should be directed upon the enact- 
ments and orders which authorized their employment on this duty. The 
act of 21st June i860 created the position of Signal Officer and announced 
rather than defined his duties. In 1861 the commanding generals of the 
several departments to which in succession Major Myer was assigned, de- 
tailed junior officers to be instructed in signal duty; thus originated the 
school at Monroe, the experimental stations along the upper Potomac, and 
the permanent camp at Georgetown, all being authorized by orders and 
confirmed upon an essential point by the act of 22d February, 1862, which 
settled upon officers so detailed the pay of cavalry officers of the same 
grade. Thus the Signal Officer obtained his first corps. 
There was about this corps, as in all new projects brought about by the 
personal efforts of any enthusiast, an element of uncertainty, it was of a 
temporary nature, officers detailed might be recalled to the line by the order 
of their regimental commanders or by their own wish, above all there was 
no appropriation directly made for the service rendered. One remedy was 
applied, the order of the War Department that acting signal officers should 
not be relieved from that duty except by order of the Adjutant-General of 
the Army. This was palliative, it secured the corps against rapid depletion, 
but it did not remove the causes which led to such depletion, nor did it 
secure the corps a permanent status. It still presented the anomaly of but 
one Signal Officer in the Army and all the work of signal communication 
performed by acting signal officers. To remove this anomaly, to acquire a 
permanent status with an eye to inevitable retrenchments of the peace-foot- 
ing in the future, engaged the best efforts of the Signal Officer. This system 
of regimental officers detailed for signal duty had the most fair trial, it was 
tested by the exigencies of actual campaigning and this test was continued 
for two years ; in this length of time its merits, if it had any, should have 
been made overwhelmingly manifest, its faults should have suggested their 
correction. But the two years experiment showed the faults too deep-seated 
for correction short of radical reconstruction, the merits expected were uni- 
formly absent. Every battle, every movement of troops showed defects, 
and proved them to be inherent in any corps of signal officers which de- 
pended for its existence upon regimental details. Yet, following his plan of 
utilizing every method which might popularize his system, he succeeded in 
having a course of signals prescribed at the Military Academy in July, 1863, 
and added to the instruction in visual signals a course of lectures on tele- 
graphic communication, and to aid that purpose sent to West Point a train 
with the Beardslee instruments. 
Myer’s system was a novelty in military practice ; there had been no 
opportunity to exhibit its utility to the army in general; New Mexico was 
far away and in 1861 men had other things to occupy their minds than 
waving flags in a fruitless Indian campaign ; worst of all not a line about 
the duties of the Signal Officer was found in any text of the art of war, and 
not yet had the lesson been learned that war well made makes its own art. 
The unknown system was nowhere welcomed, at best it was tolerated, in 
many cases it had to encounter the dogged resistance of rigid formalists. SIGNAL CORPS. 
143 
Time and the event had not yet proved its superiority in its twofold sphere; 
the scout for observation and the orderly for communication were yet su- 
preme. Like Napoleon, who rejected Fulton’s project to transport the 
French army across the channel by steam power, few could sufficiently 
project the new arm of the service into the future to give Myer support in 
his efforts. Where improvements in the methods of observation and com- 
munication failed to affect the result, it was necessary to seek still further 
modes of usefulness in which the Signal Officer might be free from old 
traditions. It must be recognized that Myer was diligent in grasping at 
every means that might even remotely assist him, and characteristically 
pertinacious in returning to his purpose with unabated vigor after each re- 
buff. 
The chance of the times and the events incidental to the hasty mobiliza- 
tion of great bodies of raw levies, zealous as they were unskilled, offered 
the first opportunity. The disasters of Big Bethel and Glasgow, where troops 
fired deadly volleys into the ranks of their own comrades, sadly showed the 
inability of new volunteers in the peril of panic to know friend from foe. 
While the feeling of horror was still fresh, Major Myer came forward with 
a system of countersign signals which should prevent similar deplorable 
catastrophes. The system was adopted and promulgated in general orders. 
Regimental commanders were to have their adjutants and color sergeants 
instructed to wave by day the regimental colors in certain fashions and to 
burn colored fires by night. There were then two hundred and fifty organi- 
zations in the single Army of the Potomac, and they were all instructed dur- 
ing the winter of 1861 ; but the time and labor were spent in vain. The 
system never gained a foothold, and properly lapsed as better training in 
the duties of the soldier removed the causes which had operated to bring 
it forward. 
A second attempt to attain, first, prominence, and next, permanence, 
brought the Signal Officer in contact, not this time with apathy and indif- 
ference of commanding officers, but with the lively opposition of a civil 
bureau of the War Department already well established and decidedly in- 
disposed to yield to the pretensions of Major Myer. This was the attempt 
to secure control of the telegraph upon the field and in its relation with the 
army. The attitude which the civilian operators assumed, seems to have 
been prompted not so much by the belief they professed in the essentially 
civil nature of their calling as by their personal objection to Myer, who had 
not served an operator’s apprenticeship, and who did not have that peculiar 
touch by which an operator comes into electric sympathy with his fellows 
in the profession. 
Governed in this by sentiment rather than by reason they made a mis- 
take ; the mistake they then made they have since acknowledged, and have 
pleaded it in support of legislation sought in their behalf. The men 
who were most strenuous in opposition to military control of the telegraph, 
are now on record as supporting just that control and discipline in campaign. 
It must be admitted that Myer was personally unsuited for telegraph duty; 
moreover, it must be admitted that had he been suited for that duty history 
would have been different. Similarly of the few nations which attempted to 144 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
perform military telegraph work by force of civilians, all have realized the 
practical impossibility of the attempt. Every nation except France has trans- 
ferred the service to the army, and even in France the transfer will soon be 
brought about inasmuch as schools for the instruction of officers and men 
have been established. 
The creating act of i860 explicitly authorized the Signal Officer to have 
charge of all signal duty and all apparatus connected therewith. This language 
was General Butler’s sufficient authority for assigning Myer to the charge 
of the recently constructed line of the U. S. Military Telegraph in south- 
eastern Virginia. The order was distasteful to the regularly appointed 
superintendent of the line, who believed himself to be accountable only to 
the War Department. But communication with Washington wras practi- 
cable only by letter, and disobedience to Butler’s order would have been 
quickly visited with heavy penalties ; on this account the operators made 
temporary submission. The Signal Officer’s tour of duty as telegraph officer 
was brief, and he was sharply reminded by the Secretary of War that elec- 
tric telegraphy was not in his province. This was the first skirmish of a 
bitter contest. 
Myer now made a formal demand upon the War Department to be given 
control of the entire system of military telegraphs under the terms of his 
commission, but it was at once apparent that he would not be allowed to 
interfere with the electric operators. His attention was accordingly directed 
upon some portable system of telegraphy operated upon other principles 
than the Morse system, and even in his early plans he seems to have ap- 
preciated the important differences between the flying telegraph and the 
semi-permanent lines. Having discovered what he sought in a magnetic 
dial apparatus, the Signal Officer in August, 1861, laid before the Secretary 
of War a plan for signal telegraph trains which should not interfere with 
existing interests, and yet, by a clause judiciously inserted to the effect that 
a proper proportion of the officers and men should be selected electric tele- 
graphists employed for the war, it was carefully devised to secure Major 
Myer a permanent corps in the place of the acting signal officers, and, by 
securing a sufficiency of Morse operators attracted by actual commissions or 
the prospect of winning them, to place him in a position to make a more 
effectual demand for the control of the military telegraph. This was met 
by an authorization to purchase a small telegraph train to communicate 
with points which could not be reached by signals, and fixing upon the 
Signal Officer the responsibility of determining the necessity for such a 
train. Major Myer hesitated to act underthis authorization, which was silent 
as to any appropriation. In March, 1862, the Beardslee or magnetic instru- 
ment had not been brought into condition to use, and the question of an 
electric train was beset with difficulties when the Signal Officer was ordered 
to take the field with no definite arrangements concluded. 
Under these circumstances little could be done with this branch of the 
equipment in the Peninsular campaign, and what little was attempted was 
touched upon very lightly by Major Myer in his personal report, although 
this is the first mention in all history of the telegraph on the battle-field. It 
was not until the close of the year 1862, at Fredericksburg, that any definite SIGNAL CORPS. 
145 
attempt was made to bring into special prominence the telegraph train of the 
Signal Corps. This dial telegraph was maintained in intermittent operation, 
and for the most part was favorably reported by the officers in charge. In 
May, 1863, at Chancellorsville, the field telegraph of the Signal Corps was in 
operation. Practical test demonstrated the line to be insufficiently insulated 
and incapable of working except for short stretches, while the instrument was 
slow and particularly sensitive to atmospheric disturbances. But the gravest 
difficulty was that it here came into direct and disastrous competition with 
the electric military telegraph of the War Department, and offered itself to 
the critical judgment of such men as Eckert, Stager and Bates, who were in 
a position to pass upon it the criticism of technical experts. 
Under the influence of sundry successes achieved in the summer cam- 
paigns, the last month of 1862 saw the appropriation of funds sufficient to 
construct several of these telegraph trains. The same causes contributed 
to produce a result of greater importance than the supply of field telegraph 
trains. This was the permanent organization of the Signal Corps. 
The authorization to construct signal telegraph trains was, in its very 
nature, a solace to Major Myer for refusing him control of the U. S. Military 
Telegraph to which he claimed title. He had been in conflict with Secretary 
Stanton and had been worsted. There could have been no better recom- 
mendation to the sympathies of the Congress of that time. Avoiding any 
chance of reference to the more purely military committees, which would be 
to a certain extent under the influence of the powerful secretary, the legisla- 
tion was accomplished in the Sundry Civil Bill which became law on the 
3d of March, 1863. Thus was the Signal Corps built and equipped with a 
systematic organization. 
At the head of the corps there was a chief signal officer, a colonel, who 
should be Signal Officer of the Army, there was a lieutenant-colonel and two 
majors, there was one captain and eight lieutenants for each army corps, and 
for each officer there was allowed a sergeant and six privates. The corps was 
authorized for the duration of the Rebellion, and appointments were to be 
made on the recommendation of examining boards. In accordance with the 
report of the first of these boards Major Myer was nominated Chief Signal 
Officer and given a recess appointment. Later in the same year the Judge 
Advocate General wrote an opinion establishing the status of the corps as 
of the establishment of the regular army. The realization of Myer’s ambi- 
tion had yielded to his persistence, he had secured a higher rank and his 
corps would be permanently established as soon as the examining boards had 
completed their work in the several military departments. 
But Colonel Myer in the moment of success had to learn that the War 
Secretary could not be trifled with in safety. Once again the Chief Signal 
Officer sought to obtain a certain control of electric telegraphs, and to that 
end advertised his willingness to give commissions to telegraph operators. 
Thereupon the blow fell. On the 10th of November, 1863, Colonel Myer 
was relieved from command of the Signal Corps and ordered to the Missis- 
sippi. He turned the bureau over to Major Nicodemus, who was later pro- 
moted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and, most important of all, the Secretary 
of War ordered that the telegraph trains be put in charge of the Superin- 146 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
tendent of the Military Telegraph, Colonel Anson Stager. Thus was the 
Signal Corps built; but when the cap-stone had been laid in place the edifice 
passed away from him who built it. Myer was not only banished to a re- 
mote military division, but the Senate failed to confirm his appointment ; 
the President revoked it, and the first Signal Officer, the inventor of the 
art, was no longer in the Army. 
It is to study the growth of a staff corps from a single officer to a highly 
organized body, rather than to make a record of the deeds of the signal offi- 
cers or a roster which should give them the credit they earned, that this paper 
has been written. In pursuing this line of research it has been necessary to 
pay strict regard to the operations of the Signal Officer of the Army and to 
weigh his official acts as presented directly in the official records of the re- 
bellion, and as reflected in the services which his subordinates rendered in 
obedience to his orders. A study of the later period of signal operations 
will afford an opportunity to return to, and present in detail a narrative of 
events which cannot fail of interest. This chapter is of necessity drawn 
closely about the personality of the first Signal Officer, for it was in and 
through that personality that the Signal Corps came into being. 
Freed from the guiding touch of its inventor and foremost advocate, the 
Signal Corps nevertheless maintained a steadfast activity during the war 
and grew in favor, as it conscientiously discharged its invaluable duties. 
Major Nicodemus, temporarily placed in charge, had control until the end 
of 1864, when he too was visited with punishment. He had published his re- 
port for that year without having gone through the formality of submitting 
it to the Secretary of War, and for that offense was dismissed the service on 
the ostensible ground that he had aided the enemy by divulging valuable in- 
formation. His innocence of any wrong intent was made manifest soon 
afterwards, and, it perhaps becoming apparent by what influences he had 
been hampered, he was reinstated in his regiment of the regulars. He was 
succeeded in the Signal Bureau by Colonel B. F. Fisher, who was given a 
recess appointment as Signal Officer of the Army, and when that lapsed, 
through failure to receive confirmation at the instigation of Myer’s friends, 
was at once reappointed on the same terms. 
While affairs of the Bureau at Washington were thus kept in a perman- 
ently unsettled condition, the corps in the field was winning fame. At Alla- 
toona its services were so distinguished as to win brevets or actual promo- 
tion for all who participated in the battle. When Farragut overcame the 
fort, the torpedo and the ram, the defenses of Mobile, he sent his army signal 
officers below and bade them assist the surgeon in the cockpit, for they had 
been assigned to him only for the purpose of opening communication with 
the army after the naval victory had been won. But he could not keep 
them there, the needs of battle overtaxing the naval signal system, forced 
him to summon them to give him aid. They found their proper station on 
deck, and aloft as the fight grew fiercer. The admiral ceased to look upon 
his signal officers as idlers ; in his moment of greatest need, when the Lack- 
awanna having once through accident collided with the flagship and was re- 
turning to the disastrous charge, the admiral called to Lieut. Kinney who had 
been detailed to his vessel," Can you say ‘ For God’s sake ’ by signal ? ” Then SIGNAL CORPS. 
147 
followed the hasty and historic message to the Lackawanna, “ For God’s 
sake get out of our way.” As the armies closed in on the vanquished enemy 
the Signal Corps closed in with them until there were no foes to fight; then 
it was mustered out and absorbed in the body of citizenship, proud to have 
been pioneers in a new military art whose value none will now dispute. 
By way of a conclusion, which is at the same time a commentary upon 
the methods employed in building the Signal Corps, reference may be not 
improperly made to a sketch, hastily outlined, that was designed to establish 
for the Confederacy a signal corps founded on ideas of making it a body 
efficient in proportion to its purely scientific character, an ideal which has 
indeed been reached in the present Signal Corps of the Army, but reached 
only after many years of painstaking endeavor. In a memorandum submit- 
ted to General Beauregard in November, 1862, Joseph Manigault, signal 
officer of the department of South Carolina, outlined the plan for securing 
to his corps the management of telegraph lines of the army. Incidentally 
he referred to the education, the reliability and the scientific training of the 
signal men as fitting them to become a bureau for the transmission of mili- 
tary information ; and since they would necessarily have a certain electrical 
equipment, that they were in a position to assume charge of electric mines 
and the management of the electric light, and, in short, might properly be- 
come the electrical corps of the army. 
If Myer fell short of these broadly philosophical plans for a Signal Corps, 
which should conquer all opposition by the very weight of its scientific at- 
tainments practically applied to the exigencies of actual warfare, it is not 
that those ideas were yet in the future. It is shown that practical experi- 
ence had suggested those ideas to one signal officer ; that the same, and 
even greater, practical experience did not suggest those ideas to another is 
not the fault of the ideas nor the fault of experience. But had the case 
been reversed, had the ideas of Manigault found a welcome in the mind of 
Myer, it is probable that this chapter of the building of the Signal Corps 
had been written in far different form, and the history of the corps in the 
later times would show far more done, far less that had to be undone. 
It is pertinent to add that to Myer fell the construction of a second sig- 
nal corps. The act of July 28,1866, fixing the military peace establishment 
enacted that there should be one chief signal officer with the rank of col- 
onel, but it made no provision for a corps other than by a limited detail of 
six officers and not to exceed one hundred men from the engineer battalion. 
The lessons of experience were left unheeded,—it was as though the war 
had never been. The conditions were of the utmost similarity, with the sole 
exception that the absence of the war rendered it feasible to formulate a 
comprehensive policy and elaborate its details in a wise and thoughtful 
manner. But Myer did not choose to study the record of history. The first 
step in his construction of the first corps was paralleled by his first act in 
the construction of the second corps; he again organized his corps by de- 
tails of acting signal officers and thereby exceeded the provisions of the act, 
which limited his choice to engineers ; two years of war had proved the de- 
fects of such a system to be beyond remedy, a quarter of a century of peace 
has barely sufficed to effect its removal from the corps of to-day. The parallel 148 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
may be pursued still further. It has been shown that Myer, failing to secure 
immediately for his first signal corps the dignity which its intrinsic merits 
would have won for it in due time, sought to win consideration by assuming 
duties foreign to its legitimate province, and thereby destroyed that which 
he wished to secure. A similar method marked his plans for the develop- 
ment of the second corps, for his own language declares this unmistakable 
purpose “ the main question is not how to curtail the corps but how to enlarge 
its scope and consequent usefulness to the varied industries of the nation ” 
To the legitimate duties of military signaling he added the utterly foreign 
concerns of the meteorologist, with a result well known. The military side 
of the corps found its chief activity in the system of military telegraph lines, 
which was extended along the frontier and which has been maintained to 
the present. This telegraph system was designed to secure necessary com- 
munication where the commercial lines were not available, and its lines have 
been withdrawn when private enterprise, finding its.advantage in the coun- 
try thus opened, has removed the pioneer burden from the government. In 
1878 the act of June 20th made provision for the appointment of two second 
lieutenants chosen from the sergeants of the corps, recognizing their ser- 
vices by the promise of a military career. In 1880 the Signal Corps was ad- 
vanced to equality of consideration with the other staff corps, and its chief 
was given the rank of brigadier-general. This comparative review is timely. 
The present Signal Corps stands to-day at the point where the Signal Corps 
of the Civil War, its predecessor, began to crystallize into a recognized aux- 
iliary of modern war and gained that glory of which it may well be proud. 
Two years of battle brought to that a permanent organization and a single- 
ness of purpose in the prosecution of its proper duties and of those alone ; 
twenty-five years of peace have brought this to a point where extraneous 
occupations have been renounced and defective constitution rectified. As 
the two formative years of the first corps, despite their faulty methods, were 
filled with military activity, so in this formative quarter century of the pres- 
ent corps, military duties have been prosecuted despite the foreign occupa- 
tions which Myer grasped. Under the earnest endeavors of signal officers 
the crude device of the flag and torch have developed into the ingenious 
yet simple mechanism of the heliograph and the flash lantern ; the defective 
machinery of the early dial telegraph has given place to the portable field 
telegraph, and the telephone and the Morse key have been advanced to the 
skirmish line. All signal duties have been studied, some have been prac- 
tised to a perfection reached by no other army, and in this the heliograph 
system stands preeminent. The Indian campaigns in which the Signal 
Corps has participated exhibit this fact most forcibly. In the Apache wars 
in Arizona the signal detachments from their stations on the mountain tops 
have discerned the most stealthy movements of the enemy and have flashed 
the news to headquarters or moving bodies of cavalry, enabling the troops 
to change instantly their direction of march to conform to that of the enemy 
or to be massed where danger threatened, and even to meet the Indians 
with their own favorite manoeuvre of the ambuscade. With equal distinct- 
ness these campaigns have shown the weakness of the system of regimental 
instruction and details, for in the Geronimo campaign it was found neces- SIGNAL CORPS. 
149 
sary to call upon the Chief Signal Officer to assign technically trained mem- 
bers of the corps to render the duty which proved too great for the un- 
skilled. Despite the continued record of failure of the system, both in the 
Civil War and in the several Indian wars, the War Department has shown 
a disposition to maintain the same fallacious idea, and to this is due the 
repetition of the successive failures of the system of regimental instruction 
and details. 
If the lesson is not drawn sufficiently clear in our own military history, 
the same principles appear in the policy of foreign armies which have bor- 
rowed the art of signaling from us. No matter how much the foreign sys- 
tems may vary among themselves they are all copied from the Signal Corps 
of this army with that imitation which is always the sincerest flattery. They 
have adopted the code, the cipher, the train, though modifying them to suit 
their own needs ; but one feature they have uniformly not copied and that 
is the regimental detail. Even where their signal services have not been 
dignified by a separate corps organization, they have at least formed a dis- 
tinct division of some corps already in existence, such as the engineers, and 
the practical exigencies of war have in general served to make them inde- 
pendent in all but name. 
The permanent Signal Corps is now built on a foundation substantiated 
by the double test of war and peace, and it is in a position to relieve for the 
second time the line of the army from the burden of drill and study in the 
purely technical and special duties of signal communication. It is now 
possible to progress to a development of the legitimate activities of the sig- 
nal officer, to observe and to communicate; in war to watch the forces of 
the enemy and to keep the army advised of hostile movements ; in peace to 
watch those whom the chance of a day may make enemies, to study what 
preparations they are making and what advantages they hold, and to keep 
the army advised of these matters ; in short so to utilize its energies that as 
in the field the army will rely upon its signal officers for information, so in 
peace the army will confidently turn to its Signal Corps for its military in- 
telligence. the Cavalry Major-General 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON 
Commanding the Army, 1799-1800. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.* 
Capt. R. P. PAGE WAIN WRIGHT, ist U. S. Cavalry. 
THE “ United States Regiment of Dragoons ” was organized by Act ot 
Congress approved March 2, 1833, becoming the “First Regiment 
of Dragoons” when the Second Dragoons were raised in 1836. Its 
designation was changed to “ First Regiment of Cavalry ” by the 
Act of August 3, 1861. The first order announcing appointments in the 
regiment was dated March 5, 1833, and gave the names of the colonel, lieu- 
tenant-colonel, major, four captains and four lieutenants, stating that the 
organization of the regiment would be perfected by the selection of officers 
from the “ Battalion of Rangers.” Headquarters were established at Jef- 
ferson Barracks. 
The organization of the regiment does not appear to have been com- 
pleted until June, 1834, the regimental return for that month naming the 
following officers: 
Colonel Henry Dodge. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen W. Kearny. 
Major Richard B. Mason. 
Captains Clifton Wharton, E. V. Sumner, Eustace Trenor, David Hun- 
ter, Lemuel Ford, Nathan Boone, J. B. Browne, Jesse Bean, Matthew Dun- 
can and David Perkins. 
First Lieutenants P. St. G. Cooke, S. W. Moore, A. Van Buren, J. F. 
Izard, Jefferson Davis, L. P. Lupton, Thomas Swords, T. B. Wheelock, J. 
W. Hamilton (adjutant), B. D. Moore, and C. F. M. Noland. 
Second Lieutenants James Allen, T. H. Holmes, J. H. K. Burgwin, J. S. 
Van Derveer, J. W. Shaumburg, Enoch Steen, James Clyman, J. L. Watson, 
and B. A. Terrett. 
Brevet Second Lieutenants William Eustis, G. W. McClure, L. B. Nor- 
throp, G. P. Kingsbury, J. M. Bowman, Asbury Ury, A. G. Edwards and 
T. J. McKean. 
Lieutenant Jefferson Davis was the first adjutant but resigned the staff 
position February 4, 1834, and was assigned to Company A. 
In October, 1833, the five companies first organized were sent under 
Colonel Dodge to winter in the vicinity of Fort Gibson, Arkansas Territory, 
where they remained until June, 1834. 
In June, 1834, the regiment was sent on the “ Pawnee Expedition,” dur- 
ing which, although it ended in September of the same year, one fourth of 
the officers and men of the command died of fevers. On the 6th of August, 
Colonel Dodge writes to Lieutenant-Colonel Kearny : “ I have on my sick 
report 36 men, four of whom have to be carried in litters. My horses are 
all much jaded, and would be unable to return by the mouth of the Wishi- 
taw and reach their point of destination this winter season. This has been 
* An abridgment of Capt. Wainwright’s “ History of the ist U. S. Cavalry.” 
15 3 154 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
a hard campaign on all; we have been for the last fifteen days living almost 
on meat alone. The state of the health of this detachment of the regiment 
makes it absolutely necessary that I should arrive at Fort Gibson as early 
as possible, as well as the difficulty of providing grain for the horses. I am 
well aware you are placed in a most unpleasant situation, encumbered as you 
must be with sick men, baggage and horses, and regret exceedingly that it 
is not in my power to help you.” 
For the winter, Headquarters with Companies A, C, D and G, were sent 
to Fort Leavenworth; Companies B, H and I, Colonel Kearny, command- 
ing, into the Indian country on the right bank of the Mississippi, near the 
mouth of the Des Moines River; and Companies E, F and K, Major Mason 
commanding, to Fort Gibson. 
Throughout the summer of 1835 all the companies of the regiment were 
kept in the field. The object appears to have been exploration chiefly, for 
no conflicts with the Indians took place. The regiment performed its duty 
thoroughly, as was shown by the letter of commendation sent by General 
E. P. Gaines, commanding West Department, to the regimental commander 
upon receipt of his report of operations. 
Many letters written and orders issued about this time are of great inter- 
est and some are very amusing from the force of language used, showing 
great difference in military correspondence then and now ; the court-martial 
orders are especially interesting on account of the peculiar sentences im- 
posed. 
During the year 1836 the general disposition of the regiment remained 
unchanged. The companies were employed in scouting among the Indians, 
especially along the Missouri frontier, a portion of the regiment going to 
Nacogdoches, Texas, for the purpose of keeping off white trespassers from 
the Indian country, and preserving peace between whites and Indians and 
among the Indians themselves; also in building wagon roads and bridges. 
During the winter the companies returned to their stations—Forts Leaven- 
worth, Gibson and Des Moines. 
Colonel Dodge resigned July 4, 1836, and was appointed Governor of 
Wisconsin. He was succeeded by Colonel Kearny. Major Mason was pro- 
moted vice Kearny, and Captain Clifton Wharton vice Mason. 
The regiment was not engaged in the Florida war of this year, but 
Colonel Kearny, being called upon subsequently, reports, March 16, 1844;— 
“ The only officers of the Regiment of Dragoons who died of wounds received 
or diseases contracted during the late contest with the Florida Indians are 
1st Lieutenants J. F. Izard and T. B. Wheelock,” and that no enlisted men 
of the regiment served there. 
The circumstances attending the death of Lieutenant Izard are interest- 
ing. Being bn his way from the east in January, 1836, to join his regiment, 
he heard at Memphis of Dade’s massacre. He at once offered his services 
to General Gaines as a volunteer for the expedition then being organized in 
New Orleans for Florida, was appointed brigade major of the light brigade 
organized at Tampa Bay composed of the 2d Artillery, 4th Infantry and the 
Louisiana Volunteers, and had also the command of the advanced guard 
assigned him which he retained until he was shot. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CA VALR Y. 
155 
On the 26th of February, 1836, the light brigade left Fort King for 
Ouithlacoochee, during the passage of which stream an attack by the Indians 
was anticipated. On the following day the place where General Clinch had 
his battle of December 25 was reached. Here a sharp skirmish took place 
and some men were lost. Having learned of a better ford below it was de- 
cided to take it. Izard, coming with his advanced guard to the bank of the 
river, posted his guard and went down the river alone to look for the ford. 
While wading in the stream he was struck by a bullet in the inner corner of 
the left eye, the ball passing out near the right temple. He fell, but called 
out while falling, “ Lie still, men, and maintain your positions.” He never 
spoke afterwards and died on the 5th of March. 
First Lieutenant T. B. Wheelock left New York for Florida with a detach- 
ment of recruits in February, 1836. He distinguished himself with a portion 
of these recruits on the 10th of June at Fort Micanopy, and died at that post 
on the x 5th of that month of a fever contracted during his service in Florida. 
During the year 1837 the regiment was not called upon for any especially 
hard service. The usual scouting parties were sent out from time to time, 
and there were several changes of station, so that in June six companies 
were at Leavenworth and four at Fort Gibson. 
The following extract from an order issued by General Gaines, com- 
manding the Western Division, shows the high state of discipline prevailing 
in the regiment at this time. 
“The First Regiment of Light Dragoons at Fort Leavenworth, recently 
inspected by the Commanding General, was found to be in a state of police 
and discipline reflecting the highest credit on Colonel Kearny—the ex- 
emplary commandant,—his captains and other officers, non-commissioned 
officers and soldiers, whose high health and vigilance, with the excellent 
condition of the horses, affords conclusive evidence of their talents, industry 
and steady habits.” 
In March, 1837, a regimental order designated the color of the horses of 
each company as follows:—A and K, black; B, F and H, sorrel; C, D, E 
and I, bay; and G, iron gray. 
In October, 1837, and again in March, 1838, serious difficulties were re- 
ported between the settlers and the Osage Indians, and companies of the 
regiment were at once sent to the disturbed regions. On the second occasion 
the rapidity of Colonel Kearny’s movements and the sudden appearance of 
200 dragoons in their midst appear to have had a very quieting effect on 
the Indians, for after his return to Leavenworth Colonel Kearny reports no 
further danger of trouble with the Osages. 
In April, 1839, the post of Fort Wayne, on the northwestern frontier of 
Arkansas, was established for the purpose of keeping the Cherokees in sub- 
jection, and by the end of October Companies E, F, G and K, were stationed 
there. In this same month Colonel Kearny, with Companies A, B, C, H and 
I, scouting, visited the post, but in November returned to Fort Leavenworth 
having marched about 550 miles. 
Except that Companies A, C and D, under Major Wharton, were sent to 
Fort Gibson in December for temporary duty, nothing of any moment oc- 
curred to the regiment during the remainder of the year. 156 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Twice in March and once in September, 1840, the regiment was called 
upon to overawe the Indians, and the end of that year found the Head- 
quarters with Companies E, F, H, I and K, at Leavenworth; C, D and G, 
at Fort Gibson; A at Fort Wayne, and B at Fort Crawford. 
During the period 1841-45 there is little of interest to record regarding 
the movements of the regiments. There was the usual detached service 
for companies, and changes between Leavenworth, Gibson, Wayne, Craw- 
ford and Fort Towson—on the northeastern boundary of Texas. The 
records show no engagements or excessive marches, except that in April, 
1842, on account of some disturbance among the Cherokees, Colonel Kearny 
marched his command of five companies to Fort Gibson from Leavenworth, 
and then made a forced march of 57 miles to Fort Wayne in one day. The 
records do not show that these Indian disturbances amounted to anything; 
the Indians made no attacks on the troops and but few on the settlers; still 
it is fair to presume that the activity of Colonel Kearny and his dragoons 
held them in subjection, and by their timely arrival at points where trouble 
was imminent, overawed the savages and prevented bloody wars. 
On May 18, 1845, Colonel Kearny with Companies A, C, F, G and K, 
left Leavenworth for an expedition to South Pass in the Rocky Mountains. 
The command reached Fort Laramie on the north fork of the Platte, June 
14 ; marched to South Pass and returned to Laramie by July 13 ; thence via 
Bent’s Fort on the Arkansas to Fort Leavenworth, where it arrived August 
24, having made a march of 2000 miles in less than 100 days. In the order 
issued to his command after his return from this expedition Colonel 
Kearny says : “ In the length of the march, the rapidity of the movement 
and the unimportant sacrifices made, the expedition is supposed to be 
wholly unprecedented; and it is with pride and pleasure that the Colonel 
ascribes the result to the habitual good conduct, efficiency, and attention to 
duty on the part of the officers and soldiers of the command.” 
At the end of the year Companies C, F, G and K, were at Leavenworth; 
A at Fort Scott; B at Fort Atkinson ; D at Camp Boone, near Beatties 
Prairie ; E and H in camp near Evansville, Ark.; and I at Fort Des Moines. 
The Headquarters of the regiment were at St. Louis, where they remained 
until April 23, 1846, when they were returned to Fort Leavenworth. 
Colonel Kearny was promoted brigadier general June 30, 1846, and was 
succeeded by Colonel Mason. Major Wharton was promoted vice Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Mason, and Captain Trenor vice Wharton. 
Very soon after the commencement of hostilities between the United 
States and Mexico, preparations were begun for the invasion of Mexican 
territory at various points. One expedition was to advance from the Mis- 
souri River west to Mexico, Santa Fe being its objective point. It was im- 
mediately determined, however, to push on with this column and occupy 
Upper California. General Kearny was placed in command of this “Army 
of the West,” which consisted of Companies B, C, G, I and K, 1st Dragoons, 
two companies of artillery, two of infantry and nine companies of Missouri 
volunteer cavalry under command of Colonel A. W. Doniphan, in all about 
1800 men. This command was concentrated at Bent’s Fort on the Arkan- 
sas, from which point it marched for Santa Fe, August 1, 1846. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
157 
Some show of resistance to Kearny’s advance was made by the Mexican 
governor of New Mexico, but Las Vegas was occupied on the 14th, and 
Santa Fe on the 18th of August without a conflict, the Mexicans retreat- 
ing upon Kearny’s approach. Leaving Colonel Doniphan in command at 
Santa Fe, General Kearny took up the march for California September 26, 
and encamped about 40 miles from San Diego December 5, where he was 
met by a small party of volunteers under Captain Gillespie, sent out from 
San Diego by Commodore Stockton to give information of the enemy, of 
whom there were supposed to be six or seven hundred opposed to Kearny’s 
advance. 
On the morning of the 6th Kearny’s command met and defeated at San 
Pasqual, about 40 miles from San Diego, a body of Mexicans under General 
Andres Pico. Kearny had at this time about 300 men, composed of Com- 
panies B and C, xst Dragoons, and volunteers. The action was severe, the 
1st Dragoons losing three officers,—Captains Moore and Johnston and Lieu- 
tenant Hammond,—and 14 men killed; and about all the dragoons were 
wounded, principally with lance thrusts. General Kearny himself received 
two wounds, Lieutenant Warren of the Topographical Engineers, three; 
and Captain Gillespie of the volunteers, three. Kearny was compelled to 
remain at San Barnardino until the nth on account of wounds, but reached 
and occupied San Diego December 12. 
General Wilcox in his History of the Mexican War says: “ At dawn of 
day the enemy, already in the saddle, were seen at San Pasqual. Captain 
Johnston charged them with the advanced guard, followed and supported 
by the Dragoons, and they gave way. Captain Moore led off rapidly in pur- 
suit accompanied by the Dragoons (mounted on horses), and followed, 
though slowly, by those on tired mules. The enemy, well mounted and 
superb horsemen, after falling back half a mile, halted, and seeing an inter- 
val between Captain Moore with the advance and the Dragoons coming to 
his support, rallied their whole force and charged with lances. Moore held 
his ground for some minutes but was forced back, when those in the rear 
coming up, the enemy were in turn driven back and fled not to rally again. 
Kearny occupied the field and encamped upon it. 
“ But few of Moore’s men escaped without wounds. Captain Johnston 
was shot dead at the commencement of the action ; Captain Moore was 
lanced and killed just before the final retreat of the Mexicans; Lieutenant 
Hammond was also lanced, surviving the wound but a few minutes; two 
sergeants, two corporals, and 10 men of the 1st Dragoons, one private of 
Volunteers, and a citizen engaged with the engineers were killed.” * 
General Kearny with a force consisting of Company C, 1st Dragoons, 
(60 dismounted men) under Captain Turner, sailors and marines with a bat- 
tery of artillery, and California volunteers, left San Diego for Los Angeles 
December 29. He reached and occupied Los Angeles January 10, 1847. 
The enemy under Governor Flores was encountered at the crossing of the 
Rio San Gabriel January 8, and on the plains of the Meza on the 9th, on 
* In explanation of the remark “ mounted on horses,” it may be stated that, with a few excep- 
tions, the Dragoons were mounted on tired mules which had been ridden from Santa Fe, more 
than a thousand miles. 158 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
both of which occasions he was routed with some loss. The loss to the 
Americans was one soldier killed, and two officers,—Rowan of the navy and 
Captain Gillespie,—and 11 privates wounded. With the loss of Los Angeles 
all resistance to the occupation of this portion of California ceased. 
General Kearny had left Companies G and I at Albuquerque under Cap- 
tain J. H. K. Burgwin. When Colonel Sterling Price (the successor of 
Colonel Doniphan in command at Santa Fe) learned of the seizure and 
murder at Fernando de Taos of Governor Bent and five others by the Mexi- 
cans (Jan. 20), he moved out against them with a force of about 350 dis- 
mounted men and easily defeated them, Jan. 24, at Canada. Captain 
Burgwin, with Company G, 1st Dragoons, also dismounted, joined him on 
the 28th, and the Mexicans, numbering about 500, were again encountered 
on the 29th in a canon leading to Embudo, from which position they were 
driven out by Burgwin with a force of 180 men of Price’s regiment and 
Company G. He entered Embudo the same day. 
On the 31st, having united his force, Price moved towards the Pueblo 
de Taos, which he attacked February 3, but on account of its strength and 
the stubborn resistance offered, and more especially for the reason that the 
ammunition for the artillery had not come up, the attack failed. It was 
renewed on the following morning when Captain Burgwin, with his com- 
pany of Dragoons and McMillan’s of Price’s regiment, charged, crossed the 
walls, and attacked the church, which, with other large buildings within the 
walls, was occupied by a large force of the enemy and was stubbornly de- 
fended. While gallantly leading a small party against the door of the 
church Burgwin received a mortal wound from which he died on the 7th. 
Company G sustained a loss in this engagement of one officer and 23 men 
killed. The Mexicans lost 153 killed and many wounded. 
During the year 1847 regimental headquarters were still at Leavenworth 
and Companies A and E were with Taylor in Mexico. Company B was re- 
organized at Jefferson Barracks in May and sent to Albuquerque, N. M., 
being engaged while en route with Comanche Indians at Grand Prairie, 
Arkansas, June 26, losing five men killed and six wounded. 
Company F escorted General Scott from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico 
and was present at the battles at and near that city. From November 1 
to December 20 it was engaged on escort duty between the city and Vera 
Cruz. 
Companies D and K, as well as F, saw service on Scott’s line in Mexico, 
and in 1848 the three companies returned to the United States and were 
stationed at various points on the northwestern frontier. 
During the year 1849 the regiment lost three men killed and two 
wounded (one mortally) in Indian skirmishes, the particulars of which are 
not obtainable. 
Brevet Brigadier General Mason, Colonel 1st Dragoons, died at Jefferson 
Barracks, July 25, 1850, and was succeeded by Colonel Thomas L, Fauntle- 
roy, promoted from the Second Dragoons. 
For the next three years there is no record of any important engage- 
ment, march or duty, performed by the regiment; in fact, very little atten- 
tion was given to recording really important fights. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
159 
On March 30, 1854, Lieutenant J. W. Davidson, with Company I and 16 
men of Company F, had a sharp fight with Apache Indians about 16 miles 
south of Taos, in which 14 men of Company I and 8 of E were killed, and 
Lieutenant Davidson and 14 men wounded. The Indian camp was sur- 
prised and captured, the Indians escaping, but while plundering the 
camp the troops were in turn surprised by the Indians, who returned and 
took Davidson at such disadvantage that the command narrowly escaped 
annihilation. 
Regimental headquarters were transferred to Fort Union, N. M., in 
July, 1854, and throughout the following year the companies in New Mex- 
ico were almost constantly on the move. Colonel Fauntleroy made three 
expeditions against the Utahs and Apaches, and Companies I and K went 
with Colonel Miles against the Mescalero Apaches. Meantime Companies 
C and E took part in the Rogue River war in Oregon, in which, at the bat- 
tle of “ Hungry Hill,” the troops were compelled to retire with a loss of 26 
killed and wounded, after fighting a day and a half. 
The headquarters of the regiment were established at Fort Tejon, Cali- 
fornia, in December, 1856, with Companies H and I. At this time Com- 
panies B, D, G and K were at Camp Moore, N. M.; Cat Fort Yamhill, 
Oregon ; E at Fort Walla Walla, Wash.; F at San Diego, Cal.; and A en 
route to Benicia Barracks, California. 
From this time until the year 1861 scoutings and skirmishes with the 
Indians were almost incessant, and portions of the regiment were always 
found where the fighting was going on. Four companies were present with 
Chandler’s expedition against the Navajos and Apaches in March and April, 
1856. In 1856 two companies took part in numerous Indian skirmishes in 
Oregon and Washington; one was with Wright’s expedition to the Walla 
Walla country in April, and to the Yakima country in June ; later in the 
year it was out with Colonel Steptoe. 
In May, 1858, Companies C, E and H formed part of Steptoe’s expedi- 
tion northward to the British line which, on the 17th of May, met a force of 
about 800 Spokane and other hostile Indians and was driven back. 
In August of the same year Companies C, E, H and I were with Wright’s 
column, which administered a severe thrashing, September 1, to the Indians 
who had fought Steptoe. 
Company D was in the field in Arizona in 1858, and E in Oregon in 
1859- 
Colonel Fauntleroy resigned May 13, 1861, and was succeeded by Colonel 
B. S. Beall. By the Act of August 3 of this year the designation of the 
regiment was changed to “ First Regiment of Cavalry.” 
During the months of November and December the regiment, excepting 
Companies D and G, was transferred from the Pacific coast to Washington, 
D. C., arriving at Camp Sprague, near that city, by the end of January, 
1862. 
At this time Companies D and G were at Camp San Christoval, N. M. 
They had abandoned and destroyed Forts Breckenridge and Buchanan and 
had taken station at Fort Craig. In January, 1862, they were General 
Canby’s escort. Company D was engaged in a skirmish with rebels near 160 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Fort Craig, February 19, 1862, and the two companies took part in the bat 
tie of Valverde, February 21. Company D took part in the engagements at 
Pigeon’s Ranch, March 30; Albuquerque, April 25 ; and Peralto, April 27, 
1862. 
In June, 1863, the two companies were broken up, the officers and non- 
commissioned officers being transferred to Carlisle Barracks, where the 
companies were reorganized, joining the regiment at Camp Buford, Md., in 
October, 1863. 
Colonel Beall was retired February 15, 1862, and was succeeded by Col- 
onel George A. H. Blake, Major Wm. N. Grier of the Second succeeding 
him as lieutenant colonel of the First. 
The regiment, now under the command of Colonel Grier, was attached 
to the 2d Brigade, Cavalry Reserve, Army of the Potomac, Colonel Blake 
commanding the brigade. 
It will be impossible to give in detail the part taken by the regiment in 
all the battles and engagements in which it participated during the Rebel- 
lion. Only the names of battles are given, with the casualties and such 
short descriptions as may seem of interest. 
At Williamsburg, May 4, 1862, a portion of the enemy’s cavalry was re- 
pulsed by a brilliant charge of a squadron of the regiment commanded by 
Captain B. F. Davis. A rebel standard was captured; 13 casualties. At 
Gaines’ Mill, June 27, Lieutenant Robert Allen was dangerously wounded 
casualties, 26. The regiment was present at Malvern Hill, July 1 ; Kelly’s 
Ford, March 17, 1863 (loss ten men) ; and Stoneman’s Raid in April and 
May. At the battle of Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863, the gallant Captain B. F. 
Davis was killed while in command of the 8th N. Y. Cavalry. At Upper- 
ville, June 23, the regiment met the “ Jeff Davis ” Legion and the 1st and 
2d North Carolina regiments in a charge. The regiment suffered severely, 
Lieutenants Fisher and Moulton being wounded and captured, and 51 men 
killed, wounded and missing, a large proportion of the wounded being dis- 
abled by the sabre. 
At Gettysburg, July 1 and 3, Lieutenant Trimble was wounded, and the 
loss was 15 men. The regiment lost two men at Williamsport and on July 
6 charged the enemy on the pike road to within half a mile of Funkstown, 
capturing an officer and 13 men, and driving the enemy within their lines. 
The regiment was engaged near Boonsboro, July 7, 8 and 9, losing 14 men. 
At Brandy Station, August 1, it repulsed the enemy in four charges, losing 
11 men. With the Reserve Brigade it was then ordered to Washington to 
remount and equip. Camp Buford was established, where the brigade re- 
mained about a month when it was again ordered to the front. 
The First Cavalry was engaged at Manassas Junction and at Catlett’s 
Station, November 5 ; Culpeper, November 8 ; Stephensburg, November 
26, and Mine River. A cantonment having been established at Mitchell’s 
Station the regiment was employed during the winter doing picket duty 
along the line of the Rapidan. 
A reconnoissance to the left of the enemy’s line was made, February 6, 
1864, by the 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, the First Cavalry leading the ad- 
vance. Sharp skirmishes took place near the crossing of Robinson River THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CA VALR V. 
161 
at Hume’s Ford on the 6th and 7th. On the 6th the regiment charged the 
enemy, driving him from the ford and capturing four prisoners, and con- 
tinued the pursuit to within two miles of Barnett’s Ford on the Rapidan. 
On the morning of the 7th the regiment, again in the advance, encountered 
the enemy in force at the ford. One squadron,—Gand M Companies under 
Capt. Fielner,—made a charge to gain possession of the ford, but was met 
by a heavy fire from infantry in strong position on the opposite side of the 
river and was recalled with loss of two men and six horses wounded. On 
the 27th General Custer started on his raid to Charlottesville, and on the 
28th, the First Cavalry being in the advance, the enemy were encountered 
in their camp near Charlottesville from which they were driven and the 
camp partially destroyed. On the return march the Rosanna bridge was 
destroyed by the pioneers of the regiment under Lieutenant Ogden. On 
March 1st, shortly after leaving Standardsville, the enemy charged the 5th 
Cavalry, which regiment, supported by the First, returned the charge, cap- 
turing 25 rebels and killing or wounding several of them. 
On General Sheridan’s taking command of the Cavalry Corps the First 
Cavalry, commanded by Captain N. B. Sweitzer, was attached to Merritt’s 
Reserve or Regular Brigade, Torbert’s Division, and in the preparation for 
the Wilderness campaign the regiment was employed in picketing the Rap- 
idan, taking part in the battles of Todd’s Tavern, May 7, and Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, May 8, during the first of which six out of the 16 officers 
on duty with the regiment,—Captain Sumner and Lieutenants Hall, Hoyer, 
Pennock, Ward and Carr,—were wounded. During the two days fighting 
ten men were killed. 
The regiment accompanied Sheridan on his raid around Richmond and 
took part in the following engagements; Beaver Dam Station, May 10; 
Yellow Tavern, May 11 : Meadow Bridge, May 12; Mechanicsville, May 
12; Tunstall’s Station, May 14; Hawe’s Shop, May 28; and Old Church, 
May 30. 
At the battle of Cold Harbor, June 1, Captain Samuel McKee was mor- 
tally wounded and died on the 3d. Lieutenant Pennock was shot through 
both eyes, two men were killed and four wounded. The regiment accom- 
panied General Sheridan on the Trevillian raid, and was present at the bat- 
tle of Trevillian Station, June 11 and 12, on which days it suffered severely, 
losing Lieutenants Ogden and Nichols killed, and Captain Dunkelberger 
wounded. Three men were killed and 29 wounded or missing. The regi- 
ment was engaged in daily skirmishing during the return march to White 
House Landing, and was engaged with the enemy at that point on June 17, 
at the Chickahominy River on the 18th, and at the battle of Darby’s Farm, 
June 28. At the battle of Deep Bottom, July 28, where the Regular Bri- 
gade, fighting on foot, routed a brigade of Confederate cavalry, a battle flag 
was captured by the First Cavalry. 
On July 31, the 1st Division marched to City Point, embarked the next 
day, and was transported to Washington to assist in repelling the threat- 
ened attack of General Early. The regiment disembarked at Giesboro 
Point with its division, August 3, and went into camp near Washington. 
On August 5th the movement to Harper’s Ferry was taken up, the 1st 162 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Division being ordered to the Shenandoah Valley under Sheridan. Har- 
per's Ferry was reached on the 8th and the division moved out on the Hall- 
town road and camped. General Sheridan having formed his cavalry into a 
corps under General Torbert, General Merritt succeeded to the command of 
the division, and Colonel Alfred Gibbs to that of the brigade. 
On August loth a reconnoissance was made by the Reserve Brigade in 
the direction of Winchester, and the enemy’s cavalry was engaged and 
routed. From this day until the close of Sheridan’s operations in the valley, 
the regiment was engaged in almost daily fighting, and took part in all the 
important battles except Fisher’s Hill, where it was otherwise employed as 
will be seen hereafter. 
The enemy’s cavalry was engaged, August n, and driven several miles 
towards Newtown, but our cavalry became opposed to a heavy force of in- 
fantry and the entire First Division was put in on foot. The ist Cavalry 
charged across an open plowed field and drove the enemy from the timber 
beyond, but were in turn repulsed by a heavy flank fire and compelled to 
take refuge behind rail barricades, which they held until dark in spite of 
persistent and repeated efforts of the enemy to dislodge them. Lieutenant 
Harris was wounded in this affair. 
On August 13, Lieutenant J. S. Walker, the commissary of the regiment 
was killed by Mosby’s guerrillas near Charleston, Va., while going to Harper’s 
Ferry in the discharge of his duties. About this time also the regimental 
trains of the Reserve Brigade were captured and destroyed by Mosby. These 
trains contained the regimental and company records and the personal 
effects of officers. Several of the wagons belonging to the regiment were 
saved and with them some of the records. From August 16th until the 20th, 
the First Cavalry was employed, together with the whole of the ist Divis- 
ion, in the destruction of all wheat and forage, and the seizure of all horses, 
cattle, sheep and hogs, accessible in the valley. 
The ist Division was engaged with Early’s infantry near Charleston on 
the 21 st, and on the 25th the ist and 3d Divisions marched in the direction 
of Leetown, near which place a strong force of the enemy’s infantry was en- 
countered and defeated with the loss of many prisoners. On the 28th the 
Division marched again in the direction of Leetown, the Reserve Brigade 
leading, with the First Cavalry in advance. The Rebel cavalry was found 
in force beyond Leetown and a severe fight followed. Two squadrons of 
the First were? deployed to the left and right of the pike and a third held 
in reserve. The deployed squadrons were driven back and the reserve 
squadron was moved into the pike in columns of fours and in that forma- 
tion charged with the sabre. The enemy’s cavalry, a full brigade, charged 
with the pistol, and, just before the two bodies met, slackened speed to de- 
liver their fire, when Hoyer's squadron struck them at full charging gait and 
sent them flying to the rear. Our loss was ten or twelve men wounded with 
the pistol and the gallant Hoyer killed. He was shot through the body while 
leading the charge and died in an hour. The command of the squadron 
then fell to Lieutenant Moses Harris, and at about this time Captain E. M. 
Baker succeeded Captain Sweitzer in command of the regiment. 
From the 5th of September until the 19th the First was employed on THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
163 
picket duty along the Opequan and in harassing the enemy,—an arduous 
duty, with constant skirmishing and attendant casualties. Colonel C. R. 
Lowell, 2d Mass. Cavalry, “ The bravest of the brave,” now succeeded to the 
command of the Reserve Brigade, and the period of his command is de- 
scribed as the most brilliant in its history. 
The First took part in the memorable charge of the Reserve Brigade at 
the battle of Winchester, September 19, and, in conjunction with the 2d 
Cavalry, captured two stands of colors and some 200 prisoners. The cas- 
ualties of the regiment were 37 killed, wounded and missing, including 
Lieutenant McGregor wounded. 
The battle of Fisher’s Hill was fought and won September 22, 1864. On 
this day General Torbert, having been ordered to proceed with Merritt’s and 
Devin’s Divisions through the Luray Valley to fall upon Early’s retreating 
army at New Market, in the event of his defeat at Fisher’s Hill, found the 
forces of the rebel General Wickham strongly entrenched near Milford. 
Torbert’s failure to dislodge Wickham and Sheridan’s disappointment over 
the failure of his plan to capture the whole of Early’s army are matters of 
history. 
On the morning of the 23d the ambulance train was attacked by some of 
Mosby’s guerrillas near Front Royal, who were then chased by the First and 
Second Cavalry and a number killed and ten or twelve captured. Lieuten- 
ant McMasters of the Second was cruelly murdered, after capture, by the 
guerrillas, in retaliation for which several of those captured were hung. 
Learning on the 23d of the victory at Fisher’s Hill, Torbert returned 
with his command to Milford during the night, and finding the enemy’s 
strong position abandoned pushed on until the enemy’s cavalry was encoun- 
tered near Luray early on the morning of the 24th and signally routed, nar- 
rowly escaping destruction. The First Cavalry took part in this engage- 
ment, and, September 28, in the action at Waynesboro, in which it met with 
a loss of 18 killed, wounded and missing. 
General Sheridan having decided to withdraw his army to a defensible 
position nearer to his base of supplies in the northern end of the valley, 
commenced the retrograde movement on the 6th of October. General Ros- 
ser becoming emboldened by Sheridan’s apparent retreat, took the initia- 
tive and so annoyed Sheridan that he determined to punish him, and the 
memorable battle of Tom’s Brook, or “ Woodstock Races,” took place on 
the 9th. The entire management of the affair was given to General Tor- 
bet, and how well he redeemed himself for his failure in the Luray Valley 
by the ignominious rout of Rosser and Lomax is well known. The 1st 
Cavalry led the advance of the Reserve Brigade during the charge on the 
pike against Lomax’s cavalry, from Tom’s Brook to Edinborough—18 miles. 
The chase was continued by the 2d Brigade to Mount Jackson, 8 miles fur- 
ther on. The First Cavalry captured 4 guns, 4 wagons, and a number of 
prisoners, with a loss of two men “ missing in action.” It is related that 
some of the guns here captured were quite new, and had been marked “ For 
General P. H. Sheridan, care of Jubal Early.” 
The First Cavalry played an important part in the battle of Cedar Creek, 
October 19, 1864. After the surprise and defeat of Wright in the morning 164 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
a position was taken about one mile north of Middletown, which was held 
by the divisions of Merritt and Custer until Sheridan came up with that 
portion of his army which he had met flying to the rear, a defeated and de- 
moralized mob. The First Cavalry was formed, one squadron to the left, 
the other to the right, of the Valley pike, dismounted, behind stone 
walls, the third squadron being held in reserve. This position was held 
with the greatest difficulty, the advanced squadron, commanded by Harris, 
being subjected to an enfilading fire. The personal example however, of the 
brigade, regimental, and squadron commanders, kept the men up to their 
places until the return of the Sixth Corps when the squadrons were mounted 
and joined in the pursuit of Early’s beaten forces, which was continued on 
the 21st and 22d as far as Mount Jackson. 
The regiment now returned to Middletown and during the fall and win- 
ter was engaged in numerous skirmishes and took part in Merritt's raid to 
the Loudon Valley and Torbert’s raid to Gordonsville. In December the 
regiment was assigned to duty at the headquarters of the Cavalry Corps in 
Winchester. 
On the 27th of February, 1865, General Sheridan commenced his last 
expedition through the Shenandoah Valley, having for his object the de- 
struction of the Va. Central R. R, and the James River Canal, and the cap- 
ture of Lynchburg. Sheridan took only the Cavalry Corps and a portion 
of his artillery. The regiment was present with the Reserve Brigade and 
took part in the battle of Waynesboro, March 2, where the remnant of 
Early’s army was captured. It was also engaged in many skirmishes during 
the march from Charlottesville to White House Landing while destroying 
locks and the embankment of the James River Canal, railroads and rebel 
supplies, and arrived at White House Landing March 17, taking part in the 
engagement of that day. 
On the 27th of March Captain Baker was relieved from command of 
the regiment by Captain R. S. C. Lord. 
The First Cavalry was present and took part in all the battles and daily 
skirmishes of the Cavalry Corps until the close of the war. On March 30th 
it was in the engagement on White Oak Road; March 31, at Dinwiddie 
Court House; April 1, at Five Forks. Here the regiment made a brilliant 
charge on an entrenched position of the enemy, which was carried and 200 
prisoners captured. April 2, in the engagement near Southside R. R.; 
April 6, at the battle of Sailor’s Creek; and April 9, at Appomatox,—the 
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. After the surrender the regi- 
ment returned to Petersburg where it remained in camp until April 24, 
when it marched with the Cavalry Corps towards North Carolina for the 
proposed junction with Sherman. On the surrender of Johnston’s army 
the Corps returned to Petersburg and, the regiment, escorting General 
Sheridan, left for Washington May 8, arriving May 16, and taking part in 
the “ Great Review.” 
In the same month the regiment was ordered to Louisiana, arriving at 
New Orleans May 31 and remaining in that city or its immediate vicinity 
until December 29 when it embarked for California via the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama. It took post at the Presidio of San Francisco January 22, Com- THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
165 
panies A, G and K going February 5 to Drum Barracks, where Companies 
C, D and E, followed them February 17, Company L going to Sacramento. 
In June of the same year regimental headquarters went to Fort Vancouver, 
W. T., and the several companies had been distributed through Oregon, 
Washington Territory, Idaho, California, Nevada and Arizona, no two being 
at the same station. 
Owing to the vast extent of country guarded by the regiment its ser- 
vice for many years following was very arduous. Scouting for Indians and 
escort duty of various kinds were incessant. Hardly a regimental return 
fails to record some expedition or report some Indian fight. It will be 
impossible within the limits to which this sketch is confined to give more 
than their dates and localities.* 
1866. 
Headwaters Malheur River, Ore., July 18-20-22, Company I. Eleven 
Indians killed and many wounded. Loss, one man killed. Near Camp 
Watson, Ore., September 2. Company I. One Indian killed and many wo- 
men, children and animals captured. Expedition from Owhyee River in 
September. Company M. Many Indians killed. Loss, one wounded. 
Expedition from Fort Bidwell, Cal., October 22-29. Company A. Four- 
teen Indians killed, three women, four children, and entire camp captured. 
Loss, one wounded. Expedition from Fort McDowell, A. T., September 
22-October 3. Company E and detachment of C. Fifteen Indians killed 
and 10 captured. Scout from Camp Watson, Ore., October 8-24. Company 
I. Three warriors killed, and 8, with all the women, children, stock and 
provisions captured. Sierra Anchas, November 17. Company E. Six 
warriors killed and 5 captured. Scout from Camp Watson, Ore., November 
16-24. Lieutenant and ten men of Company I. Three Indians killed. 
Crook’s expedition against Owhyee River Indians. Battle of December 
26. Company F. Thirty warriors killed. Loss of company, one killed 
and one wounded. Scout from Camp Wallen, A. T., December 9-15. Part 
of Company G. Three Apaches killed. Scout from Camp Watson, Ore., 
December 1-7. Twenty men of Company I. Fourteen Indians killed and 
5, with 28 head of stock, captured. 
1867. 
Scout from Fort McDowell, January 7-9, and again January 27-31. 
Company E. Forks of Malheur River, Ore., January 9. Company F. 
Thirty Indians and 43 head of stock captured. Stein’s Mountain, I. T.f 
January 29. Company M. Band of 90 warriors attacked ; 60 killed and 
27 captured. Escort consisting of one officer and 21 men of Company E 
attacked by Indians in Arizona, February 23. Loss, one man wounded. 
Scout from Camp Independence, Cal., March 7-13. Twelve men of Com- 
pany D. Twelve warriors killed or wounded. Dunder and Blitzen Creek, 
Nev. Horses and pack mules of Company H stampeded by Indians. The 
company was put afoot. Scout from Camp Watson, Ore., in May. Eleven 
* It is my desire to publish a more complete history of the First Cavalry, and I will be only 
too thankful to receive data, descriptions of engagements, personal anecdotes, etc. I can assure 
contributors careful perusal of their papers with proper entry, and that they will be given fuil 
credit for any information furnished. R. P. P. W. 166 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S ARMY. 
men of Company I. One Indian killed and 3 captured. Scout from Camp 
Wallen, A. T., June 9-24. Company G. Three Indians killed. Malheur 
River, Ore., July 7 and 19. Company I. Four warriors killed and 22 cap- 
tured. Silver River, Ore., September 6 and 16. Company A. Twenty-four 
Indians killed and 19 captured. Loss, two men wounded. Crook’s expe- 
dition against hostiles of Oregon and northern California, August 23-Oc- 
tober 5. Companies F, H and M. Company H in fight at “ Infernal 
Caverns,” near Pitt River, September 26 to 28. Indians completely routed. 
Loss of company, Lieutenant Madigan and four men killed and four men 
wounded. Scout from Camp Wallen, A. T., in December. Company G. 
One Indian killed and 4 captured. 
Dunder and Blitzen Creek, Ore., March 14. Company H. Band of In- 
dians exterminated. Lieutenant Parnell and one man wounded. Malheur 
River, Ore., April 5. Company F. Thirty-two Indians killed and 2 cap- 
tured. Skirmish with Indians in Arizona, May 1. One man of Company 
C wounded. Scout from Camp Lyon, I. T., May 26-31. Eight men of 
Company M. Thirty-four Indians killed. Scout from Camp Harney, Ore. 
Fight on May 31 in which five Indians were killed and the remainder sur- 
rendered. Loss, one man wounded. Near Camp Reno, A. T., June 16. 
Four men of Company E killed while escorting mail. Morgan’s Ranch, 
A. T., July 21. One man of Company K killed. Scout from Fort Reno, 
A. T.,in July. Company E. One Indian killed ; loss, one man wounded. 
1868. 
1869. 
Scout from Camp Lowell, January 13. Company G. One Indian killed, 
and one wounded. Expedition against Arivaypa Apaches, February 2. 
Detachments of Companies G and K. Eight Indians killed and 8 captured. 
Expedition against Apaches in March. Company G. Three Indian 
camps of 105 huts destroyed. Fight at Mount Turnbull, A. T., April 29. 
Companies G and K. Twenty-eight Indians killed and 8 captured. 
Fight with Indians in Arizona, May 11. Seven men of Company G. 
One man wounded. Scout from Camp Grant, May 22. Company K. Four 
Indians killed. Fights on Rio Pinto, June 2 and 4. Company E. Twenty- 
two Indians killed and 4 captured. Scout from Camp Bowie, June 30. 
Company G. Four Indians captured. Expedition to White Mountains of 
Arizona, July and August. Company L and detachment of K. Fifteen 
Indians killed and 8 captured. Pursuit of marauders of Cochise’s band, 
October 8. Company G. Twelve Indians killed and stolen stock recovered. 
Fight with Cochise’s band in Chiricahua Mountains, October 20. Company 
G. Twenty Indians killed and others wounded. One man killed and 1 
wounded. Skirmish with Cochise’s band, October 31. Companies C, G 
and L. Two Indians killed. Scout from Camp McDowell, A. T., Decem- 
ber 9-11. Twenty men of Company E. Entire band of 11 Mojave Apaches 
killed. 
1870. 
Skirmish with Cochise’s band, January 27. Company G. Thirteen 
Indians killed and two captured. Attack on rancheria in Tonto Valley, A, THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
167 
T., May 25. Company E. Twenty-one Indians killed and 12 captured. 
Scout from Camp Grant, June 1-9. Company K. Thirty-seven Indians 
killed. 
Skirmish in the Penal Mountains, A. T., August 1. Twenty-five men of 
Company K. Six Indians killed. Loss, one man killed. Penal Mountains, 
October 29. Company C. Four Indians killed. Loss, two men wounded. 
1871. 
Penal Mountains, January i. Company G. Nine Indians killed. Scout 
from Camp Apache, A. T., February 16-27. Companies L and M. Ranch- 
eria of San Carlos Apaches attacked, capturing horses and destroying food 
and camp equipage. Scout from Fort Whipple, A. T., September 30. Com- 
pany A. Seventeen warriors killed. Fight at Bad Rock Mountains, Decem- 
ber 11, 1872. Detachments from Companies L and M. Fourteen Indians 
killed and many wounded. Attack on Apache rancheria, December 13, 
1872. Detachments of Companies L and M. Eleven Indians killed and 6 
captured. Scouts from Camp Verde, A. T., December 23, 1872; January 4, 
1873; February 1-16, 1873; and February 18; March 7, 1873. Company I. 
Eight Indians killed, 3 squaws and 2 children captured. Engagement with 
Apaches May 6, 1873. Company A. Four Indians killed. Regimental 
Headquarters were transferred from Fort Vancouver to Camp Warner, Ore., 
in May, 1870, and thence to Benicia Barracks in October of the same year. 
Just two months later,—December 15, 1870,—Colonel Blake was retired 
fr'om active service on his own application, and Colonel A. C. Gillem of the 
1 ith Infantry was transferred to the First Cavalry in his stead. 
The Modoc Indians were a small tribe living in northern California near 
Tule Lake and Lost River. Through the intercession of interested civilians 
orders were issued for their removal to the Klamath Indian Reservation. 
They went on the reservation, but, on account of ill treatment left it, and 
the War Department was then directed to carry out the orders. The In- 
dians at once commenced hostilities and one of the most protracted and 
obstinate Indian wars of later years followed. 
Company B left Fort Klamath, Ore., November 28, 1872, for the purpose 
of arresting “ Captain Jack” and the leaders of his band of Modocs, and at 
daylight on the 29th surprised the Indians in their camp near Lost River, 
Ore. They refused to surrender and an engagement followed in which 8 
Indians were killed and many wounded, and the camp, squaws, and property 
were captured. The company lost 2 men killed and 6 wounded, 2 of them 
mortally. The company then went into camp at Crowley’s Ranch on Lost 
River opposite the Indian camp. 
Company G from Fort Bidwell took station December 13, at Land’s 
Ranch, Tule Lake, near the Indian stronghold. The Indians attacked this 
camp, December 21, and were repulsed, but not until 2 men and 5 horses 
had been killed. Company B now joined Company G and the two com- 
panies marched against the Indians, January 16, 1873, in conjunction with 
General Wheaton’s column, with which was also serving at this time Com- 
pany F and a detachment of Company H. The Indians attacked Com- 
panies B and G the same afternoon, but were repulsed, the companies losing 168 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
3 men wounded. The general engagement took place January 17, and 
lasted from 7.30 A. M. to 9.30 p. m., when the troops retired, going finally 
into camp at Applegate’s Ranch, Clear Lake, Ore. The regiment lost two 
men killed and two officers,—Captain Perry and Lieutenant Kyle,—and 8 
men wounded, one mortally. 
The Indians attacked a wagon train January 22, driving away the escort, 
but Captain Bernard, 1st Cavalry, came up with reinforcements and the 
Indians were repulsed, losing one killed and many wounded. 
Company K from Fort Halleck, Nev., joined the battalion February 18, 
which now consisted of Companies B, F, G and K, under Captain Biddle, 
who was soon succeeded by Captain Bernard. Colonel Gillem, 1st Cavalry, 
was commanding the expedition, and Company H joined the column Feb- 
ruary 10. 
During the night of April 14 the companies of the 1st Cavalry moved 
with the rest of the command to invest the Modoc stronghold, and in the 
“Second battle of the Lava Beds,” April 15, 16 and 17, drove the Indians 
out of their position and into the rocks and mountains. The 1st Cavalry 
lost 2 men killed and 2 wounded. 
On April 26 Companies B and F went to the scene of the “ Thomas 
massacre ” and brought off a number of the wounded and dead. 
The same companies were attacked by Indians May 10, at Sorass Lake, 
Cal., but repulsed them with the loss of one warrior killed and 2 wounded. 
The command lost one killed and 6 wounded, 2 of them mortally. 
On May 17 Companies B, G and K, with a battery (serving as cavalry) 
of the 4th Artillery, all under Major John Green, came upon a band of Mo- 
docs which they drove five miles, killing one and capturing several squaws 
and children. The troops followed the trail and on May 22, 70 Indians— 
men, women and children—surrendered. “ Boston Charlie ” was captured 
May 29, and on the 31st “ Sconchin,” “ Scarfaced Charlie,” and 27 other 
Indians surrendered. 
Companies F and H were sent from Applegate’s Ranch May 31 to follow 
up those of the Modocs who had eluded Green’s command, and found 
them June 1st, when the whole party surrendered. With the capture of 
“ Captain Jack,” the Modoc war ended, and by the end of June the compan- 
ies which had been engaged in it had returned to their proper stations. 
The companies left in Arizona were moved north, and by the end of 
October, 1873, headquarters with Companies A and D were at Benicia Bar- 
racks ; B at Fort Klamath ; C at Camp McDermitt, Nev.; E at Fort Lap- 
wai, I. T.; F, L and M at Fort Walla Walla, W. T. ; G at Camp Bidwell, 
Cal.; H and K at Camp Harney, Ore.; and I at Camp Halleck, Nev. 
Colonel Gillem died at his residence in Nashville, Tenn., December 2, 
1875, and was succeeded by Colonel Cuvier Grover, promoted from the 3d 
Cavalry. 
On June 15, 1877, Companies F and H, under Captain Perry, were or- 
dered to proceed to Camas Prairie to the assistance of the settlers of Mount 
Idaho, I. T., who were threatened by the Nez Perce Indians under Chief 
Joseph. Learning that the Indians were crossing Salmon River and could 
be taken at a disadvantage, the march was given that direction and Chief THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
169 
Joseph’s camp was found and taken by surprise, but the Indians quickly 
rallied and repulsed the troops with severe loss, Lieutenant E. W. Theller, 
2ist Infantry (attached), and 33 men being killed and two wounded. 
All the companies of the regiment, except M at Colville and A at Camp 
Harney watching the Piutes, were now ordered into the field against the 
Nez Perces. 
Companies E and L joined General Howard’s command June 21, and on 
July 1 surprised and attacked the camp of “ Looking Glass ” on the Clear- 
water, I. T. The village was entirely destroyed, several Indians killed and 
about a thousand ponies captured. On July 2 the same command attempted 
to form a junction with Company F, which was on its way from Lapwai. 
On the 3d the Indians ambushed the advanced guard, consisting of Lieu- 
tenant S. M. Rains, ten men of the battalion and two civilian scouts, killing 
them all, and were then found to be in such force and so strongly posted 
that it was considered imprudent to attack them. The junction with Com- 
pany F was effected, however, on July 4, and the same afternoon the In- 
dians attacked, the fight lasting until sunset. The battalion (E, F and L) 
joined General Howard at Grangerville, July 8. Company H had joined 
July 2, and the battalion was commanded by Captain David Perry. 
On the nth of July General Howard crossed the Clearwater with his 
whole command and moved down that stream with Company H in the ad- 
vance. The Indian camp was discovered and at once attacked, the fight 
lasting two days and ending with the retreat of the Indians. Company B 
joined in time to take part in the fight on the 12th. The regiment lost 3 
men killed and 4 wounded. 
The battalion made a reconnoissance July 18, on the Lo-Lo trail, and 
the Indian scouts accompanying it were ambushed and met with consider- 
able loss. One Nez Perce was killed. 
Major Sanford’s battalion, consisting of Companies C, D, I and K, joined 
General Howard on the Clearwater, July 28, and the expedition across the 
Lo-Lo trail began on the 30th. Companies B, C, I and K, under Major 
Sanford, accompanied it, and Companies D, E, G and L, with other troops 
under Major Green, constituted the “ Reserve Column ” which remained at 
Camas Prairie until August 5, when it moved near to Mount Idaho, and 
established a permanent camp called Camp Howard. 
Companies F and H were stationed at Fort Lapwai. 
General Howard’s trying and “ stern ” march across the Lo-Lo trail, and 
the final surrender of Chief Joseph to General Miles at Bear Paw Moun- 
tains are matters of history. In the Indian attack at Camas Creek August 
20, Companies B and L were engaged, losing one man killed and one 
wounded. At Judith Basin the battalion was detached from General How- 
ard’s command and directed to return, and all the companies had reached 
their stations by the end of November. 
Company K and a detachment of C, attached to General Sturgis’ com- 
mand, took part in the engagement with the Nez Perces at Canyon Creek, 
M. T., September 13, 1877. 
At the outbreak of the Bannock war in May, 1878, Company G was the 
first body of troops to reach the scene of hostilities, and Captain Bernard 170 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
reported that the Indians numbered from 300 to 500. They were moving 
towards Stein’s Mountain, Ore. The whole of the First Cavalry was at once 
ordered into the field and Colonel Grover sent to Fort Boise to take charge 
of operations there. Companies D, I and K, were with him. 
Companies F and L joined Company G on the Owyhee, June 17, and the 
three companies reached Camp Harney on the 21st, where they were joined 
by Company A. These four companies were designated the “ Left Column ” 
by General Howard. 
On the morning of June 23 the Left Column struck the main camp of 
the hostiles on Silver Creek, and drove the Indians out of it and on to a cut- 
bank, made by the creek, which had been prepared for defense. The action 
lasted into the night and in the morning it was found that the Indians had 
gone. Many Indians were killed and the camp was destroyed. The bat- 
talion lost 2 killed and 3 wounded. Company K joined the battalion June 
27, and on the 28th the cavalry cut loose from the foot troops and pushed 
forward on the trail of the Indians. The fertile John Day Valley was saved 
in great part by this vigorous pursuit, and on July 5th General Howard 
overtook the command, arriving with it at Pilot Rock on the 7th. Here ic 
was joined by Companies E and H. The Indian camp was located and at 
sunrise on July 8 Captain Bernard moved his battalion to the attack. 
The Indians, about 300 in number, occupied the crest of the high and 
steep hills near Birch Creek, and were at once attacked. Captain Bernard 
giving the first example of fighting cavalry on foot without separating the 
men from the horses. All the companies, except A with the pack train, 
were deployed and used in the engagement, and the Indians were driven 
from three successive positions and finally four or five miles further into 
the mountains. Four men were wounded, one mortally, and probably 20 
horses were killed. The enemy’s loss could not be told ; their women, chil- 
dren and best horses were sent off, seemingly towards the Grande Ronde, 
before the action began. 
Lieutenant C. E. S. Wood, A. D. C., says: “ The entire fight was closely 
watched by the general commanding, who desires to express his opinion 
that no troops ever behaved better or in a more soldierly manner than did 
the officers and men engaged in this encounter.” The command camped 
for the night among the rough canons adjacent to the battle-field. 
Captain Bernard was now directed to take his command, except Com- 
pany K, to Fort Walla Walla to refit. Company K was sent to join the 
infantry column and with it moved to the Umatilla Agency, near which the 
hostiles were reported to be. Here the Indians made an attack July 13. 
In the ensuing fight Company K held the right of the line and took part in 
the final charge by which the Indians were driven off the field and for three 
miles into the hills. At the request of the Indian Agent the command 
moved back to the agency that night, but two days later seven dead Indians 
were counted upon the battle-field. 
Companies A, E, F, G, H and I, now under Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. 
Forsyth, 1st Cavalry, left Fort Walla Walla July 13—the day of the fight at 
Umatilla Agency—in search of the Indians, who were found to be travel- 
ling in the direction of John Day River. On the 20th Forsyth’s scouts were THE FIRST REGIMENT OF CA VALR Y. 
171 
ambushed, which caused a halt and deployment of the command, but when 
the line moved forward the Indians had gone. On the 22d the battalion 
reached “ Burnt Meadows,” where it was joined by Companies D and I, 
under Major Sanford, and on the 27th it went into camp at Malheur Agency 
to await supplies. The hostiles had now split up into many small parties 
which were followed up and nearly all ultimately captured. 
During the months of September and October the companies were sent 
to their permanent stations, and the return for November 30 shows Compa- 
nies A and E at Camp Harney, Ore.; B, D, F, K and M, at Fort Walla 
Walla, W. T.; C at Camp Bidwell, Cal.; G at Fort Boise, I. T.; H at Fort 
Colville, W. T.; I at Camp Halleck, Nev., and L at Fort Klamath, Ore. 
In the year 1881 Companies C, G, I and M were sent to Arizona, and on 
October 2, Company G, with other troops, was in action near Cedar Springs 
with Apaches. The hostiles fought with great boldness and desperation and 
the fight lasted until 9 P. M., when the Indians escaped. Company G had 
two men wounded and 12 horses killed. 
On the 4th of October Companies G and I had a* running fight near 
South Pass of the Dragoon Mountains, in which the hostiles were followed 
into Sonora, Mexico. 
In October, 1881, the “ Companies ” began to be designated “ Troops ” 
on the Regimental Return. 
Troop G returned to Fort McDermott, November 9; Troop I to Camp 
Halleck, December 27 ; Troop M to the Presidio of San Francisco, January 
20, 1882; and Troop C to Fort Bidwell, April 16. 
In June, 1884, the regiment was transferred to the Department of Da- 
cota, after a tour of nearly 30 years on the Pacific coast, during the greater 
part of which time its stations were remote from civilization and its duties 
of a most arduous and thankless character. 
Headquarters and Troops D, G I, K and M, went to Fort Custer; A, C 
and F went to Fort Maginnis; E to Fort Ellis ; H and L to Fort Assinni- 
boine; and B to Fort Keogh. 
Colonel Grover died at Atlantic City, N. J., June 5, 1885, and was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel N. A. M. Dudley, promoted from the 9th Cavalry. 
Conflict with the “Crows ” came in the fall of 1887, and on the morning 
of November 4, Colonel Dudley left Fort Custer with Troops A, B, D, E, G 
and K, and Company B, 3d Infantry, with a section of Hotchkiss guns, to 
arrest “Sword Bearer” and the Indians who had fired into the agency 
buildings on the night of September 30. 
On the 5th a demand was made upon the Indians for the surrender of 
these men, and they were given an hour and a half to comply with the de- 
mand. At the end of that time the battalion of the 1st Cavalry, with Moy- 
lan’s troop of the 7th Cavalry on the right, moved out in front of camp. At 
the same time a great commotion was observed in the Indian camp, and 
“Sword Bearer” and another chief dashed out leading from 120 to 150 
warriors equipped for battle. The Indians charged but were repulsed 
and fell back into the timber along the river where they had dug many rifle 
pits from which they now kept up a constant fire. This fire was returned, 
and “ Sword Bearer ” was seen to fall, when all fighting quickly ceased. All HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
172 
the Indians whose surrender had been demanded and who had not been 
killed were at once brought in and delivered to the Department Com- 
mander, who sent them to Fort Snelling. The cavalry battalion returned to 
Fort Custer on the 13th. 
Colonel Dudley was retired from active service August 20, 1889, and was 
succeeded by Colonel J. S. Brisbin, promoted from the 9th Cavalry. On 
the 31st of December of that year Headquarters and Troops B, D, E, G and 
M, were at Fort Custer ; A and L at Fort Maginnis ; C, F and H at Fort As- 
sinniboine; I at Fort Leavenworth ; and K at Camp Sheridan, Wyoming. 
In April, 1890, the Cheyennes assumed a threatening attitude and their 
agent called upon the commanding officer of Fort Custer for protection, who 
sent Major Carrol with Troops B, D and M to the Tongue River Agency 
where they established Camp Crook. In September a white boy was mur- 
dered by “Head Chief ” and “Young Mule,” and every attempt to arrest 
the murderers failed. On the nth they sent word that they would attack 
the agency and on the 12th made their appearance on a hill commanding 
the agency buildings where they opened fire upon them. They were soon 
dislodged and killed. 
The regiment took part in the operations against the hostile Sioux in 
the winter of 1890-91, but was not brought into actual contact with them. 
In December, 1890, word having been received that a troop of cavalry 
was surrounded by hostile Indians at or near Cave Hills, Montana, Troop 
A made one of the most remarkable marches on record in going to its 
relief. It marched 186 miles, 95 of which were made in 25 hours, and 170 
in hours. The report which caused such tremendous exertion proved 
to be without foundation. 
On the 22d of April, 1891, Colonel Brisbin was transferred to the 8th 
Cavalry with Colonel A. K. Arnold who had been the lieutenant colonel and 
now became the colonel of the First. 
In 1892 the regiment was transferred to the Department of Arizona, re- 
lieving the 10th Cavalry. Headquarters and Troops C, E, F, H and K, go- 
ing to Fort Grant, A T.; B and I to Fort Bayard, N. M.; D to Fort Apache, 
A. T.; and G to San Carlos. Troop A was at Fort Meyers, Va., and was not 
moved. Since its arrival in Arizona the regiment has not been engaged in 
any serious Indian difficulties, although the several troops have been kept 
in practice in field work by that ever active and elusive “ Kid,” who has 
been responsible for more movements of troops than any Indian ever 
known.* 
* In the preparation of this paper I have confined myself almost entirely to the regimental rec- 
ords, but have received much valuable information from General P. St. George Cooke, Colonel A. 
K. Arnold, Major Moses Harris, Captain T. T. Knox, Captain F. A. Edwards, Lieutenant A. L. 
Mills and Lieutenant W. S. Scott, to all of whom I am very grateful. 
R. P. P. W. THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
I. 
(1836-65.) 
MAJOR ALFRED E. BATES,* Pay Department. 
REGIMENTS, like individuals, have characteristics peculiar to them- 
selves. One is famous for the smart, soldierly appearance of its 
officers and men on all occasions and under the most trying cir- 
cumstances. You cannot tell how they do it, but they always seem 
to be ready for dress parade and inspection. They are known as “ The 
Dandy Regiment,” or “ The Band-box Brigade,” an epithet which becomes 
complimentary because it is associated with their well-earned reputation for 
gallantry. Another becomes famous for its marching qualities and for gen- 
erations maintains its reputation for measuring greater distances in less time 
than any other. Then in every service there are “ The Slow and Heavies,” 
who, somewhat late in getting into action, never get out, as they are alike 
unmoved by shot or shell or joke. Nor should we omit the regiment with 
the Milesian quality of never enjoying life save when in a row with some 
one. 
It may not be out of place to note here that different branches of service 
bring out different traits of character. We are accustomed to think of the 
steady foot-soldier; the scientific artillerist; and, as for the cavalryman, 
perhaps his conventional qualities are best defined by Professor Mahan in 
his “ Outposts ” when he says : “ The Hussar ! that epitome of military im- 
pudence of the tavern, who should possess these qualities, in a sublimated 
form, on the field of battle.” 
I am sure that no one who has served with the cavalry of ante-bellum 
days, can read this definition of the Hussar without believing that the 
Professor must have known the old 2d Dragoons when he wrote it. As 
individuals and as a regiment, it was that “ epitome of military impudence ” 
whether in the parlor, in the tavern, or on the field of battle. Mounted on 
his well-groomed horse, equipments in perfect order, sitting as if he would 
be out of place anywhere else, cap a little on one side, with a twinkle in his 
eye, and the suspicion of a smile about his mouth, our Dragoon reported 
himself ready to go to , or any place you might lead him. 
“ Like master, like man.” And we must go back to the early years of 
the regiment if we would find the reason why. After the settlement of our 
troubles with Great Britain in 1815, our little army was reduced and re- 
organized so that we had but four regiments of artillery and seven of 
infantry scattered along the sea-board from Maine to Florida, along the 
*See also—“ From Everglade to Canon,” by Gen. T. F. Rodenbough. New York, 1875. 174 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Canadian border and the Great Lakes, and occupying a few scattered posts 
along the western frontier which was at that time far to the east of the Mis- 
sissippi River. The stream of emigration having commenced, the pioneers 
rushed to take possession of the rich lands acquired from Spain in the 
South, and by the Louisiana purchase in the South and West. These lands 
were occupied by tribes of Indians, who objected to the intrusion and made 
manifest their objection by killing the intruders. It was the old trouble— 
begun with our first settlement on the Atlantic Coast and not quite ended 
yet. It was the duty of the Army then, as it has been ever since, to drive 
back the native and hold the country for the occupation of the white man ; 
for this purpose mounted troops were necessary and, in 1833, Congress 
authorized the organization of the 1st Dragoons, and in May, 1836, added 
another regiment which was called the Second Dragoons. The companies 
of this regiment were organized in New York, Baltimore and St. Louis, and 
the personnel both of officers and men was representative of the whole 
country. 
Soon after the passage of the act authorizing the organization of the 
Second Dragoons, the following appointments were announced : 
COLONEL 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 
Wharton Rector. 
DAVID E. TWIGGS. 
MAJOR 
Thomas T. Fauntleroy. 
1. William Gordon, 
2. John Dougherty, 
3. John F. Lane, 
4. James Ashby, 
5. Jonathan L. Bean, 
CAPTAINS 
6. Stinson H. Anderson, 
7. William W. Tompkins, 
8. Henry W. Fowler, 
9. Benjamin L. Beall, 
10. Edward S. Winder. 
FIRST LIEUTENANTS 
1. Thornton Grimsley, 
2. Theophilus Holmes, 
3. Horatio Groome, 
4. Thomas S. Bryant, 
5. John Graham, 
6. Townshend Dade, 
7. Erasmus D. Bullock, 
8. Marshal S. Howe, 
9. Charles Spalding, 
10. James W. Hamilton. 
SECOND LIEUTENANTS 
1. William Gilpin, 
2. William H. Ward, 
3. George Forsyth, 
4. Croghan Ker, 
5. John H. P. O’Neale, 
6. John W. S. McNeil, 
7. Zebulon M. P. Maury, 
8. Seth Thornton, 
9. Charles E. Kingsbury, 
10, Charles A. May. 
Wharton Rector declined the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major 
William S. Harney, Paymaster, was promoted to the vacancy. 
First Lieutenant Lloyd J. Beall was announced as Adjutant. 
David E. Twiggs of Georgia, the first Colonel, unquestionably gave a 
tone to the regiment, which, subsequently accentuated by Harney and 
Cooke, gave point to the answer to many a query, “ Oh, that's a Second 
Dragoon.” He was somewhat of a martinet but in all things a soldier. The 
key-note to his discipline was this : on duty, no excuse, no relaxation, no THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
175 
explanation for failure; off duty, anything for amusement, and especial en- 
couragement given to manly sports. The best rider, the best jumper, the 
best boxer, the cleanest soldier—had a claim for clemency from the com- 
manding officer that often saved the soldier from deserved punishment for 
excessive dissipation. Associated with its first Colonel were some subor- 
dinate officers who also did much to encourage this spirit in the regiment. 
Among these none were more prominent than Captain Beall, familiarly 
known to the army as “ Old Ben Beall,” of whom at the close of the Florida 
War General Worth officially reported that he “ has met the enemy in this 
contest, oftener, perhaps, than any other officer—is brave and generous.” 
The foe overcome, the tedious trail retraced, horses and men cared for, and 
where was the man who made social history more racy or gave entertain- 
ment more varied than “ Old Ben ” ? 
Besides these individual influences operating upon the newly organized 
regiment, there was the kind of service on which it was engaged. Immedi- 
ately after its organization, the assembled troops started on their journey 
to the Everglades of Florida. There in those deadly swamps, surrounded 
by a wily and often invisible foe, the “ Second ” received its first training in 
endurance. Theirs not the grand privilege of doing and dying for their 
country, with banners flying, bugles sounding, and comrades cheering, while 
boot to boot they rode upon the enemy. There was nought of glory here, 
nor correspondents of pictorial papers ready to make them immortal. There 
was but the lonely swamp ; the small detachment guided by the more or less 
friendly savage; the fearful strain of physical endurance ; the sharp, short, 
unrecorded fight; the return, the struggle with, and perhaps death by 
fever. The history of one scout is the history of many until at last the foe 
is conquered or killed, and what is left of the Regiment moves off to other 
fields—no longer a new regiment, but a proud, saucy, devil-may-care lot of 
troopers, thoroughly cemented together by blows and blood and ready to 
give and take wherever an enemy of their country is found. 
The result of the service in Florida was satisfactory to the Government, 
and cost the regiment two officers and twenty non-commissioned officers, 
musicians and privates killed in action, and five officers and one hundred 
and ninety-two non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, who died 
from diseases incident to service. Among those who at the close of the 
Florida War had become prominently identified with the regiment, was the 
late General Harney, its first lieutenant-colonel. He had gone with it to 
Florida and there, under his direction, the regiment had done some of its 
most noteworthy service, against the Seminoles; as it did in after years in 
the West against Mexicans and the Indians of the Plains. General Harney 
was a very picturesque soldier. Standing something over six feet in height, 
he was a veritable Apollo in form, and a giant in strength, excelling nearly 
all of his contemporaries in all qualities pertaining to physical manhood. 
As he subsequently succeeded to the colonelcy of the regiment, perhaps his 
influence and characteristics were more deeply impressed upon it than were 
those of his predecessor. Harney was thoroughly a dragoon. He would 
have admitted, doubtless, that there was a necessity for artillery and artil- 
lerymen in an army, and even infantry could be employed to advantage in 176 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
rough country, but it was the “ dragoon bold ” who discovered the enemy, 
charged the enemy, captured or killed the enemy, and only after the action 
was over and the enemy turned over to the infantry guard, would he rest 
from a well-earned victory. From Florida to Mexico, with but a little 
breathing spell in Mississippi and Texas, our brave dragoons carry their 
fluttering guidons. On the Rio Grande (April 25, 1846) they met for the 
first time a civilized foe, and as they meet they dazzle the country with the 
brilliancy of their deeds. The fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma 
are fought, and the names of May and Graham and Sacket and others of 
the 2d Dragoons become familiar household words all over the country. 
The reputation gained upon those fields was but the beginning of a series 
of successes with the noble Army of Occupation under Taylor, and after- 
wards under the old hero Scott, from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. 
Harney was one of the most conspicuous figures in Mexico. Sumner, 
one of the heroes of a later and greater struggle, won golden laurels for him- 
self, which he was to wear until in ripe old age he died in harness. The 
other survivors of the Florida swamps gave fresh examples of their prowess. 
The captains and lieutenants found their names in either General Order, list 
of casualties or of brevets. Inge fell at Resaca, Stevens at Matamoras, 
Hill at Puebla and gallant Seth Thornton met a soldier’s death under the 
walls of the Mexican capital—marking in his own person the opening and 
the closing actions of the campaign. 
The romantic “ War with Mexico” ended, the 2d Dragoons (1848) came 
back to take its place again facing the Indians. The poor red-skin devil 
had been driven from point to point, cheated in treaty after treaty, moved 
from one reservation to another, until there was no hostile element left east 
of the Mississippi River, and our line of outposts extended from the Red 
River of the North to Galveston on the Gulf. East of this line the defense- 
less settler was coming on faster and faster, and west of it were thousands 
of savages determined to dispute any farther aggression upon their terri- 
tory. The few rude posts called “ forts,” located far apart along this line 
of more than two thousand miles in length, were garrisoned by a few regi- 
ments of troops, one of which was the 2d Dragoons. Between 1848 and 1861, 
they rode back and forth along this dreary route. To-day pursuing the 
swift Apache and Comanche over the hot,, arid, staked plains of Texas or 
New Mexico ; then, as quickly as horses could carry them, rushing off to the 
frozen fields of Nebraska to struggle through an Arctic winter, fighting the 
powerful Sioux of the North. Standing between hostile political camps of 
their countrymen in Kansas, they preserve the peace because neither faction 
dare attack or oppose them, while both sides are obliged to acknowledge 
their impartiality and patriotism. 
During these days another great cavalryman has taken his place at the 
head of the regiment. Philip St. George Cooke has taken command. If in 
the swamps of Florida, the fields of Mexico or the plains of Texas, there 
has been little time to devote to the finer points of drill, the defect is 
remedied now. On the prairies of Kansas, with new mount and splendid 
equipment, Colonel Cooke gives a new impetus to the military detail of the 
regiment. He cannot add to its esprit de corps. There have grown upon THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
177 
it no excrescences for his keen knife to lop off, but he can and does give 
them a grand drilling, the like of which they have never had before. For 
the first time in many years, from four to six companies of the regiment 
were together at Fort Riley in 1856-57, without a war of some kind to en- 
gage their attention. There was no nonsense about the old soldier who had 
them in charge, and the young officers joining there, learned lessons they 
found invaluable, and which a few years later, upon the fields of Virginia, 
enabled them to add fresh laurels to the regimental wreath. 
A few short years of pleasant garrison life in Kansas, and (1856) “once 
more, my men, into the saddle and show the world what you can endure and 
live.” ’Tis the Mormon, that religious barnacle upon the western civiliza- 
tion of the nineteenth century that demands your attention now. Secure 
in the fastness of the Rockies, in the valley which he has reclaimed and 
converted from a wilderness to a garden, their prophet, priest and king de- 
fies the power of the Government, and practically proclaims his independ- 
ence. It is unnecessary for the soldiers to analyze too closely the history 
of the Mormon War. Whether it was, in whole or part, a move in the great 
game of conspiracy then being played ; whether it was a shrewd effort on 
the part of Brigham Young to get a market for the agricultural products of 
the Mormons; whether he actually supposed that his position was strong 
enough to enable him to defy the Government; or whether it was a part of 
all of these causes, matters not to the Dragoon. .“ His not to reason why,” 
and he did not attempt it. 
In the month of August, 1857, the regiment started on its march over- 
land for Utah. The route was long and weary, but that did not matter. 
They were used to that, but when the early snows fell upon them at South 
Pass and the mercury went down into the bulb of the thermometer to keep 
from freezing, and the starved horses laid down to die on the trail, the 
light-hearted Dragoon, like Mark Tapley at Eden, began to think there might 
be some credit in being jolly. Jolly he was not always, but the survivors of 
that terrible winter all testify to the invariable cheerfulness and pluck of the 
soldiers ; on foot, half starved and more than half frozen, they struggled on 
as far as Fort Bridger, and, there, passed a winter of suffering. 
The casualties reported from 1840 to the outbreak of the Civil War were: 
Killed, 4 officers and 47 men ; wounded, 8 officers and 84 men. 
Then was reached the climax in the life and history of the regiment. 
Those gallant, simple-minded soldiers were called upon to meet a question 
of divided duty. Heretofore they have ridden and fought, worked and 
starved with but one thought, one aim—Duty. Had you asked the officer if 
the cause was just, he might have said, “ I do not know, here are my orders.” 
Had you said to the soldier, “ You would not fire on your own people, 
would you ? ” he would probably have answered with the old artilleryman 
in Pittsburg in ’77, “ I don’t know sir, that depends upon the Captain.” 
Now, however, the Captain is troubled. If from the South, he has been 
taught to believe that the Union is a voluntary compact on the part of each 
State, from which it may withdraw. If this State withdraws or secedes, as 
a citizen of the State he will owe his allegiance to her and not to the Union 
with which she has severed her connection. On the other hand, he has fol- 178 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
lowed the dear old flag from Florida to Utah, sprinkling it with his blood 
in many a combat, and how can he ever fight against it ? How he hopes and 
prays that his State will not go; that he will not be obliged to make the 
choice. But the time comes and he must choose. As he reads and re-reads 
the letters from the dear ones at home, urging him to come to their protec- 
tion, and looks at his brothers-in-arms from whom they want protection, 
who will condemn him whichever way he goes? We have his history for 
years before and we have all known him for years since. Little more need 
be said. On the Confederate side “ Dick ” Anderson and Hardee became 
lieutenant-generals; Pegram, Sibley, Robertson, Geo. Anderson, Arm- 
strong, Stuart and Field were major generals. 
The crisis has come and passed, and another year (1862) finds the regi- 
ment in Virginia, a grand old Virginian still its colonel. The vacancies are 
filled and the regiment is ready once more to enter the lists. In a sketch 
like this it is impossible to follow in detail its history through such a period 
as that from ’61 to ’65. However, it seems proper to take notice of the per- 
sonnel at the commencement of, what an ancient dragoon always called, 
“ our late lamented circus.” The regiment in 1861 was twenty-five years 
old, and its officers had received their training in its school. Whatever 
they became as soldiers in the great war, then commencing, they owed to 
that training. Many were detached from the organization at the commence- 
ment of hostilities. Cooke was made a brigadier-general in the regular 
establishment; Wood, Palmer, Davidson and Pleasanton were starred and as- 
signed to command volunteer troops ; while Buford, who was perhaps more 
than any other a typical 2d Dragoon, first commanded the Regular Brigade 
and afterward the First Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac. One 
feels inclined to stop at this period, and enter into detail. There is so much 
of brilliancy in every day life, from the time when Hooker organized the cav- 
alry, until when our horsemen with characteristic impudence hold the way 
against Lee’s retreating army at Appomatox, that a “ sketch” seems inap- 
propriate. The scholars of that 2d Dragoon school are now operating on 
the great war theatre, where history is being made. Some have gone far to 
the front, like Buford, and Merritt, and Sanders, but they have at their el- 
bows such lieutenants as “Jake ” Gordon, Rodenbough, Leoser, Harrison, 
Blanchard and Dave Gordon, as well as those splendid fellows whose mili- 
tary cradle was a dragoon saddle, like Ball, Mix, Wells, Spaulding, Dewees 
and Quirk, whose feats on the field of Beverly Ford, alone, should immor- 
talize them. While these old soldiers are still with the regiment, there is 
hardly an army in the country which has not a brigade, division or corps 
commanded by some one of those detached. Pleasanton, Graham, Buford 
and Merritt in the Army of the Potomac, Wood and Davidson in the West, 
Palmer in North Carolina, while “ Doc ” Sanders is the hero of the day at 
Knoxville, where he lost his life. The regiment paid fearfully for its share 
in the struggle for the Nation ; its Roll of Honor is long. Buford, Sanders, 
McQueston, Canfield, Lawless, McMasters, Selden—all dead on the field of 
battle. Others survived the War and dropped off one by one, leaving but 
few of that gallant band remaining. Of them, Harrison—popular, brave, 
conscientious—is now a citizen in that peaceful city, Philadelphia ; Roden- THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
179 
bough, who made much history for the regiment then, now uses the arm 
left from that glorious charge at the Opequan, in preserving it; and Leoser, 
“ the cool captain,” whose iron frame shows little evidence of war wounds 
and prisons, is now residing in New York. Space does not permit one to 
follow individuals farther. The list of combats from 1861 to 1865 shows 
what the regiment accomplished. Always in front, under Pleasanton, Bu- 
ford or Merritt, with Stoneman or the brilliant Sheridan, from Bull Run to 
the Appomatox, there was hardly an affair of any importance at which it 
was not represented. Its losses during the War were : Killed, 5 officers 
and 60 men : wounded, 20 officers and 206 men. 
II. 
(1866-91.) 
How well the work prior to the close of the Civil War was done, is set 
forth in the preceding pages. The period there treated furnishes the most 
glorious pages in our history, but the duty performed was not more arduous 
than that which has since devolved upon the regiment. 
The roster of the officers has been changed since the regiment partici- 
pated in those stirring campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, and now 
but one of those gallant men remains with us—Lieut.-Col. D. S. Gordon, 
who has served continuously in the Second Cavalry since his appointment 
as a second lieutenant, April 26, 1861. 
Within a month after reaching Leavenworth, November, 1865, we find 
troops marching for the (then) frontier posts of Riley, Kearny, Hays, Lyon, 
Harker, Dodge, Larned and Wallace. They found the winter of 1865 and 
’66 one of hard work, not so much as soldiers, as mechanics and laborers, 
for at several of their new stations it was necessary to construct huts to pro- 
tect themselves from the severity of the winter. This work was continued 
into the following summer, except when interrupted by scouting between 
the Smoky Hill and Arkansas rivers. Having succeeded in making them- 
selves fairly comfortable, the regiment was ordered in September to march 
across the country, and report to its old colonel, then General, Philip St. 
George Cooke, commanding the Department of the Platte. 
The several troops were scattered about at Forts Laramie, McPherson, 
Phil. Kearny, Casper, Sanders and Sedgwick, and from these stations main- 
tained an almost constant warfare with the Indians. 
On December 9, 1866, Lieutenant Bingham, commanding Troop C, met 
his death in a skirmish near Phil. Kearny, and twelve days later 27 men of 
the same troop, with 3 officers and 49 men of the 18th Infantry, were killed 
in what is known as the “ Phil. Kearny Massacre.” Had the Indians re- 
ceived the chastisement they deserved for this bloody deed, it would have 
been in the end a kindness. Going unavenged, it only created in the minds 
of the Sioux a false idea of their power which ultimately cost them dearly. 
Gordon, with Troop D, did some very hard scouting and escort duty 
around Kearny, for the Indians may be said to have held that post and 
C. F. Smith in a state of siege. 
CAPTAIN EDWARD J. McCLERNAND, Second Cavalry. 180 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
During the summer of 1867 Lieutenant Kidder, a gallant young officer, 
and ten men of Troop M, were killed while bearing dispatches to General 
Custer. A brief extract from a report by Captain John Mix of a scout made 
by his troop,—M,—in March, 1867, will depict the almost insurmountable 
difficulties under which this struggle with the savages was carried on. He 
says : 
“ We left the Republican March 1, in a cold wind and made thirty miles. 
The next morning a fearful storm of wind and snow was raging. It was 
only by the most violent exercise the men could keep from freezing. To 
add to our difficulties we struck a snow-drift which lasted all day, with 
snow from two to five feet deep. The crust cut the horses cruelly, and left 
a trail of blood behind us. We could not see twenty feet in front of us. At 
3 o’clock p. M., the men and animals were unable to move another mile, and 
selecting the best shelter that the wind-swept plain afforded, we camped 
without forage for our horses, and with one wagon tongue, which I had on 
my company wagon, for fuel.” 
No one who has not marched in one of those terrible storms common to 
the northern plains can appreciate the suffering endured by Captain Mix 
and his men. The Second did its share of such work, and Captains Green, 
Gordon, Noyes, Mix, Dewees, Thompson, Wells, Spaulding, Egan, and 
Bates, and their lieutenants, deserve credit for their constant display of 
those qualities so characteristic of the true soldier. 
In the spring of 1869 one battalion (F, G, H and L) under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Brackett, was transferred to Montana, where it remained for fifteen 
years and came to be known as the “ Montana Battalion.” During the fol- 
lowing January this battalion, commanded by Major E. M. Baker, by the 
severe chastisement it gave the Piegans, rendered a service to the people of 
the territory which they have never forgotten. How well this blow was de- 
livered, let the following extract of an order published by General Sheridan 
tell: 
“ The Lieutenant-General commanding this military district takes pleas- 
ure in announcing to his command the complete success of a detachment of 
the 2d Cavalry and 13th Infantry, under command of Brevet Colonel E. M. 
Baker of the 2d Cavalry, against a band of Piegan Indians in Montana. 
These Indians, whose proximity to the British line has furnished them an 
easy and safe protection against attack, have hitherto murdered and stolen 
with comparative impunity, in defiance and contempt of the authority of the 
Government. After having been repeatedly warned, they have at last re- 
ceived a carefully prepared and well-merited blow in the middle of winter, 
with the thermometer below zero, and when experience had led them to be- 
lieve they could not be reached the blow fell. 174 Indians were killed, 300 
horses were captured, and the village and property of the band totally de- 
stroyed. The Lieutenant-General cannot commend too highly the spirit 
and conduct of the troops and their commander ; the difficulties and hard- 
ships they experienced in the inclemency of the weather; and as one of the 
results of this severe but necessary and well-merited punishment of these 
Indians, he congratulates the citizens of Montana upon the prospect of fu- 
ture security.” 
The officers who accompanied Baker on his memorable march were 
Captains Ball, Thompson and Norton, and Lieutenants MacAdams, Ham- 
ilton, Swigert, Batchelder and Doane. Colonel Baker was severely criticised 
by part of the eastern press, but was rewarded by the love of the families THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
181 
immediately concerned, whose knowledge of the situation constituted them 
the better judges. 
The following extracts from G. O. 21, series of 1870, Department of the 
Platte, show what the troops of the regiment in that Department were 
doing : 
“ The Commanding General announces the following creditable encoun- 
ters of troops in this Department with hostile Indians, as having taken 
place during the last month. To the officers and soldiers mentioned he 
extends his acknowledgments for personal gallantry and valuable services. 
“ At 5 o’clock, A. M., on the fourth day of May, 1870, Brevet Major D. S. 
Gordon with his company,* D, 2d Cavalry, near Atlantic City, discovered 
and charged a body of Indians in possession of stolen stock, recovering all 
the animals, killing two Indians, wounding one, and dispersing the balance. 
Later in the day, with 1st Lieutenant C. B. Stambaugh, 2d Cavalry, and ten 
men, he encountered and fought for an hour and a half a party of from 
sixty to seventy Indians, killing five and wounding several. His loss was 
Lieutenant Stambaugh killed, and Sergeant Brown seriously wounded.” 
The same order speaks of a gallant action on the part of Sergeant 
Patrick Leonard and four men of Troop C, who, while marching along the 
Little Blue, Neb., were suddenly surrounded and fired upon by a party of 
fifty Indians. Private Hubbard and two horses were wounded at the first 
volley, whereupon the sergeant killed these animals and formed a breast- 
work of them. After a desperate struggle, in which the horses were all 
killed, the red devils were driven off and Sergeant Leonard, taking a set- 
tler’s family of two women and a child under his charge, returned to the 
settlements. It is such conduct as this, often repeated, that has shown 
many a hero among our enlisted men. 
The survey for the Northern Pacific Railroad was commenced along 
the Yellowstone in the summer of 1871, and Ball and Tyler, with their 
troops,—H and L,—were sent from Fort Ellis as an escort to the surveyors. 
In the latter part of November the party started to return, hoping to reach 
Ellis before winter set in, but in this they failed. A brief description of a 
storm that overtook these troops will serve to show what the “ Montana 
Battalion ” had to undergo in winter campaigns. 
One day in the last part of the month the relief party met the returning 
escort a few miles west of the great bend of the Yellowstone. It was about 
2 o’clock in the afternoon, and both commands started for Ellis, intending 
to camp in a cottonwood grove in plain sight about fiv miles ahead. After 
marching about half-way a blizzard struck the command, driving the coarse 
snow, as hard and cutting as grains of sand, into the faces of the men. 
Each officer was called upon to take his turn in leading the column, as the 
drifting snow quickly closed the eyes of any one peering into the storm. 
The weather grew suddenly colder, and after two hours of this struggle it 
was learned that the command had been travelling in a circle. The sensa- 
tion produced by such a discovery can only be appreciated by one who has 
been lost on the boundless prairie in the midst of one of these terrible 
storms. Many men became numb from fatigue and cold, and a few threw 
themselves from their saddles and had to be lifted back and forced to fol- 
*At this perio it was customary to speak of a troop as a company. 182 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
low. It was impossible to care for the pack mules, and all efforts to drive 
these animals along were abandoned. Some men cried and begged to be 
allowed to lie down and die, while others wandered from the column and 
were brought back by those who kept their heads. Cries that feet, hands, 
and parts of the face were freezing, were heard on all sides. The weary 
horses seemed unable to continue the unequal struggle, and were unmerci- 
fully spurred to keep them to their work. The confusion was naturally 
great, and for a time it looked as if all discipline would be lost and the com- 
mand scattered in every direction over the vast prairie. There was no hope 
save in continuing the march, and those who retained their senses fairly 
drove the others before them. After five hours of this terrible battle with 
the elements, the column accidentally stumbled on the very grove it had 
been seeking. Only those in front could see the trees, but Trumpeter Page 
of Troop G, (afterward killed under General Gibbon at the Big Hole) 
brave fellow that he was, seized his trumpet and sounded the “ rally.” 
Never did a call sound sweeter; it meant life. The thermometer marked 
40° below zero, and 53 men had their extremities frozen, many of them 
seriously. 
In the following summer the same battalion, with four companies of the 
7th Infantry, all under Major Baker, escorted the surveyors of the Northern 
Pacific down the Yellowstone. On August 13 camp was pitched on the left 
bank of the river, and within a slough fringed with trees and brush. 
Pickets had been posted along the slough, and the wagons, perhaps a hun- 
dred in number, were parked in the form of an ellipse into which the mules, 
left out to graze, might be driven in case of attack. The night was intensely 
dark, but about three in the morning the pickets discovered several Indians 
inside the lines trying to turn the mules in a convenient direction to start 
them into a run for the hills. At first, due to the darkness, the Indians did 
not distinguish the herders as white men, and the latter quietly guided the 
head of the herd into the corral, so that when the rush came the animals 
ran in among the wagons and were secured. At this time a few shots were 
exchanged between the guards and the enemy, and cries of “ Indians, here 
they come ! ” were heard as the officers and men were awakened and sprang 
to arms. At first the confusion was very great as it was almost impossible 
to distinguish friend from foe, and many, even Thompson, who was officer 
of the day, thought the pickets were firing at an imaginary enemy. This 
belief was quickly dissipated by a volley from the Indians, and by their 
devilish yells and war-whoops. The darkness, however, prevented them 
from taking full advantage of the surprise given the troops, and their main 
body was sent flying from the willows at the lower end of camp by a well- 
directed volley fired by the infantry. The savages, now dashing about on 
their ponies immediately in front of the line formed by the troops, kept up 
a most unearthly and diabolical screaming. As it grew lighter they were 
driven to the surrounding bluffs, and soon after withdrew. Ball was ordered 
out to observe them, but only learned that their retreat was down the valley. 
Baker’s loss was two killed and five wounded, while the Indians afterward 
admitted the loss of eleven killed and wounded, and stated they had 1100 
warriors present, composed of Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes. Baker’s THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRl. 
183 
number was about 400, and while the small loss on either side was un- 
doubtedly due to darkness, yet the result obtained and the relative numbers 
engaged are significant in showing that a comparatively small body of 
troops did defend themselves against a greatly superior force of Indians. 
As the same Indians had previously shown themselves to be formidable 
warriors, and repeated this evidence some four years later, we may justly 
infer that on the occasion just described, the battalions of the 7th Infantry 
and 2d Cavalry proved themselves to be well versed in the tactics of this 
peculiar warfare. The survey was renewed at 10 o’clock the same morning, 
and continued about 40 miles down the valley. Game, in those days, was 
very plentiful along the Yellowstone and Musselshell rivers, and a great 
many buffalo, elk and deer, were seen and killed. 
In March, 1874, Colonel Smith, 14th Infantry, with six troops of the 2d 
and two of the 3d Cavalry, and eight companies of infantry under Captain 
Lazelle, left Laramie and pushed rapidly on to the Red Cloud Agency, in- 
tending to punish the Sioux there for their many crimes, and notably for 
their recent murder of Lieutenant Robinson. Much was expected of this 
expedition, and had not the “ peace policy ” been permitted to interfere just 
when the blow was ready to fall, these Indians would have received a sound 
thrashing, and much, if not all, of the trouble that afterward occurred, might, 
and probably would, have been avoided. As it was, they were cowed into 
a sullen submission. However, the Indians in the Department of the Platte 
did not entirely escape punishment during 1874, for Captain A. E. Bates, 
with Troop B, 2d Cavalry, and about 200 Shoshones under Lieutenant Young, 
4th Infantry, surprised a band of Arapahoes near Snake Mountain early on 
the morning of July 4, and won a decided victory. Twenty-five Arapahoes 
are known to have been killed, and it is believed one hundred were wounded ; 
200 ponies also fell into the hands of the victors. The Indian allies behaved 
very badly, and rendered little, if any, assistance. This was probably as 
complete a victory as was ever gained by a single troop in the whole course 
of our Indian wars. Lieutenant Young, one of the wounded, and Lieu- 
tenant F. U. Robinson, of Bates’ Troop, were especially commended for 
gallantry. 
The haughty spirit of the Sioux, Cheyennes and Arapahoes, was destined 
to be shattered in the years from 1876 to 1879. Many regiments assisted in 
this work, performed deeds of valor and suffered hardships, but it stands to 
the credit of the 2d Cavalry that while it was first to take the field in 1876, 
it was also in at the death in 1879. 
In February, 1876, a number of adventurous spirits, who had entered the 
Yellowstone valley in search of wealth without any definite idea of how it 
was to be obtained, found themselves besieged in a hastily built stockade 
near the mouth of the Big Horn. The battalion at Ellis went promptly to 
their assistance and by a month’s hard marching, in the midst of snow and 
cold, succeeded in saving the lives of these men. It is believed this was the 
first movement made against the Sioux in 1876, antedating as it did by sev- 
eral weeks Colonel Reynolds’ campaign on Powder River, in which Troops 
A, B, E, I and K participated. Reynolds struck the Indians under Chief 
Crazy Horse March 17, and Egan, with Troop K, made a successful charge 184 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
through the village, which was temporarily held. Noyes succeeded in cap- 
turing a large number of ponies, but on the return march of the main com- 
mand these were retaken by the enemy. 
Scarcely had the Ellis battalion returned to its station when it was called 
upon to join in that memorable campaign in which, without winning a single 
engagement, if we except the rather indecisive affair at Slim Buttes, our 
forces broke the backbone of the Indian resistance in the north. In this de- 
termined effort to subdue the hostiles, who were known to camp along the 
lower Yellowstone and its tributaries, the Government sent troops from the 
Platte under General Crook, and from Dakota under General Terry, in whose 
column was General Custer with the 7th Cavalry. With General Crook were 
Troops A, B, D, E and I, 2d Cavalry, and the officers of the regiment who 
accompanied him on his long and persistent pursuit were Captains Noyes, 
Dewees and Wells, and Lieutenants Rawolle, Swigert, Pearson, Kingsbury, 
Sibley and Huntington. The “ Montana Battalion ” served under General 
Gibbon, who commanded such of General Terry’s troops as came from the 
west. This column, which also included six companies of the 7th Infantry, 
left Ellis about the 1st of April and moved down the Yellowstone valley. It 
was necessary to cross and recross the river several times, and probably no 
one ever forded this stream without hoping he would never be called upon 
to repeat the task. On one of these occasions Lieutenant Schofield’s horse 
lost his footing, and both man and horse disappeared beneath the rapidly 
moving waters. It seemed that both must be lost, but finally the horse re- 
gained his footing and men rushed in to the rider’s rescue. Schofield, who 
served against the Sioux for years, was never nearer death than on that 
occasion. 
A courier overtook the command near the Big Horn River with orders to 
halt, as Crook and Custer would not be able to take the field for several 
weeks; whereupon General Gibbon established a camp near the mouth of 
the river just named. While lying here, Troops H and F, Ball and Roe com- 
manding, were ordered on a reconnoissance through the valleys of the Big 
Horn and Little Big Horn, with a view to discovering, if possible, the where- 
abouts of the hostiles. This reconnoissance lasted a week, and while the 
Indian village was not found, it proved to be a very trying march. As a pre- 
caution against surprise, two of the four officers and one troop stood guard 
day and night. It so happened that one of Ball’s camps was made on the 
identical spot where, a few weeks later, Custer fought his last fight. 
On June 21, while the battalion was lying in the camp just mentioned, 
Custer’s long line of cavalry was descried winding across the hills on the 
opposite bank, and the same day the steamboat Far West arrived with 
General Terry and staflf on board. There were now in the field three 
columns,—Crook’s, Custer’s and Gibbon’s. The former had fought a drawn 
battle with the Sioux a few days before, a fact wholly unknown to General 
Terry’s command, and had fallen back to his wagons to await reinforce- 
ments. It had been learned that the Indian trail led from the Rosebud 
toward the Little Big Horn River, and General Custer was ordered to follow 
it, while General Gibbon was to return up the valley of the Yellowstone and 
cross the river a few miles below the mouth of the Big Horn, and then push THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
185 
for the Little Big Horn to get below the Indians on that stream, while 
Custer struck them from above. Gibbon had the longest and roughest route. 
Custer sent a battery of Gatling guns across to him for fear they would de- 
lay his march. The Department Commander—General Terry,—accompanied 
the Montana Column. These troops crossed the Yellowstone on the 24th, 
by means of the Far West, and the next day moved a few miles up Tullock’s 
Fork, then turned to the right and ascended the ridge between that stream 
and the Big Horn. After a tiresome march the Big Horn was reached. 
General Terry gave the cavalry a short rest, and then pushed on with it, 
leaving the infantry to follow. The next morning, after a short march, 
Lieutenant Bradley, 7th Infantry, chief of scouts, discovered on the opposite 
bank of the Big Horn two Crow Indians, who, with others, had been de- 
tached from Gibbon’s command as guides for Custer. These scouts repor- 
ted that Custer had been badly beaten the day before. While halting here 
the infantry came up, and the united command moved on and soon reached 
the Little Big Horn, at which General Terry seemed much relieved, saying,— 
“ Well, I have kept my word with Custer. I promised him to be here to- 
day.” The command halted for a little time on reaching the river. While 
here a courier was dispatched to Custer’s supposed position, but was driven 
back by the Indians. The march was resumed and continued twelve or 
thirteen miles up the valley, when, about 6 o’clock in the evening, a few 
Indians were seen hovering around the head of the column and several shots 
were fired at Troop F, under Roe, which had been thrown out to cover the 
right flank. To the left and front, on the hills across the river, were seen 
objects supposed to be buffalo lying down. As twilight advanced there ap- 
peared on the right and front what seemed to be a long line of cavalry, but 
night came on before anything definite could be learned of the objects seen, 
or of Custer’s fate. It was evident, however, he had not won a victory. 
About half past eight, the infantry having marched between 29 and 30 miles, 
both battalions were ordered into camp. Gibbon’s command, including the 
artillery, numbered a little over 400 men, but it was kept well in hand, and 
was capable of making an excellent fight. 
Making an early start the next morning, June 27, the command had 
proceeded but a mile or two, when it reached a large bottom containing 
signs of having been occupied by an extensive Indian camp a few hours 
previously. The fate of Custer was now more puzzling than ever, but soon 
a message was received from the chief of scouts saying he had counted 196 
dead cavalrymen. The objects seen the day before looking like buffalo 
lying down, were really dead comrades and their horses. 
Soon two horsemen were seen dashing down the valley. They were offi- 
cers,—Wallace and Hare, if the writer’s memory is not at fault,—sent by 
Reno to tell of their desperate fight, and how the Indians seemed deter- 
mined upon their extermination, until Gibbon’s column appeared on the 
bluffs the day before. “ Where is Custer? ” was then asked. They replied : 
“The last we saw of him he was going down that high bluff towards the 
lower end of the village. We do not know where he is now.” They were 
told, “AVe have found him.” 
The line of Reno’s retreat to the hills, from his first position in the val- 186 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ley, presented a sickening sight, the dead being horribly mutilated, while 
on the part of the field where Custer fell the mutilation was comparatively 
slight. 
The burial of the dead, which was of necessity in many instances more 
of a pretense than reality, having been accomplished, the care and trans- 
portation of the wounded demanded attention. Hand litters were first 
made and their inefficiency demonstrated, when the fertile genius of Lieut. 
G. C. Doane, 2d Cavalry, evolved a mule litter, and upon these the wounded 
were carried very comfortably. These unfortunates having been finally 
placed on a boat in the Big Horn, Gibbon's command, increased by what 
was left of the 7th Cavalry, returned to the north side of the Yellowstone to 
await reinforcements. 
Let us now turn to the troops under Gen. Crook, and see how they, 
particularly those of the 2d Cavalry, fared in this savage contest with the 
Sioux. On June 17, Crook found himself on the Rosebud, searching for 
the village which he felt confident was not far off. About half past eight in 
the morning, while the Indian allies were out scouting and the remainder 
of the command lying in the valley with horses unsaddled, the wily Sioux 
suddenly appeared, and about the first intimation the troops had of their 
presence was the panic-stricken return of the scouts, immediately followed 
by the enemy’s fire. The attack was probably a surprise, pure and simple, 
but both commander and men were too experienced in Indian warfare to 
be thrown into confusion, and soon presented a bold front to the enemy. 
The Sioux came on with a rush, numbering perhaps not less than 2500 war- 
riors.* After the first attack was repulsed the enemy rallied, and skirmish- 
ing continued for some time, during which the heaviest loss fell on the 3d 
Cavalry, of which ten troops were present, and Captain Guy V. Henry of 
that regiment was wounded. As the day wore on Gen. Crook became rest- 
ive because of the indecisive nature of the action, and ordered Mill’s 
battalion of the Third, supported by Noyes’ battalion of five troops of the 
Second, to move down the creek, through a canon, to attack the village 
supposed to be about ten miles distant. The movement was being executed 
when it became necessary to recall these battalions to the assistance of the 
troops under Colonel Royall, who was hard pressed. As the command be- 
came once more united, the Sioux drew off in the direction of their village, 
and the combat ended. Gen. Crook’s loss, including that of his allies, was 
10 killed and 35 wounded. The Sioux left 13 dead on the field, and, it is 
believed, carried some off. 
While lying in camp on Goose Creek, Gen. Crook decided to send out a 
scouting party to locate, if possible, the Indian village. Lieutenant Sibley 
of the 2d Cavalry was selected to command, and given 25 men picked from 
the five troops of the regiment. In his party were also two scouts,—Gruard 
and Pourier,—in whom the general had much confidence, and Mr. Finerty, 
a correspondent of the Chicago Times. This little detachment, well sup- 
plied with ammunition, left camp on the afternoon of July 6, and by 
2 o’clock the next morning, after having marched forty miles, halted a short 
distance from the Little Big Horn. After a brief rest Sibley was again in 
*“ War-Path and Bivouac.” Finerty. THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
187 
his saddle, advancing cautiously, as the scouts, who were familiar with the 
life and camping grounds of the Sioux, believed the village was near by. 
These keen-eyed men of the plains soon discovered a formidable war party, 
whereupon Sibley moved his little band toward the mountains, intending 
to cross them if possible, and hoping that the Sioux, who seldom took to 
the rough mountain trails, would not follow. The savages, however, found 
his trail and pursued like bloodhounds. “ Men,” said Sibley, “ the Indians 
have discovered us, and we will have to do some fighting. If we can make 
an honorable escape, all together, we will do it. If retreat should prove 
impossible, let no man surrender. Die in your tracks.” “ All right, sir,” 
was the soldierly reply. The retreat was continued until some time in the 
afternoon, and as they had not been overtaken the little band of heroes 
began to think they had escaped the threatened danger, but it was just at 
such moments the wily Sioux was wont to pounce upon his prey, and sud- 
denly, as if coming out of the ground, the enemy appeared and poured in a 
ringing volley. Hastily taking shelter in the edge of some adjacent woods, 
Sibley dismounted his men, and ordering some of them to fire on the 
Indians to check their advance, secured his horses after several of them 
had been wounded. The trees and fallen timber made admirable breast- 
works, and behind these our heroes fought, and held at bay many times 
their numbers. The struggle seemed hopeless, and but for the strategy 
employed would have proved so. As the numbers of the enemy were con- 
stantly swelled by reinforcements, Sibley despaired of saving his horses, 
and leaving them tied to trees where they could be seen indistinctly by the 
savages, he cautioned his men to go to their saddle-bags for all their ammu- 
nition, and, after firing a couple of scattering volleys, to follow him on foot 
into the thick woods and among the rocks, where a horseman could not 
pursue. How this little band pressed on for two days through fallen tim- 
ber, over rocks and across mountains, without food or sufficient clothing to 
protect them from the cold at night, would make a thrilling story if space 
permitted the recital. Suffice it to say that a short time after leaving their 
horses they heard a heavy volley, followed by war-whoops, and they knew 
the Indians had made their final rush on the abandoned position. After 
almost incredible vigilance and marching, they reached Crook’s camp on 
the morning of July 9, and the oldest and most experienced officers in the 
command concurred in saying their escape from such a perilous situation 
was without parallel in the annals of Indian warfare. 
The death of Capt. Lewis Thompson, who had been an officer of the 
regiment since February, 1862, occurred in one of General Gibbon’s camps 
on the Yellowstone during July. Thompson was a most agreeable compan- 
ion ; bright, witty, well read, and as a soldier brave to the verge of rashness. 
He was taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, and the hardships and 
privations accompanying his confinement of fifteen months in Southern 
prisons, so shattered his health that he never fully recovered it. Upon 
his death, which was greatly regretted throughout the regiment, the com- 
mand of his Troop,—L,—devolved upon Lieut. S. T. Hamilton, who had 
been a member of the expedition from the start. 
In the latter part of July Terry sent three scouts to find Crook. They 188 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
returned in a few days and reported his location on Goose Creek. On 
August 8, Terry’s command, 1700 strong, started up the valley of the Rosebud, 
and two days later met Crook’s forces marching down. The latter officer had 
25 troops of cavalry and ten companies of infantry. Thus in the two com- 
mands there were 36 troops of cavalry. However, rapid movements were 
not the order of the day, and the united commands moved slowly over to 
Tongue River and thence down the Powder to its mouth. The distance 
marched was 120 miles, and seven days were consumed in making it. When 
finished no one knew where the Indians were. The horses were under sad- 
dle the greater part of the daylight of each day, to average 17 miles in 24 
hours. Such marching is most trying on cavalry, as it breaks the animals 
down to no purpose. Much of Crook’s cavalry was in bad condition when 
he met Terry, although he had been encamped for weeks in a fine grazing 
country, but by the time the mouth of the Powder was reached many horses 
in each column were hors de combat. 
When the two commands united on the Rosebud, the “ Montana Battal- 
ion ” met the five troops of the regiment under Noyes, after a separation of 
seven years. How they mingled and gossiped can only be appreciated by 
brother soldiers who have been long separated. The writer recalls how Ra- 
wolle, in particular, in the quiet but decided manner peculiar to him, told of 
their marches and contests. 
At the mouth of the Powder the commands separated; Gen. Crook go- 
ing in the direction of the Little Missouri, while Gen. Terry crossed the 
Yellowstone and moved over toward the Big Dry, at the Dry Forks of the 
Missouri. These movements again divided the battalions of the Second ; 
the one under Crook entering on that long and wearisome march, during 
which such battle was to be had with hunger. 
Besides the officers of the regiment previously mentioned as serving un- 
der Crook, Lieut. W. P. Clark joined that general at Powder River, and in 
the skirmish which subsequently took place at Slim Buttes, distinguished 
himself, as he always did when opportunity offered. 
In the early spring of 1877 the “Montana Battalion” again took the 
field, and reported to Gen. Miles at Tongue River. This officer attacked 
Lame Deer’s camp of the Minneconjou Sioux, May 7, on Little Muddy 
Creek, a tributary of the Rosebud. He had with him the battalion of the 
Second under Ball, two companies of the Fifth, and five of the 22d In- 
fantry. A part of the infantry rode captured ponies. The village was taken 
with a rush, Lieut. E. W. Casey, 22d Infantry, and Lieut. L. H. Jerome, 2d 
Cavalry, charging directly upon and through it. Both of these officers were 
mentioned for gallantry. The Indians retired to the surrounding bluffs and 
made an obstinate resistance, and during this part of the engagement Lieut. 
A. H. Fuller of Tyler’s Troop (F) was wounded. Among the wounded was 
also Private D. L. Brainard, Troop L, who afterward won such distinction 
under Greely in the north, and who is now a lieutenant in the regiment. 
The Indians left 14 dead on the field, and 500 ponies, together with 51 
lodges, and their contents fell into the hands of the victors. Lame Deer is 
believed to have fallen by the hand of Captain Wheelan. After this engage- 
ment the battalion of the Second, excepting Troop L, was kept busy during THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
189 
the summer and early fall scouting along the Yellowstone, Tongue, Powder 
and Little Missouri rivers, and that the manner in which the duty was per- 
formed was satisfactory, the following letter, addressed to Captain Tyler by 
General Miles’ adjutant, will show : 
“ In relieving the Battalion 2d Cavalry, the commanding officer is 
pleased to acknowledge its valuable service during the spring and summer 
operations against hostile Indians. Equally on the most fatiguing and labo- 
rious march in pursuit of fleeing Indians, as in action, you have displayed 
those qualities most commendable to the American soldier, and you will 
please convey to the officers and men of the battalion his sincere apprecia- 
tion of the same, and express to them his regrets at being obliged to part 
with a command whose faithful performance of all duties he could so truly 
rely upon.” 
Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perces, may properly be termed the Indian Xen- 
ophon. His long retreat in 1877 through Idaho and Montana, pursued as 
he was by various columns of troops, is worthy of record in the annals of 
war. General Howard followed him with great persistence, but in vain. 
Norwood with his troop (L), brought him to stand at Camas Prairie, but 
being greatly overmatched in numbers, and not receiving the support he 
expected, was unable to detain the Indian chief long enough for General 
Howard to come up. The Troop made a gallant fight and reflected much 
credit upon the regiment. Gen. Gibbon, with part of the 7th Infantry, 
dealt Joseph a staggering blow on the bloody field of the Big Hole, and 
General Sturgis, with some of the 7th Cavalry, fought him on the Yellow- 
stone, but all in vain, for the Indian general continued his headlong flight, 
and had he not stopped to procure buffalo meat when the close proximity 
of the British line gave him a feeling of security, his retreat would have 
been crowned with success. This halt enabled Miles with three troops of 
the 7th Cavalry, several companies of his own regiment, and Troops F, G 
and H of the Second, to strike the Nez Perces on Sept. 30 near the Bear 
Paw Mountains, and, after a desperate fight followed by a siege lasting until 
Oct. 6, to capture the greater part of the tribe. Thus it was that twice in 
this memorable campaign the Second Cavalry was represented, and upon 
two far distant fields. In the latter engagement Lieut. Jerome, Troop H, 
was made a prisoner and held for 24 hours, at the end of which time he was 
exchanged for Chief Joseph. 
After the engagement at the Bear Paw, Tyler’s battalion was ordered as 
an escort to the American members of the “ Sitting Bull Commission,” and 
escorted them to the British line. With this duty completed the battalion 
returned to Fort Ellis, having been in the field continuously for eight 
months, and having marched about 2500 miles. In the fall of this year the 
headquarters of the regiment, and the eight troops stationed in the Platte, 
were transferred to the Department of Dakota, and stationed at Custer and 
Keogh, with headquarters at the former post. 
In March, 1879, Innis N. Palmer, who had succeeded T. J. Wood as 
colonel of the regiment in June, 1878, retired, and was followed by Colonel 
J. W. Davidson. In the summer of 1879 Gen. Miles made an expedition 
against the northern Sioux along Milk River. On July 17, Lieut. W. P. 
Clark, with Troop C, under Hoppin; a company of the 5th Infantry 190 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
(mounted) under Borden ; and a number of Indian scouts, was ordered 
forward as an advance guard. He came unexpectedly upon the hostiles, 
and, with his usual dash, rushed boldly at them, at the same time sending a 
courier back to notify the main column. At first the enemy gave way, but 
soon rallied and surrounded Clark. Miles pushed rapidly forward with re- 
inforcements, consisting of six troops of the Second, commanded by 
Majors Baker and Gordon, and several companies of the 5th Infantry 
mounted on ponies. Rice, of the latter regiment, was present with two 
pieces of artillery, and these, with the broken hills which the column had to 
cross, somewhat delayed the progress of the main body for a time, but the 
soldiers, realizing the importance of the guns, would quickly pull them out 
of a ravine, no matter how deep. A second courier arrived, his pony pant- 
ing and covered with foam, bearing a message from Clark saying he was 
nearly surrounded and asking for speedy help. The main body had now 
fortunately reached smooth ground, and it went forward at a gallop, with 
Gordon’s battalion deployed as skirmishers, and Baker’s and the mounted 
infantry in column some two hundred yards in rear. Seeing Miles advance 
the Sioux gave way, but kept up a running fight with Clark, who followed 
close upon their heels. The command presented a beautiful sight as it 
galloped forward over the green and gently rolling hills, pursuing a swarm 
of gayly blanketed Indians. This pursuit was kept up for about fifteen 
miles, and no one who witnessed that day’s work will ever forget the ex- 
citement of the chase. The artillery moved with the skirmish line, and in 
the latter part of the race fired several shots. The enemy succeeded in 
reaching and crossing Milk River, and escaped under cover of the night. 
In March, 1880, the restive spirit of the Sioux induced some of the 
more venturesome to hover around Forts Keogh and Custer, and gave 
Huggins, Cook and Brett, with Troops C and E, and a number of Cheyenne 
scouts under the last named officer, an opportunity to distinguish themselves 
by making a very rapid pursuit from Tullock’s Fork to O’Fallon’s Creek, 
where they overtook the Indians, and, after a sharp fight, captured the 
camp, several prisoners and over 100 ponies, with a loss to the troops of only 
one killed. Lieut. Kislingbury, nth Infantry, who lost his life on the 
Greely expedition, also accompanied this command. Gen. Miles was so 
favorably impressed with the energy and good judgment shown in this 
affair, that more than ten years later he invited attention to it a second time, 
and recommended that Huggins and Brett, the only surviving officers, be 
breveted therefor. 
During the next four years the regiment was kept busy marching back 
and forth to overawe the Indians, but their haughty spirit had been hum- 
bled and they were easily held in subjection. The last action in Montana 
in which any part of the regiment participated was between Troop L, under 
Norwood, and a band of Cree Indians, near Wild Horse Lake, in which the 
Indians were defeated with the loss of several warriors. This was in the 
spring of 1883. 
Thus we see that in Montana the battles of the Second commenced with 
the terrible thrashing given the Piegans in January, 1870, and ended in 
April, 1883, near Wild Horse Lake. In these thirteen years of toil and THE SECOND REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
strife, in the very heart of the most hostile Indian country on this continent, 
the Second alone saw the beginning and end of the conflict. It was seldom 
its engagements were indecisive; victory generally alighted on its guidons, 
defeat never. Surely this was not all luck. The lessons gathered in the 
everglades of Florida and on the plains before the Civil War, and trans- 
mitted from one generation of officers to another, bore their legitimate 
fruit and it was good. 
In the early summer of 1884 the regiment was transferred to the Division 
of the Pacific, with headquarters at Walla Walla. Nine troops went to the 
Department of the Columbia and three into California. Before leaving 
Montana the following letter was addressed to the regimental commander, 
General John P. Hatch, who became colonel in 1881: 
Headquarters Department of Dakota, • 
Fort Snelling, Minn., June 16, 1884. 
General:—I cannot suffer the 2d Cavalry to leave this Department, for 
another sphere of duty, without expressing to you and to your officers and 
men my sense of the value of the services which it has rendered while it 
has been under my command, and my respect and admiration for its char- 
acter. It is now fifteen years since a portion of the regiment came into this 
Department; it is seven years since the whole of it reported to me. Dur- 
ing all these years it has been constantly called upon for duty in the field, 
often for service in active campaigns against hostile Indians; and in all this 
service, whether in field or garrison, it has displayed soldierly qualities of 
the highest order, gallantry in action, patience under hardship, subordina- 
tion to authority, and a quiet, unassuming devotion to duty worthy of the 
highest praise, and worthy also of the splendid history which it had made 
for itself in the past. 
I beg you to accept for yourself, and for your officers and men, my most 
hearty good wishes for your and their prosperity and happiness, and also 
the expression of my belief that no regiment in the service has ever won a 
more honorable reputation than that which is deservedly borne by the 
Second Cavalry, 
Sincerely yours, 
(Signed) Alfred H. Terry, 
Brigadier-General, Commanding. 
The service required of the regiment in the Department of California and 
Columbia was simple. Several long marches were made, but no serious 
difficulties arose with the Indians. During the year 1885, Lieut. H. T. 
Allen, 2d Cavalry, made an extensive and important exploration in Alaska. 
His report added very materially to our previous knowledge of that distant 
territory. 
In May, 1885, Chief Joseph and his followers, who were sent to the In- 
dian Territory after their capture, were permitted to return to Washington 
Territory not far from their former home. It fell to the lot of Lieut. Carle- 
ton, with Troop L, to escort these people to the district assigned them. It 
was this troop that fought these Indians so valiantly at Camas Prairie in 
the summer of 1877, and now, eight years later, we find it escorting them 
as a guard against their white neighbors who threatened them. 
While enjoying the comforts of that charming station, the Presidio of 
San Francisco, Troops A and K were, in December, 1885, suddenly called 
upon to depart for Arizona to assist in the pursuit of Geronimo and his 192 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
band. The sands and cacti of that territory were indeed a change from the 
handsome roads and well kept lawns of the Presidio, but the troopers 
and their officers,—MacAdams, Doane, Robinson and Brett,—took kindly 
to their old life in bivouac, and rendered valuable services in the cam- 
paign against the Apache, in whose country they remained about nine 
months. In his annual report the department commander, Gen. Miles, in 
speaking of a pursuit made by Lieut. Brett, says that officer displayed great 
energy and determination. 
While in the Department of the Columbia General N. B. Sweitzer, who 
had been a major in the regiment, succeeded General Hatch as colonel, and 
was in turn followed by Colonel D. B. Clendenin. 
In June, 1890, the regiment exchanged with the 4th Cavalry, and took 
station in Arizona, with the headquarters and two troops at Lowell, and 
the other troops at Huachuca, Bowie, San Carlos and Whipple Barracks. 
That summer the order was issued from the War Department discontinuing 
two troops and two companies in each regiment of cavalry and infantry. 
In this way Troops L and M ceased to exist, except “ on paper.” L has 
since been reorganized as an Indian Troop, and let us hope the day is not 
far distant when the guidon of Troop M will again take its place in the 
column. Soon after reaching Arizona we find Fowler, Winn, Brainard, 
Sargent, Nance, Lewis, Michie, and others, in the field in pursuit of the 
ubiquitous Kid and his followers. Lieut. Michie, especially, performed 
most arduous service, and was complimented therefor by the division 
commander. 
In January, 1891, the headquarters and three troops were ordered to 
Fort Wingate, N. M., where they now (February, 1892,) are, and Troop G,— 
Wheelan’s—took station at Fort Stanton at the same time. The Moqui 
Indians, who have lived quietly in their pueblos for centuries, were finally 
so exasperated by having their children taken away to be sent to school, 
that they were on the verge of open rebellion in June, 1891, and threatened 
to kill Brett, who, with a small detachment, had occasion to visit one of 
their villages,—Orabi. This officer with great good judgment managed to 
extricate himself and men, and then asked for reinforcements. Major 
Jackson, commanding the battalion at Wingate, promptly sent two troops 
to the rescue, accompanied by Lieut. Wallace with two Hotchkiss guns. 
Major McLellan, with two troops of the 10th Cavalry, wras also ordered out. 
When this force arrived before the village, the Moquis quietly surrendered. 
With this little affair the campaigns of the Second have, for the present, 
come to an end. How long this peace will last none can say, but in the 
future, as it has been in the past, it is confidently believed the Second 
Cavalry,—old Second Dragoons,—will be true to its motto, “ Toujourspret." 
Since the Civil War the regiment has lost three officers and sixty en- 
listed men killed in action, with one officer and thirty-eight men wounded. 
Shining through the storms of fifty-six winters, the smoke of one hun- 
dred and seventeen combats and the dust of countless weary marches, 
appears the glorious roster of those men of the Second Cavalry who have 
shed their blood or lost their lives in service; a grand aggregate of forty- 
eight commissioned officers, and seven hundred and eight enlisted men. Major-General 
HENRY DEARBORN 
Commanding the Army, 1812-1815. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY* 
Captain CHARLES MORTON, Third U. S. Cavalry. 
THE Third Regiment of Cavalry was organized by an act of Congress 
approved May 19, 1846, as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen ; 
and its present designation is in consequence of the act approved 
August 3, 1861, classifying all the mounted regiments as cavalry, 
and the subsequent numbering of them in the chronological order of their 
original organization. 
The act provided for one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, and 
one lieutenant for adjutant; a sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, chief 
musician, two chief buglers; ten companies, each to consist of one captain, 
one first and one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two 
buglers, one blacksmith, one farrier, and 64 privates. 
The pay was that for dragoons, but, through error or design, was the 
same mounted or dismounted,—by interpretation. The bill appropriated 
$75,000 for mounting and equipping, and $3000 for each station established 
along the Oregon route. But, best of all for the regiment’s future esprit 
and the good of the service, it was accorded lineal promotion from bottom 
to top, and distinctive uniform, arms, equipments and ornaments; and the 
officers recruited the material they were to fashion and command, and 
could enlist only “young men of the country” especially fitted for the ser- 
vice anticipated. 
The senior officers were political appointments, made with some atten- 
tion to equitable geographical distribution over the south and west. They 
were announced at once, to rank from May 27, 1846. 
Persifor F. Smith of Louisiana, a lawyer by profession, a gentleman of 
culture and ability, and destined to prove a skillful and successful general, 
was appointed colonel. 
John C. Fremont, lieutenant of topographical engineers, essaying the 
conquest of California, was appointed lieutenant colonel, resigning March 
15, 1848, before he joined. The story of his life is current history. 
George S. Burbridge of Kentucky, a country merchant and politician 
without martial taste or ambition, and in poor health, was made major. 
He saw no active service, resigning January 8,1848, while on prolonged sick 
leave. 
The captains were Wm. W. Loring, Winslow F. Sanderson, Samuel H. 
Walker, Henry C. Pope, George B. Crittenden, Stevens T. Mason, John S. 
Simonson, Jacob B. Backenstos, Bela M. Hughes and Stephen S. Tucker. 
Hughes declined and the appointment was tendered Charles F. Ruff of 
Missouri, a late lieutenant of the First Dragoons, then serving in New 
Mexico as a lieutenant colonel of Doniphan’s regiment, who accepted, 
* An Abridgment of Captain Morton’s “ Historical Sketch of the Third Cavalry.” 
193 194 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
taking rank from July 7th. Walker was a Virginian and Texas ranger who 
had distinguished himself by carrying the message to the beleaguered 
troops in Fort Brown to hold out, passing through the Mexican lines and 
returning. 
The first lieutenants were Benjamin S. Roberts, Thomas Ewell, Andrew 
Porter, Michael E. Van Buren, Llewellyn Jones, Noah Newton, Thomas 
Duncan, Wm. W. Taylor, Andrew J. Lindsay, John G. Walker and Spear 
S. Tipton. Jones was the first adjutant. Tipton was captain of an Indiana 
volunteer company and son of Senator Tipton, who was an ensign and 
commanded a company at Tippecanoe after all the other officers had 
fallen, and later married the daughter of the dead captain, Spear Spencer. 
The second lieutenants were Thomas Claiborne, Thomas G. Rhett, 
Charles L. Denman, Washington L. Elliott, Thomas Davis, George McLane, 
Robert M. Morris, Llewellyn Raguet, Francis S. K. Russell, and Julian May. 
The following brevet second lieutenants were assigned on the 17th of 
July; Daniel M. Frost, George W. Hawkins, John P. Hatch, Gordon 
Granger, Dabney H. Maury, Innis N. Palmer, James Stuart, Alfred Gibbs, 
and George H. Gordon. 
Consistent with army administration by politicians, men of experience 
or educated for the profession were placed in the lower grades. An old 
army surgeon said that under the Sumner regime companies would go to 
drill with full complements of officers, and return under command of 
brevet second lieutenants, all the seniors having been relieved in the order 
of rank by the stern old major for inefficiency, and for this reason it was 
chaffed for a time as the “ Kangaroo Regiment.” Another who served with 
it later said, “ The officers were all gentlemen, brave and generous to a 
fault, strict disciplinarians, and looked well after the wants of their men, 
but the most cantankerous lot I ever met.” 
Companies C and F were recruited in the mountain regions of Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, with depot at Fort 
McHenry; the others in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
Missouri, with the depot at Jefferson Barracks commanded by Colonel 
Bonneville, where the regiment was organized in October, excepting Com- 
pany I, which, owing to the absence of Captain Ruff, was not formed until 
the first of the following April, at New Orleans. 
There is much evidence extant as to the superior material of which the 
regiment was made. It was armed with the hunting rifle, persistently called 
the “yawger.” The barrel was too large for the shank of the bayonet fur- 
nished, and the latter was used for a time with a wooden plug that fitted 
into the bore,—another source of chaff for army wags. Company black- 
smiths eventually overcame this difficulty by swelling the shanks. 
Notwithstanding that the law had presumably fixed the nature of the 
service of the regiment, and recruiting officers had been sincere in their 
representations, the administration found no impediment in the way of or- 
dering it to Mexico early in November, a mandate greeted with cheers 
immediately after the dress-parade at which it was read. Indeed, Companies 
Cand F reached Point Isabel, Texas, October 5, thence went to Monterey and 
later to Tampico, joining at Lobos Island. Soon after horses and equipments THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
were received, the regiment left, November and December, in detachments 
of one or two companies on steamers for New Orleans, all experiencing 
delay there in getting transportation for Point Isabel. The horses were 
placed on schooners with lumber sheds erected for shelter. It was a par- 
ticularly stormy season and most of them were lost in the gales encoun- 
tered in crossing the Gulf, while the remainder were transferred to the 
Second Dragoons, sadly in need of them,—another source of chaff, “dis- 
mounted riflemen.” Disappointing as was this loss of horses, it proved a 
blessing by saving the regiment from being left behind to escort trains for 
Taylor’s army and chase guerrillas in the chaparral, and permitting it in- 
stead to participate in the campaign where it won such renown. 
Major Burbridge left the regiment at New Orleans, and Major Sumner 
was assigned December 12th, to command. Some companies arrived at 
Point Isabel and went to Camp Page the last of December, the others in 
January. In the meantime General Scott, arriving, took D and probably 
another company to Camargo as escort. The regiment embarked, February 
20, 1846, for Lobos Island, arriving two days later. Here it met Companies 
C and F, and was first joined by Colonel Smith. 
March 3d it sailed, and on the 9th landed at Sacrificios Island and 
led in the investment of Vera Cruz, Private Timothy Cunningham of Com- 
pany A, who was killed on the nth by a cannon ball, being the first of 
the regiment to lose his life in action ; Waller and Niell of B being wounded 
the same day. 
Company C only was mounted until I joined at Jalapa, though men from 
others were attached much of the time. Colonel Smith commanded the 
First Brigade, Twiggs’ Division, and Major Sumner the regiment. There 
uTas continuous annoyance from the rear during the siege and almost 
daily skirmishes; on the 23d a brilliant affair at Puente del Medio, C, D 
and E. Among the wounded of D was Sergeant Wm. B. Lane, who rose 
to be major of the regiment and brevet colonel, of whom much might be 
said, and of his good wife who has told so charmingly in her little book, 
“ A Soldier’s Wife,” of female life in the regiment. Here too “ Benny ” 
Roberts, commanding C, attracted attention to the superior material in him 
that was to make an enviable record as a mounted officer. 
The regiment started, April 8th, from its camp at Vegara on that 
memorable expedition of conquest of which history recounts none more 
daring in conception, nor brilliant and thorough in successful execution. 
Detachments were with Captain Johnson in the affair of the 12th, and 
on the 15th Roberts commanded the squadron reconnoissance that found 
the possible route to turn the “Gibraltar ” of Mexico—Cerro Gordo—which 
proved its downfall, but only after the fierce battles of the 17th and 18th, 
which cost the regiment in its terrific assaults the lives of Mason, Ewell, 
Davis and ten men; and the wounding of Sumner, McLane, Maury, Gibbs, 
Gordon and 66 men, many of whom died. Company A had an officer 
(Ewell) and two men killed, and 19 men wounded. 
General Scott expressed his admiration of the “style of execution” of the 
assaults, and said Ewell fell sword in hand within the works. In fact the 
General knelt by his side, took his hand, and soothed his expiring moments 196 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
with kind words of praise. Mason’s leg was swept away by a cannon ball. 
Maury won a brevet, as did several others, and a handsome sword. 
After “embarrassing” their general with prisoners and trophies of vic- 
tory, they pursued the enemy to Encerro, and on the 19th to the Mexican 
Saratoga,—Jalapa. The Castle of Perote, “ second only to San Juan d’Ulloa,” 
fell at noon, the 22d, and on sped Worth to Puebla. The supply departments, 
unequal to the valor of our troops, cause vexatious delays and failure to 
follow up further these splendid victories over a demoralized enemy, and 
give time for disease to make fearful inroads in the ranks, and the foe to 
reorganize and fortify a naturally strong defensive country, and to swarm 
the highways in desperate, barbarous, guerrilla warfare. 
Ruff, with I, mounted, arrives May 20, and also Walker with hundreds 
of recruits. The latter is sent with C to Perote, and the former on the roads; 
and Roberts is placed in command of a battalion of “ irregulars,” all to wage 
war against the relentless, partisan “ rancheros.” It was hard riding nearly 
all the time, encounters almost daily. Space allows mention of but one 
or two. 
Near La Hoya, June 20, thirty riflemen engage and defeat 500 Mexi- 
cans, eliciting high praise of Walker from Colonel Wyncoop, commanding, 
and in turn from Walker of Denman, Claiborne and men. 
July 30, Ruff’s squadron defeats a largely superior force at San Juan de 
los Llanos, killing 40 and wounding 50; winning praise from Smith and 
Scott, and brevets for Ruff and John G. Walker. The War Department has 
given this date wrongly. 
The rifle being clumsy to handle mounted, necessitated firing one round 
and then riding the enemy down with the sabre,—a custom that soon in- 
fused the officers and men with the conviction that they were irresistible; 
an idea that is not yet quite extinct. 
The regiment left Puebla with the advance, August 7th, and reached 
Ayotla the nth, making a reconnoissance of the impregnable fortified 
stronghold, El Penon, on the 12th and 13th, eliciting again the praise of 
General Scott. The turning of Lake Chaleo making the exposed rear “the 
post of honor,” the riflemen were assigned to it, stood off the enemy in 
overwhelming numbers, and when San Antonio thwarted further progress 
were rushed to the front to open the way across the fiedregal to Contreras, 
the 19th. 
Here General Smith displayed generalship and won success worthy of 
the genius of Napoleon ; and General Shields showed the good sense and 
moral courage of Logan at Nashville, that made him “ the hero of three 
wars,” and senator from as many states; winning a splendid victory over a 
ten times superior force partly fortified, when defeat would have been dire 
disaster to the whole army. Yea more, he made possible four sweeping 
victories in a single day,—August 20, 1847,—the greatest field day as yet 
for our army. 
Roberts with A, and Porter with F, open the fray on the 19th, but all 
were soon engaged, and the horrible execution of their rifles appalls the news- 
paper men and demoralizes the enemy. Smith is everywhere and leads a 
part of the rifles to save Magruder’s battery. D is thus split and Sergeant THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CA VALR Y. 
197 
Lane leads a segment, which is given to Van Buren at night, to head and 
fall wounded in the day-break assault. Alfred Gibbs gathers a few madcap 
volunteer riflemen, hastily mounts them on captured animals and sweeps 
with impetuosity upon the rear of the fleeing columns until paralyzed with 
captures; and the regiment rushes on to Churubusco. 
Poor Ruff ! Once placed in arrest for bringing on an engagement and 
summoned before his indignant commander-in-chief, could only explain 
“ 'Twas fight or run, and I’d be ‘ blanked ’ if I’d run.” He was, the 20th, at 
another “ post of honor,” San Augustine, with I and the no less gallant J. G. 
Walker, chafing over the din and roar of battles, and pining to be in the 
armed tornado of Harney’s dragoons who were careering among the flying 
hordes, and under a terrific fire, rattling their sabres at the gates of the Mexican 
capital. But they too have their day. With Sumner at Molino del Rey, 
September 7th, they charge under a heavy fire, encounter an impassable ra- 
vine which they turn, and defeat a vastly superior force of “ the finest cav- 
alry in the world,” we are told. I’s ranks are sadly decimated, and Walker 
carried to his grave in 1893 the marks of the wound he caught. 
Neither Walker’s nor Van Buren’s hurt could keep either from taking a 
gallant part in the fall of Chapultepec, the struggle along the aqueduct and 
assault of the garitas, the 13th ; and triumphant entry into the city, the 14th. 
The newspapers tell us that when the marines faltered in the assault of Cha- 
pultepec through loss of officers, Morris of the Rifles reminded them that he 
was a son of his naval father, and led them on to victory. 
Roberts was detailed to head and “Jimmy” Stuart to accompany the 
Chapultepec storming party from the First Brigade. General Twiggs gave 
the former a flag, now in the Department of State in Washington, saying he 
wanted it to be the first planted upon the rocky fortress. If not actually 
“ planted,” the request was doubly kept, for, turning from that bloody vic- 
tory it was carried by Sergeant Manly of F through the stubborn fight along 
the aqueduct, and was one of the first, if not the first, on the ramparts of the 
city at the Belem garita, where Loring left an arm, and Backenstos, Tucker, 
Palmer, and even Walker again, of the officers were wounded. 
And the next day comes the crowning glory of the war. Roberts is di- 
rected to, and Sergeant Manly actually does, raise the same flag over the 
National Palace, while Porter displays the Riflemen’s flag from the balcony. 
General Scott riding by the regiment about this time, halts, takes off his hat 
and bowing low says: “ Brave Rifles ! Veterans ! You have been baptized 
in fire and blood and have come out steel.” Words are cheap, but apprecia- 
tion sinks deep in the hearts of soldiers. 
Manly dies of his wounds in a few days, as indeed do many others. 
Street-fighting and assassinations occur for a time, and the regiment is put 
on provost duty in the city. Loring and Van Buren have to go to the 
States with their wounds, but the fame of the regiment precedes them and 
the ladies of New Orleans present a $225 flag “ To that gallant regiment 
which from its landing at Vera Cruz to its entry into the famed ‘ City of the 
Montezumas’ has been foremost in every battle, sustaining by the valor and 
sacrifices of its officers and men the flag of our beloved country.” The 
regiment still has the flag, and reveres its associations. 198 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The Mexican army escaping from the city made stupendous efforts to 
destroy all communications, laid siege to Puebla, where several of the regi- 
ment fell, and Rhett won a brevet. Captain Walker at Perote had organ- 
ized the convalescents into the “ diarrhoea brigade,” as it was called, and 
with “ C ” was kept on the jump. October 9th he had a fierce encounter 
at Huamantla with a much superior force, and fell gallantly with many 
of his men, eliciting loud praise from General Lane for his bravery and effi- 
ciency, and lamented by all who knew him. His death promoted Van 
Buren captain. 
General Smith was governor of the city. Police duty, hard riding 
after guerrillas, and occasional encounters, characterized the rest of the ser- 
vice in Mexico. Notable among the latter were the fights at Metamora.* 
November 23d; Galaxara, the 24th, 1847; and Santa Fe, January 4, 1848. 
The regiment left Vera Cruz on the ship Tyrone, July 7, 1848, reaching New 
Orleans the 17th and leaving the same day on the Aleck Scott, arriving at 
Jefferson Barracks the 24th, having had some men die and others drowned 
on the trip. 
Approximately the regiment lost in Mexico four officers and 40 men 
killed ; 13 officers and 180 men wounded, many of the latter dying and could 
be properly rated as killed ; one officer and 202 men died; 141 men were 
discharged for disability, largely from wounds; 17 desertions, many of which 
were undoubtedly assassinations; and three men dishonorably discharged, 
one of whom was drummed out. This showing should refute the averment 
that strict discipline causes desertions, and its study will show the superior 
loyalty of native material. From the men were promoted to be commis- 
sioned officers :—Addison, Bootes, Coleman, Davis, Demerest, Dryer, Hand, 
Irvine, Lane, Underwood, Wingate, and perhaps others. Colonel John 
Green was a rifleman in Mexico, but was promoted later. A. F. Suter was 
the surgeon until his death, December 17, 1847. It was not a chaplain regi- 
ment. 
The appointment as lieutenant in the regiment of the celebrated “ Kit ” 
Carson, in 1847, was not confirmed by the Senate. 
Loring was now the lieutenant-colonel, vice Fremont, and as General 
Smith was kept constantly away commanding divisions or departments 
until his promotion to brigadier general, December 30, 1856, he com- 
manded the regiment till 1861, from which fact many think he was the first 
colonel. 
The incidents of the long, weary march of 2500 miles to Oregon, begin- 
ning May 10, 1849, through a country without roads and often without wood, 
water or grass, and compared to which the loud boasted modern ones sink 
into insignificance, would more than fill the limits of this sketch. Cholera 
raged in the stream of emigrants allured by visions of gold to the new Eldo- 
rado in California, and fabulous stories were inflaming the minds and turn- 
ing the heads of the soldiers. Unlimited wealth could be picked up for the 
trouble ! The death rate was appalling. Excepting Fort Kearney and the fur 
trading station, Laramie, there was not a house between Leavenworth and the 
Columbia. On reaching the latter the horses were too much worn down to 
march, and the mules to haul loads over the Cascade Range. Men were THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
199 
dismounted and the horses driven by details at easy stages. An enormous 
raft was constructed and the baggage put aboard to float down, while the 
command marched on foot. The detachment on the raft let it get into 
the terrific current of the rapids, it became unmanageable and was dashed 
to pieces against the boulders. All but one were drowned and the entire 
cargo was lost. It was a sad plight in this region, but not unmixed, for the 
officers’ returns were nicely balanced to date, and calumny says that for 
years after things would turn up lost on that raft. 
Quarters for the winter were found in Oregon City, about the only town 
in the region. Loring soon looks up a site and locates Columbia Barracks, 
now Fort Vancouver, leaves a natural tree for a fine flagstaff, and by actual 
experiment places the officers’ quarters so far apart that a crying baby can- 
not be heard in the next. 
There was hard work, much detached service, some hanging of Indians 
by Governor Lane, the comrade general in Mexico, and disagreeable service, 
but not much fighting. 
In 1851 the regiment returned to the States, the horses and all the men 
but about seven non-commissioned officers to each company being trans- 
ferred to the First Dragoons. 
In April Lieutenants Walker and Stuart were sent overland to California 
with the horses and some of the men transferred. En route they had a 
fight on June 18 with Rogue River Indians, and in the charge “ Little 
Jimmy” Stuart, the pride of the regiment and one who had won two brevets 
at Chapultepec, was killed. Traditions of his brave and noble character 
live in the regiment to this day. 
The regiment left Vancouver May 8, and proceeding by water via Sa- 
vanna, Havana and New Orleans reached Jefferson Barracks July 16, to re- 
cruit and organize for the third time at the same place within five years. 
Recruits came streaming in and the companies were soon filled, and in 
December, 1851, and January, 1852, the regiment, except A and K, was 
transferred to Texas. Then commenced over four years of hard field 
service in this land of cactus, chaparral and magnificent distances. The 
Comanche and Lapin Indians that had kept this country terrorized for 
two centuries would not yield their sway. Approaching stealthily in great 
numbers, they would scatter in numerous small parties and simultaneously 
attack many widely separate unsuspecting localities, and from each leave a 
trail of blood. These outrages were generally committed as far as possible 
from the troops, but sometimes, with consummate daring, under their very 
noses. Captain Bourke tells of a later expedition, in which companies of 
the regiment took part, in over 20,000 words; Doctor McKee of another in 
a little less; how hopeless the task here. The companies simply made 
with their trails a spider-web of the map of that great empire state. The 
highways were so vexed with these savage pests that everything had to have 
an escort, and even companies had to march way down to Corpus Christi 
to meet their recruits and get their meagre supplies and clothing. 
We left A and K at Leavenworth. They were kept constantly on the 
move in the country between Laramie and Leavenworth until January, 
1854, when they also were transferred to Texas, reaching Fort Inge Feb- 200 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ruary 27. Lieutenant (now General) Carr, one of this command, was 
wounded October 3, this same year, in an engagement with Mescalero 
Apaches, way out near Fort Davis. Captain Van Buren commanded and 
Levi H. Holden was medical officer on the last trip to Laramie. Some 40 
men of A, with Lieutenants Morris and Baker, were not along, but were 
an escort to Captain Gunnison, Topographical Engineers, and went to 
southern Utah, where three men were killed, with the captain, October 
26, near Lake Sevier. 
These enormous marches in a season, on plains fare, though not so hard 
as scouting, are worthy of study by modern readers and writers of magazine 
articles on long marches; and by those who are ignorant of the work per- 
formed by our army, and think nothing that is not from a foreign service is 
of any value. No nation has enjoyed a better practical school for an army 
than our own. 
Before the Carr affair, Van Buren went out with A from Inge, July 4, 
after a band that had run him in that day from fishing in the beautiful 
Leona. He followed them many days through the almost impenetrable 
jungle of chaparral along the Nueces, which he crossed and recrossed many 
times, when on the nth he struck them, and in the charge had an 
arrow put through him from which he died on the 20th. Thus fell another 
hero of the Mexican War. Jerome N. Bonaparte and Crosby joined in 
1852; Bowen, Chambliss, and Edson, 1853; Davant Wright and J. E. B. 
Stuart, 1854; McNally, Treacy, Dubois and Averell, 1855; William H. 
jackson and Enos, 1856. All were from West Point except McNally and 
Treacy who came from the ranks. 
In 1856 the Indian troubles in New Mexico, which then included Ari- 
zona, demanded more troops, and the regiment was ordered there, being 
relieved by the Second (now Fifth) Cavalry. At Camp Crawford, near 
Fort Fillmore, orders were received assigning the companies to Forts 
Craig, Stanton, Thorn, Fillmore, Bliss and Marcy, and Las Lunas, and 
Cantonment Burgwin. Some of the companies marched fifteen hundred 
miles in this change. 
The enormous territory over which the regiment was scattered, the 
predatory disposition of the Indians, and the entirely inadequate force of 
troops, kept the companies of the regiment on the keen jump until it left 
for the States to take part in the Civil War. The country from Denver to 
Las Nogales, and from Texas to Utah, was within the sphere of its opera- 
tions, and it was required to restrain and subdue hostile Indians outnum- 
bering it fifty to one. It would take a volume to give any definite notion 
of its field work, or even of the scouts and expeditions upon which the 
enemy was met and defeated with more or less loss in killed and wounded. 
Captain Gibbs came near losing his life from a dangerous wound, March 
9, 1857, in the Mimbres mountains. Two larger expeditions were made the 
same year against the Coyotero and Gila Apaches, each having several 
encounters with losses. Colonel Loring, with K and detachments from 
other companies, left Fort Union, April 8, 1858, and joined the Utah ex- 
pedition, in which he commanded a battalion, marching past where Denver 
now is and old Fort Bridger, returning to Union, September 14th, direct THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
201 
from Salt Lake. In the meantime A, C, F, H and I, were participating in 
the Navajo war, of which Colonel Lane has told us something, and it is 
hoped that General Averell will tell us more in his forthcoming book. 
The latter was wounded October 9, and in this chronic warfare brave Cap- 
tain McLane fell at the head of I, in an engagement at Cold Spring, near 
the southern base of Black Rock, October 13, i860. Just before the charge 
he handed his flask to a comrade whom he had challenged and said, “ Let’s 
take a drink ; it may be our last together.” 
While the companies were scattered at these remote stations and camps, 
weeks behind the news of current affairs, and one-third of our people had 
plunged into secession believing it right, another third declaring coercion 
wrong, and but the other third taking the stand that saved the Union, the 
impotency of the administration seemingly acquiescing in the claimed right 
of secession; some of the officers imbibed the epidemic political heresy of 
“State’s Rights,’’and at no little sacrifice, cast their lots with the seceded States, 
breaking close, tender and cherished ties of comradeship, and severing their 
connection with a service they revered and had honored. This is no apol- 
ogy for disloyalty to this Union, but a statement of circumstances that his- 
torical fairness demands. The rank and file remained loyal to a man. 
Those who quit at this juncture were Loring, Crittenden, Lindsay, Walker, 
Claiborne, Maury, Baker, W. H. Jackson, “Joe ” Wheeler, McNeill, Kerr, 
Henry and Watts. The last three had never joined for duty, and were of 
the regiment only on paper. 
The companies of the regiment operating against the Mescalero 
Apaches were particularly active in the winter and spring of 1861, the head- 
quarters of the regiment being in the field most of the time. McNally 
with detachments of B and F had a stubborn fight at Mesilla, July 25, 1861, 
with the new enemy in rebellion, sustaining considerable' loss, McNally 
being seriously wounded. The abandonment of Fort Fillmore at midnight 
of the 26th by Major Lynde, district and post commander, and his surrender 
at San Augustin Springs the next day, caught not only McNally but Gibbs, 
who had just met them escorting a train. So two officers and 88 men of 
B, F and I, were made paroled prisoners through treason, or the enervating 
mental effects of long blind obedience in intervals of peace, when officers 
are charged with responsibilities but entrusted with little discretionary au- 
thority. It was mutiny to disobey a traitor or an imbecile. 
These paroled prisoners were all put in F and sent to Fort Wayne, Mich- 
igan, to serve until exchanged, but they soon dwindled down to nothing by 
discharge, desertion and death. Many, however, turned up in the ranks 
again. The changes made Simonson, colonel; Ruff, lieutenant colonel, 
and Roberts and Duncan, majors. 
Notwithstanding two more “ troops,” as they were now called, were 
given the regiment, the promotion and detail of officers so reduced their 
number for duty, and the lack of recruits the enlisted strength, that A, B 
and H had all their men transferred to other troops in August, and the 
regiment became only a battalion. Roberts was in command. 
Late in September, Morris, with C, G and K, engaged and defeated a 
rebel force of Texans near Fort Thorn; E was way out near Fort Wise cov- 202 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ering that country; I was drilling as a light battery, and carried off the 
honors at Val Verde, February 21, 1862, where McRae fell with many of his 
men,—C, D, G and K also participating. C and K had an engagement 
with Indians in Comanche Canon, March 3d, Lieutenant Wall among the 
wounded ; and C and E engaged the rebels at Apache Canon the 26th, and 
Pigeon’s Ranch the 28th, Major Duncan being wounded at Apache Canon. 
G and K struck the retreating rebels again near Albuquerque, April 9th, 
and again near Peralto the 15th, D, E and I participating, Morris in com- 
mand owing to Duncan’s wound. 
From the causes mentioned the men of D and E were transferred, May 
15, 1862, to the four remaining troops which were to constitute the regi- 
ment until the following March. A rebel force demanded the surrender of 
K, May 21, but got a fight and was driven off. “Jerry” Russell, acting 
second lieutenant, in command of a detachment of C, had a fight with 
Indians, June 18, in Canon Ladrone. 
In consequence of the retirement of Colonel Simonson, September 16, 
1861, Marshall S. Howe was promoted colonel of the regiment under the 
new system, which, however, did not repeal the law which made promotion 
lineal in the regiment. But appeal and protest were alike in vain. He 
joined July 10, 1862, and in September the four troops were concentrated at 
Fort Union, and on the 30th started for Jefferson Barracks, where they 
arrived November 23d after a march of 1280 miles. 
In December, 1862, the four troops— C, G, I and K—were transferred to 
Memphis, Tenn., where they were joined by B and F, which had been filled 
at Columbus and had just joined after a raid up the Tennessee River. The 
regiment was first attached to the 16th, and then to the 15th Corps, and on 
October 8, 1863, left Memphis for Corinth, Miss., thence to Cherokee, Ala., 
near which C, F, G and I had an engagement October 21; G and K on the 
24th. Leaving Cherokee with Osterhaus’ Division, the regiment had three 
distinct engagements the same day, October 26, near Tuscumbia. Novem- 
ber 13, it started for Chattanooga in advance of Sherman’s army, went to 
Dercherd and returned to Fayetteville, and then accompanied the column 
to Bridgeport, arriving the 15th, thence to Chattanooga the 23d ; Mission- 
ary Ridge, 26th, and Cleveland, the 30th. It went on the expedition to 
Knoxville, via Athens, Louden and Marysville. Leaving Knoxville Decem- 
ber 6, it pursued the enemy’s trains over the Smoky Mountains beyond 
Murphy, N. C., returning via Tallisco Plains, Charleston, Cleveland, Chat- 
tanooga and Bridgeport to Huntsville, Ala., December 29th, where it re- 
mained on duty until March, 1864, when it proceeded by rail to St. Louis, 
Mo., arriving at Camp Davidson the 7th, to leave May 20th on steamers for 
Duvall’s Bluffs, where it arrived the 26th, left June 4th and reached Little 
Rock the 9th. 
Captain Howland commanded the regiment from the departure of Col- 
onel Howe in May, 1863, until his return, July 20, 1865, all the field offi- 
cers—Stoneman, Roberts, Duncan, Newby and Garrard, as well as the rank- 
ing captains being absent, most of them as general officers of volunteers. 
The duty in Arkansas was principally to prevent the organization of 
commands and to suppress guerrilla bands, escort trains, et cetera. The THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CA VALR Y. 
203 
large territory covered necessitated constant scouting in small detachments, 
which involved hard riding, much risk, but no engagements of magnitude 
to attract attention, while Sheridan was winning glory for his cavalry with 
probably no harder work. 
The enemy would make no stand without having presumably a great 
advantage, and they were superior to the Indians and practised about the 
same tactics. Lieut. George Harrington was killed in action at Memphis, 
August 21, 1864. Captain Howland, with 150 men, was ambushed by a 
much superior force near Benton, September 4th, and his command badly 
demoralized for a time, but rallied to find no enemy. Though eleven men 
were lost, this first reverse in the history of the regiment was treated with 
some levity, and the officers interested ever heard from their fellows of 
“ the Benton Races.” 
November 8, Lieutenant Wilson’s picket station was surprised with an 
attack from these prowlers and lost some men and horses. Tarlton and 
Campbell with forty dismounted men had an engagement until dark, 
January 14, 1865, with a force in position near Dardanelles, but at daybreak 
found it had vanished. Though the Rebellion was on its last legs, a party 
attacked Carroll’s patrol January 22d, not far from Little Rock. Such was 
their persistence and daring. 
In January, 1866, A, D, E, H, L and M, were manned at Carlisle Bar- 
racks and sent to Little Rock, where they were mounted and stationed at 
various posts in the State. While E was en route, near the mouth of the 
Arkansas, the 28th, the boilers of the steamer Miami burst, killing 13, 
wounding nine, and probably drowning 12 who were missing. 
In April, 1866, the regiment was ordered to New Mexico again. Its 
service in the States was probably the easiest it had ever experienced in the 
same period of time, though during the war it had no doubt marched many 
times the number of miles marched by any other regiment. 
The troops concentrated at Camp Reynolds near Fort Smith, and 
marched from that place in three columns of four troops each, June 7th, 
8th and 9th, making a new route to Fort Union, which it reached August 
12th and 14th. From thence headquarters and B went to Fort Craig, A to 
Bascom, C to Wingate, D to Marcy, E and I to Sumner, G to Stevens, H to 
Stanton, K to Selden, L to Albuquerque, and M to Bayard, F remaining at 
Union. Then commenced and continued until the spring of 1870 constant, 
active field work, usually with handfuls of men, escorting trains and survey- 
ing parties, guarding highways and protecting flocks and people from the 
incursions of, and following up and punishing Comanches, Kiowas, Apaches, 
Utes and Navajos. 
The changes in the list of officers were too numerous, and movements 
of troops too complicated to give them space, or even a full list of engage- 
ments. W. N. Greer became colonel in 1866, retiring in December, 1870, 
and giving place to J. J. Reynolds. The following engagements only can 
be mentioned:—Alexander and G, with Utes, October 3, 1866. Detach- 
ments of G and I near Fort Sumner, with Navajos, July 9, 1867. D with 
Mescaleros, near Guadaloupe Mountains, October 18; and K, same date, 
and again near Fort Sumner, November 20, 1867. Detachment of G and I, 204 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
under Adjutant Monahan at Apache Springs, in June, 1868. Detachment 
of E in Mimbres Mountains, October 8th. The Canadian River expedition 
against the Comanches in the winter of 1868-69 > and engagement on Christ- 
mas Day at Elm Creek, I. T. Detachment of B from Bayard in May, 1869. 
Detachment of K near San Augustin Springs, May 7. F and H with Mes- 
caleros in San Augustin Pass, August 15th. F, with Mescaleros in Guada- 
loupe Mountains in November; and again Christmas Day in Canon San- 
guinara, where Lieutenant Yeaton received his death-wound ; and again, 
December 30th, on Delaware Creek. In January, 1870, a plot of the Utes 
and Jicarilla Apaches at the Ute agency, Maxwell’s ranch, to massacre the 
officers and men of A was detected ; the Indians were surrounded and “ Cor- 
ocante” made chief of the Utes. 
The orders for the regiment to go to Arizona sent the headquarters 
with D and I to Fort Halleck, Nevada, marching via Denver to Cheyenne. 
Troops B, E, F, H and K, serving at the southern posts, assembled on the 
Mimbres for the march, leaving March 2, 1870. Captain Bourke has given, 
in his “ On the Frontier with Crook,” an account of the march of this 
column, stations taken by different troops, and of their busy work, no more 
arduous than that of the northern column, composed of A, C, G, L and M. 
The first three left Fort Union, March 8, picking up the other two at, and 
leaving Wingate, April 1st; marching up one and down another Rio Puerco, 
past Muddy Springs, Sunset Crossing, Hell Canon, Cosnino Caves, Bear 
Springs to Prescott, and thence to different stations, A, C and G to Camp 
Rawlins where they arrived the 23d,—soon to change. 
Indian signal smokes had been seen all along the latter part of the 
march, and it soon seemed that all the tribes had united in one tremendous 
effort to terrorize and make Arizona uninhabitable for the whites. Active 
operations began at once, but the troops were thinly scattered and inade- 
quate in numbers. Wagons could not traverse this land of volcanic rocks, 
towering mountains and almost bottomless cafions; and there were no 
public pack trains, no reliable maps, and the Indian fastnesses were inacces- 
sible and unknown. Hard as was the incessant field dutyit was little worse 
than the equally bad fare and miserable life in tents, jacals, and dug-outs of 
the hot and dusty camps. So hard were the officers worked that the regi- 
mental records show but a moiety of what transpired,—nothing of the 
splendid work and fights of the energetic Graham and some others. Gen- 
eral Stoneman said in his official report for the part of the year 1870-71 in 
which he commanded the Department of Arizona, that of thirty-odd ex- 
peditions sent against predatory Indians, twenty-five had engaged and 
defeated hostiles. Yet so far was this from civilization it was hardly known 
or noticed by the outside world. 
Small as was the force and miserably supplied, the expense of the De- 
partment wras appalling at Army and Division headquarters, and the man- 
dates for retrenchments were crippling. The territorial press frothed at the 
mouth and its clamor relieved General Stoneman and brought in May, 1871, 
Lieutenant-Colonel George Crook as commander, assigned on his brevet 
rank as major general. 
Regimental headquarters reached Camp Verde, April 8, 1871, from THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
205 
Nevada, General Grover commanding; D and I, McDowell, during the 
spring. In the fall General Reynolds was relieved from command in Texas, 
and the incongruity of placing him under General Crook took the regiment 
to the Department of the Platte in the winter of 1871-72, marching to Yuma, 
transferring equipage and horses to the Fifth Cavalry, and proceeding by 
water around Cape San Lucas to Benicia, thence by rail to Wyoming and 
western Nebraska. 
The engagements in Arizona were as follows:—B, near San Carlos, April 
30, 1870; E, Chiquito Creek, May 25, East Fork of Verde, June 15, and Rio 
Verde, next day ; A, Indian Springs, June 24 ; F, Pinal Mountains, June 25, 
Apache Mountains, August 1, Pinalito Mountains, October 6, and Turnbull 
Mountains, December 14; H, Pinal Mountains in December; Detachments 
of A, E and G, night of January 7-8, 1871; A, canon of Mazatzal Mountains, 
January 10 ; F, three in February ; E and G in Pinal Mountains in February; 
K, Peloncilla Mountains in March and Gila Mountains the 25th ; B, near 
Date Creek, April 1 ; F, Sierra Ancha, April 4, and Apache Mountains the 
nth and 12th; K, Dragoon Mountains, April 16 ; F, Whetstone Mountains, 
May 5, and Guachaca Mountains, June 1st and 10th ; A and detachments of 
E and G, two on East Fork of the Verde, June 8, and canon of Mazatzal 
Mountains and Wild Rye Creek, the 9th; M, a number in the Sierra Anchas 
in June; Detachment of K, Horseshoe canon, October 24. 
The foregoing by no means complete list is given place as the incom- 
parable service of the regiment in Arizona has been belittled; indeed its 
splendid fighting record from the first has been criticised,—from reasons to 
be surmised. This partial showing of the conspicuous work of F, shows 
also, somewhat the character of its commander,—Lieutenant Howard B. 
Cushing,—who fell in the affair of May 5, 1871. He was a brother of the 
immortal Cushing who blew up the Albermarle, and of the no less gallant 
Alonzo H., who fell at Gettysburg. 
Limits forbid an account of the wanton massacre by Tucson “ toughs ” of 
Indian women and children at Camp Grant in 1871, over which the local 
press involved Lieutenant Whitman in trouble, honoring him with so much 
abuse that Herbert H. Bancroft dignifies it with a place in his history. The 
last detachment of the regiment rather rejoiced in shaking the hot Arizona 
dust from their feet as they stepped on the steamers at Yuma, January 11, 
1872. 
In the Department of the Platte the troops were first stationed at Forts 
Sanders, Russell and McPherson, and Sidney Barracks, which they reached 
early in March after being snow-bound in the Rockies en route. Active 
work commenced before the end of the month and continued for ten years ; 
at first only in summer, with stations on the railroad in winter, but soon the 
severe weather of that rigorous climate was no bar to the field duty the 
year around. 
Besides protecting the frontiers of Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, the 
regiment guarded the enormous reservation of the Sioux, Cheyennes and 
other tribes. The stations were located between them, and their rela- 
tives and allies in the Indian Territory, between whom there was a constant 
intercourse by skulking and freebooting bands that gave much annoyance 206 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
A at Sydney, and later E and G, were between those great tribes and the 
buffalo country,—a game which the Sioux believed to be their God-given her- 
itage, and which they would hunt with or without leave. The young braves 
were constantly making their raids upon the cattle herds and ranches of the 
settlers and friendly tribes. 
These serious annoyances kept the regiment on the go over the broad 
barren expanses of country where wagons could not be used. There were 
none of the fine pack-trains since introduced, and scouting was attended 
by more dangers from cold and exposure than from the Sioux, though they 
were far better armed than any Indians encountered before. The chronic 
state of semi-war was fatal from hardships and exposure, principally, until 
the commencement of 1876, when operations commenced on a scale so much 
larger, that only the most important events can be noticed here. 
General Crook took command of the Department in the spring of 1875, 
and for ten years the service of the regiment was connected with his. The 
Sioux claimed that all the outrages were committed by the northern Chey- 
ennes and Minneconjous, and were charged up to them by the whites. In a 
measure this was true, but the Sioux were no angels. It was determined to 
bring the former down to the Sioux agency for control. They would not 
come by invitation and it was determined to make a winter campaign against 
them. Five troops of the regiment, five of the Second, and two companies 
of the Fourth Infantry, concentrated at Fort Fetterman, which post it left, 
March 1, 1876, under the doubled-headed command of Generals Reynolds 
and Crook. The expedition furnished material for a longer narrative than all 
this. Let it answer, that after many weeks marching from Cheyenne, past 
the Big Horn Mountains almost to the Yellowstone, and return, having 
many night attacks by the enemy, on the 17th it attacked and destroyed 
Crazy-Horse’s village of 105 lodges. Hardly an officer or man escaped 
serious frost bites or frozen limbs, and the command was incumbered with 
many sick and injured, without transportation for them other than that 
improvised. 
An unfortunate controversy that followed this really successful and 
splendid victory perverted the facts, which may sometime be published in 
the interest of truthful history. 
The campaign that followed in the summer involved another return to 
the Big Horn Country, and embraced the gallant feat of the 9th of June, 
when Mills’ battallion plunged into and crossed the swollen Tongue under 
fire, and charged and routed a large force which had attacked the whole 
command. Then the battle of the Rosebud on the 17th, defeating the 
united forces of the Sioux, which, one week later, defeated and almost de- 
stroyed General Custer’s command on the Little Big Horn, which latter sad 
event struck the country with such awe as to smother all consideration of 
the former, though it was probably the greatest Indian battle in our history 
—some 1400 soldiers and friendly Indians, against some 5000 hostiles. The 
brunt of the battle fell upon D, F, I and L, of the Third, which lost some 
ten killed and forty-odd wounded. Captain Henry among the latter. 
Mr. Finnerty in his “Bivouac and Camp Fire ” has given a conscien- 
tious, though not entirely correct, account of the summer campaign and THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
207 
large long-drawn-out expedition to the Yellowstone and return by Heart 
River and the Black Hills, known as the “Starvation March,” where the 
troops were for many rainy days reduced to horse-meat alone for subsist- 
ence in their long muddy march; and the fight at Slim Buttes, September 
9, by a battalion of the Third under Mills and Crawford, where Schwatka 
made his gallant charge through the village of 35 lodges of American 
Horse and Roman Nose, Von Luettwitz lost a leg and many men were 
killed and wounded. 
The Mackenzie expedition in the autumn of 1876, and its fight with Dull 
Knife, in which H and K participated, has been treated exhaustively by the 
Journal. Omitting the numerous small encounters with Indians and road- 
agents, the campaigns that followed found the regiment, or part of it, wher- 
ever there was anything to be done, until the Sioux were once more in 
hand. 
Brief notice must be taken of the Cheyenne outbreak in the Indian Ter- 
ritory in 1878, which put all the troops throughout the West upon the qui 
vtve. Trains of cars were held in readiness at every station occupied by 
troops along the railways, and a battle was fought in western Kansas, where 
Colonel Lewis was killed ; but the Cheyennes got away. New troops were 
switched on behind them at every point where their presence was ascer- 
tained, but they eluded every effort and made their way to the Sioux country. 
The regiment was on an expedition to the Little Missouri country and 
camped on the Belle Fourche, when it was notified and ordered to push for 
the Sioux agencies, and below them, to head the renegades off; which it 
did by forced marches. After floundering in the sand-hills for days, freezing 
from absence of wood and suffering for water, B and D, under Johnson and 
Thompson, finally captured the band October 23d, and took it into Camp 
Robinson, having a revolt, however, on Chadron Creek which required the 
aid of other troops and a part of the Seventh to suppress. The Indians de- 
clared they would die to a man before they would return to the Indian Ter- 
ritory, and they kept their word. Securing arms and ammunition by the 
connivance, no doubt, of friendly (?) Indians, they revolted the night of 
January 9, 1879, shot down the sentinels and made their escape. The 
troops during intensely cold weather had a series of engagements, ten men 
killed and five wounded, before the last hostile Cheyenne was killed—the 
22d—Captain Wessells being shot in the face in the last charge. 
In the summer of 1879 the Utes murdered their agent—Meeker—treated 
his wife and daughter worse as captives, and slaughtered the agency em- 
ployes. E of the Third and a troop of the Fifth, with some infantry, were 
dispatched to the scene in all haste. In the battle which followed, Septem- 
ber 29th, Major Thornburg was killed, and gallant old Captain Lawson with 
E won proud laurels in averting outright disaster. They were complimented 
by a resolution of the Wyoming Legislature, but otherwise received faint 
praise, though the troop lost about fifty per cent, in killed and wounded, 
and held the camp until relieved. 
General Reynolds retired June 25, 1877, and was succeeded as colonel 
by Thomas C. Devin, who died April 4, 1878 ; Washington L. Elliott, who 
retired March 20, 1879; Albert G. Brackett, retired February 18, 1891, to be 208 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
succeeded by Albert P. Morrow, who retired August 16, 1892, promoting 
Anson Mills, the present colonel. 
The troops of the regiment were scattered as usual at different posts 
in the Department, A and M at McKinney, 200 miles from the railroad, 
when the Warm Spring Chiricahuas broke out, at San Carlos, Arizona, in 
the spring of 1882. And although the regiment had served a tour in Ari- 
zona while others nearer had not, it was ordered there by telegraph. 
Making forced marches to the railway stations, some of the troops getting 
snow-bound en route, they were dropped in a few days’ time through thir- 
teen degrees of latitude and down some five thousand feet of altitude into 
a climate where they had to gasp for breath. 
The older officers found a transformation scene from the Arizona of 
ten years before. Now there were comfortable posts fairly supplied, and 
railroads and telegraph lines that connected them with the outer world. 
The utter loneliness and painful stillness were gone, but the lofty moun- 
tains and yawning canons and their old enemy, less savage and numerous, 
were still there. 
Active work commenced at once, with unacclimated men and horses that 
were soon worn out, principally in chasing false reports from the dis- 
tracted population. The hostiles had crossed into Mexico before the regi- 
ment arrived (in May), but they left their usual trail of blood and thousands 
of turbulent Apaches behind. The last soon murdered the chief of Indian 
police at San Carlos Agency, committed other outrages, and broke for the 
mountain fastnesses. The major portion of the regiment had a long stern 
chase, and in time participated in the hardest fought engagement on Ari- 
zona soil,—Chevelon’s Fork, July 17, 1882,—the Apaches receiving a lesson 
which has kept that particular band docile and manageable ever since. 
Twenty warriors were killed, without counting other casualties. Among 
our wounded were Lieutenants Converse and Morgan. A part of the Sixth 
Cavalry was there and did its full share, but the Third made the longest 
marches. 
General Crook took command of the Department soon after, and in Sep- 
tember placed Captain Crawford in charge of the Indians. The valuable 
service rendered by the captain, and by Lieutenants Davis, West, Dugan 
and Gatewood, in handling and controlling the thousands of Indians in 
Arizona, can never be estimated. The theme properly treated would make 
no small acquisition to history. 
In the spring of 1883 Captain Crawford was on the border after Geronimo 
and band. The outrages committed by the Chiricahaus from across the 
line were laid at the door of the reservation Indians, and excited the young 
braves to skylark, or chafe under restraint. Crawford formulated a plan 
which General Crook allowed him to execute. He attempted it with bis 
scouts, but the protocol allowed troops to cross the boundary line only 
while in hot pursuit of hostiles. The murder of Judge McComas furnished 
this plea, and the capture of “ Peaches ” by Davis, a key to the Chiricahua 
stronghold. General Crook rushed down with some troops of the Third 
and Sixth, and crossed before the order from Washington prohibiting it 
reached him,—on a slow horse. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CA VALR Y. 
209 
Crawford, Mackey and Gatewood, pushed ahead into the Apache fast- 
nesses in the Sierra Madre, and, May 15, defeated them in their very strong- 
holds. Accounts of this expedition err : General Crook learned of this fight 
only a day or two after. The Chiricahuas soon sued for peace, and Geron- 
imo came in and surrendered to Crawford, and all were placed under the 
immediate charge of Davis. 
To give the Tenth a change, the Third was treated to a genuine surprise 
in 1885, by an order to go to Texas. It concentrated at Bowie Station, 
April 13, for the march which involved a thousand miles for some of the 
troops, and it may be said, for the benefit of some of the numerous writers 
of magazine articles on marching cavalry, that not a public animal was lost 
on the trip. Before some of the troops had reached their station, the 
Chiricahuas had taken advantage of the departure of the troops whose 
officers knew them individually, their traits, habits, and trails, and the 
arrival of new troops with worn-out horses, to break out and leave another 
trail of blood. Lieutenant Davis had been left with these Indians, and im- 
mediately after the oubreak Captain Crawford was ordered back to the 
scene of the trouble, and the troops of the regiment were ordered out to 
patrol the upper Rio Grande, to protect the Texas frontier, and to render 
such aid as possible to the troops in Arizona operating against the wily foe. 
But while performing this duty, trouble commenced in the Indian Terri- 
tory, and these same troops were hurried to the nearest railroad station and 
embarked without further preparation for the new field of operations, from 
which some of them did not return for nearly two years—marching 1500 
miles. In the meantime the officers of the regiment in Arizona had been 
constantly in the field following and fighting the hostiles, and Captain 
Crawford had a last hard fight with them on January 10, 1886, at Nacori in 
Sonora, Mexico. He captured their camp, baggage, women and children. 
The bucks had escaped only with their arms into the ravines at dark, 
but had promised, through the squaws, to come in next morning and sur- 
render. The morning brought an attack, which was at first supposed to be 
by Geronimo and his warriors, but which proved a lawless band of Mexi- 
cans, who suspended their fire for a time, and then, during the parley, 
treacherously fired a volley that sent a bullet through the brain of Captain 
Crawford. But this was soon avenged by a contest that killed the com- 
mander and two officers, routing the entire command. Subsequently they 
pleaded a mistake, and Lieutenant Maus, accepting the excuse in good 
faith, ventured within their lines, and gave them a note conceding the sad 
mistake. Thereupon he was made a prisoner and held until he gave some 
pack-mules as a ransom. Our Government subsequently demanded recom- 
pense for the mules, but, notwithstanding the second act of treachery, the 
loss of Captain Crawford, who had given his energy and health and finally 
yielded his life to the service, was not sufficient to arouse the Department 
of State to any decided action. Fort Crawford was named in honor of the 
noble captain, as were Ewell, McLane and McRae for the gallant fellows 
who fell before him. The request to call the post at Eagle Pass Fort Yeaton 
did not bear fruit. 
During the last tour in Texas the cavalry was degraded into mounted 210 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
infantry. Its most onerous duty was the consumption of contractor’s forage 
and trying to keep cool, until the local press gave Garza sufficient notoriety 
to secure some lawless adherents who created trouble in 1891-93. This was 
known as the “ Tin Horn War,” from the sensational dispatches furnished 
the press. It involved much hard riding, however; several skirmishes and 
some losses, but most of the blood spilt resulted from thorns of the chapar- 
ral. Captain Hardie, with G, did much effective work and carried off the 
honors, where all were working hard. 
In the summer of 1893 the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley and posts 
in Oklahoma where it now serves, somewhat degenerate in the art of war 
but ready to respond to the first trumpet call for warriors, and will feel 
proud of any regiment in our service that has in the same period marched 
more miles, had more fighting, lost more officers and men without disaster, 
or which excels it in any of the essentials of real soldiering, and will cheer- 
fully grant it the palm, and if in a foreign service, will yield gracefully to 
its claims to superior excellence. THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.* 
Compiled in the office of the Military Service Lnstitution. 
IN the annual report of the Secretary of War (the Hon. Jefferson Davis), 
for the year 1855, it was stated that “The four additional regiments 
authorized by the act of March 3, 1855, have been recruited and organ- 
ized. Seven companies of the First Cavalry have recently returned 
from an expedition into the Sioux country and the regiment will winter at 
Fort Leavenworth, where it will be in position for ulterior operations in the 
spring.” 
When the two regiments of cavalry were authorized to be formed in 
1855 it was with the understanding that all the field-officers and one-half of 
the company officers should be taken from the army, while the other half of 
the company officers should be taken from civil life. 
The military fitness of those selected for the First (now Fourth) Cavalry 
is indicated by the high commands to which many of them rose, as follows : 
Colonel: Edwin V. Sumner (Major General U. S. V. commanding corps). 
Lieut. Col. : Joseph E. Johnston (Quartermaster General U. S. A. ; General C. S. A.). 
Majors: William H. Emory (Major General U. S. V. commanding corps); John 
Sedgwick (Major General U. S. V. commanding corps). 
Captains : Delos B. Sacket (Inspector General U. S. A.); Thomas J. Wood (Major 
General U. S. V.) ; George B. McClellan (Major General, commanding U. S. Army and 
Army of Potomac) ; Samuel D. Sturgis (Brigadier General U. S. V.) ; William D. de 
Saussure (Colonel C. S. A.) ; William S. Walker (Colonel C. S. A.) ; George T. An- 
derson (Brigadier General C. S. A.); Roberts. Garnett (Brigadier General C. S. . 
killed in action). 
First Lieuts. : William N. R. Beale (Brigadier General C. S. A.); George H. Steuart 
(Brigadier General C. S. A.); James McIntosh (Brigadier General C. S. A., killed in 
action) ; Robert Ransom (Major General C. S. A.) ; Eugene A. Carr (Brigadier Gen- 
eral U. S. A.) ; Alfred Iverson (Brigadier General C. S. A.) ; Frank Wheaton (Briga- 
dier General U. S. A.). 
Second Lieuts. : David S. Stanley (Major General U. S. V. ; Brigadier General U. S. 
A.); James E. B. Stuart (Major General C. S. A., mortally wounded) ; Elmer Otis 
(Colonel U. S. A.) ; James B. McIntyre (Major and Brevet Colonel U. S. A.); Eugene 
W. Crittenden (Major U. S. A. ) ; Albert B. Colburn (Lieut. Colonel Staff U. S. A.) ; 
Francis L. Vinton (Brigadier General U. S. V.) ; George D. Bayard (Brigadier General 
U. S. V., killed in action) ; L. L. Lomax (Major General C. S. A.) ; Joseph H. Taylor 
(Lieut. Colonel Staff U. S. A.). 
“In August, 1855, the regiment which had been organized at Jefferson 
Barracks was ordered to Fort Leavenworth. About the middle of Septem- 
ber it was engaged in an Indian expedition in which no fighting occurred, but 
which kept the troops in the field until the fourth of November. 
* The writer is under obligations to Col. E. B. Beaumont, U. S A , (retired) for valuable in- 
formation. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
212 
Daring the following year the First Cavalry was engaged in the work of 
keeping the peace between the political factions in Kansas who were 
struggling with the delicate question of slavery. 
The first important Indian affair in which the new regiment participated 
occurred on the North fork of the Solomon River, within the limits of what 
is now Norton County, Kansas. From a letter* written by one of its officers 
who was there wounded—afterward the famous cavalryman Major General 
J. E. B. Stuart—we quote as follows: 
Camp on Solomon's Fork, July 30, 1857. Yesterday after seventeen days’ march 
from Camp Buchanan, we overtook about three hundred Cheyenne warriors drawn up in 
line of battle, and marching boldly and steadily. We fronted into line as soon as possible 
(the six companies of cavalry) the infantry being too far behind to take any part in the 
action, also Bayard’s battery, which the colonel stopped three or four miles back as unable 
to keep up. It was my intention and I believe that of most of the company commanders, 
to oive a carbine volley and then charge with drawn pistols, and use the sabre as a aernier 
resort; but much to my surprise the colonel ordered “Draw sabres! Charge!” when 
the Indians were within gunshot. We set up a terrific yell, which scattered the Cheyenne : 
in disorderly flight, and we kept up the charge in pursuit. I led off Co. G right after 
their main body ; but very few of the company horses were fleet enough, after the march, 
beside my own brave Dan, to keep in reach of the Indians mounted on fresh ponies. My 
part of the chase led toward the right and front, and in that direction companies G, H 
and D, were, in a short time, mixed together in the pursuit, so that Stanley, McIntyre, 
McIntosh, Lomax and myself were, for the greater part of the time, near each other, and 
frequently side by side. As long as Dan held out I was foremost; but after a chase of 
five miles he failed, and I had to mount the horse of a private. When I overtook the 
rear of the enemy I found Lomax in imminent danger from an Indian, who was on foot 
and in the act of shooting him. I rushed to the rescue, and succeeded in wounding the 
Indian in his thigh. He fired at me in return with an Allen’s revolver but missed. About 
this time I observed Stanley and McIntyre close by. The former said: “Wait! I’ll 
fetch him. ’ ’ He dismounted to aim deliberately, but in dismounting accidentally discharged 
his last load. Upon him the Indian now advanced with his revolver pointed. I could 
not stand that; but drawing my sabre rushed upon the monster and inflicted a severe 
wound upon his head. At the same moment he fired his last barrel within a foot of me 
the ball taking effect in the centre of the breast, but, by the mercy of God, glancing to the 
left, lodging near my left nipple, but so far inside that it cannot be felt. I was able to 
dismount and lie down, before which the Indian, having discharged his last load, was 
dispatched by McIntyre and a man of Co. D. 
From the fall of 1857 until the summer of i860 six companies of the 
First Cavalry were stationed at Fort Riley under the command of Major 
John Sedgwick. 
In 1861 the regiment, like all others of the army, changed to a certain 
extent the personnel of its officers. Some of its most experienced soldiers 
resigned but their places were taken by young and ardent supporters of the 
Union cause who, under the eyes of those officers who remained in the 
service of the Government, rapidly developed into efficient subalterns. 
The operations of the regiment during the first year of the war were 
desultory in their character. On the 18th of March Lt. Col. Emory com- 
manding was ordered to proceed to Fort Washita and establish his head- 
of Stuart’s Cavalry, H. B. McClellan, A. M., New York, 1SS5. THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
213 
quarters. April 17 he was directed to proceed “with all the troops in the 
Indian country west of Arkansas to Fort Leavenworth ” and reached there 
May 31. About the same time Captain Sturgis evacuated Fort Smith and 
marched to Washita. 
Two companies were ordered (May 29) from Fort Wise to Fort Kearney 
to hold in check the Indians in that section and Lt. Col. Sedgwick was sent 
to Leavenworth. On the 22 June, Gen. McClellan, operating in West Vir- 
ginia, applied for that part of the regiment stationed at Fort Leavenworth. 
Capt. Colburn with Companies A and E participated in the battle of 
Bull Run, and was favorably mentioned by the division commander, Col. 
Heintzleman. Companies B, C, D and L were at the same time serving 
under Major Sturgis in Missouri. On the 27th of July a skirmish took 
place near Forsyth, Mo., in which Capt. Stanley, 1st Cavalry, with his troop, 
had the advance and lost two men wounded and four horses killed (includ- 
ing his own, shot under him). The same officer was conspicuous in an 
affair at Dug Springs, Mo., Aug. 2 when, as part of a detachment of troops 
under Gen. Lyon, his squadron made several charges cutting the enemy’s 
line and completing his discomfiture. Capt. Stanley’s loss was four killed 
and six wounded out of a total engaged of forty-two : Sergeants Coates 
and Sullivan were mentioned for gallantry. 
In the annual report of the Secretary of War (Dec. 4, 1854), occurred 
this paragraph : 
“ The cavalry force of our Army being all required for active service of the same kind, 
there appears no propriety in making a permanent distinction in the designation and arma- 
ment of the several regiments. It is therefore proposed to place all the regiments of cav- 
alry on the same footing in these respects, and to leave it in the power of the Executive to 
arm and equip them in such manner as may be required by the nature of the service in 
which they may be employed.” 
It is worth noting that this recommendation of the subsequent Presi- 
dent of the Southern Confederacy was not acted upon until in the early 
part of President Lincoln’s administration when (Aug. 3, 1861), an order 
was issued renumbering the mounted force and naming the subject of this 
sketch the Fourth Cavalry. 
At the historic affair of Springfield, Mo., known as Wilson’s Creek 
(Aug. 10), where the lamented Lyon fell, the regiment was represented by 
Captain Carr’s company and one company under Lieut. Canfield, 2d 
Drags.*—serving in different brigades. In the official reports Lieut. Can- 
field is honorably mentioned ; the casualties consisted of one wounded and 
three missing in D, and four missing in I. The small regular cavalry force 
engaged shared in whatever of credit could be obtained from “ the mixture 
of glory, disgrace and disaster,” reported by Major Schofield of Gen. 
Lyon’s Staff as a prominent feature of this engagement. 
On the 19th Dec., 1861, a spirited skirmish, in which B, C, D, (being part 
of an expedition under Gen. Pope to cut Price’s communications) behaved 
very gallantly, occurred on the Blackwater River, Mo. Gen. Pope reported 
that in attempting to carry a bridge held by a strong force of the enemy: 
* Afterward Captain 2d Cav. Killed at Beverly Ford, Va., June 9, 1863. 214 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“The two companies of the 4th regular cavalry being in the advance under the com- 
mand respectively of Lieuts. Amory and Gordon were designated for that service and were 
supported by the five companies of the First Iowa. Lieut. Gordon led the charge in person 
with the utmost gallantry and vigor, carried the bridge in fine style and immediately formed 
his company on the opposite side. He was promptly followed by the other companies. The 
force of the enemy posted at the bridge retreated precipitately over a narrow open space into 
the woods. The two companies formed in line at once, advanced upon the enemy and were 
received with a heavy volley of small arms. One man was killed and eight wounded by 
this discharge, with one exception all belonging to Co. D ; Lieut. Gordon himself received 
several balls through his cap.”* 
When McClellan in April, 1862, began his Peninsular Campaign, two 
companies (A and E) of the Fourth Cavalry (4 officers and 104 men) under 
Captain McIntyre constituted his personal escort; the remainder of the 
regiment being on duty in the West. On the 27th August, Gen. Mc- 
Clellan reported that he had loaned his “ personal escort (a squadron 4th 
Cav.) to Burnside to scout down the Rappahannock.” In October, 1862, 
this squadron joined the regimental headquarters in Tennessee. 
In Nov. 1862, Cos. F and H were stationed at Fort Laramie, Neb. 
At Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh) Tenn., April 6, 1862, Company I was 
present, losing one enlisted man and five horses killed and five men 
wounded ; this company (together with B, C, D, G, K) was also present at 
Corinth, Miss., 9-14 May; a detachment under Lieut. Gordon took part in an 
affair near Farmington, Miss.; no casualties. 
In the organization of the Army of the Mississippi, April 30,1862, Capt. 
E. W. Crittenden commanded a part of the regiment, “ unattached.” 
During the Stone River campaign (1862-63) the regiment commanded 
by Capt. Elmer Otis served under Gen. Stanley who said in his report of the 
operations near Murfreesborough that “The Fourth U. S. Cavalry behaved 
very handsomely.” The casualties comprised three enlisted men killed and 
Capt. Eli Long and nine men wounded ; twelve men missing. Capt. Otis in 
his official report + states that “ from prisoners taken (of whom there were 
over one hundred) by the regiment I have learned that the 4th U. S. Cav- 
alry charged at this time an entire brigade of cavalry and routed them to 
such an extent that they disappeared from the field altogether.” Other de- 
tails are given as follows : 
“ Of the officers engaged it is almost impossible to particularize, they all did so well. 
Capt. Eli Long led his company with the greatest gallantry and was wounded by a ball 
through his left arm. Lieuts. Mauck, Kelly, Lee, and Healy could not have done bet- 
ter. It was a matter of surprise to me, considering the ground passed over to find Dr. 
Comfort so soon on the field with his ambulance caring for the wounded ; he was in time 
to capture a prisoner himself. First Sergt. Martin Murphy led Co. G and commanded it 
with great gallantry. He reportshaving counted eleven dead of the enemy on the ground 
over which his company charged. Sergt. Major John G. Webster behaved gallantly, taking 
one lieutenant mounted on a fine mare. First Sergt. James McAlpin led Co. K after 
Capt. Long was wounded. First Sergt. John D. Lan (B) captured a captain and received 
his sword. No one could have acted more bravely than First Sergt. Charles McMasters. j; 
*See Lieut. Amory’s Report, War Records VIII., 40. 
t War Records XX., part I., 648. 
t Afterward Lieut. 2d U. S. Cavalry, killed at Front Roval, Va., in 1864. THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
215 
First Sergt. Christian Haefling, in charge of courier line near headquarters, proceeded in 
the thickest of the fire and recovered the effects of Colonel Garesche on his body, killed in 
this day’s fight. * * 
“ Private Snow (L) orderly to Gen. Rosecrans was ordered, Jan. 2, to pick up fif- 
teen stragglers, take them to the front and turn them over to some commissioned officer. 
Failing to find an officer he put them into line and fought them himself, telling them the first 
one who attempted to run he would shoot. Private Snow reports they fought bravely.” 
At the battle of Franklin, April io, 1863, the regiment under Capt. Mc- 
Intyre greatly distinguished itself, charging and capturing a battery of six 
guns and some three hundred prisoners. A large force of the enemy sub- 
sequently attacked our troops and after an hour’s fight McIntyre was 
obliged to abandon the guns, having spiked them and broken up the car- 
riages. Gen. Stanley in his report of the battle said : “ From the circum- 
stances the Fourth Cavalry did the most gallant service. Two gallant 
officers, old soldiers, were dangerously wounded—Lieuts. Healy and Sim- 
son, the former it is feared mortally.” Capt. McIntyre gives a full account* 
of this fight for which there is unfortunately not space here. 
The regiment was also in action at Middleton, Tenn., 20 and 23 May, ’63 (B, D, E, 
G, I, K, M); Shelbyville, Tenn., 27 and 30 June, '63 (B, C, D, G, I, L, M); Ring- 
gold, Ga., 18 Sept., ’63 (A, B, C, I, M) ; Chickamauga Creek, Ga., 18 and 25 Sept., 
’63 (B, C, D, E, F, G, I, L) ; Okalona, Miss., 22 Feb., ’64 (A, B, F, G, FI, I, K, L, 
M ) ; Tallahatchie River, Tenn., 22 Feb., ’64 (A, H, M) ; Dallas, Ga., 26 and 28 
May, ’64 (A, B, C, E, F, I, M) and Lovejoy’s Station, Ga., 20 Aug., ’64. 
In the latter part of October, 1864, the 4th Cavalry was relieved from 
duty with a brigade and ordered to Cavalry Corps Headquarters. The 
regiment was very much reduced in strength, numbering about 175 men. 
It marched to Nashville and took part in that battle on the 14th and 15th 
of December and in the pursuit of Hood. On the 24th of December a 
portion of the regiment, led by the brave Lieut. Joseph Hedges, charged 
into a battery of three guns driving them off the field and finally capturing 
them after a pursuit of a mile. 
The Corps Commander (Gen.Wilson) says of this incident:! 
“ Late in the evening, apparently exhausted with a rapid marching, the enemy took up 
a strong position in the open field about a mile north of the West Harpeth. It was then 
so dark from fog and approaching night that the men of Hatch’s division who had be- 
come somewhat intermingled with the sullen and taciturn Confederate stragglers, began to 
doubt that the ranks which were now looming up in their front were really those of the 
enemy’s rear-guard. The momentary hesitation caused by this doubt gave Forrest an op- 
portunity to straighten his lines and to push his single remaining battery in position so as 
to sweep the turnpike. Hatch on the left and Knipe on the right were at once ordered to 
charge the enemy’s flanks, while the Fourth Regular Cavalry, under Lieut. Hedges, was 
directed straight against his centre. Seeing what was about to burst upon him, the battery 
commander opened with canister at short range, but had hardly emptied his guns before 
the storm broke upon him. Forrest did his best to hold his ground, but it was impossible. 
Hedges rode headlong over the battery and captured a part of his guns. * * * 
“ Lieut. Hedges, outstripping his men, was captured three different times, but throw- 
* War Records XXIII., part I, 231. 
t “ Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.” 216 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ing his hat away and raising the cry, ‘ The Yankees are coming, run for your lives,’ suc- 
ceeded in getting away. ’ ’ 
Gen. Wilson’s staff headed by Col. E. B. Beaumont charged with the 
Fourth Cavalry in this affair. 
It participated in the campaign of Selma and in the march to Macon. 
At Selma (April 2, 1865) it was again distinguished by a mounted charge 
on the enemy’s earthworks. This was repulsed with loss, but a second 
charge, dismounted, resulted in carrying the works. “ The enemy rallied 
behind a second line of works where they were charged by a small mounted 
battalion of the Fourth Cavalry. The charge was broken up by a railroad 
cut and some fences close to the works. The regiment lost many horses ; a 
few men killed and some wounded. Lieut. Webster was shot in the arm 
and Lieut. O’Connell had his horse shot under him, and was supposed to be 
killed. This charge failed; but the same battalion dismounted and sup- 
ported by the 17th Indiana and 3d Ohio and a section of the Chicago Board 
of Trade Battery charged again and the line was gallantly carried. As we 
approached the works we had the satisfaction of seeing the bulky form of 
O’Connell rise from behind his dead horse, where he had been lying to 
avoid the enemy’s fire. He was bruised but unwounded.” * 
About,the time of the capture of Selma, it lost a dashing young officer, 
Lieut. Elbridge G. Roys, who while in command of a party of scouts was 
surprised by Forrest’s body guard and he and several men were killed and 
many were wounded. 
After the capture of Macon, Georgia, the regiment remained there until 
late in November when it was ordered to Texas where ten companies were 
concentrated at San Antonio and two companies were sent to the Rio 
Grande. In the fall of 1866 the companies occupied the posts of Verde, 
Fredericksburg and Macon. In 1867 old Fort Chadbourne was reoccupied 
by four companies of the 4th Cavalry. In May, 1873, it was concentrated 
at Forts Clark and Duncan and under Ranald S. Mackenzie made a march 
into Old Mexico, surprising a Kickapoo village 40 miles in the interior, 
near Rey Molino. This affair was the result of an arrangement, with the 
tacit approval of the authorities on both sides of the Rio Grande, to permit 
troops in hot pursuit of Indian marauders to follow them across the line. 
The troops engaged consisted of A, B, C, E, I, M, and a detachment of 
Seminole scouts under Lieut. Bullitt. The Rio Grande was forded at night 
and the Kickapoo camp was surprised soon after daylight: the camp was 
burned and 200 horses and forty squaws and children were captured—the 
heads of families being absent on a raid. 
In August, 1874, eight companies of the Fourth Cavalry, commanded 
by Captains McLaughlin, Beaumont, Gunther, Boehm, Wirt, Heyl, left Fort 
McKavett and proceeded via Fort Concho, Texas, the North Concho River, 
to a point on the First Fork of the Brazos close to the Staked Plains. Here 
a supply camp was established on September 2 and left under the command 
of Col. Thomas Anderson while the cavalry and an escort of the 8th 
Infantry for the wagon train scouted the heads of the Brazos, Pecos and 
Red rivers. On the night of the 26th of September hostile Indians attacked 
the camp of the 2d battalion under Capt. Beaumont and was driven off THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
217 
without loss to the command, and on the following day an attempt to bring 
hem into action failed. Col. Mackenzie was present with the battalion, and 
directed operations. 
On September 27 the command marched all night and at daybreak sur- 
prised several small camps of Ouajada Comanches in the Paladuro Canon 
of the Red River, burning numerous teepees and capturing over 1600 head 
of horses and mules. About midnight during the march, a broad trail was 
struck which was followed until daylight, when it led into a steep canon 
some six or seven hundred feet deep. It was necessary to dismount and 
lead the horses as it was impossible to ride. Half way down, a sleeping 
Indian was awakened by the noise of the command, and springing upon a 
pony gave a piercing yell of alarm which was echoed at the bottom of the 
narrow valley where the Indians could be seen rushing out of their lodges 
and trying to throw some of their effects on their ponies, but they were too 
late to save anything. The squaws and children rushed into the side ravines 
among the rocks and brushes while the companies led by Captains Beau- 
mont and Boehm pushed rapidly up the canon expecting to meet a heavy 
resistance every moment. The canon was almost choked with horses and 
it was difficult to get ahead of them, but the two companies finally succeeded 
in forcing their way through the frightened herd and turned it back. Lieut. 
Dorst, who had command of the advance skirmishers, drove the Indians 
before him and kept the way clear for the two companies, and when ordered 
to return brought with him a hundred horses picked up in a side canon. 
Gen. Mackenzie ordered the command twice to halt, but Capt. Beaumont, 
being in advance, sent word back that it was injudicious to halt when the 
enemy were in full flight and as many horses would be lost. The second 
order to halt was received when the bulk of the horses had been secured. 
Capt. Boehm made his way through the brush and foot hills with remark- 
able rapidity and had his company well in hand. The horses were slowly 
driven down the canon, when the foe commenced firing from the south 
side of the canon, but after wounding a couple of horses and a trumpeter 
of Capt. Gunther’s troop were silenced by twenty men of A troop led by 
Lieut. Dorst, who with great fatigue climbed the almost perpendicular 
north face of the canon and opened fire. The lodges were burned con- 
taining large supplies of dried buffalo meat, robes and kettles, and the 
horses and mules driven back up the trail of the plain. After a rest the 
whole command moved back to the wagon train where it arrived at mid- 
night and, putting the animals into the corral formed by the wagons, took 
a well earned sleep. Next day some twelve hundred of the animals were 
shot as it was impossible to hold them together to drive two hundred miles 
ot Fort Griffin, the nearest post. This band of Indians was on foot and 
rapidly travelled to Fort Sill, willing to sue for peace at any price. The 
command remained in the field until late in December, and during that 
period visited heretofore unknown districts of the Staked Plains, and upon 
one occasion surprised a camp of Indians, capturing a dozen squaws and 
children and about one hundred and sixty horses. The command proceeded 
to Fort Griffin, arriving there December 27, 1874, having been nine days in 
making a march of only one hundred miles. The wagons had to be pulled 218 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
out of the mud by dismounted men. The Regiment took posts in the In- 
dian Territory in 1875. 
On Nov. 25, 1876, an expedition under Gen. Mackenzie, comprising B 
D, E, F and M troops 4th Cavalry, while scouting on the Powder River came 
upon Dull Knife’s band of Cheyennes. The commanding officer’s report is 
as follows: 
“ About 12 o’clock M. on the 24th inst. while marching in a southwesterly direction 
toward the Sioux Pass of the Big Horn Mountains I was met by five of the seven Indian 
scouts who had been sent out the evening before who reported that they had discovered 
the main camp of the Cheyennes at a point in the mountains fifteen or twenty miles distant. 
The command was halted until near sunset and then moved toward the village intending 
to reach it at or before daylight. Owing to the nature of the country which was very 
rough, and in some cases difficult to pass with cavalry the command did not reach the vil- 
lage until about half an hour after daylight. The surprise was however, almost if not 
quite complete. The village, consisting of 173 lodges and their entire contents, was de- 
stroyed. About 500 ponies were taken and 25 Indians killed whose bodies fell into our 
hands, but from reports which I have no reason to doubt I believe a much larger number 
were killed. Our loss was one officer and five men killed and twenty-five soldiers and 
one Shoshone Indian wounded. Lieut. McKinney, 4th Cavalry, who was killed in this 
affair, was one of the most gallant officers and honorable men that I have ever known.” 
In March, 1880, E, K, L, M and D were at Fort Garland, Colorado, pre- 
paring for an expedition into the Uncompaghre Ute country. On May 19, 
1880, the five companies under Maj. E. B. Beaumont left Garland and pro- 
ceeded via Alamoso, Saquache for the Cochetopa Pass, and crossing the 
Rocky Mountains there arrived at Los Pinos Agency on the Uncompaghre 
River May 31. Gen. R. S. Mackenzie commanded the expedition which 
consisted of a battation of the 19th Infantry and one of the 4th Cavalry. 
Commissioners were present negotiating with Ouray the Uncompaghre Ute 
Chief for the removal of his band from that country to a reservation on the 
Green River. While negotiations were in progress the 4th Cavalry scouted 
the Grand River and Grand Mesa country. In the fall the troops returned 
to their stations in Kansas. In May, 1881, Companies A, B, D, K and L 
returned to the Uncompaghre country and moved the Uncompaghre Utes 
to their new reservation. The Apaches having broken out in Arizona Gen. 
Mackenzie was ordered there with a portion of his regiment which was 
finally concentrated in posts in New Mexico with headquarters at Santa Fe. 
Gen. Geo. A. Forsyth, lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, took post at Fort 
Cummings from whence he scouted into Arizona and had a spirited fight in 
the Stein’s Peak range, Lost Canon. 
In June, 1884, the 4th Cavalry was ordered to Arizona where the com- 
panies took post at Huachuca, Bowie, Lowell and McDowell. During ’85 
and ’86 several detachments of the 4th Cavalry were in the field operating 
against the Chiricahua Apaches. 
In May, 1885, a party of about fifty of the Chiricahua Indian prisoners 
escaped from the White Mountain Reserve in Arizona, headed by Geronimo 
and Natchez, and entered upon a career of murder and robbery unparalleled 
in the history of Indian raids. Gen. Miles organized a well-equipped force 
under Capt. H. W. Lawton, 4th Cavalry. This command with great energy THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
219 
and persistence kept on the trail, overtook the band in the mountains, cap- 
turing nineteen horses and all the enemy’s supplies and finally, in Septem- 
ber, rounded up the hostiles and brought about their surrender. Gen. 
Miles reported that Capt. Lawton 
“ In this remarkable pursuit followed the hostiles from one range of mountains to an- 
other, over the highest peaks, often 9000 and 10,000 feet above the level of the sea and 
frequently in the depths of the canons where the heat in July and August was of tropical 
intensity. A portion of the command leading on the trail were without rations for five 
days, three days being the longest continuous period. They subsisted on two or three 
deer killed by the’scouts and mule meat without salt.” 
Among others entrusted with important duty was Captain Wirt Davis, 
4th Cavalry, who crossed into Mexico in July, making a forced march in 
pursuit of Geronimo. That officer together with Lieuts. Elliott, Walsh and 
Benson were highly praised in the annual report of the Department Com- 
mander. 
The operations of the regiment during the year cover a vast territory. 
Capt. Hatfield’s troop returning from a successful scout, while passing 
through a deep and narrow canon, embarrassed with captured property, was 
attacked by the hostiles and a sharp fight ensued. “ There were several cases 
of conspicuous bravery displayed in this fight; the action of Sergeant Sam- 
uel H. Craig was most heroic and very worthy of praise. First Sergeant 
Samuel Adams, and Citizen Packer George Bowman exposed their lives in 
attempting to rescue John H. Conradi of the troop, who lay seriously 
wounded on the ground, but still using his rifle to good effect. This act of 
bravery and heroism would have been richly rewarded had not this unfor- 
tunate soldier received a mortal wound as he was being borne from the 
field by his devoted comrades. * ” 
The service of the regiment during the next three years was uneventful. 
During the fall of 1889 a camp of instruction was established near Fort 
Grant, Arizona, where twelve troops of cavalry, four of infantry, and a de- 
tachment of the hospital corps were assembled under Col. Compton, and for 
a month were exercised in all field manoeuvres. On the night of Oct., 8 
Mexican desperadoes fired upon a detachment of Troop I, while encamped 
at Mescal Springs, mortally wounding two enlisted men. 
In May, 1890, the regiment was transferred from Arizona to the Depart- 
ments of California and Columbia with headquarters at Fort Walla Walla, 
Washington. In Oct. 1891, Troop C changed station to Fort Bidwell, Cal. 
In Feb. 1892, Troops I and K were assigned to duty in the National 
Yosemite and Sequoia Parks respectively. 
During the forty years of its official existence the Fourth Cavalry has had 
seven colonels—men of distinction in their profession : Edwin V. Sumner 
(3 March ’55-16 March ’61), who moulded the regiment after the old dragoon 
pattern and became one of the great generals of the Army of the Potomac; 
Robert E. Lee (16 March ’61-25 April ’61), afterward the famous Confederate 
chieftain; John Sedgwick (25 April ’61-9 May ’64), the able Union soldier 
who gave up his life at the head of his corps in the Wilderness; Lawrence 
* Annual Report, 1886, Gen. Miles. 220 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
P. Graham (9 May ’64-15 Dec. ’70), one of the heroes of Resacade la Palma; 
Ranald S. Mackenzie (15 Dec. ’70-1 Nov. ’82), the brilliant young cavalry- 
man and scourge of the border Indians; William B. Royall (1 Nov. ’82-10 
Oct. ’87), scarred veteran of two wars and innumerable conflicts with sava- 
ges ; and Charles E. Compton (19 Oct. 1887) the present head of the regi- 
ment— a fine type of the volunteer and regular service. 
Behind these leaders have ridden, boot to boot, for thousands of miles 
over trackless deserts, through dangerous canons, up the faces of frowning 
cliffs and across rivers broad and deep, dusty columns of fearless horsemen ; 
many have left their bones bleaching on the burning sands of Texas, in the 
glare of an Arizona sun or resting in more or less “ hospitable graves ” in 
Kansas, Virginia, and Georgia. 
The deeds of these brave American cavaliers deserve to be chronicled at 
greater length than is practicable here ; in these peaceful days there is no 
nobler professional task to whichone of itsyounger officers can devote him- 
self than to fully record the achievements of the regiment to which he has 
the privilege and honor to belong. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
FIRST LIEUT. EBEN SWIFT, U. S. A. 
Fifth Cavalry. 
WHEN Mr. Jefferson Davis, the war secretary in 1855, had secured 
the adoption of his pet scheme for the organization of two new 
mounted regiments, he set out at once to make them worthy of 
his patronage. Much opposition had been encountered from 
the class of politicians who are inimical to a regular army, who pretended 
to fear many plans for conquest abroad or reward for favorites at home, so 
that, among other compromises, about half of the new appointments were 
made from civil life. Among the officers of the Army, great rivalry existed 
for the new places, on account of the prospective increase in rank. Mr. 
Davis then displayed that fine judgment in the selection of men, which has 
been said to be the first requisite of greatness, and which afterwards enabled 
him to place the fate of the Southern Confederacy in the best hands from 
the early days of the war. Out of twenty officers who joined our regiment 
from the Regular Army in 1855, those who obtained the grade of general 
officer in the Rebellion were, Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee, Hardee, 
Emory, George H. Thomas, Van Dorn, Kirby Smith, Oakes, Innis Palmer, 
Stoneman, “Shanks” Evans, R. W. Johnson, Field,Gerrard, Cosby and Hood. 
Four of them commanded great armies in the field, and many of the others 
had large independent commands. Lowe was recommended by Grant, 
Thomas and Rosecrans, but he was pursued to the end by an enmity which 
prevented his passing the grade of colonel. Van Camp, whose early promise 
was as great as the best, was killed at the head of a charge on an Indian 
village. Among those who entered from civil life, Chambliss, Harrison, 
Royall and others, were worthy of high commands, but were disabled early 
in the war; O’Hara was the gifted author of the “ Bivouac of the Dead ; ” 
Jenifer became a general officer in the armies of the South and was the in- 
ventor of the celebrated saddle which bears his name. Later came Fitzhugh 
Lee and Major, soon to be distinguished Confederate generals; and, in 
the first days of the war, Custer and McIntosh joined, fought themselves 
to captaincies, and were then detached to volunteer commands, where great 
honors awaited them. Another of the lieutenants of 1861 was General 
Richard Byrnes, who was killed in command of the Irish Brigade at Cold 
Harbor. 
The beginnings of the regiment were in other ways worthy of its thor- 
oughbred personnel. The very best horses were obtained, and the result 
was the only really excellent mount that the regiment has ever had. The 
average price was one hundred and fifty dollars, which would be more than 
equivalent to double that amount at this time. The purchase was made 222 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
mostly in Kentucky, by officers designated by a regimental order, and after 
six years of the hardest kind of service most of these horses were left 
behind with deep sorrow when General Twiggs surrendered to the State of 
Texas. 
There is not much of interest to recall in the way of arms and equip- 
ment. Several , patterns of carbine were in use, with Colt’s revolvers and 
the inevitable sabre. The carbine was discarded in the early part of the 
war, but had to be resumed of course, and is now, with the revolver, 
replaced by a more efficient arm. The “beautiful white weapon” has 
remained unchanged, and history fails to record the size of its grave-yard, 
even in the hands of the cavaliers of the Fifth. Changes in equipment 
have not been radical, and not all of them have been approved by the best 
experience. For instance, what fate should pursue the snaffle-rein, to 
drive it out of use, while we keep the carbine-sling after thirty-five years ? 
There was the close fitting jacket, trimmed with yellow braid; the 
silken sash; the black hat, looped with an eagle at the side, with trail- 
ing plumes of ostrich feathers. Brass scales for the shoulder, to turn the 
sabre strokes of the enemy, were provided, but only used for full dress. 
There were no boots or gauntlets. 
The first drills were conducted by Major Hardee, the author of the tac- 
tics of that day, and the early discipline soon felt the master hands of such 
men as Johnston, Lee and Thomas, assisted by as good a lot of soldiers as 
ever spurred steed in fight or foray. There were rollicking times too, and 
bouts where eager subs would have drained the brimming Council Cup of 
Rothenberg without a sigh. They tell of many a run after hounds or over 
the track, and of “ Bumble ” and “ Eagle ” and other famous racers, 
backed by the the light riders of the old regiment, who always carried its 
colors to the fore. And there was once a game in which a certain lieutenant 
waged a thousand dollars and did not hold a pair. He afterwards led the 
forlorn hope of an expiring cause, and the incident was cited in solemn 
council, to show that such a man would surely fight on the morrow. 
A very poor ranch, such as you may run across now in some distant 
sagebrush Eden of the now frontier, built of stone or logs chinked with 
mud, with a clay floor and an earthen roof, formed a palatial residence. 
To such a home the ladies of the old army followed their lords, and counted 
themselves happy when it was no worse. In those early Texas days most of 
the time was passed under canvas, with a certainty of constant scouting and 
a change of station at least once a year. Articles which we regard as neces- 
sities, even ice and potatoes, were unheard of luxuries at many posts, and 
scurvy was a well-known word in hospital records. The houses of the few 
married men formed charming social resorts which helped to keep alive 
the graces and refinements of civilization. Many a jolly party met within 
the narrow quarters, and the Thanksgiving turkey was none the less enjoyed 
when the guests had to sit on the family beds in order to arrange themselves 
at table. General Johnston’s quarters at Fort Mason consisted of one 
small room for himself and family. 
The early service was well calculated to test the metal of officers and 
men. In the preceding year General Scott had reported that, in Texas, THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
223 
Indian hostilites had been more destructive than at other points. Long be- 
fore the regiment left, the hostiles had been driven far into the interior, and 
they had been harried in their own hunting grounds and villages. Called to 
patrol a frontier extending from the Red River in the north, to Fort McIn- 
tosh on the Rio Grande, it scouted far into New Mexico, fought in Indian 
Territory, and defeated Mexican or Indian marauders in old Mexico. Forty 
well contested engagements were fought with Lipan, Apache, Kiowa or 
Comanche Indians, and with Mexican guerillas. All who know how hard it 
is to catch an Indian on the war-path, will appreciate the hard riding, the 
winter cold, the summer thirst, the quarries trailed but never flushed, the 
wakeful nights, the heavy days, involved in that brief record. There was no 
disaster. 
The most successful engagements were fought by an expedition to the 
Wichita Mountains in the winter of 1858-59, under Major Earl Van Dorn. 
In the two combats of this command over a hundred warriors were left dead 
on the field; the villages and ponies were captured. Van Camp, already 
distinguished in several engagements, was killed at the head of his troop. 
Van Dorn, Kirby Smith and Fitzhugh Lee, were wounded ; six enlisted men 
were killed, and twenty wounded. One of Van Dorn’s wounds was at first 
supposed to be mortal; he was shot at close range by an arrow which went 
entirely through his body. 
On the first occasion four troops, after a forced march of ninety miles in 
thirty-six hours, came upon Buffalo Hump’s Comanche camp, consisting 
of a hundred and twenty lodges, and between four and five hundred Indians. 
It was a little after daylight, and a complete surprise. The cavalry was 
formed in line of troops, in columns of twos, guide right, and so they dashed 
into the village, which lay among some rough ravines well filled with thick 
reeds and underbrush. The Indians rallied and fought desperately hand 
to hand. It was several hours before they were completely dislodged and 
then they fled, followed by the troops. On the second occasion, after much 
ineffectual scouting, a part of the same band was attacked again some 
months after, with like result. For these and other actions high praise was 
given. The pride of the Comanches was broken. 
During the great Rebellion the regiment was engaged before the first de- 
feat, and after the last triumph of the Federal forces. At Bull Run a bat- 
talion was with the last organized troops who opposed the Confederates ; 
it served as rear-guard to Centerville and bivouacked on the ground where 
it lay before the battle. It helped to stop the last advance of Lee’s army, 
and it had killed and wounded at Appomatox on April 9, 1865. There were 
one hundred and twenty-five battles and minor actions in which loss in 
killed, wounded and missing, was suffered by one or the other combatant. 
The cavalry received little encouragement in the early part of the war. 
It suffered from the well-known ignorance, in high places, of the fit manage- 
ment and proper use of the arm. The war was nearly half over when 
Mr. Lincoln asked General McClellan “what the horses did to fatigue any- 
thing,” and about the same time the celebrated remark about “dead cavalry- 
men ” was attributed to General Hooker, but never made. As a matter of 
fact the Fifth Cavalry performed some of its best service in those days, when 224 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the arm was outnumbered and overworked. The brilliant dash at Fairfax, 
the capture of two companies of unbroken infantry by Harrison’s troop at 
Hanover Court House, Custer at New Bridge, McIntosh at Sycamore Church, 
afforded a few of the examples of successful use of efficient cavalry in those 
early days. With battle records far exceeding that of the infantry, it was 
not called upon to suffer the terrible losses of foot troops in single engage- 
ments. The opportunities for mounted action were few. When dismounted, 
it was not its duty to fight desperately in attack or defense. But while the 
infantry had its season of rest the cavalry was constantly exposed, and suf- 
fered a large percentage of loss in almost daily fighting and scouting. 
Many were captured as a matter of course, from the isolated nature of its 
duties, but capture meant neither defeat nor dishonor; it generally showed 
that the trooper had ventured and risked too much. 
A regular regiment, during the war, was under many disadvantages. Its 
field-officers, and many others, were commanding volunteers and serving on 
important duty elsewhere. The Fifth Cavalry, with the exception of a few 
months, was commanded by captains and lieutenants. The command of 
the regiment changed thirty-four times, and, curiously enough, it frequently 
served under men who had been in its ranks not very long before. It was 
often difficult to get one officer to a squadron. Casualties among general 
officers and those on detached service were slight, so that promotion was 
comparatively slow. In the matter of recruits, as the States, and many of 
the towns and counties, offered large bounties, the volunteer regiments 
were more easily kept up to their standard. There were ladies’ aid societies, 
congressmen and newspapers, always watching the home organizations, 
mindful of their comfort, caring for their wounded, and praising their deeds. 
The regulars were deprived of these advantages. 
There was many a tough tussle of outposts and advance and rear guards, 
where the cost was not counted and the road unexplored. As Private 
Mulvaney would have stated the case, the word was “ hit first and frequent.” 
The roster was greatly changed by the war. In place of the fire-eating 
Southerners and hard-riding Northerners of a few years before, we find that 
all the junior officers were now promotions from the ranks, the best of the 
sergeants and privates who had learned their trade so well in the good 
school of border war. There were English, Irish, Germans and Americans 
among them, and they were a brave, stiff-backed set, who got all the law 
and the prophets out of the blue book and the tactics. They kept up much of 
the old style and rigidity of discipline and formed an excellent model for the 
volunteer cavalry. 
At the battle of Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862, the regiment performed 
its most distinguished service. On that day, it will be remembered, the 
Confederate Army, reinforced by the corps of Stonewall Jackson from 
Northern Virginia, made four desperate attacks upon the Federal left under 
Fitz John Porter, who was occupying an open plateau, with temporary in- 
trenchments, east of Powhite creek, his left protected by the marshes of 
the Chickahominy bottom. The sluggish creek flowed through deep banks, 
concealed by heavy timber; the high ground of the plateau was free of ob- 
stacles and suitable for cavalry over a strip varying from four hundred to THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
225 
one thousand yards in width ; and in the breaks of the plateau, in rear of 
the extreme left of our line, were massed the weak cavalry brigades of Philip 
St. George Cooke. In front of the cavalry, the batteries of the reserve 
artillery were stationed. 
It was after seven o’clock in the afternoon ; the sun had sunk below the 
horizon, the heavy smoke of battle was hanging thicker over the field, and 
the last attack of the enemy had been made and won. Only the cavalry 
and a part of the artillery remained on this part of the field. A brigade of 
Texans, broken by their long advance, under the lead of the hardest fighter 
in all the Southern armies, came running on with wild yells, and they were 
a hundred yards from the guns. It was then that the cavalry commander 
ordered Captain Charles J. Whiting, with his regiment, to the charge. No 
one had blundered; it was the supreme moment for cavalry, the oppor- 
tunity that comes so seldom on the modern field of war, the test of disci- 
pline, hardihood, and nerve. Right well was-the task performed. The two 
hundred and twenty troopers of the Fifth Cavalry struck Longstreet’s vet- 
erans square in the face. Whiting, his horse killed under him, fell stunned, 
at the feet of the Fourth Texas Infantry. Chambliss was torn almost to 
pieces with six wounds. Sweet was killed. Only one of the other officers 
was unwounded. In all, the loss in killed, wounded and missing, was fifty- 
eight, and twenty-four horses were known to have been killed. Unsup- 
ported and almost without officers, the troopers were stopped by the woods 
of the creek bottom, returned, reformed, and were soon after opposed to 
the enemy in covering the retreat of the Federal Army. Two days later 
the same troops were engaged at Savage Station. The guns which were in 
condition to retire were saved. The facts of that charge speak for them- 
selves. No action was ever more worthy a poet’s genius ; no cavalry charge 
was ever ridden better or against more hopeless odds of numbers. In other 
lands every survivor of Balaklava has been pensioned and decorated. The 
German nation will always delight over the record of its cavalry at Vion- 
ville and Mars-la-Tour, and the great Chancellor was never so proud as 
when he embraced the sons who rode in the ranks on that day. The memory 
of the sacrifice of French cavalry at Sedan is still a balm for many wounds. 
But while Cardigan, Bredow and Gallifet, each in his own land, received every 
honor, it is strange to relate that Whiting was dismissed for alleged dis- 
loyalty a few months after Gaines’ Mill, reinstated after the war, and mus- 
tered out of service at the consolidation in 1870. The action of the cavalry 
received the censure of the Commander-in-Chief and was made the reason 
for the removal of General Cooke from command. It is not worth while to 
argue the points of the controversy. The curious searcher after facts will 
find them in the abundant writings of both Federals and Confederates. 
This battle gave a strange instance of the fortune of war. Hood had 
served as a lieutenant under Whiting in the regiment before the war. Now, 
at the head of a Confederate brigade, he received the charge of his former 
comrades. After the fight, finding Chambliss so desperately wounded on 
the field, he saw that his old friend had every care and attention. Such en- 
counters were frequent. It was Fitzhugh Lee’s own regiment of Virginia 
cavalry that overwhelmed Royall’s outpost at Old Church, captured part of 226 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
his old troop and wounded a couple of officers. The Rebellion records 
show that Confederate commanders took some pride in reporting to the 
Commander-in-Chief that they had encountered his old regiment. 
Several years of reconstruction duty, in small detachments, over almost 
every Southern State, varied by an occasional scrap with guerillas, and much 
destruction of moon-shine whiskey, were followed, in the fall of 1868, by 
orders to the frontier of Nebraska and Kansas. The rapid settlement of 
these States following the war, and the energetic construction of the Pacific 
railroads, had rallied the savages of the plains to the defense of their hunt- 
ing grounds. What the Comanches had been to Texas, these Cheyennes 
and Sioux are in the north. They are without fear, without faith, and with- 
out mercy, and warriors from immemorial tradition. Killing and stealing 
form alike their best ideas of earthly honor or of heavenly bliss. In their fight 
against the whites they have ever displayed a superb courage, which attracts 
our admiration but does not command our sympathy. It is folly to suppose 
that contact with white people has made them any more inhuman in their 
tastes than they have been for ages past. 
A quick concentration united most of the regiment under General 
Eugene A. Carr, the senior major, in western Kansas. Then for over a 
year there was s’currying over trails hot and cold, along the frontier from 
the Canadian River in Texas to the Niobrara in Nebraska. The hostiles 
were often encountered, with varying success, and they were given one 
crushing defeat. They frequently attacked the troops, and no man’s picket- 
pin was safe from their raids. The most terrible marauder of the lot was 
Tall Bull of the Cheyennes, and with him were joined the Sioux of Pawnee 
Killer and Whistler. Against them the efforts of the troops were mainly 
directed. In July, 1869, General Carr finally succeeded in locating these 
bands and determining the general direction in which they were travelling. 
He then marched one hundred and fifty miles in four days, passed around 
the hostile flank, and by a rapid countermarch approached their village at 
Summit Springs, Colorado, from an unexpected direction. As the troops 
moved out of a ravine, formed somewhat as they were at the Wichita vil- 
lage, the eighty-four lodges of the enemy could be seen twelve hundred 
yards away, and herds of horses peacefully cropping the grass of the slopes 
beyond. The charge was sounded and away they went like devils of dust 
over the dry open plain. The attack was so sudden, so terrible and so un- 
expected that the Indians had no time for defense. Their camp and 
ponies and many of the women and children were captured. Tall Bull and 
sixty of his warriors were killed. In the village lay the body of Mrs. 
Alderdice, a white woman captured in the Kansas settlements some months 
before. The squaws had found time in the hurry of their flight, to beat 
out her brains with rocks, and to strangle her babe who lay near by. Not 
far off was Mrs. Weichel, another white woman, shot through the body, 
but still living. These poor creatures who had seen their husbands butch- 
ered, their homes destroyed and themselves subjected to every human 
misery, were now struck down while the shouts of their deliverers were 
ringing in their ears. Mrs. Weichel finally recovered and married the hos- 
pital steward of the expedition, who had tended her through her sufferings. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
In these campaigns William F. Cody acted as chief guide and scout, 
and first distinguished himself. For this battle the regiment received the 
congratulations of the various military commanders and the thanks of the 
Legislature of Nebraska. It ended Indian terrorism in two States for many 
years. The regiment occupied stations in Wyoming and Nebraska, and, 
after more scouting and some fighting, was ordered to distant service be- 
yond the great divide. 
And now the scene changes swiftly over rail and water, from high rolling 
prairie, of buffalo grass, cactus, sage bush, where the buffalo, antelope and 
prairie dog have their home, to Arizona. There a high plateau and a low 
plain had been jammed together in some monstrous battle of nature an I 
left a ragged mass of mountain and canon in wild confusion. There is no 
rougher bit of country on the continent. Here the Apache made his den, 
centuries ago, and from here he raided the more peaceful peoples of upland 
and lowland, far and near. Secure in a stronghold that seemed impregna- 
ble, he turned his hand against every other living thing and grew more and 
more like an animal in his wants and desires. The presence of a few troops 
had encouraged small settlements, but outside the half dozen large towns 
and a few posts no man’s life or property was safe. The rascality of the 
savages was encouraged by the attempts of philanthropists to make a peace- 
ful solution of the problem, while the godless Apache laughed at the fool of 
a white man, fattened his squaws and pappooses at the agencies and sought 
pastime in getting drunk on tizwin, and killing greasers or white men and 
stealing their stock. So things went on from the days of Cortez, and the 
Lord only knows how long before, until General George Crook, lieutenant- 
colonel of infantry, went to command the Department of Arizona. He ob- 
tained permission to compel the Indians to stay on their reserves, and, 
when they left, to follow and kill them. To do this, troops were put at the 
agencies, the Indians were counted at stated times and they were hired to 
track and pursue each other. The Fifth Cavalry arrived in time and was 
so disposed as to be the general’s most important instrument in accomplish- 
ing his work. In September, 1872, he reported a list of fifty-four outrages 
committed in a year, not by any means a complete list, but only such as he 
was willing to vouch for. One of these affairs affords a fair sample of 
the lot. Lieutenant Reid T. Stewart, while travelling on a buck-board 
with a soldier driver was ambushed in Davidson’s Canon and Killed. The 
driver was pursued, captured and tortured to death with lances and knives, 
—a fate which Stewart himself probably escaped by being killed at the first 
fire. 
Shortly after this affair General Crook’s campaign commenced in 
earnest. Bodies of troops swept over the infested district as with a 
broom. Major Mason with three troops jumped four rancherias at Muchos 
Canons in the Santa Maria mountains and killed forty warriors. Major 
Brown with three troops, struck the chief Apache stronghold at the caves in 
Salt River Canon and killed fifty-seven warriors. Troop “ A ” with another 
command fought two engagements at Turrit Mountain, where thirty-six 
bucks were slain. Lieutenant Michler with “ K ” Troop corralled a war party 
on Tonto Creek and killed seventeen warriors. There were many smaller 228 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
engagements and on the 7th of April, the department commander announced 
the first peace to the Territory of Arizona. Twenty-five hundred hostiles 
returned to their reserves, not concealing their hatred of the whites, but 
confessing their terror of the troops. The real force of Apache resistance 
was indeed broken but there were many bands of defiant renegades to be 
punished. In May, Lieutenant Almy lost his life at San Carlos as a result 
of an extensive conspiracy there, and probably two-thirds of the fighting and 
scouting was yet to come. In October, General Crook was promoted a 
brigadier-general for his services in these campaigns. Unfortunately the 
Chiricahuas were exempt from his jurisdiction just as their turn came to 
receive their lesson, and thus the bloody wars of some years afterwards were 
not prevented. Out of ninety-seven affairs of the Fifth Cavalry in Arizona 
there are only at my hand official statements of losses on thirty-three 
occasions : In these there were five hundred and ninety-nine Indian war- 
riors killed, and many hundred captured, and of necessity these figures could 
only give the minimum loss sustained. These results were reached by the 
hardest kind of work. “ The officers and men worked day and night, and 
with our Indian allies, would crawl upon their hands and knees for long 
distances over terrible canons and precipices where the slightest miss-step 
would have resulted in instant death, in order that when daylight came they 
might attack their enemy and secure the advantage of surprise so indispen- 
sable in this kind of warfare. In almost every instance they did this with 
most complete success, almost invariably surprising the Indians and never 
giving them a chance to rally. There is hardly a space of ten miles square, 
in the country operated over, that has not some terrible lava-bed, or preci- 
pitous canon with fortified caves, which the Indians could have held against 
all odds and with terrible loss of life had the enemy been approached in day- 
light, and assailed when they were on the alert.” 
General Schofield thanked the troops officially for their “ extraordinary 
service,” and General William T. Sherman said that “ the services of the 
Fifth Cavalry in Arizona were unequalled by that of any cavalry regiment 
during the War of the Rebellion.” 
Then came the overland march to Kansas in 1875, and brief service 
there, which though fairly active, afforded no prospect of any serious work, 
until the great Sioux war in the north assumed alarming proportions. Early 
in 1876 it became evident that the troops in the field were not strong enough 
to cope with the hostiles. In the light of subsequent events this may have 
been owing to the fact that the troops of two departments were in the field 
under two generals instead of one. At any rate the regiment soon found 
itself, still led by General Carr, moved rapidly to the north, to serve again 
in the Department of the Platte, which it had left such a short time before. 
Gen. William H. Emory had just been retired, and on the first day of 
July, on the South Cheyenne River, the regiment hailed its new colonel, 
Gen. Wesley Merritt, its former brigade and division commander in famous 
Virginia days. Then up and away to the fight on the War Bonnet, and the 
chase of the surprised Cheyennes into their agency, and the hurried march 
to join Crook’s command on Goose Creek. No need to tell again of such 
recent and oft-told events as those which follow,—of the meet on the Rose- THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CA VALRY. 
229 
bud, Custer's trail, the fight at Slim Buttes, the “ mud march,” “ six months 
without a dime,” rations of Indian pony and putrid dried buffalo. In the 
year most of the troops marched over two thousand miles ; ninety-three of 
our horses died of exhaustion and starvation between Heart River and the 
Belle Fourche during one week in September. General Crook’s tired bat- 
talions reached civilization again, after many privations, and although they 
did not destroy the enemy, they caused him to break and scatter, so that he 
never again made a formidable resistance. Gordon’s battalion returned dur- 
ing the winter from the fight with Cheyennes at Bates Creek, and soon 
Sitting Bull was across the border, Crazy Horse was dead, and Dull Knife’s 
hard fighting band was destroyed. General Crook had secured peace for 
his Department. 
Short work of tailor and barber, with drills, feed and grooming, soon 
made another smart regiment. Several active seasons followed, with sum- 
mers and winters in Idaho after Bannocks; in the Sand Hills of Nebraska 
after Cheyennes ; on the Stinking Water trying to hit a last blow at the Nez 
Perce’s; along the flanks of the Big Horns, patrolling the old hunting 
grounds of the Sioux ; at Omaha and Chicago during the railway riots. 
These occupations, mingled with well remembered days of song and dance 
at Fort D. A. Russell, took up the time until the winter of 1879. 
One frosty morning of October, news came that Major Thornburgh’s 
command, consisting mostly of our own people, had been roughly handled 
by Utes in Colorado. It takes little time to put well-equipped troops in the 
field, so in a few hours a command of cavalry and infantry had made the 
journey by rail, and were at Rawlins, Wyoming, with all details complete, 
ready to push on to the relief of the besieged troops and the agency beyond. 
The Utes were a powerful tribe, divided among several agencies in Col- 
orado and Utah. They had been at peace with the whites for many years, 
but were known to be proud and warlike. If the entire nation had joined 
in this uprising, and gathered recruits, as Indians always do, among the am- 
bitious youth of all other tribes, there was prospect of some heavy work. A 
month later over three thousand men were in the field against these Indians. 
The first troops that gathered at Rawlins, consisted of four troops of cavalry 
and several companies of infantry,—in all about three hundred and fifty 
men—while the besieged force amounted to nearly half that number. To 
have waited under such circumstances, until more of the hurrying troops 
had arrived, would have been fairly prudent, and justified by all recent ex- 
perience. On the other hand was the pressing danger of the troops on 
Milk Creek, with one-third of their number killed and wounded, and the 
only surgeon wounded. No doubts disturbed the serene mind of the officer 
in command. With entire singleness of purpose, and no thought except for 
the immediate danger of the besieged troops, he gathered together such 
force as he could, packed his infantry in some country wagons, and plunged 
into the one hundred and sixty odd miles of mountain and wilderness that 
lay between the railroad and the scene of the recent disaster. The march 
was made in two days and a part of a third, and considering circumstances 
of time, distance, and good condition of men and horses at the end, it was 
a remarkable instance of the forced march of a well-conducted command. 230 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
It was an exciting ride, the last night particularly, as we forged on through 
the mountains, expecting every moment to find our slaughtered comrades 
or to hear the crack of the rifles of Utes in our way. Now the road ran 
along the edge of a precipice whose black shadows concealed many hundred 
feet of chasm, where some of the huddling pack-mules slipped and were 
never seen again ; it widens out a little where naked bodies of dead team- 
sters are shining in the moonlight; two brothers met there, one riding 
with our advance, the other lying in the trail, with one stiff arm raised as if 
to grasp your horse’s bridle as he jumped aside. Then on until mountains 
are past, and the guide tells us each moment that we are near the spot. 
That guide’s indecision is exasperating, but at last we get there. There is 
a challenge and a bugle call, and General Merritt and his headquarter party 
ride for the rifle-pits at a dead run. Small time for hand-shakings then, for 
although the Indians have made no attack, the morning sun soon rises and 
shows them about a mile away, massing as if to defend the entrance to 
Yellow Jacket Pass, where they had driven Thornburgh back before. There 
was skirmishing in the morning and the Indians hurried away, leaving the 
troops to find their dead and care for the wounded. The agency was a short 
march beyond ; on the road were more swollen and distorted bodies of dead 
civilians, and seven more at the agency, with pigs and fowls and carrion 
birds feeding on their flesh. The Indians showed their contempt of Meeker’s 
ideas about planting corn, by driving a wooden peg down his throat, ap- 
parently while he was alive, and by dragging him, with a chain around his 
neck, up and down in front of his house. The women were carried away. 
After all this, and the massacre of some more of our own people, it may 
well be believed that the command was in a frame of mind to start on a Ute 
hunting trip, and submitted with bad grace to the suspension of hostilities 
ordered at the request of the Interior Department. The troops went back 
to White River, and dug holes in the ground and lay there, until Ute Jack, 
wearing poor old Cherry’s spike-tailed coat, with Colorao and Johnson, and 
their precious gang, went to Washington and talked pleasantly of how they 
had ravished the women and butchered the men, and the Ute war of 1879 
was ended. 
That was the last Indian campaign, although there have been several big 
scares, notably in Indian Territory, in 1885, when the Cheyennes became 
excited over the murder of an Indian by a white man, and were quieted by 
the good management of General Sheridan. 
The season of rest from Indian wars afforded opportunity for instruction 
of larger bodies of troops than are ordinarily collected in our country. In 
the fall of 1888, Colonel James F. Wade organized a camp of instruction for 
the regiment at Camp Rockwell, and again in 1889 at Camp Schofield the 
same plan was pursued on a larger scale. Two regiments of cavalry, three 
batteries of light artillery, and sufficient infantry to represent a brigade, in a 
hypothetical military situation, went into camp upon Chilocco Creek in the 
Cherokee Strip. The formations for attacks and defense, the dispositions 
for security and information, and the operations of hostile contact, were 
practised in accord with proper military principles. After about three 
weeks of most instructive work the troops departed for their posts. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
231 
Here and there the record shows a feat of surpassing valor, as when First 
Sergeant John W. Spangler killed six Indians in a single encounter. He 
won the honorable mention of his department commander, and died a cap- 
tain of cavalry. Another hero, less fortunate, because he fought on the 
wrong side, was a nameless Comanche Indian. To cover the flight of his 
squaws and pappooses and friends, he dismounted in the way of the charg- 
ing troops, and like Horatius of old he held them at bay. He wounded 
Major George H. Thomas and five enlisted men, one mortally, before he 
fell, pierced by a score of wounds. Perhaps his conquered race may keep 
his memory still in song and story, but the annals of the victor do not even 
give his name. Brief mention only may be made of the way John B. Hood 
showed the stuff he was made of, in the very first revolver charge fighting 
four times his number of savages, and killing more of them than he had 
men in his command; how Harrison, with thirty men, charged a brigade 
of cavalry to save his pickets ; how the Greys went through Fairfax. 
Not all of war is made up of death and suffering ; where the good sol- 
dier rides there are acts of mercy found, and deeds worthy of any day of 
chivalry. We might tell the story of a trooper who once saved an Indian 
baby from the wild destruction of an Apache rancheria by Indian allies, 
shared his blanket at night with the mewling little savage, and carried it 
many hard miles by day until he could turn it over to its own tribe. Again, 
did Ash ride out and draw the fire of a brigade so that he might tell a 
straight story of their numbers ? That was war too, but the delighted yells 
of the enemy when each man of them had fired and missed gave a dash of 
kindness to war’s grim visage after all. Or again, when a village was taken, 
rich with plunder of the wide border, did not the soft-hearted cavalrymen 
get together nine hundred dollars that were found there, and give them to 
the wretched white woman whom the Indians had left for dead ? 
The history of our regiment is the plain story of an average cavalry reg- 
iment in our army for thirty-five years. It has wandered much, and in 
many scenes of civil strife, riot, and border war its guidons have been found. 
Its graves mark the spots where civilization has advanced and where dis- 
union has been made impossible. No argument, save its simple record, is 
needed to expose the fallacy of the speeches of Senators Houston, Benton, 
Doolittle and others, which contain a fair sample of the views of the enemies 
of the Regulai Army. 
Recent years have been years of peace, but the regiment’s arms have not 
been “rusted in a vile repose.” Least glorious and most disagreeable of all 
its duty has been that of enforcing the laws in the Indian country, guarding 
an empire of land against our poor and needy citizens who have ever tres- 
passed on that forbidden ground. This duty has been gently and well per- 
formed. The soldier is nowhere more respected than in the land of home- 
seekers and boomers. To him all men have turned in days of disorganiza- 
tion and danger, and on the opening of Oklahoma, where much corruption 
was supposed to exist, no scandal attached to the United States troops. 
Perhaps this fact may deserve a place beside more gaudy laurels won zX 
Wichita Village, at Gaines’ Mill, or at Summit Springs. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
Captain WILLIAM H. CARTER, 6th U. S. Cavalry. 
THE Sixth Regiment of Cavalry was organized as the Third Cavalry, 
under the President’s proclamation of May 3, 1861 ; and the proc- 
lamation was confirmed by Act of Congress, July 29, 1861. It was 
provided that its officers should take rank from May 14, 1861. 
The headquarters were ordered established at Pittsburg, Pa., and the 
following officers were appointed to constitute the commissioned force of 
the new regiment: 
Colonel David Hunter, Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Emory, Majors 
D. H. Rucker and E. H. Wright. 
Captains I. N. Moore, A. V. Kautz, A. W. Evans, Wm. S. Abert, D. 
McM. Gregg, J. H. Taylor, J. I. Gregg, John Savage, G. C. Cram, C. R. 
Lowell, J. S. Brisbin, and H. B. Hayes. 
First Lieutenants J. K. Mizner, W. W. Averill, H. M. Enos, I. W. Claflin, 
S. H. Brown, B. T. Hutchins, H. T. McLean, Tattnall Paulding, Frederick 
Dodge, J. B. Johnson, J. F. Wade, M. H. Leavenworth. 
Second Lieutenants J. W. Spangler, Peter McGrath, Hugh McQuade, 
and C. B. McLellan. 
Major Rucker having declined, Major J. H. Carleton was appointed 
second major, to date from September 7, and Major L. A. Williams was on 
the same date appointed the junior major. Captain Moore having declined, 
Captain William P. Sanders was appointed. 
The designation of the regiment was changed to “ Sixth Cavalry,” Aug- 
ust 10, 1861, the Mounted Rifles becoming the Third Cavalry. 
The regiment was recruited principally in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and 
western New York, under the supervision of Lieut.-Col. Emory, and on 
October 12, 1861, Companies B, D, E, F, G, H, I and K having been or- 
ganized, the regiment was transferred to the camp of instruction east of 
the Capitol at Washington. The organization of Company A was com- 
pleted October 15; a sufficient number of recruits arrived during the month 
to complete the organization of Company M ; and on the 1st of November 
the band of fifteen members joined, and the instruction of the regiment 
was begun. Company C was organized December 23, 1861, thus completing 
the organization of all but one company, and on December 31 the regiment 
was ready for the field with 34 officers and 950 men. 
Winter quarters were abandoned on March 10, 1862, when the regiment 
crossed Long Bridge and marched to Fairfax C. H., where it was assigned 
to General P. St. G. Cooke’s command, and after making a reconnoissance 
to Centreville, Manassas and Bull Run, was embarked March 27, at Alex- 
andria, for Fort Monroe, which it reached on the 30th. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
233 
The regiment, except one squadron, was equipped with sabres and pistols 
as light cavalry, and marched in advance of the Army of the Potomac to 
the position before Yorktown, where it remained until the evacuation. 
The regiment participated in the Peninsula campaign as part of General 
Stoneman’s command. It opened and participated in the battle of Wil- 
liamsburg, after pursuing the through Yorktown. Here it under- 
took a feat of arms seldom or never attempted by cavalry, mounted, and 
which was probably brought about by a misconception of orders, or faulty 
information regarding the garrison and works attacked. The daring 
counter-charge of Captain Sanders was the salvation of the rear of the 
command. The following extract is taken from the report of the regi- 
mental commander: 
“ I was ordered to make a detour through the woods and take a battery on the 
enemy’s extreme left flank. I accordingly proceeded with the Sixth Cavalry through 
the woods indicated, and after going about half a mile at a trot, debouched upon an 
open but undulating ground in front of the enemy’s line of fortifications. The 
ground was very heavy, and between the woods and the field works there was a deep 
ravine only passable by file. The ravine was about equi-distant from the woods and 
the works. It was passed and the regiment formed about one hundred yards from 
the fortifications. Lieutenant Madden with a platoon was sent to reconnoitre the 
gorge. This was during the time its occupants were engaged with Gibson’s battery 
in front. Lieutenant Madden reported that the ditch and rampart would have to be 
surmounted before we could effect an entrance, and also that infantry was approach- 
ing on the near side of a wood which skirted the back of the fort. I saw three regi- 
ments advancing in line ; our position was critical, equally exposed to the guns of the 
fort and the advancing infantry. I determined to retire. Four of the squadrons and 
a portion of the fifth had already passed the ravine (it was belly deep to the horses in 
mud), when two squadrons of rebel cavalry rushed from the barracks in rear of the 
fort, and endeavored to cut off Captain Sanders’ company. Captain Sandeis wheeled 
his company about, charged and repelled the enemy with great gallantry. I cannot 
speak too highly of the officers and men on this occasion. Though every one felt 
that few would survive if the guns of the fort were turned upon us, not one showed 
the slightest concern. Captain Sanders showed great prudence and bravery in the 
timely manner in which he met the enemy, though taken at a disadvantage by superior 
numbers. I regret to report that Lieutenant McLellan was wounded in the leg by a 
shell while engaged.” 
The regiment formed part of the advanced guard of the Army of the 
Potomac, and was engaged May 9, 1862, in the action at Slatersville under 
General Stoneman, where Sanders again distinguished himself by repeatedly 
charging superior forces of the enemy’s cavalry. May 11, the regiment again 
became sharply engaged at New Kent C. H. 
May 24 it was in action at Mechanicsville, and two days later in the battle 
of Hanover Court House, the regiment camping on the battle-field until the 
morning of the 28th, when orders were received to burn the railroad bridge 
on the South Anna, near Wickham’s farm. Colonel Wickham was laid up 
with a sabre wound received in the action with Sanders, and was captured 
and paroled. The destruction of the bridge and consequent railroad com- 
munication was accomplished during the day by a platoon under Lieu- 
tenant Kerin supported by the regiment. At 12 o’clock the same night 234 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Lieutenant Kerin successfully destroyed the county bridge, about 200 yards 
above the railroad bridge. 
Captain Cram destroyed a bridge which had been fired by Rush’s Lancers 
on the 27th, but which they had failed to destroy because withdrawn pre- 
maturely. Orders arrived during the night to destroy the Virginia Central 
R. R. bridge over the North Anna, which was accomplished by Captain 
Abert’s squadron, supported by Captain Kautz’s. 
June 13, 1862, General j. E. B. Stuart having succeeded in getting to the 
rear of the Federal army with a considerable force of cavalry, the Sixth was 
ordered in pursuit with part of the Fifth. Some active reconnoissance work 
took place, and Stuart’s rear guard was found on the road to the White 
House. Orders being received to hold the position then occupied, the regi- 
ment halted until General Cooke arrived with his command. This raid 
made Stuart famous, and gave the opposing cavalries a lesson their leaders 
never forgot. 
During the move from the Chickahominy to the James, the regiment 
retired by the way of York River. There was an accumulation of stores at 
White House landing which it was desired to move, and it became necessary 
to check the rebel cavalrymen who were pushing in close pursuit of the 
retiring columns. The Sixth was placed with a platoon of artillery at the 
crossing of Black Creek, which it successfully defended against several 
attempts to force a passage. After dark, June 26, the stores having been 
removed or destroyed, the regiment retired to Williamsburg, marching all 
night. It remained about Yorktown, Hampton and vicinity until July 7, when 
it was embarked at Fort Monroe for Harrison’s Landing, where the army 
had arrived after the seven days’ fight. 
Company L was organized and arrived at camp July 13, completing the 
regimental organization. 
August 4, 1862, the regiment marched to Malvern Hill as part of 
Pleasanton’s Brigade, and on the next day had a sharp engagement, losing 
four killed and a number wounded. During the evacuation of Harrison’s 
Landing, August 18, it formed the rear guard to Charles City Court House. 
The regiment embarked on transports at Yorktown, August 31, and 
landed at Alexandria, Va., September 2, 1862. For the next three months 
it was almost constantly in contact with the enemy, meeting him at Falls 
Church, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middletown, Charleston, Va., the expedition 
to Leesburg, Waterford, Charleston again, Hillsboro, Philamont, Uniontown, 
Uppei ville, Barber’s Cross roads, Amosvilleand the Rappahannock, the reg- 
iment reaching Belle Plain, November 24, where it remained until Decem- 
ber 12, when it marched to the vicinity of Fredericksburg. 
The army was now crossing the Rappahannock below the town, and a 
pontoon bridge having been thrown over, a squadron was crossed, and made 
a reconnoissance towards the enemy’s works, developing their infantry line 
and receiving the fire of a battery, with a loss of two men and eight horses 
wounded. The squadron was withdrawn and the result reported to General 
Burnside. The regiment was put in camp near Falmouth, December 13, 
1862, where it remained until April 13, 1863. 
The regiment was greatly hampered in its early service by the want of THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
235 
proper arms for the kind of warfare it was dealing with. It was not until 
three days after the battle of Antietam that carbines were issued at Sharps- 
burg to all the men, and in the midst of an active campaign it was impossi- 
ble to undertake any systematic instruction with the new arms. After four 
months of camp life near Falmouth, notwithstanding strenuous efforts to 
procure horses, the regiment resumed active work with nearly 300 men in 
the dismounted camp. 
The regiment participated in the “ Stoneman Raid ” to the rear of the 
rebel army, which ended May 9, after swimming the Rappahannock. A 
picket detail under Lieutenants Carpenter and Wade reported on the 4th of 
May to General Buford, and accompanied him on his forced march to 
Gordonsville. During the raid Lieutenant Tupper with a detachment of 
ten men on a foraging expedition, captured the chief quartermaster of 
Stuart’s cavalry in sight of one of their squadrons. It is doubtful if any 
service during the year was accompanied with greater hardships than were 
endured by men and horses during these few days from May 1st to 9th, 1863. 
The rain falling incessantly, swelled the streams and rendered the roads 
impassable. 
Four days later the regiment encamped at Hartwood Church, and the 
regimental commander, assistant surgeon, and two men, were captured 
while passing from camp to General Buford’s headquarters, a mile and a 
half distant. 
On the 8th of June the regiment arrived near Beverly Ford on the 
Rappahannock, and crossed next day, participating in that famous cavalry 
combat with a loss of four officers and 63 men, killed and wounded and cap- 
tured, out of 254 engaged. The regiment charged, losing Lieutenant Mad- 
den by a shell, and while reforming, the adjutant—Lieutenant Kerin—was 
captured. The regiment then supported Elder’s horse-battery for several 
hours, part of the time under severe fire. It was then moved with the 
Second Cavalry to the extreme right, where severe loss occurred in charg- 
ing the enemy to resist a flank attack. Lieutenant Ward was killed and 
Lieutenant Stoll badly wounded, both commanding squadrons. The latter 
was fired upon after he fell, and his men who tried to bear him away were 
shot down. This was one of the most severe cavalry actions of the war, 
and a loss of one-fourth its members is ample evidence of the courage and 
tenacity with which the Sixth fought until the line was withdrawn, and then 
the regiment was the last to withdraw and formed the rear-guard, where 
Lieutenant Tupper was specially mentioned for the skilful and deliberate 
manner with which he withdrew his squadron, the extreme rear guard, 
checking the enemy at every step as he retired. 
While on the road to Snicker’s Gap, the regiment had a brisk skirmish, 
June 17, near Benton’s Mill; and again on the 21st, having joined General 
Gregg’s command, it was engaged with the enemy, nearly all the cavalry of 
both armies fighting all day between Middleburg and Upperville. In the 
charge near the latter place Lieutenant McQuiston and five men were 
wounded. The regiment marched by way of Aldie and Leesburg to the 
Potomac, which was crossed at Edward's Ferry; thence to Foint of Rocks 
and Emmitsburg, arriving July 2, 1863. 236 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
On July 3d, General Merritt ordered the regiment to Fairfield, Pa., on 
the road leading to Gettysburg from the northwest, to capture a wagon 
train, the rest of the brigade moving towards Gettysburg by way of Farm- 
ington. Fairfield was reached at noon, where two troops were detached to 
proceed along the base of the mountain, the regiment keeping the road to 
Gettysburg. About a mile from Fairfield the enemy’s pickets were encoun- 
tered and driven back to their supports, when another squadron was added 
to the skirmish line, and the enemy—the 7th Virginia—was driven back to 
the forks of the road from which their main body could be seen, consisting 
of about four regiments of cavalry. The regiment was close enough to 
hear the command “ Draw Sabres ” of the enemy, as they were formed for 
the charge. The two squadrons were in between post and rail fences, and 
could not form line or join those in the fields before they were charged by 
the rebel brigades under Generals Robertson and Jones. Caught in such a 
trap the men remained firm, firing and inflicting severe loss on the advanc- 
ing column, until literally ridden down. Some escaped to the fields and 
made for the town, but the rebels were there first and Lieutenant Balder, 
who was ordered to surrender, called on the few men near him to follow 
and had nearly cut his way out when he fell mortally wounded. The squad- 
ron which was on the road near the mountain was also overpowered and 
hurled back to the town. 
It was very unfortunate that the scattered squadrons were not withdrawn 
instantly from the front of such superior forces for more favorable ground. 
The regiment paid dearly for the error, losing, besides Lieutenant Balder 
killed, Major Starr and Lieutenants Tucker, Wood, and Chaffee, wounded; 
Captain Cram, Lieutenants Bould and Paulding, and Surgeons Forwood 
and Notson captured. The loss of men was 232 killed, wounded and cap- 
tured, out of a total of less than 400. 
The fight made at Fairfield by this small regiment against two of the 
crack brigades of Stuart’s cavalry, which were endeavoring to get around the 
flank of our army to attack the trains, was one of the most gallant in its his- 
tory and was really a part of the battle of Gettysburg. The efforts of these 
brigades were frustrated and their entire strength neutralized for the day, 
by the fierce onslaught of the small squadrons. The regiment was cut to 
pieces, but it fought so well that the squadrons were regarded as the ad- 
vance of a large body of troops. The senior officer of these brigades was 
adversely criticised for allowing his command to be delayed by such an in- 
ferior force. Had the regiment not made the desperate stand, the two 
brigades of Virginians might have accomplished incalculable injury in the 
Federal rear, before cufficient force could have been gathered in their front. 
The small portion which escaped retreated to Emmitsburg, joined the 
brigade the next day, proceeded to Frederick City, Md., July 5, and to South 
Mountain and Williamsport, July 6, participating in the engagement there 
with the loss of one sergeant. 
While making a reconnoissance to Funkstown, July 7, the regiment 
became heavily engaged with superior numbers, and lost Captain Claflin 
severely wounded and 85 men killed, wounded and missing. The regiment 
remained in contact with the enemy and was engaged, July 8 and 9, near 
Boonsboro, and again engaged near Funkstown, July 10. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
237 
The regiment had now lost all but three or four officers and a few men, 
and was ordered to report at Cavalry Corps Headquarters, and marched 
via Warrenton Junction to Germantown, arriving there August 8, 1863. 
The service of the regiment during the period between the action at Bev- 
erly Ford and the last affair at Funkstown was one of incessant marching 
and fighting, and although nearly decimated by the casualties of action, 
the brave little band hung on to Lee’s army with a courageous tenacity, 
which remains to-day as one of the most cherished historical incidents of 
the regiment’s existence. 
The regiment did not leave Germantown until September 12, and next 
day crossed the Rappahannock and engaged in the fight at Brandy Station, 
driving the enemy through Culpeper. Here it remained for a month, 
when the rebels attacked and forced a retreat towards the Rappahannock. 
When near Brandy Station the regiment was ordered into position on the 
left of the road, and when the skirmish line on its left retired, it was in an 
exposed position which was promptly seen by the enemy, who attempted 
a flank attack with a column of cavalry. In withdrawing around a piece 
of thick pine woods where the corps skirmish line was placed, the regiment 
was fired into by the 1st New York (Harris’) Cavalry, killing a sergeant and 
wounding Lieutenant Chaffee, Surgeon Forwood and three men. On the 
14th the regiment reached Centreville, and while reconnoitring the enemy’s 
position Lieutenant Nolan was wounded. The regiment remained near 
Brandy Station during the winter in huts constructed by themselves. 
The regiment left winter quarters May 4, 1864, and reconnoitred Ger- 
mania Ford, Mine Run, and U. S. Ford, returning to Chancellorsville in 
time to go with General Sheridan to Todd’s Tavern, where, May 7, the 
cavalry corps were heavily engaged with cavalry and infantry. 
The next day was spent in preparations for the raid towards Richmond 
which commenced May 9,1864. The regiment marched on the Fredericks- 
burg and Richmond Pike, crossing the North Anna after dark. The clouds 
of dust having attracked the attention of the enemy, they arrived during 
the night and opened on the corps headquarters at daylight with a battery, 
the regiment being near by and receiving a few shells without casualties. 
The march was resumed, the rebels continuing in pursuit and frequently 
attacking the rear guard. Reaching Beaver Dam Station, a train contain- 
ing prisoners captured at the Wilderness was seized about 9 o’clock on 
the morning of the 10th, and destroyed with a large amount of muskets 
and small arms. The march was resumed and at 11 o’clock A. M., May 11, 
the enemy was encountered in front'of Yellow Tavern, and a severe engage- 
ment took place resulting in the defeat of the rebels and the death of their 
gallant and famous leader—J. E. B. Stuart. 
Crossing the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, May 12, the march con- 
tinued towards Richmond until the outer works were reached, when the 
column turned to the left towards Mechanicsville Bridge. A shell placed 
in the road exploded as the regiment passed, killing one horse. The enemy 
now opened fire on the column, and the direction of the march was changed 
towards Mechanicsville. The enemy was in position on the road and 
fought stubbornly for two hours before he was driven away and a passage 238 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES Cl. S. ARMY. 
over the river secured. Mechanicsville was reached at dark and the regi- 
ment went on picket. 
Bottom’s Bridge was destroyed May 13, and the day following the regi- 
ment was detached to Fort Monroe with orders for supplies to be sent to 
White House Landing. A march of fifty miles to Williamsburg was made 
the first day, and on the 15th Fort Monroe was reached, where the regiment 
remained until the 21st when it rejoined the cavalry corps at White House 
Landing, and proceeded to join the Army of the Potomac at Milford Sta- 
tion, May 24, 1864. 
May 26, marched to Hanover town, crossing the Pamunkey at that 
point on a pontoon bridge next day, and on the 28th came upon the enemy 
and attacked him near Salem Church. Reached New Castle Ferry on the 
29th and Old Church on the 30th, where the enemy was again engaged. 
Returning, the regiment reached Trevillian Station, June 10, and partici- 
pated in the battle of that name, June 11. 
The Cavalry Corps marched to White House Landing, leaving the Sixth 
at the crossing of the Mattapony to await the arrival of detachments and 
take up the pontoon bridge, which was done and the corps rejoined on 
June 19. The next ten days was spent in marching, and on the 29th the 
enemy was again encountered near Dabney's Mill and a skirmish took place. 
The regiment crossed the James, August 1, and engaged in the action of 
Deep Bottom. 
General Sheridan having been assigned to command the Middle Mili- 
tary Division, embracing the Shenandoah Valley, Troop L was ordered to 
duty as his escort, and the regiment embarked for Washington, and thence 
marched via Harper’s Ferry and rejoined the Cavalry Corps near Berrys- 
ville, August 20, 1864. 
September 19,1864, the regiment left Berryville at 3 o’clock A. M., towards 
Winchester, and at noon, as General Sheridan’s escort, became engaged in 
the battle of that name. On the next day pursued the enemy to Strasburg 
and engaged in the fight of Fisher’s Hill, driving the enemy all night and ar- 
riving at Woodstock next morning, where the day was spent in picking up 
stragglers and prisoners. The march up the Valley was resumed September 
22, and at 10 o’clock A. M., the enemy was found posted on the south bank of 
the Shenandoah to dispute the crossing. The rebels were dislodged and 
the regiment proceeded to New Market and thence to Harrisonburg, where 
it remained. 
October 7, the regiment marched down the Valley, and remained on the 
north side of Cedar Creek until October 19, when the battle of that name 
was fought. The rebels drove the regiment from its camp, but it was retaken 
before night and reoccupied. Captain Lowell was killed while leading the 
Regular Brigade to the charge in this action. 
December 6, 1864, the regiment marched to Stephenson’s Station, and 
formed part of General Merritt’s command on his raid in Loudon Valley; 
and on ..he 19th it went with General Torbert’s command on the raid to 
Gordonsville. ReturningDecember31.it went into winter camp at Kerns- 
town. 
February 27, 1865, the camp was broken up and the regiment proceeded THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
239 
with the Cavalry Corps under General Sheridan, up the Valley through 
Strasburg, Woodstock and New Market, and arrived at Staunton, March 
5 ; thence to the James River, and joined the Army of the Potomac near 
Petersburg, March 27, 1865. March 29, proceeded to Dinwiddie Court 
House. Here the Cavalry Corps engaged the enemy on the 30th, and drove 
them into their works at Five Forks, holding the position for three hours 
against repeated attacks and until the ammunition was exhausted. The 
enemy got in on the right flank of the regiment under cover of dense woods, 
and when the line was withdrawn for ammunition the rebels charged the 
flank capturing Lieutenant Nolan and 18 men. On March 31, their infantry 
having come up. the enemy attacked and drove the Cavalry Corps back to 
Dinwiddie. Next morning the regiment occupied the extreme right in the 
memorable battle of Five Forks, and connected with the 5th Corps, when 
it came into action during the afternoon, the regiment wheeling to the 
left and resting the right on the enemy’s works. About 3 P. M., an ad- 
vance was ordered which never ceased until sunset, when the battle was 
won. 
The Cavalry Corps went in pursuit, April 2, and came up with the rebels 
and engaged them at 3 P. M., but they retreated. The pursuit was continued 
incessantly and with great loss to the enemy until April 6, when they were 
compelled to make a stand to save their trains. The Cavalry Corps pressed 
hard on their flank and awaited a favorable opportunity to capture the 
trains. Their infantry was forced to form, enabling the 6th Corps to arrive 
during the delay. The 3d Cavalry Division was now ordered to charge, the 
other two divisions supporting, and this, the battle of Sailor’s Creek, re- 
sulted in the capture of about 10,000 rebels. During this action the regi- 
ment was ordered to take possession of some log huts. It is recorded in 
the regimental archives that the few men now left in the ranks hesitated, 
believing it was sure death ; but Lieutenant McLellan, a veteran of the Old 
Army, faced them and said, “ Men, let us die like soldiers.” Every one of 
the little band rushed for the huts under a shower of bullets, and gained the 
cover with a loss of but three men wounded. The pursuit was pressed 
until 9 p. M. While trying to force a passage across the creek after dark, a 
shell burst in the midst of the little remnant bearingso bravely the standard 
of the Sixth, and wounded three, one of whom died next day. The march 
was resumed on the 7th, and on the 8th a rapid march was made to Ap- 
pomatox Station where a charge was made resulting in important cap- 
tures. April 9, 1865, the rebels made a desperate attack upon the cavalry 
at Clover Hill, but the arrival of infantry supports about 9 A. M., relieved 
the cavalry, which immediately proceeded at a gallop to the enemy’s left 
with a view of charging upon that flank. On nearing the rebel lines a flag 
of truce was met requesting a cessation of hostilities as it had been decided 
to surrender. The surrender was announced at 4 P. M. 
The cavalry was at once started for Petersburg and thence, after the 
grand review in Washington before the President, into camp at Frederick, 
Md., to reorganize and equip for duty on the distant frontier, where it was 
destined to pass the next quarter of a century. 
The salient features of the regiment’s history, during this most eventful 240 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
period of our nation’s existence, have now been traced from the date of its 
first service in the Peninsula campaign, until formed for the last charge at 
Appomatox. The history of the regiment is that of the Regular Brigade, 
than which none brighter appears upon the records of the Army of the 
Potomac. The regiment was fortunate at the beginning of its career in having 
General Emory present as its lieutenant-colonel to organize it. The talent 
and courage of the squadron leaders, who so materially aided in establish- 
ing a reputation for the regiment, caused the early loss of these officers, who 
were soon selected for higher commands. Brave Sanders, a Southerner and 
West Pointer who remained loyal, was promoted to brigadier-general and 
was killed at the siege of Knoxville, Tenn. Lowell was killed while leading 
the brigade to the charge, he being then colonel of volunteers serving in the 
same brigade with his own Sixth. There were many officers of the regi- 
ment holding high commands, like Generals Hunter, Emory, Carleton, 
Kautz, the Greggs, Sanders and others, who rendered good service commen- 
surate with the increased rank held by them, but the records contain many 
applications for and references to younger officers who were constantly de- 
tached for staff, recruiting and similar duties, who might have carved more 
enduring names for themselves in command of such excellent men as com- 
posed the ranks of the Sixth Cavalry. 
Subsequent to the close of hostilities, the Adjutant-General’s office not 
having given proper credit to the regiment for its services in battle, General 
Sheridan sent to the War Department the following communication, which 
is cherished as a manly and characteristic action on the part of that great 
leader “ I take this occasion to strongly urge that justice be done the 
Sixth Cavalry, and that the battles as given in the within order issued by 
me * * * be credited to this regiment on the next Army Register, so 
that its record, or so much of it as is permitted in the Army Register, may 
be in a measure correct and complete. In the following battles the Sixth 
Cavalry fought under my personal supervision, viz.: Wilderness, Todd’s 
Tavern, Furnaces, Spottsylvania Court House, Yellow Tavern, Meadow 
Bridge, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Dinwiddie 
C. H., Clover Hill, Sailor’s Creek and Appomatox Court House.” 
The records of casualties during the Rebellion show seven officers 
killed, 53 men killed in action and 53 other deaths; 122 wounded in action, 
and 17 by accident; 438 missing, most of these being captured at Fairfield 
and in other charges,—making a total of 689 enlisted men. 
The regiment participated in the following actions during the war : 
1862. 
Williamsburg, May 4. 
Slatersville, May 9. 
New Kent C. H., May 11. 
New Bridge, May 20. 
Mechanicsville, May 24. 
Hanover C. H., May 27. 
Ashland, June 16. 
Black Creek, June 26. 
Charlestown, September 28. 
Hillsboro, September 29. 
Waterford, October 1. 
Charlestown, October 8. 
Philamont, November 1. 
Uniontown, November 2. 
Upperville, November 3. 
Barber’s Cross Roads, Nov. 5. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
241 
Malvern Hill, August 5. 
Falls Church, September 5. 
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md., Sept. 13. 
Petersville, Md., Sept. 15. 
Amosville, November 7 and 8. 
Sulphur Springs, November 17. 
Fredericksburg, December 12. 
1863. 
Beverly Ford, June 9. 
Benton’s Mill, June 17. 
Middleburg, June 21. 
Upperville, June 21. 
Fairfield (Gettysburg), Pa., July 3. 
Williamsport, Md., July 6. 
Funkstown, Md., July 7. 
Boonesboro, Md., July 8 and 9. 
Funkstown, Md., July 7. 
Brandy Station, September 13. 
Culpeper, October 11. 
Brandy Station, October 11. 
Robertson’s Tavern, Nov. 27. 
Mine Run, November 28 and 29. 
1864. 
Wilderness, May 5 and 6. 
Todd’s Tavern, May 7. 
Spottsylvania C. H., May 9. 
Yellow Tavern, May 11. 
Meadow Bridge, May 12. 
Salem Church, May 28. 
Old Church, May 30. 
Trevillian Station, June u-12. 
Dabney’s Mill, June 29. 
Deep Bottom, August 1. 
Berryville, August 16. 
Winchester, September 19. 
Fisher’s Hill, September 20. 
Cedar Creek, October 19. 
1865. 
Five Forks, March 30. 
Dinwiddie C. H., March 31. 
Five Forks, April 1. 
Sailor’s Creek, April 6. 
Appomatox Station, April 8. 
Clover Hill, April 9. 
In October, 1865, the regiment left its camp near Frederick, Md., and 
proceeded via New York and New Orleans, to Austin, Texas, where camp 
was established November 29. The headquarters remained at Austin until 
August 24, 1868, when station was changed to Fort Richardson, Texas. 
The troops were distributed about the Department of Texas, at Forts Rich- 
ardson, Belknap and Griffin, and Camps Austin, Sherman, Buffalo Springs 
and Sulphur Springs. 
During the period from 1865 to 1871, while the regiment was stationed 
in Texas, the duties falling to the officers and men were of the most danger- 
ous and varied kinds. After the close of the Rebellion the country was 
overrun with desperadoes and outlaws who were even worse than the hostile 
Comanches, and the officers and men were continually called upon to guard 
the courts of justice, to assist revenue officers, aid in executing convicted 
criminals, supervise elections, pursue outlaws and murderers, and in general 
to institute lawful proceedings where anarchy reigned. Many soldiers were 
assassinated for their devotion to law and order, and nothing but incessant 
vigilance and unflinching courage, prevented the guerrilla community from 
running the border counties of the State. The records for this period are 
very unsatisfactory, and important actions, in the light of to-day, are entirely 
omitted and remain only as traditions from the generation of war service 
men, who have almost entirely passed away from the regiment. 242 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Parts of the regiment were engaged with Indians at Buffalo Springs, 
July 21, 1867; Fort Belknap, Texas, August 30, 1867 ; in the field, October 
x7, 1867; and at Paint Creek, Texas, March 5, 1868. 
The desperadoes spoken of above, organized into bands of outlaws in 
many parts of Texas about this time, one of the most notorious being Lee’s 
band. On March 7, 1868, Corporal Henhold, Troop D, left Sherman, Texas, 
with 13 enlisted men and some citizen guides, to break up this band. The 
pursuit carried the detachment to Read Creek swamp, where the band was 
effectually broken up by killing two and capturing five of their number. 
One troop marched more than a thousand miles in pursuit of outlaws dur- 
ing the last three months of 1868. 
While scouting from Fort Richardson, Texas, in July, 1870, Captain McLel- 
lan with two officers, an A. A. surgeon, and detachments from Troops A, C, 
D, H, K and L, 6th Cavalry, came in contact with a war party of 250 warriors, 
and fought them on July 12 for about five hours. Captain McLellan’s force 
numbered only 53 enlisted men, of whom two were killed and nine wounded. 
Eight horses were killed and 21 wounded. The Indians almost surrounded 
the command, fighting bravely at close range. Their loss was reported as 
15 killed and many more wounded. 
Other Indian engagements took place May 30, 1870; near Little Wichita 
River, October 5, and October 6, 1870; and on November 12, 1870. 
During the early part of 1871 the regiment was ordered from Texas to 
the Department of the Missouri. The headquarters and troops which had 
assembled at Fort Richardson, Texas, left the post March 20, 1871, for Fort 
Sill, I. T., and soon after arrival began active scouting, which continued 
without intermission until the campaign of 1874-75 so completely paralyzed 
the hostile Indians, that they were compelled to abandon their belligerent 
attitude and flee from their familiar hiding places xn the Pan Handle, to 
seek the protection of the agencies. A few of the troops were assigned to 
garrison in the Department, but most of the regiment eventually went into 
camp near Fort Hayes, Kansas, from which place the country in the vicinity 
of the Saline, Solomon and Republican rivers was kept thoroughly pat- 
trolled with scouting parties. 
As it soon became evident that desultory scouting, and chasing war 
parties which had a good start, were equally unprofitable, expeditions were 
organized in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas, to pursue the Indians even to 
the canons of the Tule and the bare, waterless plains of the Pan Handle. 
Two troops which had been sent to Mississippi and Louisiana for recon- 
struction duty in January, 1872, returned in 1873, much to their gratifica- 
tion, and participated in the Indian scouting and subsequent campaign. 
The regiment took part in the operations against the Cheyennes, Kiowas 
and Comanches in 1874, under Colonel N. A. Miles. This expedition was 
organized at Fort Dodge, Kansas, in August, two battalions of four troops 
each, under Majors Compton and Biddle, representing the Sixth. 
As the command advanced the Indians retreated to the south, concen- 
trating near Red River, Texas. They were rapidly pursued and were over- 
taken near the mouth of the Tule, where an engagement took place August 
3°, 1874, with about 600 warriors. The hostiles occupied a line of bluffs, THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
243 
and, notwithstanding the Indians displayed their usual dash and courage in 
the first attack, the command was rapidly deployed, the Indians charged and 
were driven over the bluffs, thence through deep and precipitous canons, 
past their burning villages and out on to the Staked Plains. The regiment 
was commended in orders for its dash and intrepidity in this engagement. 
Two parties were sent from the battle-field to Camp Supply, I. T., with 
dispatches, one of which was under the charge of Sergeant Z. T. Woodall, 
of Troop I, 6th Cavalry. This one was attacked by Indians and the follow- 
ing extract from a letter, written by General Miles, tells the story of its re- 
markable fight. 
“ From early morning till dark, outnumbered twenty-five to one, under an almost 
constant fire and at such short range that they sometimes used their pistols, retaining 
the last charge to prevent capture and torture, this little party of five defended their 
lives and the person of their dying comrade, without food and their only drink the rain 
water that collected in a pool mingled with their own blood. There is no doubt that 
they killed more than double their number, besides those that were wounded. The 
Indians abandoned the attack at dark on the 12th. The simple recital of their deeds 
and the mention of the odds against which they fought, how the wounded defended 
the dying, and the dying aided the wounded by exposure to fresh wounds after the 
power of action was gone, these alone present a scene of cool courage, heroism and 
self-sacrifice, which duty as well as inclination prompt us to recognize, but which we 
cannot fitly honor.” 
Lieutenant Frank West with 20 men was sent with Captain Lyman, 5th 
Infantry, and his company, from camp with a wagon train to meet the out- 
coming train and bring supplies to the front. The train was found Septem- 
ber 7, when the detachment was increased by seven men coming out to 
join the regiment. The stores were transferred in a violent storm, and the 
return march begun, when the Indians appeared and killed and scalped a 
teamster who had wandered off a short distance. The train was followed, 
and on the 9th the attack of the Indians, about 250 in number, commenced. 
The train was corralled a mile or more north of the Washita River for the 
ensuing fight, which lasted four days. The train had just emerged from a 
ravine when the Indians charged the rear fiercely, riding to within about 
100 yards and shooting down Lieutenant Lewis and Sergeant Armour, 5th 
Infantry. A scout was sent through to Camp Supply, being chased on the 
way, and returned with Troop K, 6th Cavalry, with medical assistance for 
the wounded, who had endured great suffering during the four days fight- 
ing and exposure without food or water. 
On November 8, 1874, Troop D (Lieut. Overton), with Company D, 5th 
Infantry, all under Lieutenant Baldwin, fought a band of Indians from 
9 A. M., until 2 p. M., near the headwaters of McLellan’s fork of Red River. 
Major Compton with Troop H went to the assistance of these troops but 
the fighting had ceased before he arrived. Two captive white girls, Julia 
and Adelaide Germain, were rescued during this engagement. Their parents 
and an older brother and sister were killed near the Smoky Hill River, and 
these two girls with two other sisters were carried into captivity. 
Horse thieves took advantage of the unsettled condition of affairs to ply 
their nefarious trade, and Lieutenant Hanna with ten men of Troop B was 244 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
sent from Fort Dodge on November 4th in pursuit of a band. It was over- 
taken on the 9th and in the fight which lasted two hours, Private Skelton 
was wounded, Lieutenant Hanna’s horse killed, two thieves wounded and 
twelve horses and mules recovered. 
On December 1st, Captain Chaffee made a night march to surprise a 
party of Indians reported to be on a branch of the North fork of Red River, 
but the Indians received warning and decamped in great haste. First Ser- 
geant Ryan, Troop I, with a detachment, pursued and overtook them at 
daylight, December 2, attacked and routed them, capturing their ponies, 
about 70 in number, which were mostly saddled and packed. 
The campaign was continued far into the winter, the last movement on 
the Staked Plains being executed in intensely cold w’eather, the thermometer 
registering at times 25 degrees below zero, and “Northers” prevailing al- 
most incessantly. The Indians were fought in nine engagements, and were 
so harassed during this campaign that they were unable to commit their 
usual depredations. After continuous pursuit they went into the agencies 
and surrendered in a greatly impoverished condition, and have never re- 
gained their old war spirit. 
Peace prevailed until spring, but on April 6, 1875, Troop M was engaged 
near the Cheyenne Agency from 3 p. M. until dark with about x 50 
Cheyennes. Nine Indians were killed, four soldiers wounded, and nine 
troop horses killed or wounded. 
A party of Cheyennes broke north, and having been seen crossing the 
railroad, Lieutenant Austin Henely with 40 men of Troop H, went by rail 
to Fort Wallace, Kansas, and left there April 19, 1875, to strike the trail 
southeast of the post. He pursued rapidly until April 23, when he overtook 
the band at Sappa Creek, Kansas. The Indians made a stand and they were 
fought at close quarters to the bitter end. Twenty-seven Indians were 
killed; 134 ponies, with all their camp property and arms were captured. 
Sergeant Papier and Private Theims, of Troop H, were killed. 
After a brief space of active scouting again, the regiment proceeded to 
relieve the Fifth Cavalry in Arizona, the order having been issued the pre- 
ceding year and suspended on account of the Indian troubles. The first 
half of the regiment, with the headquarters and band, assembled during the 
early part of May, and marched under the command of Captain McLellan 
from Fort Lyon, Colorado. The 5th Cavalry moved from Arizona at the 
same time, and the two commands met at Santa Fe, N. M., where horses 
were exchanged and old acquaintance renewed. As soon as these troops 
had reached their respective Departments, the remaining troops of the out- 
going regiments were relieved, and a similar meeting and exchange of horses 
was made at Fort Union, N. M. 
Upon arrival in the Department of Arizona, the troops were widely scat- 
tered. Headquarters and Troop B went to Camp Lowell; A and D to Camp 
Apache ; C, G and M, to Camp Grant; E and I to Camp Verde ; H to Camp 
Bowie; L to Camp San Carlos; K to Camp McDowell, and F to Fort 
Whipple. The troops marched an average of 1064 miles from their old 
stations to the new. 
Comparative quiet reigned in Arizona during the summer while the regi- THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
245 
ment was marching in, but it was not long before marauding bands of 
Apaches commenced their usual deviltry, which continued at intervals dur- 
ing all the years the regiment was stationed there. 
On January 9, 1876, Troops A and D, while in garrison at Camp Apache, 
were engaged with the White Mountain Apaches for three hours. For some 
fancied wrong the Indians got into the rocks and timber and opened fire on 
the post. One Indian was killed, five captured, and the others driven away. 
During the summer of 1876, while the great Sioux war was progressing 
in the north, the entire regiment was called to the field to put down the 
Chiricahua Apaches, and later to assist in removing them to San Carlos 
Agency. Before the arrival of the regiment at the scene of operations sev- 
eral parties were sent out to stop the numerous raids. Lieutenant Henely 
went from Camp Bowie with a detachment and had an engagement April 
10, 1876, and subsequently assisted about 200 friendly Chiricahuas to the 
agency adjoining the post in Apache Pass. The regiment arrived and during 
June was sent around the Indian reservation to drive in the Indians, but 
many of the worst had fled to the rocky fastnesses of the Mexican mountain 
peaks, and remained a thorn in the side of the army and the settlers for 
more than ten years. 
Such Indians as were willing were moved to San Carlos Agency, the 
troops sent back to their stations, and soon the dangerous country was filled 
with daring prospectors seeking the fine mines located thereon. Many of 
these hardy miners have paid with their lives for the privilege of prospecting 
that section. 
Encounters with the Indians occurred August 15, and October 4, 1876, 
and January 9, 1877, and they became so daring in Southern Arizona that 
another company of scouts was organized under Lieutenant John A. Rucker 
than whom no officer in the army was better fitted for the work before him. 
In command of a detachment of Troops H and L, and his scouts, he over- 
took and defeated a band of Chiricahua Indians in the Leitendorf Moun- 
tains, N. M., on January 9, 1877. Ten Indians were killed and one boy cap- 
tured, and from the evidences left behind a number of Indians are believed 
to have been injured. The entire herd, arms and ammunition were cap- 
tured, together with a large amount of stolen goods and about $1200 in 
Mexican silver. The hostile strength was estimated at fifty warriors. 
May 29, 1877, Lieutenant West with a detachment was attacked near 
Camp Bowie, Arizona. 
About the 20th of August, several parties of renegades crossed the Mexi- 
can border at various places and, coming together by preconcerted arrange- 
ment, proceeded to the San Carlos reservation. Lieutenant Hanna started 
on a trail near Camp Huachuca, and when near Camp Bowie learned that 
another party had killed the mail rider east of Bowie. Rucker joined Hanna, 
and the two companies of scouts and cavalry detachments followed the trail 
which constantly grew larger. The renegades led them through a very 
rough country where some of the men became nearly insane for want of 
water. The trail turned into the San Carlos reservation and the commands 
stopped at Camp Thomas to telegraph for orders before going on the reser- 
vation. Before an answer came the renegades had succeeded in creating 246 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
an outbreak. The Warm Spring Indians broke away from San Carlos, and 
were pursued by Captain Tupper with Troop G and detachments from B, 
H, L and M,—Lieutenants Hanna and Rucker with their companies of scouts 
joined him. The runaways were overtaken, and in a scattered and running 
fight on September 9 and 10, 12 Indians were killed and 13 wounded. 
Other encounters took place December 13 and 18, 1877, and January 7 
and April 5, 1878. 
The department commander finally decided to put a stop to the inces- 
sant raiding of small parties from Mexico, and Lieutenants Rucker and Car- 
ter with their companies of scouts were ordered to establish a supply camp 
near the border and to remain there patrolling. Lieutenant Henely joined 
the camp with a company of scouts, and a few days later the regiment was 
horrified by the news of his death by drowning, and that of Rucker while 
trying to save his friend and classmate, at their camp, by a sudden rush of 
waters resulting from a cloud burst. Henely was being carried away by the 
torrent, when Rucker boldly plunged his horse in the stream to save him, 
but the raging waters carried him down also. The loss of these officers, 
especially of Rucker, who was better known to the border people than any 
other officer of the regiment, was universally lamented. 
Indian fights in which the regiment was represented took place Septem- 
ber 17 and from September 20 to 30, 1878 ; September 29 and October 27, 
1879; and April 7, 1880. 
Captain C. B. McLellan with Troop L, Lieutenant Touey’s detachment, 
Troop C, and Gatewood’s scouts, while on a scout in New Mexico came 
upon a battalion of the 9th Cavalry engaged with Victoria’s Apaches at a 
serious disadvantage, and succeeded in dislodging the Indians and relieving 
the 9th. This fight occurred April 9, 1880, in the San Andreas Mountains. 
During the few weeks succeeding this event, Victoria raided incessantly, 
and on May 7, 1880, attempted to get in to San Carlos with 50 warriors, but 
was met by Capt. Adam Kramer with part of his troop (E) and Lieutenant 
Blockson with part of his scouts, on Ash Creek, where a fight ensued, result- 
ing in driving Victoria away, but with the loss of an old and valuable non- 
commissioned officer,—Sergeant Griffin of Troop E,—killed, and one scout 
wounded. Several commands went after Victoria but he escaped and laid 
waste New Mexico to such an extent that nearly all the regiment was en- 
gaged during the summer in constant scouting, ending in an expedition to 
Sonora and Chihuahua, under General Carr, which was participated in by 
most of the regiment and several companies of scouts. Victoria was driven 
into the hands of a Mexican column in October and his band almost de- 
stroyed. During September this band of Indians captured the overland 
stage near Fort Cummings, N. M., and killed the occupants, including the 
young son of Captain Madden, who was coming out from an eastern college 
to spend his vacation with the regiment. 
During August, 1881, the White Mountain Apaches, hitherto very 
friendly, began to show signs of disaffection, brought about by the mach- 
inations of a medicine man named Nackaydetklinne, and General Carr was 
ordered to arrest him. He marched from Fort Apache with Troops D and 
E. and Company A, Indian Scouts, to Cibicu Creek, and arrested the fanatic THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
247 
in the midst of his people, who were informed that having refused obedi- 
ence to the agent, it was necessary to take their medicine man to the fort, 
and that his family would be permitted to accompany him but that any 
attempt at rescue would be resisted. The battalion marched about a mile 
down the creek, and while preparing to bivouac there was some excitement 
amongst the scouts and other Indians who had followed the rear guard to 
camp, and though every effort was made to prevent a conflict, the Indians, 
including the mutinous scouts, fired on the troops and a hand-to-hand con- 
flict ensued. The Indians were driven from the immediate vicinity, not- 
withstanding their numerical strength was about twice that of the soldiers, 
but continued for several hours to fire from the surrounding hills. The 
battalion lost Captain Hentig and six men killed, two wounded, and 42 
horses ; the medicine man was killed. The next day the command returned 
to Fort Apache in time to save that post, which was attacked September 
1st. At the same time all the roads were scoured by war parties, and the 
mail rider, three soldiers and a number of citizens were killed. This out- 
break involved the whole regiment in a short campaign which compelled 
the White Mountain Apaches to surrender at the agencies. 
The withdrawal of troops from the Mexican border to participate in 
driving in these Indians, left the way open and the Chiricahuas broke from 
the reservation and fled south. They were rapidly pursued by two troops 
and overtaken near Cedar Springs, Arizona, and fought for more than five 
hours, with a loss of one sergeant killed and three privates wounded. The 
Indians fled from the strong position held by them during the night, and 
eventually reached Mexico. 
The ensuing year was one of much hard scouting with but little reward, 
until April, 1882. The Chiricahaus then made one of their periodical 
breaks from the reservation, and started for their old haunts in Mexico. 
Two troops started from Fort Thomas in pursuit, and on the second day, 
April 20, Lieutenant Sands with a few men overtook the Indians and ex- 
changed a few shots. Captain Tupper, with Troops G and M, and Indian 
scouts, caught up with the band near the Mexican line, and fought, April 
28, about 150 Indians who had taken refuge in the rocks, killing 17 In- 
dians and 15 horses and mules, and capturing 75 horses and mules, with a 
loss of one trooper killed and two wounded. The troops had to withdraw 
at night to obtain water, and the Indians fled southward. The command 
crossed into Mexico, and the flight of the Indians having been discovered 
by a regiment of Mexican infantry on the march, an ambuscade was quickly 
prepared and when the Indians found themselves entrapped, a hand-to-hand 
conflict ensued resulting in the annihilation of the savages. 
During July, 1882, another outbreak occurred from the San Carlos 
Agency, the band going north murdering settlers instead of following the 
usual route to Mexico. Active pursuit resulted in overtaking the Indians, 
some troops of the 3d Cavalry, and E, I and K, 6th Cavalry, coming to- 
gether from different posts on the hot trail just as the Indians were sighted. 
The fight occurred at the Big Dry Wash of Chevelon’s Fork, A. T., and re- 
sulted in the capture of 60 horses and mules, 50 saddles, and much camp 
property. Sixteen Indians were killed and many wounded. 248 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
During the remainder of 1882 and 1883, the regiment was scouting al- 
most incessantly because of the raids from Mexico by small parties of Chiri- 
cahuas. During March, 1883, General Crook took Troop I under Captain 
Chaffee, on his famous expedition to the Sierra Madres in Mexico, return- 
ing in July, having marched 900 miles, and bringing in the head chiefs and 
about 400 hostiles. 
The regiment was relieved from duty in Arizona during June, 1884, and 
exchanged stations, marching, with the Fourth Cavalry in New Mexico, 
two troops going to Colorado. 
During the nine years’ service in Arizona the hardest work was the in- 
cessant detachment duty, which was necessary to such an extent that troops 
rarely if ever took the field over 35 strong. The average marching of troop, 
as shown by the returns for nine years, was 6419 miles. The greatest num- 
ber of miles marched was 8514 by Troop A. These marches are of organ- 
izations and of course do not include the long trips with mails, paymasters, 
Indian scout companies, etc. Scouting for Apaches has always been at- 
tended with more labors and difficulties than honors or successes. 
The command of the companies of Indian scouts usually devolved upon 
the young lieutenants of the regiment, and while developing self-reliance, 
coolness and woodcraft, the incessant exposure resulted disastrously to 
many of them. 
Two of these young officers deserve special mention—Lieutenant John 
A. Rucker, whose station was always “ In the field,” and who during his 
service with scouts followed nearly every hostile trail between the Gila River 
and the Sierra Madres in Mexico within a few hours after it was made, and 
who finally laid down his young life in a seething mountain torrent in which 
no being could live for a moment, in an unsuccessful effort to save the life 
of his friend and classmate, Henely. 
The other,—Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood,—who entered upon ser- 
vice with the Apaches within a few months after joining the regiment. He 
saw much service during the Victoria and other Apache outbreaks, taking 
part in several engagements in New Mexico. He was commended later by 
the Major-General commanding the Army, for his conduct in the surprise 
and defeat of Chato and Bonito, and the rescue of five captives near the 
headwaters of the Bavispe River, in the Sierra Madres, Sonora, Mexico. An 
act which has made him known throughout the army and the country gen- 
erally, and which Ned Casey probably had in mind when he was so foully 
murdered by the Sioux, is thus mentioned in the recent general order of 
the War Department commending him “ For bravery in boldly and alone 
riding into Geronimo s camp of hostile Apache Indians in Arizona, and de- 
manding their surrender.” 
Upon arrival in New Mexico, the headquarters were located at Fort 
Bayard, some troops going to Forts Wingate, Stanton, Cummings, N. M., 
and Lewis, Colorado. Captain H. P. Perrine, with Troops B and F which 
went to Colorado, took the field from Fort Lewis in pursuit of hostile Utes, 
and engaged them, July 15, 1885, at Wormington Canon. One packer and 
one volunteer were killed. 
The regiment settled down to garrison life, building quarters, putting in THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
249 
water works, and improving the posts generally, which continued until the 
spring of 1885, when nearly all the troops were hurried to the field in May, 
to head off their old enemies, the Arizona Apaches, who broke away from 
Fort Apache and fled towards Mexico. Active but unsuccessful efforts were 
made to overhaul these renegades before they reached Mexico. Troop A 
followed the Indians about 500 miles into Mexico. The troops were placed 
in camp at the various water holes along the border, and patrols were kept 
out watching all the border country for hundreds of miles. This lonely and 
very disagreeable duty of watching for “ signs,” continued for more than a 
year, and the fact that very few Indians succeeded in getting back into the 
settled country, indicates great vigilance. The troops returned to their 
posts during June and July of 1886, but made frequent scouts subsequently 
after these same renegades. 
Aside from frequent scouts on the Navajo reservation and vicinity to 
keep peace between citizens and Indians, the troops were not called into the 
field for any large operations until danger threatened among the far away 
Sioux in 1890. The scattered condition of the army at that time necessi- 
tated the gathering of troops from almost every department, and included 
the Sixth Cavalry, which was transferred by rail from New Mexico to South 
Dakota, arriving at Rapid City, December 9, 1890. 
On January 1st the regiment was camped near the mouth of Wounded 
Knee Creek, and the pickets reported firing early in the afternoon, several 
miles away on White River. Troop K of the third battalion had not yet 
joined, and, suspecting that the Indians had attacked it, “ boots and sad- 
dles ” was sounded, and Major Tupper with his two remaining troops, F and 
I, proceeded at a gallop through the snow, guided only by the sound of the 
firing which came to the ears of the advanced guard. Arriving on the bluffs 
overlooking White River, Troop K, under Captain Kerr, was seen with train 
corralled and the attacking Indians in full view. Although the horses were 
blown with their run for four or five miles in the snow, the skirmish line 
was formed at a charge and the line pushed rapidly across the half frozen 
river between K Troop and the Indians, who, notwithstanding their taunt- 
ing cries of “ come on,” gave way all along their line, and retreated in the 
direction of the main village. 
Some of these Indians who had crawled up close to K Troop, were cut 
off, but by abandoning their ponies they managed to crawl away between 
the lines under a heavy fire, and succeeded in reaching the bluffs, where 
they were subsequently found wounded and were killed by the scouts. The 
result of this attack was particularly gratifying, because the Indians were 
seeking revenge for their losses at General Forsyth’s hands, and found Gen- 
eral Carr’s troops so fully prepared to give it to them that they returned 
to the hostile village and acknowledged defeat and a loss of nine warriors. 
The other troops directed to take part in this affair arrived under General 
Carr so promptly on the flank of the Indians that if they had made a stand 
for a few minutes their escape would have been a very difficult matter. 
This was the only fight participated in by the regiment during the cam- 
paign. Soon afterward the Indians formally surrendered and half the regi- 
ment remained with them at Pine Ridge Agency until February. While 250 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
en route to their new posts in the vicinity of the Indian reservations, the 
men and horses suffered greatly from exposure in very severe weather. 
The regiment is now, as it has been ever since the Rebellion, “ standing 
to horse ” near an Indian reservation ready to participate in quelling dis- 
turbances after the Indian Bureau fails. 
In following a cavalry regiment for thirty years by means of its retained 
records, the trail is often found dim and rough, sometimes completely oblit- 
erated. It would be impossible in so brief a sketch to name all the heroes 
and heroic deeds that these years have developed. The names of the offi- 
cers participating in actions even, cannot be given because so many records 
have been lost in battle and flood. To illustrate the difficulties surrounding 
this labor it is only necessary to quote from one morning report where the 
naive remark is duly entered, that “the company clerk was captured yes- 
terday with the muster roll in his saddle pocket.” Many incidents of great 
interest have been brought to light through the kindly offices of the Sixth 
Cavalry Association, an organization of veterans who followed the fortunes 
of the regiment during the war, and who still meet annually to keep alive 
the friendships and memories of those eventful days. 
This sketch is confined as nearly as possible to things historical, but the 
search for facts has developed a perfect mine of interesting incidents and 
regimental tales which have no place here. The pressure of other duties 
has made it impossible for the writer to do full justice to the subject, and it 
was only the fear that it would be entirely neglected by those more com- 
petent that caused the preparation of this imperfect narrative. Major-General 
JACOB BROWN 
Commanding the Army, 1821-1828. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
By Major E. A. GARLINGTON, Inspector General, U. S. A. 
RECRUITS for a regiment of cavalry were concentrated at Fort Riley, 
Kansas, in August, 1866, The work of organization was in- 
augurated by Major John W. Davidson, 2d Cavalry, on the 10th 
September, and completed by Colonel Smith, on the 22d December. 
The new regiment was first designated in orders as the “ Eighth Cavalry,” 
but the figure eight subsequently gave place to the cabalistic number— 
seven. 
Andrew J. Smith, a veteran of the Mexican War, who had been a dis- 
tinguished cavalry leader in the Army of the West during the Civil War, was 
promoted colonel of the new regiment. 
The first lieutenant colonel was that picturesque cavalryman, George A. 
Custer, who had been one of Sheridan’s most trusted division commanders. 
The senior major was a soldier of the old school—Alfred Gibbs; the 
other majors were Wickliffe Cooper and Joel H. Elliott, both young officers 
of great promise, and with distinguished war records. 
Among the captains were, William Thompson, Frederick W. Benteen, 
Myles W. Keogh, Robert M. West, “ Mike ” Sheridan, Louis McLane Ham- 
ilton and Albert Barnitz. 
The roster of lieutenants also showed many well-known names, among 
them : “ Tom ” Custer, brother of the general; W. W. Cooke, H. J. Nowlan, 
A. E. Smith, “Tom” Weir, Owen Hale, “ Sam ” Robbins, Myles Moylan, 
Tames M. Bell and Henry Jackson. 
The regiment remained in Kansas four years and six months, and duri ng 
that period performed every kind of duty that could fall to the lot of a 
trooper, and went through an experience scarcely realizeable to a young 
soldier of the present day. 
Its scouts, marches and expeditions, extended from the Missouri River 
to the Rocky Mountains; from the Staked Plains of Texas to the Platte 
River. The summer’s sun found it plodding over the arid, dusty plains as 
escort to commissioners, surveyors and what not, or dashing along in eager 
pursuit on a fresh Indian trail, and dealing vigorous strokes upon this sav- 
age enemy; the winter’s snow served as a winding sheet to many of its gal- 
lant dead. The theatre of its operations was the scene of many well con- 
tested conflicts with its treacherous foe. Two seasons it fought the unseen 
but virulent enemy—Asiatic cholera. It subsisted for months on food unfit 
for human consumption, and as a consequence scurvy frequently prevailed 
among the men, weakening them to such a degree as to invite the more 
deadly disease—cholera. 
This varied and trying service developed officers of determination and 
251 HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
252 
endurance, of daring and skill; and at the same time eliminated the “ dead- 
wood ” which it discovered. The regiment, or fractions of it, demonstrated 
its esprit on over forty occasions in contest with the Sioux, Cheyennes, 
Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, Arapahoes and Dog Soldiers. These began 
with a skirmish near Fort Lyon, Colorado, on the 13th April, 1867, and 
practically ended with the battle on the Washita in the Indian Territory on 
the 27th November, 1868,—although there were several smaller affairs along 
the Saline and Solomon during the summer of 1869. 
Exclusive of the battle of the Washita the losses sustained in action were: 
killed, 11 ; wounded, 13 ; mortally wounded, 4; captured, 1 ; lost, one ; six 
men were drowned in the performance of duty and fifty-one died of cholera. 
The fight on the Washita was perhaps the most vigorously contested, 
and the most decisive battle ever fought with Indians up to that period, or 
even since. Eight hundred troopers, and over double that number of In- 
dians were engaged in that encounter. 
In addition to Black Kettle’s village, which was captured and totally de- 
stroyed, there were within five miles of the scene of the battle over six hun- 
dred tepees standing along the Washita River during the fight. 
Custer, under the cover of night, succeeded in surrounding the village, 
and as the morning dawned, lighting up the snow-covered valley, a signal— 
a single shot—rang out clear and distinct in the cold crisp air; the band 
struck up a stirring regimental air—“ Garry Owen ”—and the fight was on. 
Into the village the gallant troopers, cheering lustily, charged from all 
sides, each vying with his comrade to be first at the death. The fight raged 
furiously until about three o’clock in the afternoon. 
How the regiment acquitted itself is shown in the following order; 
Headquarters Department of the Missouri. In the Field. 
Depot on the North Canadian, at the Junction of Beaver Creek, 
Indian Territory, November 29, 1868. 
General Field Orders No. 6 : 
The Major General Commanding announces to this Command the defeat, 
by the Seventh Regiment of Cavalry, of a large force of Cheyenne Indians, 
under the celebrated Chief. Black Kettle, reinforced by the Arapahoes 
under Little Raven, and the Kiowas under Satanta, on the morning of the 
27th instant, on the Washita River, near the Antelope Hills, Indian Ter- 
ritory, resulting in a loss to the savages of one hundred and three warriors 
killed, including Black Kettle, the capture of fifty-three squaws and chil- 
dren, eight hundred and seventy-five ponies, eleven hundred and twenty- 
three buffalo robes and skins, five hundred and thirty-five pounds of 
powder, one thousand and fifty pounds of lead, four thousand arrows, seven 
hundred pounds of tobacco, besides rifles, pistols, saddles, bows, lariats and 
immense quantities of dried meat and other winter provisions, the complete 
destruction of their village, and almost total annihilation of this Indian 
band. 
The loss of the Seventh Cavalry was two officers killed, Major Joel H. 
Elliott and Captain Louis McL. Hamilton, and nineteen enlisted men; 
three officers wounded, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel T. W. Custer, Brevet THE SE VENTH REGIMENT OF CA VA LR Y. 
253 
Lieutenant Colonel Albert Barnitz (badly) and Second Lieutenant T. J. 
March (slightly) and eleven enlisted men. 
The energy and rapidity shown during one of the heaviest snow storms 
that has visited this section of country, with the temperature below freez- 
ing, and the gallantry and bravery displayed resulting in such signal suc- 
cess, reflect the highest credit upon both the officers and men of the 
Seventh Cavalry; and the Major General Commanding, while regretting 
the loss of such gallant officers as Major Elliott and Captain Hamilton, 
who fell while gallantly leading their men, desires to express his thanks to 
the officers and men engaged in the battle of the Washita, and his special 
congratulations are extended to their distinguished commander, Brevet 
Major General George A. Custer, for the efficient and gallant service ren- 
dered, which have characterized the opening of the campaign against hostile 
Indians south of the Arkansas. 
By command of Major General P. H. Sheridan, 
(Signed) J. Schuyler Crosby, 
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C. 
Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
The Secretary of War also sent the following telegram which was trans- 
mitted to the Regimental Commander : 
Washington City, December 2, 1868. 
Lieutenant General Sherman, St. Louis, Mo. : 
I congratulate you, Sheridan and Custer, on the splendid success with 
which your campaign is begun. Ask Sheridan to send forward the names 
of officers and men deserving of special mention. 
(Signed) John M. Schofield, 
Secretary of War. 
General Custer reported that it was impracticable to comply with the 
request contained in the closing sentence “ for the gratifying reason that 
every officer and man belonging to the expedition has performed his full 
part in rendering the movement against the hostile tribes a complete suc- 
cess.” 
General Sheridan’s order, issued upon the receipt of Custer’s despatch 
written immediately after the battle, understates the loss ; two officers and 
twenty-five men were killed, and three officers and twelve men wounded. 
Two white boys were rescued from the savages. During the engagement 
a bloodthirsty squaw was seen to murder a bright lad of about ten years 
by disemboweling him with a knife. In Satanta’s abandoned village the 
bodies of a young white woman and a child were found cruelly mutilated. 
A subsequent visit to the battle-field, and investigation among the pris- 
oners and other Indians who were in the fight, disclosed a much greater 
Indian loss than was first reported. They acknowledged that one hundred 
and forty warriors were killed, and the number wounded must have swelled 
the aggregate loss to nearly four hundred. 
General Sheridan, who was at Camp Supply, with his characteristic dis- 
position to drive home a preliminary success, ordered Custer, now rein- 254 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
forced by the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, making a total force of about 
fourteen hundred men, to resume his operations against the hostiles, hoping 
by the aid of the biting frost of an unusually cold winter to force them to 
sue for peace and to return to their reservation. 
The limit of this sketch makes it impossible to follow the operations of 
Custer’s column ; they are full of interest, and of incidents which go to 
prove his own wonderful energy, daring, pluck and resourcefulness, as well 
as the esprit, courage, and staying qualities of his officers and men. There 
was no more fighting Indians; but fighting cold, hunger and obstacles 
with which nature barred the routes of travel, was even more wearing and 
destructive to the efficiency of the command. On the march from Supply 
to Fort Cobb the regiment lost one hundred and twenty-eight horses; the 
“ 19th Kansas ” one hundred and forty-eight. 
Through the capture of Satanta and Lone Wolf, head chiefs of the 
Kiowas, and a threat to hang them at sunset on a certain day, that tribe 
was forced to come in and camp on the reservation near Fort Cobb. 
By the extraordinary efforts of Custer with a detachment of two officers 
and fifty five men, and a march of three hundred and fifty miles, the Arapa- 
hoes were located and brought back to their reservation, where they have 
remained at peace with the whites. The Cheyennes now alone remained 
obdurate to the peaceful efforts of the Government. They were finally 
located in Northern Texas. By a well conceived and successfully executed 
stratagem Custer captured three of the principal chiefs of the tribe, and by 
the exercise of great patience and forbearance, Mrs. Morgan and Miss White, 
two white captives held by them, were delivered to Custer ; and an agree- 
ment entered into on the part of the Indians to return to their reservation, 
and on the part of Custer to restore to their people the three chiefs and the 
women and children caDtured at the Washita. The Indians complied with 
their part of the contract; and the Government, as far as it was able, fulfilled 
its stipulation. 
With the return of the Cheyennes to their reservation the work of the 
expedition south of the Arkansas was done. The regiment was withdrawn 
and the “ 19th Kansas” mustered out of the service. 
The extreme severity of this winter’s campaign will be appreciated when 
it is remembered that Custer left Camp Supply on the 7th December 1868, 
with fourteen hundred cavalry, and now, on the 5th March, 1869, his 
mounted effective strength was reduced to six hundred and fifty men. 
General Sheridan in a letter to Custer said : “ I am very much rejoiced 
at the success of your expedition, and feel proud of our winter’s operations 
and of the officers and men who have borne its privations and hardships 
so manfully. * * * Give my kind regards to the officers and say 
how happy I should be to see them should any of them come this way on 
leave.” 
Colonel Smith resigned in the spring of 1869, and was succeeded by 
Brevet Major General S. D. Sturgis, promoted from Lieutenant Colonel 6th 
Cavalry. 
In March, 1871, the regiment was relieved from duty in the Department 
of the Missouri. THE SE VENTH REGIMENT OF CA VALRY. 25 5 
Headquarters Department of the Missouri. 
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, March 8, 1871. 
General Orders No. 4. 
Orders transferring the 7th Cavalry from this Department having been 
received from Headquarters of the Army, the Commanding General deems 
it his duty to express to the officers and soldiers of the regiment his high 
appreciation of their soldierly qualities and of the conspicuous services per- 
formed by them in this department. 
The regiment carries with it a noble record of faithful services and 
gallant deeds. During the four years which it has been in this Department 
it has experienced all of the hardships, dangers and vicissitudes attendant 
upon military operations on our wild frontier. It has made many long and 
toilsome marches exposed to the severest storms of winter, and has gone 
for days in that inclement season without shelter and almost without food 
for man or animal. 
It has been engaged in many bloody combats with the Indians in which 
its valor has been thoroughly tried and proved. It has met all dangers and 
privations with firmness and intrepidity and has been distinguished through- 
out for steady discipline and efficient performance of duty. 
The present soldierly condition and high state of discipline of the regi- 
ment give assurance that in the new field to which it is ordered it will be 
distinguished for the same high qualities which have so justly earned for it 
its brilliant reputation in this command. 
With sincere regret the Commanding General sees this regiment leave 
this Department. It is needless to say that it will carry with it his hearty 
good wishes and his confident hope that its future will be as successful as 
its past history. 
It will be long remembered in the Department as a model of soldierly 
discipline and efficiency. 
By command of Brigadier General Pope : 
(Signed) W. G. Mitchell, 
Brevet Colonel, U. S. A. 
Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
The scene now shifts to the Department of the South, where we find 
the regiment scattered through seven States, serving as a sort of adjunct to 
the Department of Justice, acting as posse comitatus for United States 
Marshals. This constabulary duty continued for two years, when orders 
were issued transferring the regiment to Texas. The restless and threat- 
ening attitude of the Sioux in the Department of Dakota made it neces- 
sary to send cavalry there, and upon the application of General Sheridan 
the “ Seventh’s ” destination was changed to the Northern Department. 
April, 1873, found all the regiment, except the colonel, his staff and two 
troops, at Yankton, Dakota. 
General Sturgis was assigned to station at St. Paul, Minnesota, and 
Major Reno, with one squadron, was detailed for eScort duty with the in- 
ternational commission locating the boundary line between the United 
States and the British possessions; this squadron remained on this duty 
until the autumn of 1874. 256 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
While detained at Yankton, waiting for wagon transportation, and for 
the ice to run out of the river, the regiment was introduced to a genuine 
Dakota blizzard, the worst it experienced during its fourteen years service 
in the Territory. On the ioth June the regiment reached Fort Rice, and 
Custer reported to General D. S. Stanley for duty with the expedition then 
fitted out for the Yellowstone. This expedition was “designed for the pro- 
tection of engineering surveyors of the Northern Pacific Railway,” and 
consisted of about fifteen hundred men and two guns. 
The column left Fort Rice on the 24th June. On the 4th August 
Custer, who had according to his usual custom gone ahead of the main 
column with one squadron (ninety men), was attacked at a point on the 
north bank of the Yellowstone River about four miles above the present 
site of Fort Keogh, Montana, by three hundred Indians. 
The Indians, well armed with breech-loading rifles, fought with great 
stubbornness for three hours and a half. The ammunition of the troops 
was about exhausted when by a well directed mounted charge the Indians 
were driven from the field. 
One trooper was wounded ; the loss among the Indians was heavy, for 
the troops fought dismounted and under cover, while the Indians charged 
gallantly within very short range. 
The same day the Regimental Sutler, the Veterinary Surgeon and one 
private were killed by a small party of Indians, while trying to join Custer 
from the main column. The trail of a large village was discovered on the 
8th, and Custer was detached with his cavalry and a company of Scouts 
under Lieutenant D. H. Brush, 17th Infantry, to follow and strike the In- 
dians. The pursuit was begun as soon as night fell and prosecuted with 
great vigor. 
On the morning of the nth the Indians attacked Custer while in camp 
on the Yellowstone, about opposite the mouth of the Big Horn River. A 
spirited engagement ensued. Lieutenant Braden, who held a prominent 
point on the left flank with a small detachment while Custer made his dis- 
positions, was charged by one hundred warriers, the Indians riding to within 
thirty yards of his dismounted line. He was shot through the thigh bone, 
but with the most wonderful exhibition of cool nerve maintained his posi- 
tion, and repulsed the daring savages. 
On the bluffs south of the river, old men, squaws, and children were seen 
in large numbers, evidently waiting in fiendish anticipation the time for 
their brutal part in the drama; but their dusky braves could not face the 
vigorous charge of the “pony-soldiers.” They broke in complete rout, the 
cavalry pursuing them for eight miles, when they escaped by crossing the 
Yellowstone. 
The regiment lost in this engagement one officer, Lieutenant Charles 
Braden, and two enlisted men wounded; and one enlisted man killed. 
Several officers had horses shot under them. 
The Indian loss was estimated by Custer to be forty killed and wounded 
on the north side, while several were known to have been knocked over on 
the south bank. There were nine hundred Indians engaged in the attack; 
-this number was afterward verified by the Indians who were present. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
257 
General Custer in his official report of the fight says : “ I desire to bear 
testimony to the good conduct of every man connected with my command, 
including officers, men and scouts. Where all did so well no special men- 
tion can be made.” 
No Indians were seen during the remainder of the season. The expe- 
dition continued the march as far as the Mussel Shell River, whence it re- 
turned to Fort A. Lincoln. 
General Sheridan in his annual report for 1873 recommended the estab- 
lishment of a large military post near the base of the Black Hills in order 
“to secure a strong foothold in the heart of the Sioux country, and thereby 
exercise a controlling influence over these warlike people.” Pursuant to 
his directions an expedition was organized at Fort A. Lincoln in June, 1874, 
for the purpose of reconnoitring the route from that post to Bear Butte, 
in the Black Hills, and exploring the country south, southeast, and south- 
west of that point. Custer was detailed to command the expeditionary 
force, which consisted of ten troops of the 7th Cavalry, two companies of 
infantry and a detachment of scouts; and was directed to return to Fort A. 
Lincoln, within sixty days. Colonels G. A. Forsyth and Fred Grant of 
Sheridan’s staff accompanied the command ; also Captain William Ludlow, 
C. E., as Engineer Officer. 
Leaving Fort A. Lincoln in July we find the expedition at Custer Park 
—near the present site of Custer City, S. D.,—on the last day of the month. 
There was a well equipped scientific party with the expedition, and much 
valuable information gathered as to the geology, zoology, paleontology of 
the region explored ; but the presence of precious metals in large quantity 
appears to have been doubted. 
In September, 1874, six troops and Major Lewis Merrill were ordered to 
the Department of the Gulf. The troops were assigned to stations at dif- 
ferent points in Louisiana and Alabama, where they remained, performing 
constabulary duty until the spring of 1876. 
During the summer of 1875 the troops in the Department of Dakota 
were in the field removing “ prospectors” from the Black Hills. 
In the winter of 1875-76 Tom Custer captured at the Standing Rock 
Agency, Rain-in-the-Face, a noted Sioux chief, who was the principal actor 
in the murder of the sutler and the veterinary surgeon in August, 1873. He 
escaped from the guard house at Fort A. Lincoln and is reputed to have 
killed Tom Custer in the massacre on the Little Big Horn. 
In the spring of 1876 the troops of the regiment in the South were re- 
called, and the entire regiment, Custer commanding, concentrated at Fort 
A. Lincoln for duty with Terry’s column in the general movement about to 
be inaugurated against the Great Sioux Nation. 
The column left Fort A. Lincoln on the 17th May, and the first signs of 
Indians, the trail of a large body, were discovered on the Rosebud River 
about the 15th June by Reno, while on a scout. On the 22d June, Custer 
with the entire regiment, was detached to follow this trail. 
By rapid marches, day and night, half-past ten o’clock on the morning of 
the 25th June found the regiment about to begin the ascent of the divide 
between the Rosebud and the Little Big Horn rivers. 258 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Early the same morning the hostile camp had been located by the scouts 
in the valley of the Little Big Horn. It was Custer’s intention to remain 
concealed until night, and then make his dispositions to attack the Indian 
village at dawn on the 26th ; but shortly after halting he received information 
which assured him that his presence was known to the hostiles. 
To prevent their escape he determined to march at once to the attack. 
Custer divided his regiment into three squadrons; one, of five troops, he 
commanded himself, the other two, of three troops each, were commanded 
by Reno and Benteen respectively. 
Reno had the advance, and he was ordered “to move forward at as 
rapid a gait as he thought prudent, and charge the village afterwards, and 
the whole outfit would support him.” He directed Benteen to move off to 
the left and south until he could see the valley of the Little Big Horn—to 
attack anything he found, and to send him word. 
When about three-quarters of a mile from the Little Big Horn Custer 
swung off the trail to his right, evidently intending to support Reno’s attack 
by striking the Indians in flank. 
It was now about one o'clock in the afternoon. Reno moved forward 
and crossed the river without molestation, delaying twenty minutes to 
water. He continued his advance down the valley under a desultory fire 
for two miles, when he was brought to a stand by a large mounted force of 
Indians. Instead of charging as ordered, he dismounted his squadron to 
fight on foot. The left was held by the Ree scouts who fled at the first 
real attack; the line, thus uncovered, fell back to the timber. This position 
was fairly well protected. Up to this period one man had been wounded. 
The second position was probably held twenty minutes, when Reno 
ordered the squadron to “ mount and get to the hills.” As soon as the 
retreat commenced the Indians swarmed around the right flank and forced 
the column towards the river; the ford over which Reno came could not be 
reached, but a pony trail was found crossing about a mile and a half below 
and leading up a narrow ravine to the bluffs on the right bank of the river. 
The banks were precipitous, and the outlet narrow, but under the impulse 
of showering lead the ascent was made and the high bluff gained. In this 
retreat two officers, twenty-eight enlisted men and one scout were killed, 
seven enlisted men wounded, and one officer (Lieutenant DeRudio) and 
eighteen enlisted men and scouts missing.* 
As near as the time can be fixed, it was now about two o’clock. 
Benteen was unable to execute his orders by reason of the broken country, 
and was forced back to the trail of the main column. Soon after reaching 
the trail, a trumpeter from Custer’s squadron delivered to him the follow- 
ing despatch : “ Benteen, come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring packs. 
Sgd: Cooke. P. S.—Bring packs.” He took the gallop and reached 
Reno on the bluffs about half-past two o’clock. Very soon after Benteen’s 
arrival the Indians withdrew from the attack. A large number of mounted 
warriors were seen in the valley, and suddenly all of them moved down the 
stream. From the most authentic information received from Indians who 
* Fourteen of these men reached the bluffs about three hours after Reno ; DeRudio and three 
men came in during the night of the 26th. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CA VALRY. 
259 
were present at the memorable struggle, it appears that Custer after leaving 
Reno’s trail followed down the general course of the river, but behind the 
bluffs, for about five miles, evidently looking for a favorable outlet in the 
hills through v/hich he could strike the village. 
By the time he reached his farthest point Reno had been driven to the 
bluffs, and his own presence was discovered. The Indians evidently thought 
Reno’s squadron after reaching the high ground had left a detachment of 
observation there and had gone down the river under cover of the bluffs, 
and formed a junction with Custer’s column, for all authorities seem to 
agree that no considerable force remained in front of Reno after about three 
o’clock. It was near this hour when Custer was discovered. 
Three thousand warriors, armed with the best magazine rifles, gathered 
in the ravines and coolies and burst upon Custer’s intrepid band. 
Of course it was but a question of time; encumbered with the led 
horses ; provided with an inferior arm ; the Indians not only twelve to one, 
but each of these twelve firing at close quarters five shots to every soldier’s 
one, the end was soon reached. At five o’clock Reno made an effort to 
join Custer but it was too late. 
The warriors were free to drive Reno back to his former position, and to 
besiege him with vigor until darkness shrouded the bloody scene. But it 
brought short rest for the command. New dispositions were made ; the 
wounded were made as comfortable as possible. Every available man with 
such instrument as he could find was put to digging holes, or rude sort of 
intrenchments. In the direction of the Indian village the horizon was 
aglow with reflected light. 
With the dawn of day came the whirr of bullets, and all day, the 26th, 
the Indians vainly sought to dislodge the troops; at seven o’clock that 
evening they gave up the attack and moved off toward the Big Horn 
mountains. 
On the morning of the 27th General Terry, with Gibbon’s column, arrived 
on the battle-field and discovered Custer’s fate. 
The scene of the fight was visited the next day, and it presented a most 
heartrending spectacle. The bodies of the dead were horribly mutilated, 
except that of General Custer. 
The dead were found by troops, with little piles of empty cartridge 
shells beside each man—mute testimony of the cohesion and discipline 
which existed in the brave band until the end. Near lay his two 
brothers, his nephew and his adjutant. 
Custer took into the fight eleven officers and one hundred and ninety- 
one enlisted men ; all were killed. The officers were: Lieutenant Colonel 
George A. Custer; Captain Myles W. Keogh, commanding Troop I ; Cap- 
tain George W. Yates, commanding Troop F ; Captain Thomas W. Custer, 
commanding Troop C ; First Lieutenant William W. Cooke, Regimental 
Adjutant; First Lieutenant Algernon E. Smith, commanding Troop E; 
First Lieutenant James E. Porter, with Troop I; Second Lieutenant Henry 
M. Harrington, with Troop C; Second Lieutenant James G. Sturgis, with 
Troop E ; Second Lieutenant William Van W. Reilly, with Troop F. 
The following accompanied the command and were killed with Custer; 260 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Second Lieutenant John G. Crittenden, 20th Infantry, attached to Troop L ; 
Acting Assistant Surgeon J. M. DeWolf; Mr. Boston Custer and Mr. Artie 
Read, civilians, brother and nephew of General Custer; Scout Charley 
Reynolds, and Curley—a negro. 
With Reno two officers of the Seventh Cavalry were killed—First Lieu- 
tenant Donald McIntosh, commanding Troop G ; Second Lieutenant Benja- 
min H. Hodgson, Squadron Adjutant—and forty-six enlisted men. Those 
attached to the command and killed were Acting Assistant Surgeon G. E. 
Lord, Scout Bloody Knife—a Ree Indian. Forty-four enlisted men were 
wounded. 
The wounded were sent by steamboat to Fort A. Lincoln, and from that 
point, on the 7th July, 1876, news of the terrible disaster flashed across the 
wires to the East. More troops were at once ordered to the Yellowstone. 
Upon their arrival offensive operations were resumed. But appalled by 
their own acts of savage brutality, and fearing summary punishment by the 
Government, the Indians resorted to the old and effective trick of disper- 
sion, and set the troops to fruitless marches and countermarches for the rest 
of the summer. The Seventh Cavalry was relieved from duty in the field 
in the latter part of September, and returned to Fort A. Lincoln. The en- 
listed strength of the regiment was increased to twelve hundred men. 
On the 20th October General Sturgis with eight troops crossed the Mis- 
souri River and proceeded to the Cheyenne Agency to disarm the Indians 
at that Agency and to capture their pony herds ; Reno with four troops, 
marched to the Standing Rock Agency to perform the same duty there. 
A large number of broken, obsolete and worthless guns, a few service- 
able arms, and about two thousand ponies were secured. 
Upon the completion of these movements the troops were assigned to 
stations for the winter. 
The regiment, except Troop C, was concentrated at Fort A. Lincoln on 
the 30th April, 1877, and the next day started again for the Yellowstone 
country, to report to General N. A. Miles, commanding the District. At 
this time Sitting Bull and his contingent were known to be north of the 
“line,” and thought to be contemplating an expedition into the United 
States, in connection with a hostile movement of the Indians belonging to 
the agencies on the upper and lower Missouri. 
The regiment was so placed as to scout the divide between the Yellow- 
stone and Mussel Shell, and furnished one troop (B) to an infantry com- 
mand performing a like duty south of the Yellowstone. A little later, 
another troop (E) was detached for duty under Lieutenant G. C. Doane, 2d 
Cavalry, with a large force of Crow Indians which he was endeavoring to 
utilize in scouting operations in the upper Yellowstone country. In August 
Miles was apprised of the escape of the Nez Perce Indians from Howard, 
and that the direction of their march indicated that they were making for 
his territory. 
He ordered Sturgis to proceed with six troops, three hundred and 
seventy-eight men and one Napoleon gun, towards Judith Basin to endeavor 
to place his command where he could intercept Chief Joseph and crush 
him ; at the same time directing him to hold hiscommand in condition and THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
261 
in position to concentrate at the mouth of the Rosebud by the 15th Septem- 
ber for operations against Sitting Bull. 
Now came a month of hard and continuous marching,* and during the 
afternoon of the 13th September Sturgis overtook the Nez Perces just as 
they were entering the canon of Canon Creek, Montana. 
A brisk engagement followed in which the command lost three enlisted 
men killed, Captain Thomas H. French and ten enlisted men wounded. 
The Indians lost sixteen killed and a large number of ponies were captured. 
The Indians stubbornly held all direct approaches to the Canon, and it 
was necessary to flank it, which, owing to the extremely rough country, took 
time, and darkness set in before a “ clean up ” could be made. At dawn 
the following day the pursuit was resumed. During the day five Indians 
were killed and many ponies captured, but the Indians could not be brought 
to stand owing to the exhausted condition of the cavalry horses,—ninety- 
three were killed and abandoned on the march. The command had been 
on half rations for several days ; the supplies now gave out completely. A 
courier had been sent to General Miles on the morning of the 13th inform- 
ing him of the direction of Joseph’s march. When Sturgis became con- 
vinced that he could not overtake the Indians before they reached the Mis- 
souri River he decided to delay his march. It was reasonably certain that 
Chief Joseph would at least diminish the rate of his march as soon as the 
troops ceased pushing him, and thus Miles would have a better opportunity 
to place his command in position. By a happy combination of skill and 
luck he was able to seize the opportunity, and on the 30th September, 
at a point a little northeast of the Bear Paw Mountains in Montana, his 
Cheyenne scouts discovered the Indian village. 
The Indian camp had been most admirably selected for defense; it lay 
in the valley of Snake Creek and was traversed by deep coolies in such a 
manner as to afford concealment, and give protection from fire from what 
direction soever the position was approached. In the banks of these coolies 
and ravines a most skillful system of rifle-pits was constructed. South of 
the village, the direction from which the attack was made, ran a high 
perpendicular bank over which it was impossible to take cavalry, and 
which was lined with the Nez Perces warriors completely concealed from 
view. 
When the troops sighted the village it seemed accessible from all sides, 
except perhaps the east. Hale was ordered to charge the village with his 
squadron of the Seventh Cavalry (Troops A, D and K). The gallant troopers 
burying their spurs into their horses’flanks, rushed forward to the attack. 
The Indians held their fire until the squadron was within point blank range 
when they saluted it with a murderous volley; but on they charged to 
within twenty yards of the Indian line. In the charge Troop K (Hale) had 
wheeled to the right to attack a body of Indians which enfiladed the attack- 
ing line. Moylan, commanding A and D, when he discovered the perpen- 
dicular bank, saw that it was impossible to descend it, wheeled his troops 
about, withdrew, and formed on the right of the 5th Infantry, some two or 
* Lieutenant E. B. Fuller, with a detachment of five men, marched without a change of 
horses three hundred and fifty miles in five days. 262 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
three hundred yards in the rear. During this movement the fire was very 
heavy, but the Indians were so close that they shot too high. Up to this 
time the loss in Troops A and D was three killed and four wounded. 
While moving to the rear, Captain Godfrey, marching in rear of his 
troop, had his horse shot under him. 
Hale also charged up to an impassable ravine, withdrew about two hun- 
dred yards and dismounted his troop to fight on foot in a somewhat isolated 
position on the right. For some time almost the entire Indian force was 
concentrated on him, inflicting severe loss. Troops A and D dismounted 
and advanced to his assistance at double time under a galling cross-fire, 
sustaining a heavy loss. In this advance, Godfrey, who had remained 
mounted, was wounded and taken from the field. After Moylan placed his 
line in position and was in the act of reporting to Hale, he was shot through 
the thigh. Soon after Hale himself was killed while encouraging the inex- 
perienced young soldiers of his command. 
Biddle had been killed in the first charge. There was now but one 
officer, Lieutenant Eckerson, for duty with the three troops. All the First 
Sergeants were killed, also several sergeants and corporals. The squadron 
of the Seventh Cavalry now occupied the high ground east of the village. 
Lieutenant Romeyn, 5th Infantry, in command of Troops A and D, 7th 
Cavalry and Company G, 5th Infantry, was ordered to charge simultaneously 
with Lieutenant Carter, and Company I, 5th Infantry, from the southwest 
end and endeavor to cut the Indians off from their water supply. The 
rifle pits were reached, but the Indians drove the force back. Romeyn 
was shot through the lungs. This practically ended the, fighting for the 
day, and during the night the troops were posted around the Indian 
village and threw up such intrenchments as they could with the tools at 
hand. 
The 12-pounder arrived on the evening of the 1st October and by bury- 
ing the trail in the ground, and using very light charges of powder some 
shells were dropped in among the Indians, inflicting great loss. 
Miles had several parleys with Joseph, and finally, on the 4th October, 
he surrendered his people—four hundred and eighteen in all—of which 
eighty-seven were men. One hundred and four escaped to Canada. 
In this engagement Miles’ losses were: two officers and twenty-two en- 
listed men killed; four officers and thirty-eight enlisted men wounded, of 
which the Seventh Cavalry lost two officers and nineteen enlisted men killed, 
and two officers and twenty-seven enlisted men wounded, a total loss of fifty- 
one out of one hundred and eight men engaged—very nearly fifty per cent. 
Miles’ command numbered during the first two days, three hundred and 
twenty-three men and thirty Cheyennes, it was afterwards increased by 
forty men of Brotherton’s Company of the 5th Infantry. 
Sturgis reached the Missouri at Carroll on the 1st October, and the same 
day received orders from Miles to move forward rapidly and cautiously— 
that he had Joseph surrounded. 
On the 4th, when within two hours’ march of the battle-field, he received 
orders to halt—that the surrender was complete. 
The uncertainty of Sitting Bull’s intentions and movements kept the THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
263 
forces in the field well into the winter, and the troops did not all arrive at 
their stations until January, 1878. 
After a few months of rest and recuperation a permanent camp was es- 
tablished at Bear Butte, in the Black Hills, all the regiment, under Sturgis, 
being present except Troop F, which remained at Fort Totten. 
In September the Cheyenne Indians left their reservation in'the Indian 
Territory crossed the States of Kansas and Nebraska, committing depreda- 
tions along their route of march. They evaded all pursuers and were appa- 
rently heading for the great agencies in Dakota. The possible introduction 
of an openly hostile element into any of these great camps was viewed with 
great apprehension by the military authorities, and stringent orders were 
issued to prevent it. The new agency for Red Cloud was at this time 
being established at White Clay Creek. 
Under telegraphic orders the camp at Bear Butte was broken up, and the 
command, under Tilford, moved with as much dispatch as possible to a 
point near this Agency to observe it, and in conjunction with other troops, 
to keep out the Cheyennes, capturing them if possible. When the Chey- 
ennes found that their scheme of joining the Sioux was frustrated, and that 
the gateways to the North was held by troops, they broke up into small 
parties so that they might sneak through the line. One band did escape 
around the western end of the Black Hills. Another was captured by a 
squadron of the 3d Cavalry under Captain J. B. Johnson. This band, when 
in the first camp after surrender, experienced a change of heart and posi- 
tively refused to accompany Johnson any further. They burrowed in the 
ground, and otherwise constructed a most skillful system of defense. Two 
troops of the Seventh Cavalry and a piece of artillery went to the assistance 
of Johnson. When the Indians saw the resources and preparations of the 
troops for immediate action, they concluded to come out of their holes and 
to go with their captors. 
In November the regiment was relieved from duty in the field, and after 
detaching two troops to establish a cantonment on the present site of Fort 
Meade, S. D., returned to its former station. 
The next summer regimental headquarters and six troops garrisoned the 
new post of Fort Meade, Dakota. 
Aside from maintaining camps of observation on the Little Missouri 
River during the summer, escort duty in the construction of the Northern 
Pacific and Great Northern railroads, scouts and expeditions for special 
purposes, the service in the Department of Dakota after 1878 was confined 
to garrison work. Among the scouts may be mentioned the capture by 
Lieutenant Bell of a band of Canadian half-breeds in the autumn of 1883. 
Troop F was present and participated in the capture of the remnants of 
Sitting Bull’s and Gaul’s camps at Poplar River Agency, during the winter 
of 1880-81. 
On the nth June, 1886, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis, Brevet Major Gen- 
eral, U. S. A., retired from the service, having reached the age of sixty-four 
years. General James W. Forsyth, Lieutenant Colonel 1st Cavalry, suc- 
ceeded to the Colonelcy. 
Troop A participated in the affair which terminated with the killing of 264 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ Sword Bearer” at the Crow Agency, Montana, on the 5th November, 1887. 
Regimental headquarters and one squadron were transferred to the De- 
partment of the Missouri during the summer of 1887. 
Upon General Forsyth devolved the duty of establishing the School of 
Practical Application for Cavalry and Light Artillery located at Fort Riley, 
Kansas. The next year the remaining squadrons followed the first, one 
taking station at Fort Riley, the other at Fort Sill, Indian Territory. In 
1888, 1889, and 1890 that portion of the regiment at Fort Riley attended 
Grand Army reunions or Militia encampments at Lawrence and Topeka, 
Kansas. The troops stationed at Fort Sill did their share of duty on the 
“ cattle trail ” leading through the Territory. In the autumn of 1889, the 
regiment, except Troop E, was united for the last time at the field manoeuvres 
of that year on Chilocco Creek, Indian Territory. In September, 1890, Troops 
L and M were skeletonized, and the officers and men merged into other or- 
ganizations. 
The year 1890 is memorable for the Sioux outbreak after a peace of 
more than ten years. The history of this disturbance of the friendly rela- 
tions which had existed for so long a period is full of interest, but only a 
passing reference can be made to it. Religious fervor, including the belief 
in the advent of a Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, the return of the 
buffalo and the departure of the white man from the Indian country, seized 
the savage mind ; and its manifestations in the ghost dance and other cere- 
monies gave rise to the belief on the part of agents and others that the 
entire Indian nation meditated war. 
Whether this belief was correct or not has never been definitely decided. 
In November the agent at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, not equal to the 
emergency which presented itself, deserted his post of duty, reported his 
Indians on the eve of war and called for military protection. 
Immediately orders were issued for the concentration of a large force at 
Pine Ridge, under Brigadier General John R. Brooke. The headquarters 
and eight troops of the regiment formed a part of this force. At the same 
time troops were placed at strategical points north of this agency in the 
Department of Dakota. One of these commands was located on the Chey- 
enne River in observation of Big Foot’s band, and of other Indians camped 
in that city. 
Nothing of a hostile character occurred at Pine Ridge Agency for sev- 
eral weeks after the arrival of the troops. The time was spent in negotia- 
ting with a camp of Brules and malcontents from Pine Ridge, which had 
been established upon the approach of troops in the Bad Lands north of 
White River. This was called the hostile camp. These negotiations, which 
looked to bringing these Indians into the agency, were progressing with a 
fair prospect of success until the news of the killing of Sitting Bull near 
Standing Rock was received, when they were to some extent interrupted. 
They were, however, resumed until broken off by an actual collision be- 
tween the Indians and troops. Big Foot was a bad Indian, a disturbing 
element. In his camp the followers of Sitting Bull, who escaped when he 
was killed, found an asylum. There were also other renegades from the 
Missouri River agencies. On the night of the 22d December he escaped THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CA VALRY. 
265 
with his village from the troops that were supposed to hold him. The 
Major General commanding the Division, then at Rapid City, South Da- 
kota, informed General Brooke of the escape, of the desperate character of 
.he Indians, and impressed upon him the necessity of capturing, disarming 
and holding them under close guard. 
On the 26th December, Forsyth, under orders from Brooke, sent Whit- 
side's squadron, and two Hotchkiss guns under Lieutenant H. L. Haw- 
thorne, 2d Artillery, to the Wounded Knee Post Office, the purpose being 
to capture Big Foot’s band if he should come that way. Brooke informed 
Whitside on the 27th that Big Foot must be in his front, and directed him 
to “ find him, to move on him at once and with rapidity, to capture him, 
and if he fought to destroy him.” 
Whitside did capture him on the 28th, without a fight, about six miles 
from Wounded Knee Post Office. The Indians were conducted to the camp 
which had been left standing on the Wounded Knee. They were assembled, 
counted, and rations issued to three hundred and fifty persons ; one hundred 
and twenty bucks, the rest women and children. 
Whitside reported his successful capture and requested reinforcements, 
that the disarmament, which was to be consummated on the morrow, be ac- 
complished without bloodshed. 
In response to his request Forsyth arrived during the night of the 28th 
with Regimental Headquarters and the second squadron ; two Hotchkiss 
guns under Captain A. Capron, 1st Artillery; and Lieutenant Taylor, 9th 
Cavalry, with his troop of scouts, to which was attached Lieutenant Pres- 
ton, 9th Cavalry. Forsyth’s instructions were to “disarm the Indians where 
they were camped, to, under no circumstances allow any of them to escape, 
and to destroy them if they resisted; ” and as soon as the disarmament was 
completed to leave Whitside in charge and return at once to the agency. 
Early the next morning Monday, the 29th of December, Forsyth made 
his dispositions to disarm the Indians, peaceably if possible, by force if 
necessary. 
The bucks were invited into council between their own village and the 
camp ; nearly all of them, one hundred and six, came wrapped in blankets. 
Big Foot remained in his tent. 
General Forsyth, kindly and pleasantly, yet firmly, demanded the sur- 
render of their arms. While the negotiations were progressing, a young 
buck fired into the soldiers. The others threw aside their blankets which 
concealed their weapons, and poured a murderous fire into the troops, which 
had been posted between them and their village, following it up as rapidly 
as their repeating rifles could belch forth the lead. The fight raged on the 
flat about one hour before it was cleared entirely of Indians. Here Captain 
George D. Wallace, commanding Troop K, and twenty-one enlisted men, 
including one hospital steward, were killed ; Lieutenant Ernest A. Garling- 
ton was shot through the right elbow ; Lieutenant John C. Gresham re- 
received an abrasion on the nose from a passing bullet; Captain Charles A. 
Varnum had his pipe knocked from his mouth by a bullet; Captain John 
Van R. Hoff, Assistant Surgeon, received several bullets through his 
clothing, and twenty-one enlisted men were wounded. Father Craft, a 266 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Catholic priest, who was present using his good offices to persuade the 
Indians to submit to the demands made of them by General Forsyth, re- 
ceived a vicious stab in the back which penetrated his lung. Scout Wells 
had his nose nearly cut off. Lieutenant John Kinzie, 2d Infantry, who was 
present as a spectator, was shot through the foot. 
Some of the Indians, many of them wounded, escaped to a ridge of hills 
lying just west of camp, and secreted themselves in stump holes and inacces- 
sible ravines. It was while attempting to dislodge a party which was doing 
considerable execution that Lieutenant H. L. Hawthorne, 2d Artillery, re- 
ceived a very severe wound. The fighting in the hills was done by Troops 
C, D, E and G, which were mounted at the beginning of the engagement. 
They lost four -men killed and four wounded ; Lieutenant Donaldson was 
struck by a bullet with sufficient force to penetrate his leather belt and his 
clothing. There were many acts of individual bravery and gallantry, but 
every man showed himself a soldier—with the nerve born of disciplined 
courage. 
Although a very small percentage of the enlisted men had ever been 
under fire before—sixty recruits having joined at Pine Ridge—and the at- 
tack was sudden, there was no undue excitement. Each man obeyed orders, 
stood his ground, and shot to hit, and proved himself worthy of the num- 
ber he wore upon his cap. One hundred and forty-six Indians were subse- 
quently buried on the field ; and there was undoubted evidence that many 
bodies had been removed ; thirty-three Indians, nearly all wounded, were 
captured. The “ hostiles ” reported seven Indians as having escaped to 
their camp—all wounded except one. 
The fight was over about three o’clock in the afternoon. 
In view of the possible effect of this fight upon the other Indians, and 
for the better care and protection of his wounded, Forsyth moved his com- 
mand to the agency, arriving there about eleven o’clock at night. 
At six o’clock on the morning of the 30th he was called to go to the 
assistance of Major Henry’s wagon train which had been attacked near the 
agency. One hour after his return to camp he was ordered to go the Drexel 
Mission, four miles from the agency which was reported attacked by the 
hostiles. It proved to be a false alarm. 
When about to return, Little Bat, a scout, reported that he had heard 
the “ firing of big guns ” down the White Clay. Knowing that troops were 
located in that direction on the other side of the supposed position of the 
hostile camp, Forsyth determined to make a reconnaissance in force down 
the stream, to either confirm or demonstrate the error of the report. To 
guard against emergencies he sent couriers to General Brooke and Colonel 
Henry, asking that the latter join him at once. 
The scouts, under Lieutenant Preston, 9th Cavalry, developed a small 
force which was pushed back by the advance guard. The number of Indians 
rapidly increased until the hills were full of them—at least three or four 
hundred opposed the advance of the troops. Forsyth’s instructions did not 
contemplate a general engagement which he knew would be precipitated if 
he pushed matters, and as soon as he became convinced that there was no 
heavy firing down the White Clay he decided to withdraw. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
267 
He was in the act of withdrawing his troops when Henry’s squadron of 
the 9th Cavalry arrived, having promptly responded to Forsyth’s request. 
These troops were placed in position, under Forsyth’s direction, and assisted 
in the completion of the movement. 
The loss in this engagement was one enlisted man killed ; Lieutenant 
James D. Mann, and six enlisted men wounded. Lieutenant Mann died of 
his wound, at Fort Riley, Kansas, on the 15th January, 1891. The loss 
among the Indians is unknown. 
On the 30th December, 1890, the Major General commanding the army 
telegraphed to the Major General commanding the forces at Pine Ridge, 
asking him to thank the “ Brave Seventh Cavalry for their splendid con- 
duct.” 
In the latter part of January the Indian problem at Pine Ridge was set- 
tled to the satisfaction of the Major General commanding. The prompt 
and drastic punishment awarded treachery at Wounded Knee contributed 
in no small measure towards bringing the hostile Indians to a realizing 
sense of their obligation to comply with the demands of the Government. 
The troops were relieved and sent to their stations. 
The train carrying the secdnd squadron of the Seventh Cavalry, and 
Capron’s battery of the 1st Artillery, collided with a passenger train, run- 
ning at full speed, when within a short distance of Fort Riley. The wreck 
was complete; the escapes from death and injury miraculous. A sergeant 
of artillery and a private of cavalry were killed, and Captain E. S. Godfrey, 
7th Cavalry, sustained a painful and permanent injury. 
During the year 1891, Troop L was reorganized as an Indian troop by 1st 
Lieutenant H. L. Scott, and is now stationed at Fort Sill, Indian Territory. 
Lieutenant Scott is an expert in all that pertains to Indians, and through 
his familiarity with their character, and his ability to deal with them without 
the aid of an interpreter he has attained the most satisfactory results. 
Troop F was transferred to the Department of the East in the spring of 
1892, and to the Department of Texas in 1894. Troops C, D and G, left 
Fort Riley on the 24th December, 1892, for Texas, to engage in the move- 
ment looking to the capture of the Mexican Revolutionist, Garza, and his 
followers in Texas. After a winter in the chapparral they took permanent 
station in that Department. 
Three monuments have been erected to mark the great events in the regi- 
ment’s history; one on the battle-field of the Washita, a homely pile of 
stone placed by Lieutenant H. L. Scott, 7th Cavalry; one on the Little Big 
Horn, built by the Government; and another at Fort Riley, Kansas, erected 
by the members of the Seventh Cavalry and of the Medical Department, 
stationed at Fort Riley. 
Colonel Forsyth was promoted Brigadier General 9th November, 1894, 
and was succeeded by Colonel E. V. Sumner. THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
LIEUT. CHARLES M. O’CONNOR, U. S. A. 
Adjutant Eighth Cavalry. 
THE Eighth Cavalry, organized in 1866, isoneof the four cavalry regi- 
ments by which the military peace establishment was increased 
under an Act of Congress of July 28th of that year. 
By G. O. No. 92, A. G. O., 1866, the field officers who had ac- 
cepted appointments were Colonel John I. Gregg, Lieut.-Colonel Thomas 
C. Devin, Majors William Gamble and William R. Price. Colonel Gregg 
joined for duty at Camp Whipple, Arizona, in December, 1866, assuming 
command of the regiment and the District of Prescott, Arizona,—Lieut.- 
Colonel Devin and Major Price in January 1867,—Major Gamble never 
joined. 
The first troop, A, was organized at the Presidio of San Francisco, 
September 19, 1866, 1st Lieut. James H. Lord, 2d Artillery, being assigned 
to command. Troop B, 85 men, at the same place October 23, 1866; 2d 
Lieut. S. A. Porter, 14th Infantry, assigned to command. Troops C, D, E, 
F, G and H, 49 and 50 men each, at Angel Island, California, October 27, 
1866, with officers assigned to command as follows : 
C, 1st Lieut. R. I. Eskridge, 14th Infantry; D, 1st Lieut. O. I. 
Converse, 14th Infantry; E, 1st Lieut. I. FI. Gallagher, 14th Infantry; F, 
1st Lieut. C. B. Western, 14th Infantry; G, 2d Lieut. C. Gillott, 2d 
Artillery; H, 2d Lieut. Louis R. Stille, 14th Infantry. 
Troop I, 84 men, was organized at the Presidio of San Francisco, 
November 12, 1866, 2d Lieut. J. E. Eastman, 2d Artillery, assigned to com- 
mand. 
“Troop K, 85 men at the Presidio, December 1, 1866, 2d Lieut.Green- 
leaf Cilley, 1st Cavalry, assigned to command. 
These troops were composed chiefly of men enlisted on the Pacific Coast, 
and included many of the class styled “Forty-niners”; men who had 
passed months or years in the mines and were typical specimens of the rov- 
ing order of citizens. Many of them were wild characters wrho enlisted in 
the same spirit of adventure which led them to the frontier, and who could 
not generally adapt themselves to the restraints of a military life. Many 
desertions occurred ; the percentage to the end of the year 1867, being 41.8. 
Troops L. and M. were organized February 1, 1867, at Angel Island, 
California; Captain E. V. Sumner and 1st Lieut. W. R. Parnell, 1st Cav- 
alry, being assigned to command respectively. 
The early part of the year 1867, found the troops at stations which they 
were to occupy for some time, viz.: EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
269 
Headquarters, Camp Whipple, A. T., Colonel John I. Gregg, 8th Cav- 
alry, commanding regiment and District of Prescott, A. T. 
Troop A, Camp Winfield Scott, Nevada; Captain Murray Davis, 8th 
Cavalry, commanding. 
Troop B, Camp Cadiz, California ; ist Lieut. Charles Hobart, 8th Cav- 
alry, commanding, a detachment of 20 men being stationed at Rock Springs. 
Troop C, Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory; Captain William 
Kelly, 8th Cavalry, commanding. 
Troop D, Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory; ist Lieut. O. J. 
Converse, 14th Infantry, commanding. 
Troop E, Fort Lapwai, Idaho ; ist Lieut. J. H. Gallagher, 14th Infantry, 
commanding, 
Troop F, Camp Logan, Oregon ; ist Lieut. C. B. Western, 14th Infantry, 
commanding. 
Troop G, Camp Reading, California; Captain R. H. Chapin, 8th Cav- 
alry, commanding. 
Troop H, Benicia Barracks, California; 2d Lieut. William K. Owen, 
32d Infantry, commanding. 
Troop I, Benicia Barracks, California; 2d Lieut. J. E. Eastman, 2d 
Artillery, commanding. 
Troop K, Benicia Barracks, California; 2d Lieut. Greenleaf Cilley, ist 
Cavalry, commanding. 
Troop L, Benicia Barracks, California; Captain E. V. Sumner, ist Cav- 
alry, commanding. 
Troop M, Benicia Barracks, California; ist Lieut. W. R. Parnell, ist 
Cavalry, commanding. 
During the year 1867, Troop B, I, K and L, had been sent to posts in 
Arizona, and the troops of the regiment remained separated at posts in 
Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, California, and Arizona, until 1870, when ordered 
to New Mexico. 
The officers assigned to the regiment were all veterans of the War of 
the Rebellion, and came to duty with the experience which that involved. 
During December, 1867, and January, 1868, the headquarters was en route 
from Camp Whipple, Arizona, to Churchhill Barracks, Nevada, which be- 
came the headquarters of the District of Nevada, Colonel Gregg command- 
ing. In May, headquarters was moved to Camp Halleck, Nevada, where 
it remained till May 5, 1870, when it was moved to Fort Union, New 
Mexico, by rail, via Cheyenne and St. Louis, Mo. The several troops took 
stations at Forts Union, Craig, Selden, Wingate, Bascom, Stanton, in New 
Mexico, and Fort Garland, in Colorado Territory. The duties during this 
period were of almost continuous field service by troops or detachments, 
scouting after Indian depredators, furnishing guards, escorts, etc. Some 
of the details of service performed will be given under the headings of the 
different troops. 
The regiment remained in New Mexico, then far beyond railroad com- 
munications, performing the same duties till July, 1875, when it marched 
to Texas by battalion, headquarters taking station at Fort Clark, Texas, 
January 8, 1876. During the period between 1875 and 1888, the regiment 270 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
remained in Texas, troops at different times being stationed at posts and 
camps from Fort Brown, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, to Fort Han- 
cock, near El Paso. In May of the latter year the regiment was concen- 
trated at Fort Concho, Texas, and made a march to Dakota, arriving at 
Fort Meade, Regimental Headquarters, September 3d, having made a 
continuous march of 1800 miles, while some of the troops in reaching their 
stations marched over 2000 miles. To give a complete account of the 
scouts and marches of each troop, which would be necessary to a full his- 
tory of the regiment, would be a mere repetition of details, so that only 
the most important will be noted. 
Troop A.—Lieutenant Lafferty with 14 men, while scouting country in 
vicinity of Camp Winfield Scott, Nevada, engaged a band of Indians on 
January 17, 1867, at Eden Valley, Nevada, killing two and destroying 
their rancheria and a large quantity of provisions. One enlisted man was 
wounded. The same party on February nth encountered at Independence 
Valley another band of Indians, killing six. 
On the 29th of April, 1868, Lieut. Pendleton Hunter, with Sergeant 
Kelly and Privates Reed and Ward, while in pursuit of Indian horse 
thieves, were attacked in a canon on the east side of Paradise Valley, 
Nevada, by seventeen Indians. All their horses were killed; Lieutenant 
Hunter was shot through the thigh and wrist, and Sergeant Kelly and 
Private Ward was so severely wounded that they died soon after. Lieu- 
tenant Hunter, with a detachment of 14 men, on the 30th of October, 1870, 
captured 9 Indians and 4 ponies in the Guadaloupe Mountains, Arizona. 
Captain Wells and Lieutenant Sprole, with a detachment of 9 men, sur- 
prised an Indian camp, capturing 18 bucks, squaws, and pappooses; 14 
ponies, 2 guns, a large quantity of bows, arrows and camp equipage, and 
destroying their wicky-ups. 
On November 30, 1877, Captain Wells and Lieutenant Phelps, with 
Companies A and K, under command of Captain Young, crossed the Rio 
Grande River and engaged a band of Mascalero Apaches in the Sierra 
Carmel Mountains, Mexico, under Chief Alsota. Two Indians were killed 
and three wounded, and their camp equipage was destroyed. Twenty-two 
horses, five mules and one burro were captured. Sergeant Wilson, Troop 
K, was wounded. 
The ten years from 1877 to 1887 were spent at stations along the Rio 
Grande River at Forts Clark, Duncan, McIntosh and Ringgold Barracks, 
with frequent scouts after cattle thieves and smugglers. In 1887 the troop 
marched to Fort Davis, Texas, and in the summer of 1888 to Fort Meade, 
Dakota. 
Troop B.—The troop, in conjunction with Troop I, 8th Cavalry, en- 
gaged a band of Apaches on the 16th and 17th of April, 1867, in the Black 
Mountains of Arizona; in which encounter George W. Drummond, saddler, 
was killed. Several Indians were killed and •wounded. 
Lieutenants Carrick, Somerby and Curtis, with Troop B and detach- 
ment of Troop L, engaged a band of Hualapais Indians on May 18, 1868, 
on the Rio Solinas, Arizona, killing six and destroying their provisions 
and rancheria. On the 22d of August, 1868, the troop, under command of EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
271 
Lieutenant Somerby, while scouting in the vicinity of Santa Maria River, 
Arizona, encountered a band of Indians, killing two and capturing one. 
Lieutenant Somerby, with a detachment of 17 men, encountered 
a band of Hualapais Indians, September 9, 1868, killing 2 and capturing 
4 squaws. On the following day he surprised a party of 10 Indians, 
killing 4 bucks and capturing 3 squaws. A large quantity of provis- 
ions and camp equipage was destroyed. On the nth, the same de- 
tachment, attacked a band of Hualapais Indians, killing 5 and destroying 
a quantity of provisions and camp equipage. On the 13th, with 10 men, 
Lieutenant Somerby surprised a band of Tonto Apaches near the mouth of 
the Dragoon Fork of the Verde River, killed 2 Indians, and captured a 
rifle and provisions. Private Charles Gardner was wounded. 
On the 9th of November, 1868, a detachment of Troop B with detach- 
ment of Troop L, under Lieutenant Wells, attacked a band of Apaches, 
killing 11 warriors and destroying a large quantity of stores. 
Captain Wade, while scouting with the troop in the “ Bill William ” 
Mountains, encountered a band of Indians, killed 2, wounded 1, and de- 
stroyed 20 lodges with a large quantity of stores. 
The troop, under command of Lieutenant Somerby, on the 25th of 
August, 1869, surprised a band of 40 Indians on Date Creek and succeeded 
in killing 9 and wounding 7. On the 5th of September they captured and 
killed 3 Indians. 
Troop C.—On the 5th of April, 1868, while scouting on the middle fork of 
the Malheur River, Oregon, Captain Kelly, with 48 men of the troop, charged 
an Indian camp of 4 lodges, killing 12 warriors, capturing 3 head of cattle, 
and 1 horse, and destroying 5000 pounds of dried beef. On the nth of 
June the troop, in conjunction with troop F, brought in 138 surrendered 
Indians. 
The troop, under command of Captain Kelly (Lieutenant McCleave and 
57 men), while scouting in the vicinity of Camp McDowell, Arizona, on 
June 3, 1869, surprised and destroyed an Indian rancheria, and the following 
day, overtaking the Indians, killed several, captured some horses and mules, 
and destroyed a large number of bows and arrows. On the 6th of July, 1869, 
Lieutenant McCleave, with a detachment of 17 men at Hacquahalla, was 
attacked by a large body of Indians. After a severe engagement the Indi- 
ans were driven back with a loss of seven of their number killed and ten 
wounded. Private James Howell was mortally wounded. A short time 
previous to the attack 3 Indians were discovered on the trail leadingtothe 
above water and were killed. 
Captain Kelly with 21 men, in pursuit of some Indians who had stolen 
horses and mules from citizens at Silver City, overtook the marauders in 
the Chiricahua Mountains on February 12, 1871, a severe engagement en- 
sued, and the command succeeded in killing 14 Indians and capturing and 
destroying a large quantity of provisions. The stolen stock (except what 
was killed during the fight) was recovered. 
Captain Kelly and his men were specially commended by the depart- 
ment commander (General Pope) in General Orders, for “ the gallantry and 
perseverance displayed by them in the recent pursuit and encounter with 272 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
a band of Apaches who had stolen a number of horses and mules from citi- 
zens in the vicinity of Silver City, New Mexico.” 
Captain Chilson, with io men, left Fort Selden on June 9, 1873, and 
after four days and four nights riding, overtook and engaged a party of 
Indian marauders who had committed depredations at Sheddo Ranch, 
killing 3, and capturing 12 horses and 1 mule. Corporal Frank Bratling was 
killed in this engagement. The department commander in General Orders 
thanked Captain Chilson and his men for the soldierly manner in which 
they had acquitted themselves. The detachment returned on the 16th. 
having marched 350 miles in seven days and four hours. Special mention 
was made by Captain Chilson of 1st Sergeant I. L. Morris, Sergeant L. S. 
Lytle, Corporal Frank Bratling (killed), blacksmith John Sheerin, and Pri- 
vate Henry Wills. Their names were forwarded to the War Department 
with recommendations that medals of honor be conferred upon them. 
On October 1st, Captain Chilson with his troop struck a party of Indi- 
ans, killing 3, and capturing large quantities of supplies. 
In 1874, Troop C, with Troops K and L, formed part of an expedition 
under Major Price, 8th Cavalry. On the 12th of September while march- 
ing through the breaks of the Llano Estacado, Texas, the command 
was furiously attacked by a large body of Indians. The Indians opened the 
fight by charging in line from the top of a mesa upon which they had taken 
position, and firing heavy volleys into the command. They were met by a 
counter-charge from the troops and driven from hill to hill for six miles. 
The fight lasted three hours when, darkness coming on and the Indians 
scattering, the troops were withdrawn. Casualties among the Indians un- 
known. The U. S. troops suffered no loss. 
In passing over the ground during the following month, it was found 
that the number of Indians (Kiowas and Cheyennes) must have been great, 
as 329 sets of lodge poles, five or more in a bunch, 25 saddles, many pans, 
kettles, and skin lodges, sacks of salt, paints, and articles valuable to Indi- 
ans, were found and destroyed. Twenty-seven ponies were found dead on 
the ground, and at a distance from the scene of the fight a number of Indian 
graves were found. When the site of their camp, some 12 miles north, was 
reached, 294 additional bundles of lodge poles were found and destroyed, 
besides much other property that had been abandoned. This would indi- 
cate that there were about 460 warriors engaged in the fight. Lieutenant 
Farnsworth, commanding Troop H, with the wagon train, several days 
after the occurrence struck their trail far to the north of the Wichita, finding 
quantities of abandoned property and ponies. This was evidently the same 
party of warriors which had previously delayed a wagon train under Cap- 
tain Lyman for four days. Warned of the approach of Major Price’s com- 
mand they had selected a good position and made the attack with confi- 
dence, but were driven off with serious losses in men, animals and property. 
The condition of the command at this time, being entirely out of rations 
and forage, subsisting upon a limited supply of buffalo meat, and having 
been marching continuously since the 20th of August, accounts for there 
having been no further pursuit. 
The troop under command of Captain Hartwell, in conjunction with EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
273 
Troops H, K and L, forming the command under Major Price, on Novem- 
ber 29, 1874, had a skirmish on Muster Creek, Texas. A number of In- 
dians were killed and wounded, and a considerable amount of Indian 
equipage was captured and destroyed. 
On the 14th of October the troop pursued a band of Indians in the 
Wichita Mountains, pressing them so close as to cause them to abandon 
all their camp equipage which was afterwards destroyed. 
From 1875 to 1879 the troop was stationed at posts and camps on the 
lower Rio Grande River in Texas, and from 1879 to 1885 at Forts Clarke 
and Duncan, and at camps on the Nueces and Pecos Rivers, Texas. 
In June, 1885, it left San Antonio, Texas, and took part in the campaign 
against Geronimo’s band of Chiricahua Apaches in New Mexico, returning 
to San Antonio in October, 1886. 
On December 9, 1885, the troop, under Lieutenant Fountain, attacked 
a body of these Indians at Lillies Ranch in the Mogollon Mountains, New 
Mexico, as they were burning the ranch ; killed 2 Indians, captured 16 
horses and 1 mule, and destroyed all their provisions and blankets. Dark- 
ness permitted the Indians to escape. 
On the 19th the troop, under Lieutenant Fountain, was attacked by 
Chiricahua Apaches ambushed on a hill near Little Dry Creek. The fight 
lasted fifteen minutes, when the Indians were dislodged and scattered, 
making their escape in a rocky canon. Several Indians were killed and 
wounded. In this fight 1st Lieut. J. C. Maddox, Assistant Surgeon 
U. S. A., Wagoner Frank Hutton, Privates George Gibson and Harry Mc- 
Millan were instantly killed ; Blacksmith Daniel Collins was mortally 
wounded, dying two hours later, and Corporal Wallace McFarland was 
wounded. Three horses were killed and several wounded. 
In 1887 the troop marched from San Antonio to Fort Davis, Texas, 
and the following year to Fort Meade, South Dakota. 
Troop D.—Captain Bassford in command of troop while scouting near 
Keeny’s Ranch on Malheur River, Oregon, in February, 1868, surprised an 
Indian camp, capturing all their horses and destroying the camp. 
A detachment under Sergeant New attacked a party of Indians on 
Owyhee River, Oregon, March 26, 1868, killing one Indian. 
In an engagement near Red Creek, A. T., September 23, 1869, 18 In- 
dians were killed and a number wounded. 
Lieutenant Weeks, with a detachment of 18 men, captured 200 head of 
cattle near Hubbard Cross Roads on the staked plains, New Mexico, on July 
9, 1870, and on the 10th of August, 1870, captured a pack train loaded with 
contraband goods, destroying the goods, and capturing two Indians. 
Captain Randlett with 40 men, scouting south of Canadian River, on 
the Texas border, on the 28th of May, 1871, captured a train en route to the 
Comanche Indians. Twenty-three animals loaded with whiskey, powder, 
lead, etc., with 10 men and 2 Indians, were captured. On the same day 
506 head of cattle and 26 burros were captured. The prisoners and stock 
were turned over to the commanding officer of Fort Bascom, and the stores 
destroyed. 
Lieutenant Wilkinson with 6 men, en route to Tulerosa River, were HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
274 
attacked by armed Mexicans, 25 in number. One Mexican was killed and 
3 wounded. 
On the 17th of November, 1875, Captain Randlett, Lieutenant Wilkinson 
and 44 men pursued a band of Mexican cattle thieves and struck them at 
Las Cuevas, Texas, 18 miles below Ringgold Barracks, just as they reached 
the Rio Grande River. Some of the cattle were captured on the Texas 
side and two of the thieves were killed, the remainder escaping to Mexico. 
Captain McNally, with a troop of State Rangers, arrived on the scene dur- 
ing the day and under cover of darkness crossed the river by means of a 
small boat and attacked the Mexicans at a ranch some 3 miles from the 
river, killing 4 of them. The Mexicans, however, gathered in such large 
numbers, that the Rangers retreated to the cover of the banks of the river, 
where they were protected by the U. S. troops firing over their heads. In 
this fire the leader of the Mexicans was killed. The Mexicans made a 
second attack during the day but were repulsed, when the State troops re- 
crossed the river. On the following day the command was reinforced by 
troops from Fort Brown and Ringgold Barracks under Major Alexander. 
A flag of truce was sent over by the Mexicans and an agreement entered 
into by which they were to surrender the cattle and thieves, if possible, at 
Ringgold Barracks. With this understanding the troops were withdrawn, 
and the cattle were afterwards received at Ringgold Barracks and returned 
to the owners. 
From 1875 to 1887 the troop was stationed at posts and camps near the 
Rio Grande River in Texas. In the latter year it took station at Fort 
Davis, Texas, and in 1888 marched to Fort Meade, S. D. 
Troop E.—In December, 1868, a detachment of 30 men of Troops Eand 
K, under command of Major Price, surprised a large rancheria consisting 
of 20 lodges near Walker Springs, A. T., killing 3 Indians, wounding several, 
capturing some squaws and children, and destroying their provisions and 
camp equipage. Three days later another rancheria was surprised by the 
same command. Eight Indians were killed and 14 captured. A large 
quantity of supplies was destroyed. 
In 1869 a detachment of Troops E and K under Captain Young, left Camp 
Whipple on January 19th. While scouting in Juniper Mountains, 5 rancherias, 
located in a deep and large canon, were destroyed. While encamped in this 
canon the camp was at 4 A. M. attacked by Indians. The horses had been 
fastened to a strong picket line and were soon in hand, but the burros of 
the pack train, being hobbled, were stampeded and secured by the Indians. 
Corporal Parker, Troop K was severely wounded. At daybreak the trails 
of the Indians, with the burros which had been taken off by twos and threes 
in different directions, were followed by detachments and many of them 
recovered. The detachment left in camp was surrounded and harassed by 
another party of Indians all day. This command returned to its post, Camp 
Whipple, on the 18th of February, having suffered greatly through the in- 
clemency of the weather, and from the difficult country through which it 
was necessary to travel. It rained or snowed every day except five during 
the month. 
Lieutenant Carrick, with detachment of 23 men of Troops E, F and K, EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
275 
between the Aqua Frio and Rio Verde, near Toll Gate, A. T., encountered 
a band of Indians on the 25th of August, 1869, and engaged them, killing 6, 
wounding several, capturing 1, and destroying a large amount of property. 
On the 26th a rancheria was surprised and 2 Indians killed. This detach- 
ment was attacked by a party of about 100 Indians, seven miles from Toll 
Gate. Private Eberhard was killed. Two Indians were killed and the re- 
mainder, after a severe fight, were driven off and scattered. 
On September 2, 1874, Captain Kauffman with 11 men captured 2 horses 
and 13 mules from Apaches at Ojo Caliente, N. M. 
From 1875 to 1888, the troop was stationed on the lower Rio Grande in 
Texas, at Forts Clark and Duncan. It marched from the latter post in May, 
joined the regiment at Fort Concho, marched with it to Fort Meade, and 
thence to Fort Buford, N. D., a distance of over 2000 miles. 
Troop F.—A detachment of 13 men while scouting, March 19, 1867, on 
the Selvies River, Oregon, had an engagement with Indians, killing 6, and 
wounding the chief, and capturing 32 horses and a large amount of dried 
beef, etc. 
Lieutenant Jerome, with 21 men (in conjunction with Troops E and K), 
under Major Price, destroyed 15 wicky-ups, killing 3 warriors and captured 
a horse and rifle. The same detachment was attacked by a large body of 
Indians near Toll Gate. Private Kline was wounded. Two Indians were 
killed. Lieutenants Carrick and Jerome with 42 men under Major Price 
came upon and surprised a band of Indians on the Santa Maria River on 
June 26, 1869, killing 4, and destroying 200 wicky-ups and large quantities 
of supplies. 
During the month of May, 1871, Lieutenant Caraher with 52 men pur- 
sued, and captured near Kiowa Springs, N. M., 21 Indians, 1 Mexican, 700 
head of cattle, 12 horses and 49 burros. 
Lieutenant Hennisee, in June, 1871, captured a large herd of cattle in the 
same vicinity. 
Detachments of the troop participated in several skirmishes with Indian 
marauders along the Rio Grande River, Texas, in 1876, destroying several 
Indian camps and a large amount of property. 
In 1877, Lieutenant Phelps with 10 men (in conjunction with Lieutenant 
Bullis, in command of Seminole Scouts) on the 26th of September, crossed 
the Rio Grande River, and attacked a band of Lipan and Apache Indians, 
capturing 5, together with 12 horses and 2 mules. 
In 1888, the troop marched with the regiment to Dakota. 
Troop G.—In 1867, a detachment under Sergeant Stickney, from August 
to December, had several skirmishes with Indians and captured and de- 
stroyed a large amount of property. 
On May 1, 1868, a detachment had an engagement near Hoag’s Bluffs, 
Oregon, in which Private Arnshedt was severely wounded. A number of 
the Indians were killed and wounded. 
Lieutenant Lafferty with a detachment of 25 men (in conjunction with 
Troop G, 1st Cavalry, Captain Bernard) encountered a large band of hos- 
tiles at Chiricahua Pass, A. T., October 20, 1869. Lieutenant Lafferty was 
very seriously wounded and Sergeant Stevensand Private Fuller were killed. 276 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Private Elwood was severely wounded. The number of Indians killed and 
wounded was supposed to be large. 
On the 27th of January, 1870, a detachment (in conjunction with a de- 
tachment of Troop G, 'i st Cavalry) engaged with Apaches in the Dragoon 
Mountains, A. T., killing 13 and capturing 1 Indian and 12 horses. The 
Indian supplies were all destroyed. 
In the Oscura Mountains, N. M., in 1875, the troop, Captain Fechet com- 
manding, surprised a large camp of Apaches, routing them, and capturing 
300 buffalo robes, 51 horses, 70 saddles, 3 mules, and a large quantity of 
powder and lead and camp equipage. 
From 1875 to 1888, the troop was stationed at camps and posts in Texas, 
marching from Camp Pena Colorado, Texas, to Fort Yates, Dakota, in the 
latter year. 
Troop H.—Lieutenant Farnsworth with 28 men while scouting as a de- 
tachment from the command of Major Price in 1874, engaged about 100 
well-mounted Cheyennes on McClellan’s Creek, Texas. The fight lasted 
from 1.30 P. M. till dark. The Indian loss was 4 killed and 10 wounded, as 
well as many ponies killed. The detachment lost Privates William Den- 
sham and Rufus Hibbard, killed. Corporal Thomas J. Thompson, Black- 
smith Henry Fields, Privates Hermann Fehrand George Robinson wounded. 
His ammunition being exhausted, Lieutenant Farnsworth retreated under 
cover of darkness. Major Price, who visited the scene of the fight soon 
afterwards, says in his report, “ There were evidences of an encampment of 
at least 150 Indians on both sides of the stream. I followed the entire 
course of Captain Farnsworth’s fight for eight miles, and considered it a 
stubbornly contested and desperate fight. I make no estimate of the number 
of Indians killed. The troops and Indians were at all times in close bullet 
range of each other and I know that there are cool, daring men in the 
troop, and good shots. The body of Private Hibbard was found and buried.” 
(The troop was engaged in a skirmish on Muster Creek as noted in the 
history of troop C.) 
From 1875 to 1879 the troop was in camps or at posts along the lower 
Rio Grande. In 1884, it took station at San Antonio, Texas. In 1885 and 
1886 it served in New Mexico in campaign against the Apaches. In 1887 it 
marched to Fort Davis, thence in 1888 to Fort Keogh, Montana. 
Troop I.—On the 16th day of April, 1867, the troop under Captain 
Fechet and in conjunction with Troop B, had an engagement with hostile 
Apaches in the Black Mountains, A. T. No casualties were reported. 
On the 18th of the same month, in an engagement near the Rio Verde, 
1 man was killed. The Indians lost a number killed and wounded. 
The troop under Captain Fechet, near Camp Grant, A. T., had an en- 
gagement with Indians on the 21st of April, 1868, killing 2; and on the 1st 
of May the same command attacked a band of Indians, killing 6 and wound- 
ing 4. 
The troop under command of Major Alexander, while scouting in the 
Tonto Creek Valley, came upon, and engaged a band of Apaches, killing 1 
and capturing 1 Indian and all their stock. 
On September 6, 1868, the same command pursued a party of Indians EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
277 
who had stolen Government property, overtook them, killed i, recovered 
the stolen property, and destroyed a large quantity of bows, arrows, etc. 
In 1869 the troop and detachments travelled in execution of escort, 
scouting duties, etc., an aggregate of 8000 miles, which indicates the arduous 
service performed in that desolate country. 
In 1873 a detachment of 20 men under Lieut. William Stephenson pur- 
sued a party of Indian thieves, overtook them, killing one and recovering 
the stolen stock. 
From 1875 to 1888 the troop was stationed at camps and posts on the 
lower Rio Grande in Texas, marching to Fort Meade, Dakota, in the latter 
year. 
Troop K.—Captain S. B. M. Young, with two commissioned officers 
(Lieuts. J. D. Stevenson and A. A. Reese, 8th Cavalry) and 42 enlisted men, 
left Camp Mojave, January 9, 1868. On the 13th, one-half the command, 
under Lieutenant Stevenson with Lieutenant Reese, was instructed to scout 
on the west slope of the Cerbert Range for 15 or 20 miles, thence across the 
range to Fortification Springs, down the eastern slope to Three Buttes and 
towards Peacock Springs. With the remainder of his command, Captain 
Young attempted to cross the range at Difficult Pass, but could not get the 
animals up on account of the ice and snow. They marched north to 
O’Leary’s Pass, camping in a wash on the eastern slope, having marched 25 
miles. The command had been obliged to walk the most of the day 
through several inches of snow which melted during the day and froze at 
night. At 3 P. M. a snow storm set in, lasting till 11.30 p. M. About mid- 
night a guide came into camp and reported a camp of Indians within 
six miles. At 3 o’clock A. M. on the 14th, camp was broken, a cold break- 
fast eaten and, leaving 3 men to guard the pack train, the command set out 
exploring every canon with dismounted men. At daylight Indian signs 
were discovered and at 8 o’clock it became evident that the Indians were 
in the vicinity and apparently unaware of the presence of the troops. Their 
camp was finally located in Difficult Canon, and, leaving 4 men to hold the 
horses at the mouth of the canon, Captain Young proceeded with 14 men 
to attack a rancheria of 11 wicky-ups, which developed a force of upwards 
of 100 Indians. The Indians took to the rocks about 10 yards from their 
houses. Here they fought desperately, being armed with about 40 breech- 
loading and 20 muzzle-loading arms. After a hard fight of one hour and, 
a half, 2 men having been seriously wounded, and more Indians appearing 
on both flanks, the command was successfully withdrawn to the horses, 
bringing every man out. Sixteen dead Indians were counted and several 
wounded. At one mile distant from the scene of this action the wounds of 
the two men were dressed. Coffee was made and the command proceeded 
to Beal’s Springs, arriving at 10 P. M. 
At 2 o’clock A. M., a courier from Lieutenant Stevenson, brought in 
word that his detachment had had an engagement, and that he had been 
seriously wounded. Lieutenant Stevenson’s detachment discovered a large 
body of Indians (60 or 70) on the 15th, well armed, and posted on a high 
ledge of rocks. Lieutenant Stevenson was wounded in three places at their 
first fire. He directed his men to seek shelter in the rocks and a desperate 278 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
fight was kept up till dark, when the command slowly withdrew. Several 
Indians were killed and wounded. By the 16th, the wounded had been 
sent in to the post and Lieutenant Reese had joined with 19 men. The in- 
terim had been spent in scouting the vicinity dismounted, giving the ani- 
mals a much needed rest after the rough marching over the foot-hills in 
mud, rain and snow. 
On the 17th the united command marched by way of Hualapais Valley, 
and on the 18th reached Difficult Canon, finding that the Indians had 
buried their dead and horses. The command returned to Camp Mojave on 
the 20th January, having averaged 25 miles per day for 10 days, marching 
through snow, rain and mud, over a mountainous country, besides spending 
much time in scouting dismounted. Those familiar with the nature of the 
ground in the mountainous regions of Arizona will thoroughly appreciate 
the difficulties of the scouting and Indian fighting encountered on these 
expeditions, which in the last instance recorded, is but a fair sample of 
many of the others more briefly referred to. It is either snow, rain and mud 
in winter ; or burning heat and no water in summer. 
On the nth of December, 1868, a detachment of 10 men under Major 
Price had two engagements with Indians near Willow Grove, killing 8, 
wounding several, and destroying their camps and supplies. Sergeant 
Curtin C. Miller was killed. 
In the same month a detachment of 30 men of Troops E and K under 
Major Price, surprised a rancheria of 20 lodges; killed n Indians, captured 
several and destroyed their supplies. 
On June 7, 1869, Captain Young, with 19 men, engaged a party of 
hostile Indians at Mammoth Canon in the Santa Maria Range, killing 3 
Indians and destroying a large amount of supplies. 
In August, 1869, Lieutenant Carrick, commanding a scouting party of 
Troops E, F and K, had several encounters with Indians, killing 8, captur- 
ing several, and destroying their camps and supplies. 
In November, 1869, detachments under Lieutenants Stevenson and 
Pullman captured and destroyed a quantity of Indian property. The 
troop formed a part of the command under Major Price in 1874, and par- 
ticipated in the engagements heretofore recorded. 
The troop in 1885 and 1886, under Captain Sprole, took part in the 
Geronimo campaign in New Mexico. 
In 1888 it marched with the regiment to Fort Meade, S. D., thence to 
Fort Buford, N. D. 
Troop L.—October 6, 1867, the troop under command of Lieutenant 
Wells had an engagement with Indians in the vicinity of Trout Creek, 
A. T., killing 7 and destroying their property. On the 25th a detachment 
under Lieutenant Wells had a skirmish near Truxell Springs, killing 1 
Indian. 
A detachment of 9 men under Lieutenant Hasson, 14th Infantry, with a 
detachment 1st Cavalry, had a severe engagement on the 3d of Novem- 
ber, 1867, near Willow Grove, killing 32 Indians and destroying their 
property. 
Thirty men under Lieutenant Wells, scouting near Toll Gate, A. T., EIGHTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
279 
surprised a band of Indians on the 7th of November, killing 3 Indians and 
capturing 2 horses. 
A detachment under Lieutenant Wells, on the 13th of August, 1868, 
engaged a party of Indians near Walnut Grove, killing several and destroy- 
ing their camp supplies. 
On November 9th a detachment of Troops B and L, under Lieutenant 
Wells, attacked a band of Indians, killing 15 and wounding 7 ; and on the 
nth surprised a band, killing 6 and capturing 4. Privates E. R. Aston and 
William Cubberly were slightly wounded. 
A detachment of 4 men, under Sergeant Rowalt, in pursuit of a band of 
17 Kiowas, overtook them February 26, 1873, and engaged them, killing 5 
and wounding 3. The gallant action of this little party was commended 
by the department commander in G. O. No. 5, Dep’t Mo., Series of 1873. 
In 1874 the troop under Captain Morris formed a part of the command 
of Major Price, participating in fights on the Rio Negro, Muster Creek, etc. 
In 1888 it marched from Fort Hancock, Texas, to Fort Keogh, Montana. 
Troop M.—Until 1870 the troop was stationed in Nevada, the greater 
part of the time at Fort McDermitt, furnishing escorts and guards and 
making frequent scouts. 
From 1870 to 1875, while stationed in New Mexico, much of the time 
was spent in field duty. In 1875 the troop marched from Fort Union, New 
Mexico, to Ringgold Barracks, Texas. Until 1881 it occupied camps and 
posts in Texas, from Fort Brown to Fort Clarke. From 1881 to 1885 it 
was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1886 and 1887 it was at Fort Brown, 
and in 1888 marched to Fort Meade, S. D. 
The foregoing brief notices of a few of the scouts and expeditions par- 
ticipated in by the different troops of the regiment are confined to those 
only where certain results were accomplished in the way of dispersing 
bands of Indians by actual contact with them. Numerous hard marches 
through the mountains and deserts of Arizona, exposed to the extremes of 
heat and cold, thirst and hunger, were made by troops and detachments 
when, though the results were not so apparent, the work was equally diffi- 
cult. Some of the officers and men who experienced the trials and hard- 
ships of those comparatively early days in Arizona are still in the regiment,, THE NINTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
By Lieutenant GROTE HUTCHESON, Adjutant gTH U. S. Cavalry. 
'"I ''HE subject of this sketch first came into existence by virtue of an act 
of Congress entitled “ An Act to increase and fix the military peace 
establishment of the United States,” approved July 28, 1866. To the 
six regular cavalry regiments then in service, this Act added four 
additional ones, “two of which shall be composed of colored men, having 
the same organization as is now provided by law for cavalry regiments.” The 
organization of the colored regiments was modified in a few particulars, 
notably, by including a regimental chaplain, whose duties were enlarged to 
include the instruction of the enlisted men. Up to this time all chaplains 
had been appointed in the army, designated to posts, and known as post 
chaplains. 
The original vacancies in the grades of first and second lieutenant were 
to be filled by selection from among the officers and soldiers of volunteer 
cavalry; two-thirds of the original vacancies in the higher grades by selec- 
tion from among the officers of volunteer cavalry; and one-third from 
among officers of the regular army. It was further provided that to be 
eligible for selection, an active service of two years in the field during the 
War of the Rebellion was necessary ; also that applicants should have been 
distinguished for capacity and good conduct. 
Another enactment considerably affecting the composition of the reg- 
iment, and which, because its requirements have been so enlarged by re- 
cent legislation as to embrace nearly the entire commissioned force of the 
regular army, may be deemed of particular interest, is that referring to the 
examination of officers prior to appointment. It directed that no person 
should be commissioned in any of the regiments authorized by the Act, 
until he had passed a satisfactory examination before a board to be com- 
posed of officers of the arm of the service in which the applicant was to 
serve. This board was to be convened by the Secretary of War, and was 
to inquire into the service rendered during the war by the applicant, as 
well as into his capacity and qualifications for a commission in the regular 
forces. Appointments were to be made without reference to previous rank 
but solely by a consideration of present qualifications and past meritorious 
services. 
On August 3, 1866, Major General Philip H. Sheridan, then command- 
ing the Military Division of the Gulf, at New Orleans, Louisiana, was author- 
ized to raise, among others, one regiment of colored cavalry to be desig- 
nated the 9th Regiment of U. S. Cavalry, which was to be enlisted within 
the limits of his own command. Men serving in volunteer colored regi- 
ments who desired to enlist in regular regiments were authorized to be dis- 
charged from the volunteer organizations. This class of men was desired THE NINTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
281 
and many took advantage of the opportunity to join the regular service, 
and later proved of some value as non-commissioned officers. 
The mustering officer at New Orleans was directed to take temporary 
charge of the recruiting, and shortly afterwards it was transferred to Major 
Francis Moore, 65th U. S. Colored Infantry. The men obtained by Major 
Moore formed the nucleus of the enlisted strength, and were principally 
obtained from New Orleans and its vicinity. A little later in the autumn 
recruiting was established in Kentucky, and all the men for the new regi- 
ment were obtained from that State and Louisiana. The horses were ob- 
tained at St. Louis, and proved to be an excellent mount. 
About the middle of September all recruits were assembled in New Or- 
leans, and preparations made for organization. Empty cotton presses were 
used as barracks and the ration was cooked over open fires. In the latter 
part of September an epidemic of cholera caused the camp to be moved to 
Greenville, and later, for other reasons, it was moved to Carrollton, both of 
which places are suburbs of New Orleans. 
During the winter of 1866-67, every effort was made to bring about an 
efficient state of drill, discipline and organization. The orders regarding 
stables and the performance of that duty were especially strict. Few of- 
ficers had as yet joined, and the number on duty with the regiment was so 
small, that a scheme of squadron organization was resorted to so that at 
least one officer might be present with each squadron for every drill or 
other duty. The entire enlisted strength was woefully ignorant, entirely 
helpless, and though willing enough to learn, was difficult to teach. By 
assiduous labor and constant drilling much headway was made, however, 
and by the end of March, 1867, a change of station was determined upon. 
The middle of this month found the regiment with nearly its full strength, 
the return at that time showing a total of 885 enlisted men, or an average 
of over 70 to a troop. 
The regiment, now practically organized yet still far from being in any- 
thing approaching a perfected state, was ordered to proceed to San Antonio, 
where it arrived early in April and formed a camp of instruction. Troops 
L and M, however, proceeded direct to take station at Brownsville, Texas, 
near the mouth of the Rio Grande, where they remained several years. 
This command was under 1st Lieutenant J. M. Hamilton (now a major of 
the 1st Cavalry), then an officer in the 9th U. S. Colored Infantry, he being 
one of a number of volunteer officers who had been temporarily continued 
in their volunteer commissions for the purpose of assisting in the organi- 
zation of the new regiments until the arrival of the regularly appointed 
officers. Upon these officers much heavy work fell during the winter of 
1866-67, as the regular officers arrived slowly until after the camp at San 
Antonio was established, when they began to report rapidly. 
The camp near San Antonio was continued for some three months, and 
the time spent there was profitably employed in completing and perfecting 
the organization and drill, already well under way from the efforts of the 
preceding winter. The officers of the regiment were now nearly all ap- 
pointed, and during the summer of 1867 they were as follows: 
Colonel Edward Hatch. 282 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Wesley Merritt. 
Majors James F. Wade, George A. Forsyth, and Albert P. Morrow. 
Chaplain John C. Jocobi. 
Captains J. S. Brisbin, Wm. Bayard, G. A. Purington, J. M. Bacon, G. 
H. Gamble, Henry Carroll, A. E. Hooker, W. T. Frohock, J. C. De Gress, 
T. A. Boice, F. S. Dodge, and E. M. Heyl. 
First Lieutenants Michael Cooney, I. F. Moffatt, J. G. Birney, Charles 
Parker, J. L. Humfreville, Francis Moore, F. W. Smith, L. H. Rucker, Byron 
Dawson, J. S. Loud, Patrick Cusack, F. S. Davidson, D. H. Cortelyou, G. 
B. Bosworth, and W. B. Brunton. 
Second Lieutenants I. W. Trask, F. R. Vincent, I. M. Starr, F. P. Gross, 
E. D. Dimmick, W. W. Tyler, G. W. Budd, T. C. Barden, and J. C. Edgar. 
It is difficult now a-days fully to appreciate all the work and labor de- 
volving upon the officers in those early days. The men knew nothing, and 
the non-commissioned officers but little more. From the very circum- 
stances of their preceding life it could not be otherwise. They had no 
independence, no self-reliance, not a thought except for the present, and 
were filled with superstition. To make soldiers of such material was, at 
that time, considered more of an experiment than as a fixed principle. The 
Government depended upon the officers of those early days to solve the 
problem of the colored soldier. 
The colonel of the regiment was Edward Hatch; a young man full of 
energy and enthusiasm. He went right manfully to work, determined to 
succeed, and in this he was ably seconded by his officers. They were all 
equally enthusiastic in proving the wisdom of the experiment of colored 
soldiers, and in forcing the issue to a successful solution were compelled, 
not only to attend to the duties that naturally attach to the office of a 
troop commander and his lieutenants, but, in the endeavor to make fin- 
ished individual soldiers of the negro and to feel that the troop, taken as a 
unit, was an independent fighting force, well drilled, well clothed, well fed, 
suitably armed and equipped, and thoroughly able to take care of itself in 
garrison or campaign, they were forced to enter into the minutest details 
of military administration, and personally to assume nearly all the duties 
of the non-commissioned officer. For some years the latter, from lack of 
education, were such only in name, and the process of moulding them into 
a responsible and self-reliant class was a slow one. Troop officers were in 
fact squad commanders, and it took both time and patience to teach the 
men how to care for themselves. 
The amount of writing devolving upon officers during the earlier years 
of the regiment is not to be passed over lightly. Fully to appreciate this, 
it must be borne in mind that the enlisted men were totally uneducated; few 
indeed could read and scarcely any were able to write even their own 
names. It is related that but one man in the entire regiment was found 
able to write sufficiently well to act as sergeant-major. It was not an un- 
common thing for a captain to assist his first sergeant in calling the roll, 
and every record, from the morning report to the monthly return, was pre- 
pared by an officer. In time the simpler reports were mastered, but it is 
only in later years that troop clerks are found, and even now considerable THE NINTH REGIMENT OF CA VALRY. 
283 
difficulty is experienced at times in finding reliable men of sufficient edu- 
cation to conduct properly the routine clerical work pertaining to a troop. 
Early in June the regiment was ordered into western and southwestern 
Texas to assist in opening up once more that vast territory, extending from 
Fort Clark to El Paso, and from the Rio Grande to the Concho. By this 
time the regiment was deemed sufficiently well organized, equipped and 
disciplined, to be sent to the extreme frontier, and capable of undergoing 
the long and trying march into the wild and unsettled country that lay 
before it. 
The regiment was distributed as follows: Headquarters and Troops A, 
B, E and K, General Hatch commanding, at Fort Stockton ; Troops C, D, 
F, G, H and I, Lieutenant Colonel Merritt commanding, at Fort Davis. 
Troops L and M had previously been sent to Brownsville. 
The principal duty of the command in western Texas was to open up 
and protect the mail and stage route from San Antonio to El Paso; to 
establish law and order in the country contiguous to the Rio Grande fron- 
tier, which had been sadly interfered with by Mexicans as well as Indians 
during the Civil War ; to prevent marauding by Indians and to capture and 
confine to their reservations all roving bands ; in fact, to help pave the 
way for the western advance of civilization, and to add their part in the 
great work of opening to settlement the vast resources of the great West. 
Having landed the regiment in this far away part of the country, a word 
or two of every-day garrison life during those early days, when the nearest 
railroad was six hundred miles distant, may be of interest. In many respects 
the every-day life of the men in garrison was similar to that of the present 
time. There was the same drill, stables and parade; the amount and kind 
of fatigue bore a strong resemblance to that of to-day ; there were logging 
teams for the saw-mill and special details for the garden; men mixing mud 
for adobes and burnishing brasses for orderly ; but guard duty, though no 
more tedious than now, was spiced with an element of danger which added 
zest to the duty. Strict orders prohibited all persons from leaving the im- 
mediate limits of a garrison, except in small parties, and they were enjoined 
always to carry their carbines. Heavy herd guards were detailed, and look- 
outs were posted on high ground during grazing hours. 
The appliances for the personal comfort of the soldiers were few, and 
should the improvements now surrounding them be suddenly exchanged for 
what they had then, there would be such a skurrying off of recruits that I 
doubt if the whole State of Kentucky could furnish satisfactory material to 
fill the depleted ranks. Ashen slats on bunk irons and a bedsack filled with 
straw made a very good bed for its fortunate possessor, while the less 
favored ones were often at their wits’ end to improvise a comfortable rest- 
ing place out of two blankets. Sheets, pillows, white shirts, linen collars 
and barrack shoes, were not dreamed of, and bath tubs were unknown, for 
the water system was limited to a huge tank on wheels, with eight mules 
and a surly driver. 
The stomachs of the men, even more than their bodies, were subject to a 
Spartan simplicity, and the numerous delicacies now supplied them could 
not then be found on officers’ tables. The commissary kept only the com- 284 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ponent parts of the regular ration, and the pound of fresh vegetables was 
not a part of it. 
The banishment from the gentler influences of settled communities and 
separation from the varied society of large cities was keenly felt by officers, 
and the exiles’ life they were forced to lead caused a few to give up in dis- 
gust and resign; but the majority continued in service, fighting bravely 
against the hardships surrounding them. Of luxuries they had none, of 
comforts, few ; but the canvas homes and outdoor life furnished good diges- 
tions and hearty appetites for the limited bills of fare presented at the mess. 
Nearly all were bachelors, with the careless habits this class of army officers 
are noted for, though the presence of an occasional lady served to check in 
part the familiarity engendered by lack of privacy and constant association, 
—serious objections to any long continued camp. 
Horse-back riding on pleasant days was almost the only outdoor amuse- 
ment, but the danger from Indians so contracted the safety limits, that all 
ground was soon visited, and only the hope of a shot at a stray wolf or 
coyote, or the rare advent of some visitor to be entertained, kept up inter- 
est in this kind of outing. A great event was the distribution of the mail, 
and whether weekly, semi-weekly, or daily, the hour of its arrival was looked 
forward to by all, and, as the cloud of dust in the distance heralded its ap- 
proach, the entire garrison, from the commanding officer to the latest re- 
cruit, hastened to the post office where they formed an eager crowd, anxious 
for the latest news from the States, or in happy anticipation of the expected 
letter from sweetheart, wife or mother. 
The regiment remained in Texas for eight years, spending the greater 
portion of the time in the field, patrolling the vast stretches of prairie in 
innumerable scouts after depredating Indians, and gradually freeing the 
country from this scourge of settlers. There is not space to describe 
minutely even the more important of these expeditions, and I shall only 
summarize the following: 
1867. 
October 1, near Howard’s Wells, Texas, two men killed while escorting 
the mail; December 5, Eagle Springs, Texas, one man killed ; December 26, 
Camp Lancaster, Texas, Troop K persistently attacked for two days by a 
large force of Indians who were finally driven off, three men killed. 
January, Fort Quitman, Troop F attacked sixteen times by a large band; 
August, Fort Quitman, Troop H attacked, Indians driven off without loss; 
September 12, Horsehead Hills, Texas, Lieutenant Cusack with 60 men sur- 
prised a large party of Indians, killing 25 and capturing all their horses, 
ponies and supplies. But one man was wounded in this affair, which was 
reported as a very brilliant and successful coup against the wandering 
bands. 
1868. 
1869. 
June 5, Johnson’s River, Texas, Troop L, no loss ; June 7, on Pecos River, 
Texas, 32 men of Troop G under Captain Bacon; September 15, on the 
Brazos River, Troops F and M under Captain Carroll, had a skirmish, and THE NINTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
285 
again on the 20th and 21st, the same command being augmented by detach- 
ments from Troops B and M, engaged the same band of Indians ; October 
28 and 29, Troops B, E, F, G, L and M had a running fight of 40 miles at 
the head waters of the Brazos River, killing a number of Indians. This is 
the affair to which the late General Sherman so often referred with his quiz- 
zical inquiry as to which way Bacon ran ; November 29, head of Llanos 
River, Texas, Troops L and M under Captain E. M. Heyl had a desperate 
fight and this officer was seriously wounded; December 25, five men of 
Troop E defeated a band of 20 Indians which attempted to surprise the 
mail coach. 
1870. 
January 6, Guadaloupe Mountains, Texas, Troop H ; January 11, Lower 
Pecos River, Troop L; January 16, Troop G and detachment of L, under 
Captain Bacon, surprised an entire village, capturing 83 head of stock and 
all supplies ; January 21, a command of Troops C, D, I and K, under Cap- 
tain Dodge engaged in a skirmish in the Guadaloupe Mountains; April 3, 
15 men of Troop H, under a non commissioned officer, ran into some In- 
dians near San Martin’s Springs, killing one ; April 25, Crow Springs, Texas, 
50 men from Troops C and K, under Major Morrow, captured 30 horses and 
the supplies of a village ; May 19 and 20, at Kickapoo Springs, Texas, Ser- 
geant Emanuel Stance with five men of Troop F, surprised and attacked a 
small village, wounding four Indians and capturing two white boy prisoners 
and 15 horses; May 29, Bosaler Canon, Texas, Troop I. 
1872. 
I have only mentioned the affairs in which an actual engagement took 
place. The many scouts, long marches, the weeks and months spent in 
campaign are omitted, but during the eight years of duty in Texas, as 
well as afterwards and until the regiment was sent to the Department of the 
Platte, more time was spent in campaign than in garrison, and the troops 
covered thousands of square miles of territory. 
In the latter part of 1875 the regiment was transferred into New Mexico, 
with headquarters at Santa Fe, and the troops scattered all over that terri- 
tory and even beyond. The general duty was about the same as in Texas, 
and during the time the regiment remained there, various troops and de- 
tachments were employed in capturing and returning to their reservations 
innumerable roving bands of the wily and treacherous Apache tribes, the 
more important of which were those headed by Nana and Victoria. During 
the five years spent in this section the more important affairs were as 
follows: 
April 20, Howard’s Wells, Troops A and H, Lieutenant Vincent killed. 
1876. 
April 15, in the Florida Mountains, Troop F, one Indian killed and 11 
horses captured ; September 2, in the Cuchillo Negro Mountains, detach- 
ment of Troops C and E, under Lieutenant Wright, small camp captured 
and number of lodges destroyed. 
1877. 
January 23, Florida Mountains, nine men under Lieutenant Wright killed 286 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
5 Indians and captured 6 horses; January 28, Sierra Boca Grande Moun- 
tains, Mexico, detachments of Troops C and A captured a small camp. 
August 6, Dog Canon, N. M„ Troop H was engaged. 
1878. 
1879. 
January 15, Troop A under Lieutenant Day, was engaged and captured 
a number of horses and mules ; March 8, Ojo Caliente, Troop I; May 28, 
in the Black Range, Troops C and I under Captain Beyer captured a camp 
and 16 horses, losing one man killed and 2 wounded ; September 4, Ojo Cali- 
ente, four men were killed ; September 8, West Las Animas River, 24 men 
of Troop G under Lieutenant Hugo were engaged losing one man ; Septem- 
ber 18, Las Animas River, Troops A, B and C, one man killed and 2 
wounded ; September 29 and 30, on the Cuchillo Negro River, parts of 
Troops B, C, E and L, under Major Morrow, 2 men killed ; October 2 and 
3, at Milk River, Colorado, Troop D went to the relief of Thornburg’s com- 
mand and succeeded in reaching it, losing all its horses; October 27, in the 
Guzman Mountains, Mexico, Troops B, C, G and H, under Major Morrow 
were engaged, losing one man and one scout. 
January 12, on the Rio Percho, Troops B, C, D, F, H and M, under Major 
Morrow, were again engaged, losing one man ; January 17, in the San Mateo 
Mountains, Troops B, C, F, H and M, under Major Morrow, were again en- 
gaged, losing one officer (Lieutenant French) killed, and one man wounded ; 
January 30, in Caballo Mountains, detachment of Troops B and M, under 
Captain Rucker, loss 3 men wounded; February 3, in the San Andreas 
Mountains, Troops B, C, F, H and M, under Major Morrow, were engaged, 
losing 4 men wounded ; February 28, and again on April 5, in the San An- 
dreas Mountains, Lieutenant Coniine with Troop A was engaged, losing one 
man and one citizen wounded ; April 6, in the same mountains, Troops A, 
D, F and G, under Captain Carroll, were engaged, Captain Carroll and 6 
men being severely wounded ; April 7, Major Morrow with Troops H and 
L continued this affair; May 14, near old Fort Tolerosa, Sergeant Jordan 
with 25 men repulsed a force of more than a hundred Indians under Vic- 
toria ; June 5, Cook’s Canon, Troop L, loss 2 men; May, in the San Fran- 
cisco Mountains, Troop C and detachment scouts, 2 men killed and one 
wounded; June 11 and 12, near Fort Cummings, Troop B; September 1, in 
the Sacramento Mountains, 11 men of Troop G, 2 men wounded. 
1880. 
1881. 
In February and again in April, a detachment under Lieutenant Maney, 
15th Infantry, was engaged in southern New Mexico, one man wounded; 
July 25 at White Sands, July 26 in the San Andreas, and August 3 at Santa 
Minica, 20 men of Troop L were engaged. 
In August there were a number of engagements ;—In Carizo Canon, 19 
men of Troop K, under Captain Parker, 2 men killed ; in the San Mateo 
Mountains, detachments of Troops B and H, under Lieutenant Taylor ; in THE NINTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
287 
Cuchillo Negro Mountains, Troop I, Lieutenant Valois, 2 men wounded; 
in Cavilare Pass, detachment of Troops B and H, Lieutenant Smith, 3 men 
and one citizen killed, 3 men wounded. 
October 4, in the Dragoon Mountains, Troops F and H, 3 men wounded. 
November 5, Crow Agency, Montana, Troops D and H. 
1887. 
1890. 
December 30, Troop D, under Captain Loud, was attacked while escort- 
ing a wagon train near Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota, losing one man 
killed. Later in the same day Troops D, F, I and K, under Major Henry, 
were engaged near the Drexel Mission, S. D„ no casualties. 
In June, 1881, the regiment was moved from New Mexico to Kansas and 
Indian Territory, where it remained until 1885. Most of these years were 
spent in garrison, though the intruders upon the Oklahoma Territory which 
at that time was not open for settlement, kept a number of troops busy mov- 
ing over that country and patrolling the northern portion of Indian Terri- 
tory and southern Kansas. 
In the summer of 1885 the regiment was moved to the Department of 
the Platte, where it has since remained enjoying a well-earned rest after the 
many scouts and campaigns of the preceding eighteen years. The only 
campaign worthy of mention is that of 1890-91, during the uprising of the 
Sioux, when the regiment was the first in the field in November, and the last 
to leave late in the following March, after spending the winter, the latter 
part of which was terrible in its severity, under canvas. 
At present (February, 1895) the regiment is commanded by Colonel 
James Biddle and eight troops garrison the post of Fort Robinson, Neb. 
Troops B and F, under Major Randlett, are at Fort Duchesne, Utah ; while 
Troops L and M are continued with a skeleton organization. 
Every effort is made to keep the regiment in a high state of efficiency, 
and with nearly all its officers present for duty,—with the ranks filled to 
the authorized strength,—with an excellent and ample mount,—the Ninth 
Cavalry stands ready to-day for any service it may be called upon to per- 
form, filled with a just pride in its past achievements and anxious again to 
seek “ the bubble reputation even in the cannon’s mouth.” THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
By LIEUTENANT JOHN BIGELOW, Jr., U. S. A., 
R. Q. M. Tenth Cavalry, 
C~''' ECTION 3 of an “Act to increase and fix the military peace estab- 
lishment of the United States,” approved on the 28th day of July, 
1866, provides “ That to the six regiments of cavalry now in service, 
there shall be added four regiments, two which shall be composed 
of colored men. * * * ” The six regiments referred to as already in 
service were composed of white men. 
The colored regiments were to be organized on the general plan of the 
white regiments, modified in a few particulars. They were each to have a 
regimental chaplain whose duty should include the instruction of enlisted 
men in the common English branches. Up to that time all chaplains had 
been appointed not in regiments but in the Army. The colored regiments 
were also given two veterinary surgeons each, whereas the white regiments 
had but one. 
Another enactment which more or less affected the composition of 
these additional cavalry regiments, both white and colored, and which is 
deemed of peculiar interest, was the following : 
“ That no person shall be commissioned in any of the regiments author- 
ized by this act until he shall have passed a satisfactory examination before 
a board to be composed of officers of that arm of the service in which the 
applicant is to serve, to be convened under the direction of the Secretary of 
War, which shall inquire into the services rendered during the War, capa- 
city and qualifications of the applicant; and every such appointment when 
made, shall be without regard to previous rank, but with sole regard to 
qualifications and meritorious services.” 
The six white regiments already in the service were numbered consecu- 
tively from 1 to 6; the two new white regiments were numbered 7 and 8; 
the two colored regiments 9 and 10. It was as the 10th regiment of cav- 
alry that the regiment now bearing that designation came into the 
service and made for itself the record which is the subject of this sketch. 
General orders No. 92, A. G. O., dated November 23, but expressly of 
effect from September 21, announces the numerical designation, the field 
officers (so far as they have accepted) and the stations or headquarters of 
the new regiments of cavalry, also of certain new regiments of infantry 
forming under the same act. 
Congress having created the 10th Cavalry in law, the first step towards 
its creation in fact was taken, it seems, by Lieutenant-General Sherman, 
commanding the Military Division of the Mississippi, in an order from his 
headquarters dated St. Louis, Missouri, August 9, 1866, which read as 
follows: TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
289 
G. O. No. 6. 
I. Commanders of military departments within this division in which colored 
troops are serving, will proceed at once to enlist men for two regiments of colored 
regulars, under the Act of Congress approved July 28, 1866, entitled “ An Act to 
increase and fix the military peace establishment of the United States one of cavalry, 
to be entitled the 10th Regiment United States Cavalry, and one of infantry to be 
entitled the 38th Regiment United States Infantry. 
II. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is hereby named as the headquarters and rendez- 
vous of the 10th Cavalry, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, the headquarters and 
rendezvous of the 38th Infantry. 
III. Commanding-generals of the Departments of the Missouri, Arkansas, and 
Platte, will detail one or more officers of the Regular Army, who will proceed to can- 
vass the regiments of colored troops now serving in their respective departments, and 
enlist men for the new regiments above named, the cavalry for five years and the 
infantry for three years. The men so enlisted will be discharged from their present 
obligation and grouped into companies under officers to be selected by the colonels or 
regimental commanders hereafter to be appointed, but will be retained for the present 
at or near their present station. The number of privates allowed to a company is 
sixty-four. The men of existing colored regiments not willing to enlist in the new 
organizations will, for the present, be consolidated into companies under the direction 
of their immediate commanders, and held to service until the new army is sufficiently 
organized to replace them. 
IV. The field officers of these regiments will, on arrival at these headquarters, 
proceed to the posts herein named and organize their new regiments according to law 
and regulations, but will not withdraw the new companies from their present stations 
without consent of department commanders, or orders from these headquarters. 
V. Blanks will at once be sent from these headquarters, to which all reports will 
be made until the regular field officers are announced and recruitment organized under 
them. By order, etc. 
The first regimental return was rendered on the 30th of September, 
1866. It showed the aggregate strength of the regiment, present and 
absent, to consist of two officers,—Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles C. Walcutt,—and gave the number of recruits 
required as 1092. Colonel Grierson was reported present with the regi- 
ment, and Colonel Walcutt absent on regimental recruiting rervice. 
The first commander of the 10th Cavalry is doubtless known personally 
as well as by reputation to most of the readers of this sketch. His raid 
through Mississippi in 1863 is the historic operation on which his reputation 
chiefly rests. It has placed him among the foremost cavalry leaders of the 
the War, and seems destined, as it becomes better known and more justly 
appreciated, to add honor and distinction to his name. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Walcutt never joined the regiment, and resigned shortly after his appoint- 
ment. The recruiting for the regiment was in the main regimental, that is, by 
officers of the regiment detailed to recruit for it. At the end of the year 1866, 
the 10th Cavalry consisted of two field officers, one company officer, and 64 
unassigned recruits. It was still without a staff or a single organized com- 
pany. For seven months of the new year the headquarters of the regi- 
ment remained at Fort Leavenworth. The work of filling up the regiment 
went on but continued to make slow progress. This was due in the main to HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
two causes,—the want of clerical assistance at recruiting stations, and the 
high standard fixed for the recruits by the regimental commander. Recruit- 
ing officers were not allowed to hire clerks and had extreme difficulty in 
securing any among their recruits or the members of their recruiting par- 
ties. With a view to securing an intelligent set of men for the ranks the 
colonel had Captain Louis H. Carpenter, who was recruiting at Louisville, 
Kentucky, ordered to Philadelphia, Pa., to open a recruiting station there. 
Writing to Captain Carpenter, the colonel says, after referring to the cap- 
tain’s knowledge of Philadelphia: “ I requested you to be sent there to 
recruit colored men sufficiently educated to fill the positions of non- 
commissioned officers, clerks and mechanics in the regiment. You will use 
the greatest care in your selection of recruits. Although sent to recruit 
men for the positions specified above, you will also enlist all superior men 
you can who will do credit to the regiment.” 
During its last month at Fort Leavenworth the regiment lost heavily 
from disease, caused in the main by a cholera epidemic. From a death- 
rate which did not average one a month for the preceding ten months, the 
loss by death during the month of July, 1867, rose to 23. On the 6th of 
August, 1867, the headquarters of the regiment left Fort Leavenworth for 
Fort Riley, Kansas, where they were established on the 7th. 
Let us take a general look at the regiment as it existed just prior to this 
change. We find the field and staff still incomplete, being composed as 
follows: Colonel, B. H. Grierson; Lieutenant-Colonel, J. W. Davidson; 
Majors, J. W. Forsyth and M. H. Kidd; Chaplain, W. M. Grimes; Adju- 
tant, H. E. Alvord. 
The regiment now comprises eight troops. Their designation, date of 
organization, original composition and color of horses are as below : 
Troop A.—Color, bay. Organized February 18, 1867. Captain Nicholas Nolan ; 
Lieutenants G. W. Graham and G. F. Raulston. 
Troop B.—Color, bay. Organized April 1, 1867. Captain J. B. Vande Wiele ; 
Lieutenants J. D. Myrick and J. W. Myers. 
Troop C.—Color, bay. Organized May 15, 1867. Captain Edward Byrne ; Lieu- 
tenants T. C. Lebo and T. J. Spencer. 
Troop D.—Color, bay. Organized June 1, 1867. Captain J. W. Walsh ; Lieu- 
tenants Robert Gray and R. H. Pratt. 
Troop E.—Color, bay. Organized June 15, 1867. Captain G. T. Robinson ; 
Lieutenant J. T. Morrison. 
Troop F.—Color, gray. Organized June 21, 1867. Captain G. A. Armes ; Lieu- 
tenants P. L. Lee and J. A. Bodamer. 
Troop G.—Color, bay. Organized July 5, 1867. Captain H. T. Davis; Lieu- 
tenants W. B. Kennedy and M. J. Amick. 
Troop H. —Color, black. Organized July 21, 1867. Captain L. H. Carpenter; 
Lieutenants T. J. Spencer and L. H. Orleman. 
These troops are posted at Fort Hays, Fort Harker, and other points 
along the Smokey River, Kansas, on the line of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, 
then in course of construction. They had been put in the field for the 
protection of the railroad as fast as they were organized. The strength 
of the regiment, present and absent, amounts to 25 officers and 702 enlisted 
men. TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
291 
The first engagement in which any part of the regiment participated oc- 
curred a few days before the regimental headquarters left Fort Leavenworth. 
Troop I, under Captain Armes, numbering 34 men and two officers, fought 
a party of 300 Indians near Saline River, 40 miles northeast of Fort Hays. 
The engagement lasted six hours and resulted in the troops being forced to 
retreat with the loss of Sergeant W. Christy, killed, and Captain Armes, 
wounded. On the twenty-first of the same month Captain Armes had 
another fight, the second on record in the regiment. Forty men of his troop, 
together with 90 men of the 18th Kansas Volunteers, engaged about 500 In- 
dians northeast of Fort Hays. The losses in this fight were one soldier 
killed and scalped, and 13 wounded ; fifteen men of the volunteers and two 
guides wounded, twelve horses killed and three wounded. 
Troops I, K, L and M, were organized from the new headquarters at Fort 
Riley as here indicated : 
Troop I.—Color, bay. Organized August 15, 1867. Captain G. W. Graham; 
Lieutenant Silas Pepoon. 
Troop K.—Color, bay. Organized September 1, 1867. Captain C. G. Cox ; 
Lieutenants R. G. Smither and B. F. Bell. 
Troop Z.—Color, sorrel. Organized September 21, 1867. Captain R. Gray ; 
Lieutenant C. E. Nordstrom. 
Troop M.—Color, mixed.* Organized October 15, 1867. Captain H. E. Alvord ; 
Lieutenants P. L. Lee and W. R. Harmon. 
In September, 1867, the field officers were increased in number to their 
full complement by the appointment of Major J. E. Yard. In the same 
month the position of regimental quartermaster was taken by Lieutenant 
W. H. Beck. Thus were filled the last of the original vacancies in the field 
and staff. 
The headquarters remained at Fort Riley until April 17, 1868. The 
troops were about evenly distributed between Kansas and Indian Territory 
and were employed in the perfection of their drill and discipline, and in the 
protection of the Union Pacific Railroad and exposed settlements. The 
only engagement of this period took place about 45 miles west of Fort 
Hays. Sergeant Davis and nine men of Troop G were attacked by fifty or 
sixty Cheyennes. They drove the Indians off in confusion losing one private 
wounded. 
From Fort Riley the headquarters of the regiment went to Fort Gibson, 
I. T. At this time General Sheridan was in the field directing military 
operations. The Indians had brought on a war by their characteristic rest- 
lessness and deviltry. They were attached to agencies to which they came 
in from time to time for supplies, but they were not confined to any reserva- 
tions. General Sheridan determined to put them and keep them on reser- 
vations, or, if that could not be done, to show them that winter weather 
would not give them either rest or impunity. The consequence was the 
winter campaign of 1867-68, which resulted in the destruction of Black 
Kettle’s band of Cheyennes, the worst lot of Indians in the territory. The 
* Troop M got all the horses that would not match any other troop and was called the “ calico ” 
troop. 292 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ioth Cavalry was in the field and came in for a good share of hard marching 
and fighting. 
On the 15th of September, 1868, Troop I, Captain Graham, was attacked 
by about 100 Indians. It fought until dark, losing ten horses killed and 
captured, and killing seven Indians. 
On the 17th of this month Lieut.-Colonel G. A. Forsyth, A. D. C. to Gen- 
eral Sheridan, with a party of white scouts, was attacked and “ corralled ” 
by a force of about 700 Indians on an island in the Republican River. Two 
of Forsyth’s scouts stole through the Indian lines and brought word of the 
perilous situation of the command to Fort Wallace. Parties were soon on 
the way to its relief. First and last the following troops were started 
towards it from different points. Captain Bankhead with about 100 men 
of the 5th Infantry, Captain Carpenter with Troop H and Captain Baldwin 
with Troop I, of the ioth Cavalry, and two troops of the 2d Cavalry under 
Major Brisbin. 
Captain Carpenter’s troop was the first of these commands to arrive 
upon the scene. It found Forsyth’s command out of rations, living on 
horse-flesh without salt or pepper. All its officers had been killed or 
wounded. Every horse and mule, too, had been killed. Forsyth, who had 
been twice wounded, was lying in a square hole scooped out in the sand, 
within a few feet of a line of dead horses which half encircled the hole and 
impregnated the air with a terrible stench. Captain Carpenter immediately 
pitched a number of tents in a suitable place near by, had the wounded men 
carried to them, and the rest removed to a more salubrious air. Twenty- 
six hours later Captain Bankhead arrived bringing with him the two troops 
of the 2d Cavalry. 
• On the 14th of the following month, two weeks after he had returned to 
Fort Wallace with the wounded of Forsyth’s command, Captain Carpenter 
was ordered to take his own troop and I Troop of the ioth Cavalry and 
escort Major Carr, of the 5th Cavalry, to his command, supposed to be on 
Beaver Creek. On the march he was attacked by a force of about 500 
Indians. After proceeding, regardless of the enemy’s firing and yelling, far 
enough to gain a suitable position, he halted his command, had the wagons 
corralled close together and rushed his men inside at a gallop. He had 
them dismount, tie their horses to the wagons, and form on the outside 
around the corral. Then followed a volley of Spencers which drove the 
Indians back as though they were thrown from a cannon. A number of 
warriors, showing more bravery than the others, undertook to stand their 
ground. Nearly all of these, together with their ponies, were killed. Three 
dead warriors lay within fifty yards of the wagons. The Indians were so 
demoralized by these results that they did not renew the attack and the 
troops accomplished their march without further molestation. They were 
back at Fort Wallace on the 21st, having travelled 23omiles in about seven 
days. For their gallantry in the fight, which took place on Beaver Creek, 
the officers and men were thanked by General Sheridan in a general field 
order, and Captain Carpenter was breveted Colonel. 
Regimental headquarters remained at Fort Gibson until March 31, 1869, 
when they were moved to Camp Wichita, I. T., where they arrived on the TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
293 
12th of April. Camp Wichita, an old Indian village, was selected by Gen- 
eral Sheridan as a site for a military post and the ioth Cavalry was ordered 
there to establish and build it. Some time in the following month of August 
the post was given the name of Fort Sill, by which name it will be desig- 
nated in these pages. 
The military duty of the regiment was now that of an army of occupa- 
tion, to hold the country from which the Indians had been expelled and to 
keep the Indians within the bounds assigned them. It gave rise to frequent 
scouting for trespassers and marauders and occasional reconnoissance and 
demonstration in considerable force. More than once the garrison of Fort 
Sill had to apprehend an attack upon the post. 
On the i ith of June Camp Supply was alarmed by a party of Comanches 
charging through it, shooting and yelling, with the object of stampeding the 
horses on the picket line, and they succeeded in stampeding a few. These 
were pursued by Troops A, F, H, I and K, ioth Cavalry, and Companies B, 
E and F, 3d Infantry, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Nelson, 3d Infantry. 
The Indians turned on their pursuers and attacked them, wounding three 
soldiers and killing two horses. Six Indians were killed and ten wounded. 
During the 22d and 23d of August the Wichita Agency was subjected 
to a fierce attack by the Kiowa and Naconee Indians. The Agency was 
defended by Troops C, E, H and L, ioth Cavalry, commanded by Lieut.- 
Colonel Davidson. The main object of the attack, as expressed in the 
vigorous language of the hostiles, was to “ wipe out ” the buildings and 
settlement. Attempts were made to do so by setting fire to the prairie at 
different points, but the tireless and well-directed efforts of the defenders 
succeeded in extinguishing the flames and saving the buildings. Repeated 
assaults were made by the Indians in numbers ranging from 50 to 500, at 
different points of the line, all of which were repulsed with the infliction of 
heavy losses and great disorder upon the assailants. The decisive feature 
of the engagement was a charge made by Captain Carpenter’s troop. His 
men routed a body of over 150 warriors, who were about to take up a com- 
manding position in rear of the troops. The loss of the troops was only 
four men wounded. That of the Indians was quite large, but owing to their 
well-known custom of carrying off their dead and wounded could not be 
definitely ascertained. 
From Fort Sill the regimental headquarters moved back to Fort Gibson. 
They left Fort Sill on the 5th of June, 1872. During the three years and 
two months of their stay at that station a majority of the regiment—for 
a time there were eleven troops—was constantly at headquarters. The 
monthly rate of desertion fell from 7 to 3 ; the rate of discharge by court- 
martial from 2.5 to 1.5. In fact, the deportment of the regiment attested 
the advantage to discipline of large commands and varied and interesting 
occupation for the troops. 
Among the stations other than Fort Sill, held by troops of the ioth 
Cavalry, were Forts Dodge, Gibson and Arbuckle, Camp Supply and 
Cheyenne Agency. Having remained at Fort Gibson until April 23, 1873 
the regimental headquarters then returned to Fort Sill. In the meantime 
there had been a few skirmishes unattended by any casualties. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
294 
A movement of troops was now under way looking to a transfer of the 
regiment to the Department of Texas, and the end of April found Troops 
E, I and L at Fort Richardson, Texas; and Troops C, D and F en route, 
the two former for Fort Griffin, the latter for Fort Concho, Texas. The 
headquarters were reestablished at Fort Sill on the 4th of May, 1873, and 
remained there until the 27th of March, 1875. During this time the regi- 
ment continued serving partly in Texas and partly in the Indian Territory. 
The troops that were serving in the Indian Territory took part in the cam- 
paign of 1874-75 against the Kiowas and Comanches. This campaign was 
but a continuation of the campaign of 1867-68, and, like the latter, was 
directed by General Sheridan. There were four columns in the field ope- 
rating separately under the following commanders : 
Lieut.-Colonel Neill, 6th Cavalry ; Colonel N. A. Miles, 5th Infantry ; 
Lieut.-Colonel Davidson, 10th Cavalry ; Colonel R. S. Mackenzie, 4th 
Cavalry. 
The first capture of the campaign was made by a portion of Davidson’s 
column. On the 25th of October, 1874, Troops B and M, 10th Cavalry, and 
one company of the nth Infantry, under command of Major Schofield, 
while in pursuit of Indians near Elk Creek, pressed them so hard that the 
whole band surrendered. They numbered 68 warriors, 276 squaws and 
children, and about 1500 ponies. These prisoners, and others taken subse- 
quently, were put in camp at Fort Sill, the more dangerous bucks being 
closely confined. At the close of the campaign the ringleaders were sent to 
Fort Marion, Florida, under charge of Captain Pratt. This officer never 
returned to the regiment. He is now justly distinguished for his work as 
an educator of Indians, especially in the superintendence of the Carlisle 
Indian School. 
On the 6th of April, 1875, Black Horse, one of the Cheyenne ringleaders 
who was billeted for Fort Marion, broke from his guard at Cheyenne 
Agency and ran towards the camp of his people near by. He pursued 
by Captain Bennett, 5th Infantry, with the guard, who fired upon Black 
Horse and killed him. Several shots passed beyond him and wounded 
some people in the camp. After firing a volley of bullets and arrows at the 
guard, about one-half of the Cheyenne tribe abandoned their camp and fled 
to a group of sand-hills on the south side of the Canadian River opposite 
the Cheyenne Agency. They wrere followed by a company of the 5th In- 
fantry, a troop of the 6th Cavalry, and Troops D and M of the 10th Cavalry, 
all under command of Lieut.-Colonel Neill, 6th Cavalry. Being well armed 
and well posted, the Indians held their ground until nightfall and then 
stole away. The troops took up the trail and followed it about ten days, 
at the end of which time it was covered up by rains. Troops from other 
posts were ordered to assist in the pursuit and eventually most of the fugi- 
tives gave themselves up. In the fight at the Agency the Indians lost eight 
killed. The 10th Cavalry lost 12 men wounded, one mortally. 
When moved for the second time from Fort Sill the regimental head- 
quarters were transferred to Fort Concho, Texas, where they were estab- 
lished on the 17th of April, 1875. The 1st of May found the troops of the 
regiment located in Texas and Indian Territory as follows : TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
295 
Troops A, F, G, I and L, at Fort Concho ; B and E at Fort Griffin; C 
and K at Fort McKavett; H at Fort Davis; D and M in the field at Buffalo 
Springs, I. T. During the month of May, troops D and M moved from the 
Indian Territory, the former to Fort Concho, the latter to Fort Stockton. 
In the course of the next two years the disposition of the troops was 
modified so as to scatter the regiment over the length and breadth of West- 
ern Texas. Its headquarters, however, were destined to remain at Fort 
Concho for more than seven years. During this period the regiment con- 
tinued with some variation its past experience in Indian fighting. Its cam- 
paigning consisted mainly in pursuing small bands of marauding Apaches. 
This carried the troops,—now across the border into the unknown territory 
of the “ Gringo’’-hating Mexicans,—now over the scorching wastes of the 
Staked Plains,—now up and down the rocky fastnesses of the Guadalupe 
Mountains and the bad lands bordering the upper Rio Grande. 
The following are a few instances of this kind of service : 
In July, 1876, Troops B, E and K crossed into Mexico as part of a col- 
umn commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Shafter, 24th Infantry. A detachment 
of this command, made up of twenty picked men of Troop B under Lieuten- 
ant Evans, and twenty Seminole scouts, all under command of Lieutenant 
Bullis, 24th Infantry, made a march of no miles in twenty-five hours and 
thereby succeeded in surprising a camp of twenty-three lodges of hostile 
Lipans and Kickapoos near Saragossa, Mexico. They killed ten Indians 
and captured four, and also captured about 100 horses. They then made 
a bonfire of the camp material and with their prisoners and captured stock 
rejoined the main column as fast as their jaded horses would carry them. 
On the 10th of July, 1877, Troop A left Fort Concho under command of 
Captain Nolan for a scout on the Staked Plains. The command got lost, 
and, as a consequence, Captain Nolan, Lieutenant Cooper, Sergeant Jack- 
son and about ten privates were ninety-six hours without water. Four of 
the men died. Other parties were from twenty-four to thirty-eight hours 
without water. The command was found and brought back to Fort Concho 
by a party sent out from there to search for it. 
In 1880 the regiment was engaged in what is known as the Victoria 
campaign, a series of operations direct against the Mescalero Apache chief 
Victoria, who, with his whole band, had escaped from the military authori- 
ties in New Mexico. On the 30th of July Colonel Grierson, with a party of 
only six men, was attacked by this band between Quitman and Eagle 
Springs. Lieutenant Finley with fifteen men of Troop G came up, engaged 
the Indians, and held them in check until the arrival of Captains Viele and 
Nolan with Troops C and A. In an engagement, which lasted four hours, 
seven Indians were killed and a number wounded. On the side of the 
troops one soldier was killed and Lieutenant Colladay wounded. The hos- 
tiles were driven off and pursued to the Rio Grande. In the course of the 
pursuit a running fight of at least fifteen miles was maintained near the 
Alamo by a detachment under Corporal Asa Weaver of Troop H. Private 
Tockes, Troop C, was killed. His horse went to bucking and then ran 
directly into the Indians. When last seen alive this devoted trooper had 
dropped his reins, drawn his carbine, and was firing to right and left. His 296 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
skeleton was found months afterwards. For his gallant conduct in this 
affair Corporal Weaver was promoted to a sergeant on the ground. The 
same day Captain Lebo, with Troop K, followed an Indian trail to the top 
of the Sierra Diabola, captured Victoria’s supply camp of twenty-five head 
of cattle, and a large quantity of beef and other provisions on pack animals. 
The decisive blow of the campaign was struck a few days later by Colo- 
nel Grierson. Being on the trail of Victoria, heading northward through 
the Carriso Mountains, Grierson switched off to his right, and, by a forced 
march of sixty-five miles, swung around the flank of the unsuspecting 
Apaches and struck them in front, forcing them southward across the fron- 
tier. Victoria never went raiding again on American soil. He was subse- 
quently killed by the Mexican troops near Lake Guzman, Mexico. 
In July, 1882, regimental headquarters were moved from Fort Concho 
to Fort Davis, where they remained until March 30, 1885. During this 
time the regiment saw little active field service. 
In the spring of 1885 the regiment moved from the Department of Texas 
to the Department of Arizona, marching along the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road. When the column took up its march from Fort Davis it comprised 
eleven troops and the band. At Camp Rice it was joined by Troop I, and 
from this point to Bowie Station, Arizona, the twelve troops continued 
together. They had never been together before and never have been since. 
At Bowie the troops separated to go to their several stations. The head- 
quarters went to Fort Apache, where they arrived on the 20th of May. 
The Geronimo campaign had just commenced, and on the 19th of May 
a battalion formed of Troops D, E, H and K, under Major Van Vliet, was 
sent out from Fort Grant in search of hostiles. They marched to Fort 
Bayard, N. M., and through the Mogollon Mountains, but saw nothing of 
them. The greater part of the regiment was in the field during the whole 
campaign. Several of the officers, anxious to be where there was most to 
be done, had themselves detached from their troops to do duty with Indian 
scouts at the front. Thus, Lieutenant Shipp was with Captain Crawford in 
Mexico when that officer was killed. Lieutenant Finley accompanied 
Captain Lawton in his long, hard chase of Geronimo, which led to his sur- 
render. Lieutenant Clarke patrolled the Mexican border. The latter 
especially distinguished himself in an engagement which Troop K, under 
command of Captain Lebo, had with Geronimo’s band in the Pineto 
Mountains in Mexico. His conduct on this occasion has recently won for 
him a medal of honor. 
After Geronimo had surrendered to Captain Lawton, a remnant of his 
band under Chief Mangus, who was still defying the Government of the 
United States, was run down in handsome style by Troop H, under the 
command of Captain Cooper. 
Such instances of distinguished service are the more creditable as the 
opportunities therefor were extremely rare. To the greater part of the 
regiment the Geronimo campaign was a dismal succession of inglorious 
days devoted to the guarding of water-holes, mountain passes, etc. 
In 1887 part of the regiment was in the field in search of “the Kid,” a 
former follower of Geronimo, who had never been caught, and has not been TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY. 
297 
yet. Lieutenant Carter P. Johnson especially distinguished himself by the 
skill, energy and perseverance with which he pursued this Indian. 
On the 15th of April, 1890, the regiment lost the colonel who had com- 
manded it from its organization by his promotion to a brigadier-general. 
The vacancy was filled by the promotion of Lieut.-Colonel J. K. Mizner, 
8th Cavalry, who is the present chief of the regiment. Regimental head- 
quarters were moved by Colonel Mizner to Fort Grant, where they now 
(1891) are. Cbe Artillery ALEXANDER MACOMB 
M A J O R-GeNER AL 
Commanding the Army, 1828-1841. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY* 
Major WILLIAM L. HASKIN, ist U. S. Artillery. 
INTRODUCTION. 
THE first Congress of the United States under the Constitution 
(March, 1789) found already in existence a “Frontier Corps” of 
infantry 700 strong, and a battalion of four companies of artillery. 
According to Heitman’s “ Historical Register of the U. S. 
Army,” one of these companies (Doughty’s) was retained in service from 
the Revolutionary army: one (Douglass’) was raised under Resolve of Con- 
gress of date June 3, 1784 ; and two were organized under Resolve of Con- 
gress of date October 20, 1786, when the four companies were organized into 
a battalion under Major John Doughty. 
This battalion was represented at the battle on the Miami, October 19 
and 22, 1790. 
When the “ Legion of the United States ” was organized in December, 
1792, one of these companies was attached to each of its sub-legions, and a 
major-commandant of artillery (Henry Burbeck) was on the staff of General 
Anthony Wayne, commanding the Legion. This legionary organization 
ceased in 1796. 
In 1794 a “Corps of Artillerists and Engineers ” was organized, which 
included the four companies of artillery then in service and had sixteen 
companies in four battalions, with a lieutenant-colonel commandant and four 
majors. In 1798 an additional regiment of “ Artillerists and Engineers ” 
was authorized with 12 companies, increased in 1799 to 16 companies. 
In 1802 there was a reduction of the army. The Engineers were sepa- 
rated from the Artillery and the latter formed into one regiment of 20 com- 
panies with a colonel (Henry Burbeck), lieutenant-colonel, and four majors. 
This was the first First Artillery. 
In 1808 a regiment of ten companies called the “ Light Artillery ” was 
formed, but it was light artillery only in name, almost all of its service being 
performed as infantry. * 
In 1812 two regiments of artillery were added to the army, each having 
20 companies; but barely two years later the three artillery regiments were 
merged into a “Corps of Artillery,” with six lieutenant-colonels, six majors, 
and 48 companies in twelve battalions. The Light Artillery regiment was 
not affected by this change. 
During the War of 1812 the Artillery of the army was represented in the 
following engagements :— 
Battle of Maguago, Mich., Aug. 9, 1812 (1st Art). 
* See “ The History of the First Regiment of Artillery,” by Brevet Major Wm. L. Haskin. 
Fort Preble, Me,, 1879. pp. 668. 
3oi 302 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Attack on Queenstown Heights, U. Can,, Oct. 13,1812 (L. A. and 2d Art). 
Capture of York (now Toronto), U. C.. April 27, 1813 (L. A. and 3d Art). 
Fort Meigs, Ohio, May 5, 1813 (L. A). 
Fort George, U. C., May 27, 1813 (L. A., 2d Art. and 3d Art). 
Action at Stony Creek, U. C., June 6, 1813 (L. A. and 2d Art). 
Battle of Chrystler’s Fields, U. C., Nov. 11, 1813 (L. A., 2d Art. and 3d Art). 
Defense of Fort Oswego, N. Y., May 5 and 6, 1814 (L. A. and 3d Art). 
Battle of Chippeway, U. C., July 5, 1814 (Corps of Art). 
Battle of Niagara Falls, U. C., July 25, 1814 (Corps of Art). 
Battle of Plattsburg, N. Y„ Sept. 11, 1814 (L. A. and Corps of Art). 
Defense of Fort McHenry, Md., Sept. 13, 1814 (Corps of Art). 
Defense of Fort Erie, U. C., Aug. 15, 1814 (Corps of Art). 
Battle of New Orleans, La., Dec. 23 and 28, 1814, and Jan. 8, 1815 (Corps 
of Art). 
At the close of the War of 1812 the army was reduced and the Corps 
of Artillery retained only 32 companies, in eight battalions; but the Light 
Artillery again escaped reduction. 
In 1821 the army was again reduced, and an entire change of organiza- 
tion was effected by consolidating the Light Artillery, the Ordnance, and 
the Corps of Artillery into four regiments of artillery, having nine com- 
panies and ten captains each, the additional captain performing ordnance 
duty. One company in each regiment was to be a light battery, but until 
1836 it was so only in name. 
With the following modifications these are the organizations now in ex- 
istence known as the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments of Artil- 
lery. 
At first each regiment had a colonel, lieutenant-colonel and one major. 
A major was added to each by the Act of February 11, 1847, and still 
another major to each by the Act of July 28, 1866. 
In 1832 the Ordnance was separated from the Artillery, the ordnance 
captains joining the new corps, but artillery lieutenants doing the subordi- 
nate work of the ordnance under four-year details. This continued until 
the Act of July 5, 1838, completed the severance. 
This last named Act added Company K, and the Act of March 3, 1847, 
added Companies L and M to each regiment. 
The Artillery has been united with the Engineers, the Ordnance, and 
the Light Artillery. It has had a battalion, regimental, and corps organiza- 
tion ; during the Civil War it was even without organization—into any 
higher unit than the single battery. It would seem that the entire round 
of experiments had been tried. The present organization into regiments 
has lasted far longer than any other and appears to have sustained the test 
of prolonged trial, in peace at least, fairly well. It bids fair to continue in- 
definitely, for it is impossible to obtain any degree of unanimity among 
artillery officers as to what should take its place. 
THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY 
was organized under the Act of March 2, 1821, by the assignment to it of 
officers already commissioned in the Ordnance Department, Light Artillery THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
303 
regiment, or Corps of Artillery. Its ranks were filled by the transfer of 
whole companies from the Light Artillery, or the Corps of Artillery. 
Company A came from the L. A. and was first organized as a company 
in 1812. 
Company B also dated from 1812 and had been Company D, Second Bat- 
talion, C. of A. 
Companies C and D, dating from 1815, came from the L. A. 
Company E had been Company N, Second Battalion, C. of A., organized 
in 1812. 
Company F had been Company B, Fourth Battalion, C. of A., and dated 
from 1812. 
Companies G and H came from the L. A. ; G dating from 1812 and H 
from 1808. 
Company I had been Company A, Second Battalion, C. of A., and was 
first organized as a company in 1798. 
Of the 47 officers of the regiment, 13—including Colonel Porter—came 
from the L. A.; 23—including Major Walbach—from the C. of A.; 8—in- 
cluding Lieutenant-Colonel Bomford—from the Ordnance ; and three— 
Captains Wm. J. Worth and Henry Whiting, and Lieutenant W. S. Harney 
—from the Infantry. Harney remained in the regiment less than two years, 
but Worth belonged to it until he entered the Ordnance in 1832, and 
Whiting until he became a quartermaster in 1835. 
Companies A, B, E, F, G and H had taken an active part in the War of 
1812, and brought with them into the regiment a record of gallant service 
already performed. 
There is little of interest in the history of a regiment in time of peace, 
and the long period of fifteen years which elapsed before the breaking out 
of the Florida War was almost uneventful. 
The regiment was at first stationed at the posts in New York Harbor and 
on the New England coast, but after a service there of six years it was sent 
to the more southerly posts between Annapolis, Md., and Charleston, S. C., 
where it remained, though with many interchanges of station by the several 
companies, until January, 1836, when eight companies reached Florida, fol- 
lowed in October of the same year by the ninth. 
The Florida War brought little glory to any who took part in it, the 
difficulty being, not to fight the enemy, but to find him. “A barren war- 
fare, marches without battles, scoutings by day, alarms by night; continual 
little annoyances, so trifling as to be beneath narration, yet in their fre- 
quency and troublesomeness as bad on the spirits as a defeat and reducing 
the duty list as much as a battle. The climate was an enemy more success- 
ful than the Seminoles, and its victims counted not by single files, but by 
platoons if not battalions.” 
For two years the regiment performed its share of this work, taking part 
in eleven more or less important engagements with the Indians. 
The following named officers were present with the regiment during its 
service in Florida and by their gallantry in action and fidelity to duty—in 
this case a thankless duty bringing no other reward than the consciousness 
of duty well done—reflected credit upon the regiment:—Colonel Eustis, 304 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Majors Wn. Gates and B. K. Pierce; Captains R. M. Kirby, Giles Porter, 
David Van Ness, Justin Dimick, Lemuel Gates and D. D. Tompkins ; and 
Lieutenants Geo. Nauman, Francis Taylor, J. R. Irwin, J. H. Prentiss, 
Geo. Watson, E. A. Capron, D. E. Hale, John F. Lee, Alfred Herbert, 
Wm. H. Betts, P. V. Hagner, M. J. Burke, J. S. Hatheway and Wm. H. 
Fowler. 
In 1838 the regiment was sent to the northern frontier of the U. S. in 
New York and Vermont, and shortly after reaching its new stations a com- 
pany was added to each of the regiments of artillery. The additional com- 
pany of the First was mounted and became Battery K. Although Company 
A had been the designated light battery since 1821 it had never had a horse 
attached to it, but had performed the same duties, and in the same way, as 
the other companies had. 
In 1840 the regiment was moved to the boundary line between Maine 
and New Brunswick. At this time war with Great Britain was threatened, 
the chief cause for the dispute being the location of the bound- 
ary line between the United States and British territory, but it was 
fortunately averted. The regiment remained on this line, however, unti1 
just before the outbreak of the Mexican War, when four companies went to 
Texas and six to Florida. 
In the campaign of 1846-47 on Taylor’s line in Texas and northern Mex- 
ico, Companies B, C, D, E and Battery K, took an active part, the regi- 
ment being represented by one or more of its companies in the battles of 
Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. 
The campaign of 1847 in central Mexico under General Scott brought 
the greater part of the regiment under fire, and Companies B, D, F, G, H 
and Batteries I and K, some or all of them, took part in the siege of Vera 
Cruz and the battles or skirmishes of Cerro Gordo, La Hoya, Oka Lake, 
Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec and City of Mexico. Company I wras 
made a light battery after the battle of Cerro Gordo. 
There was then no retired list, and the field officers of the regiment 
were so infirm or so far advanced in years as to be wholly unable to undergo 
the fatigues of active service. From this it resulted that, after Vera Cruz 
and Cerro Gordo had been fought, the senior captain present—Brevet Major 
Justin Dimick—commanded the battalion. 
The campaign was one of the most brilliant recorded in history. More 
recent military operations on a very much larger scale have dimmed the 
memory of its successes, but the military student will always admire the 
extreme audacity which prompted it, and the manner in which the troops 
—the whole army—cooperated to make it a success. 
The First Artillery received the commendation of its brigade and di- 
vision commanders for each and every action in which it was present, and 
its losses—21 per cent, of its whole strength in killed and wounded—attest 
its military zeal and fidelity to duty. The battle of Churubusco was espe- 
cially fatal, for it cost the regiment the lives of Capt. E. A. Capron, Capf. 
M. J. Burke, Lieut. J. F. Irons, and Lieut. Satterlee Hoffman. Lieutenants 
Martin and Boynton were among the wounded, and the total loss in officers 
and men was 45 out of a total of less than 300. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
305 
The following named officers of the First were present during the Mex- 
ican War, in one or both campaigns : 
Majors Levi Whiting and Thos. Childs. 
Captains Justin Dimick, L. B. Webster, Geo. Nauman, Francis Taylor, 
J. H. Winder, J. B. Magruder, E. A. Capron, M. J. Burke and J. S. Hath- 
eway. 
Lieutenants J. L. Donaldson, W.W. Mackall, B. H. Hill, Wm.H. French, 
Jos. Hooker, Henry C. Wayne, Irvin McDowell, J. A. Haskin, H. D. Grafton, 
J. B. Ricketts, S. K. Dawson, J. G. Martin, J. F. Irons, J. M. Brannan, Isaac 
Bowen, Seth Williams, Abner Doubleday, J. P. Johnstone, Henry Coppee, 
E. C. Boynton, T. J. Jackson, Truman Seymour, Satterlee Hoffman, J. B. 
Gibson and A. P. Hill. 
Many of these names will be very familiar to all who have read the his- 
tory of a later and greater war, as well as to the students of this foreign 
war in which these men were such prominent actors. At this date (No- 
vember, 1894), Professor Henry Coppee, of Lehigh University, is the sole 
survivor of all of “ Ours” who took part in the War, and he was among 
those who entered the City of Mexico with Scott’s victorious army. 
Upon the evacuation of Mexico in 1848 the First Artillery was stationed 
upon the Atlantic coast from New York to Fort Washington, Md., with the 
exception of Companies L and M, which were sent to Oregon. In the fol- 
lowing year, however, four companies went into the interior of Florida, and 
in 1850 four additional companies went to the Gulf States and Battery I to 
California. Companies L and M were in Oregon but four years when they 
were transferred to the Atlantic coast, reorganized, and sent to Florida. 
Service in that State was found to consist, as usual, of fruitless marches 
and countermarches, scouts in this direction and in that, and in years of 
service scarcely an event worthy of record. Filibusters in Louisiana and 
Texas in 1851 made some slight break in the monotony of garrison life for 
several of the companies, and in 1856 the Indians were fought, once in 
Florida and several times in Texas. In 1859 the outlaw band of Cortinas 
attacked and then blockaded Brownsville, Texas, but was in turn attacked, 
beaten, and broken up by a force including three companies of the First 
Artillery. 
With the closing months of i860 the regiment completed its tenth year 
of continuous service in the Southern States. During this long period no 
foot company of the regiment (except the Oregon companies) had been 
stationed farther north than Fort Monroe, and the regiment had never had 
less than four companies in the Gulf States, while the usual number was 
eight. The detail for the Artillery School took two companies northward, 
and the companies in Florida were occasionally sent to Charleston to 
recuperate, but the regiment—generally—had been a stranger to the 
northern climate for ten long years. 
In January, 1861, Companies A and C were at Fort Monroe ; B at Key 
West Barracks ; D at Baton Rouge Barracks, La.; E and H at Fort Sum- 
ter, S. C.; F, L and Battery K at Eagle Pass (Fort Duncan), Texas; G at 
Barrancas Barracks, Fla.; Battery I at Leavenworth, Kansas, and M at 
Brownsville, Texas. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
306 
The excitement throughout the South at this time in regard to the 
secession of the States bid fair to lead to violent seizure of Government 
property, and made it necessary for individual commanders to judge for 
themselves in many cases as to the proper course to pursue for the protec- 
tion of the public property under their charge or the preservation of their 
commands. 
In the exercise of this judgment Major Robert Anderson had just trans- 
ferred his command—Companies E and H—from Fort Moultrie to Fort 
Sumter; Company B, in January, occupied Fort Taylor; and Company G, 
also in January, moved from Fort Barrancas to Fort Pickens. Company D, 
at Baton Rouge Barracks, La., 500 miles from any possibility of support 
was forced to leave for the North in January ; and the garrison of Eagle 
Pass—Companies F and L and Battery K—just escaped being included in 
Twigg’s surrender by marching to Brownsville, where, with Company M, it 
embarked for loyal territory in March. 
On the 1st of April, 1861. but five posts within the limits of the seceded 
States were still occupied by United States troops. These were Fort Mon- 
roe, Va.; Fort Sumter, S. C.; Fort Taylor, Key West, Fla.; Fort Jefferson, 
Tortugas, Fla.; and Fort Pickens, Pensacola Harbor, Fla. Of these the 
four last named were garrisoned wholly or in great part by the First Artillery, 
and Company C was among the troops composing the garrison of Fort 
Monroe. 
The story of Sumter has been told again and again. It fell to the lot of 
the First Artillery to fire the first shot in defense of the flag, and that shot 
had a result such as the wisest Southerner could not have foretold. Few 
Northerners even could foresee that it announced the beginning of the end 
of human slavery in North America. 
At an early period of the war it became evident that the companies of 
the regular artillery were all or nearly all to serve as light batteries. No 
explicit orders to that effect appear to have been issued, but company after 
company was mounted until the twelve companies of the regiment had all 
been equipped either as mounted or as horse artillery. The practice of 
uniting the batteries by twos to man single batteries began early in the war 
and continued till the end. 
Until May, 1864, Batteries E, G, H, I and K, served with the Army 
of the Potomac; B, C, D and M, on the southern Atlantic coast; and A, F 
and L, in Florida and Louisiana; but in the latter part of 1864 all were in 
Virginia. 
It is not possible within the limits to which this sketch must be confined 
to give any adequate account of the 98 battles, sieges, combats, actions, 
skirmishes or affairs, in which the regiment was represented during the 
Civil War. Batteries were present in all the chief engagements in Virginia, 
Maryland, Florida, Louisiana, and the coast of South Carolina. They were 
at Antietam, Appomatox, Bull Run, Cedar Creek, Chancellorsville, Cold 
Harbor, Drury’s Bluff, Fair Oaks, Fisher’s Hill, Fort Bisland, Fort Pickens, 
Fort Sumter, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Glendale, Irish Bend, Mansura, 
Olustu, Petersburg, Pleasant Hill, Port Hudson, Trevillian Station, Win- 
chester and Williamsburg. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
307 
Two batteries, one of the First and one of the Fifth, were in the very 
vortex and crisis of the battle of Bull Run ; a battery of the First was in 
action nearly all day not far from “ Deadman’s Lane ” at Antietam ; in the 
line of thirty pieces which finally checked the victorious Confederates on 
our right at Chancellorsville were six belonging to the First; the “ Crest of 
the Rebellion ” at Gettysburg found two batteries of the First in the line 
against which it broke ; when the last obstacle to the free navigation of the 
Mississippi was overcome at Port Hudson, three batteries of the First Artil- 
lery could claim their fair share of credit for the achievement; and when 
Early was sent “ whirling through Winchester ” two batteries of the First 
were there to assist him along. 
On the 12th of April, 1861, a First Artillery garrison opened the war, 
and on the 9th of April, 1865, a battery of the regiment fired the last can- 
non-shot at the principal army of the Confederacy and almost the last shot 
of the war. 'The flag of the United States which was first lowered to the 
Confederate forces in Charleston Harbor, was, almost exactly four years 
later, raised in the capital of that Confederacy by an officer of the First 
Artillery. 
The number of officers, then or formerly of the regiment, who were 
made general officers during the Civil War is so considerable as to merit 
notice. On the Union side these were : 
Daniel Tyler. 
Geo. D. Ramsay. 
Jacob Ammen. 
Montgomery C. Meigs 
Israel Vogdes. 
Wm. H. French. 
Joseph Hooker. 
Irvin McDowell. 
Joseph A. Haski.n. 
James B. Ricketts. 
John M. Brannan. 
Seth Williams. 
Abner Doubleday. 
Truman Seymour. 
James B. Fry. 
Jefferson C. Davis. 
Absalom Baird. 
Adam J. Slemmer. 
Alvan C. Gillem. 
Henry W. Slocum. 
John M. Schofield. 
John W. Turner. 
Robert Anderson. 
Erasmus D. Keyes. 
Richard H. Jackson. 
Edmund Kirby. 
Judson Kilpatrick. 
Lewis G. Arnold. 
On the Confederate side they were: 
J. B. Magruder. 
H. C. Wayne. 
J. G. Martin. 
Samuel Jones. 
T. T. Jackson (StonewalD. 
A. P. Hill. 
Daniel Leadbetter. 
J. E. Slaughter. 
A. R. Lawton. 
F. A. Shoup. 
I. R. Trimble, 
W. W. Mackall. 
The theory upon which our army is said to be maintained,—for the 
purpose of providing trained officers for higher rank in the militia or vol- 
unteers,—would seem to have been justified in the case of this particular 
regiment, since it was able to furnish 40 general officers when called upon 
for that purpose. 308 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Between December, 1861, and the ist of January, 1865, sixty-eight offi- 
cers are named upon the regimental return, and 38 of these were, for a 
part of their service at least, on detached duty. This number includes those 
serving with increased rank in the volunteers. When the number absent 
on account of wounds or from sickness is taken into account it becomes 
more easy to comprehend why it was, that during the Civil War it was very 
seldom the case that one-half of the officers belonging to the regiment were 
actually serving with it. 
Up to the date of the battle of Gettysburg the average number present 
was twenty; but from that time till the close of the war the average was 
only thirteen, and there were at no time so many as twenty officers with 
their batteries. From the battle of Bull Run to the surrender at Appo- 
matox the average number present was only 16.57, yet the regimental re- 
turns for that period show a total of 19 killed and wounded, and—what is a 
little remarkable—deaths from disease. 
The average strength of the regiment in enlisted men for this period was 
770. Of these 54 were killed, 216 wounded, 71 missing, and 91 died of dis- 
ease; making the total loss 432. In Fox’s “Regimental Losses of the 
American Civil War ” a list of the light batteries (regular and volunteer) 
which suffered the heaviest losses is given on page 463. Sixty-two bat- 
teries are named and among them are Battery M, at Olustee; I, at Bull 
Run and again at Gettysburg; H, at Chancellorsville; and A, at Port Hud- 
son. 
During the Civil War the headquarters of the regiment never took the 
field. For several months in 1861 there was actually no regimental com- 
mander, The sergeant-major probably received and filed the company 
monthly returns, but no regimental orders were issued nor any other busi- 
ness transacted such as properly pertains to the office of a regimental com- 
mander. Colonel Erving was retired in October, 1861, and was succeeded 
by Colonel Justin Dimick with station at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. In 
November he named Lieutenant Dimick as the regimental adjutant but in the 
July following the adjutant applied for field service and from that time until 
the close of the war there was no officer actually serving as adjutant of 
the regiment. There had been no regimental quartermaster since June, 
i860, and none was appointed till June, 1876. Colonel Dimick nominally 
commanded the regiment until the close of the year 1863, when Captain 
Wm. Silvey, the senior officer in the regiment not holding higher rank in 
the volunteer service, was directed to relieve him. He acted as regimental 
commander, with station at Concord, N. H., until January, 1866. 
Almost at the very beginning of the Civil War, therefore, the regimental 
organization simply went to pieces. All the field officers held higher volun- 
teer rank or were superannuated, and there was no regimental staff. The 
sole duty left to the nominal regimental commander was to consolidate the 
monthly returns of the individual batteries. Captains appointed and mus- 
tered their own non-commissioned officers without any reference to him, and 
he exercised no control of any kind over his companies. Yet the artillery, 
without exception, did exceedingly well during the war and contributed 
largely toward the final result. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
309 
The natural inference is, that the regimental organization is wholly 
superfluous when artillery is called upon to fulfil the principal end and ob- 
ject of its existence, though very good and even necessary during peace 
times, to provide for the systematic conduct of affairs and to furnish pro- 
motion to the officers of the arm. Whether organized in regiments or as a 
corps, the actual result, so far as regimental or corps control is concerned, 
would undoubtedly have been the same, with the resulting inference that, 
for actual service, no organization higher than the single battery is neces- 
sary. 
It is simply impossible that this can be true. 
The practice which obtained from the very outbreak of the war of using 
the single battery as the highest organization of light artillery was vicious 
in theory and in practice. The highest authority we have upon artillery 
has stated this fact, and our practice in the later years of the war,—the 
result of experience in the field,—proved that the battalion of batteries, 
under a responsible head and with still higher grades of authority to con- 
trol battalions, would give results wholly impossible of attainment with 
divided commands. 
Had the colonel of a regiment of artillery taken the field as the chief 
of artillery for a corps, with his field officers in their proper places as chiefs 
of battalions, to serve with divisions or directly under the corps com- 
mander as occasion might demand, can any one doubt for a minute the 
increased efficiency of that regiment as a fighting machine? 
In actual practice the field officers of the regular artillery were all given 
volunteer rank to command infantry, and no field officers for volunteer 
batteries (the exceptions were very few in number) were commissioned ; 
and when it was found by experience that artillery gained power in a geo- 
metrical ratio by concentration, captains were taken from their batteries to 
act as the field officers which must be had, but never, to the very end, was 
the point conceded that light artillery, fully as much any other arm, must 
have its field officers actually with it in the field. 
The necessity for experienced officers to command volunteers was unde- 
niable, and the gain to the whole service by depriving the artillery of its 
legitimate leaders was greater, perhaps, than the loss to the artillery itself ; 
but there is something radically wrong in the system which brings about 
such a crippling of one arm. 
The senior officers remaining should have been given at least temporary 
rank in the higher grades of their own arm to command artillery, and had 
this been done, we have the assertion of the artillery officer best qualified 
by experience to express an opinion) that the efficiency of our arm 
great as it was, would thereby have been increased from one-third to one- 
half. 
Whether the organization of the arm should be regimental or corps is a 
subject upon which there will always be wide divergencies of opinion ; but 
the assertion that artillery should be so organized that when it goes into 
active service it shall have its complete hierarchy of command present with 
it, will find not one artillerist in opposition. 
This can be secured under either form of organization. 310 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
With the close of the Civil War the companies of the regiment, except- 
ing the two which were light batteries before the war, were promptly dis- 
mounted and stationed upon the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to New York 
Harbor. The light batteries went to Texas. The field officers rejoined and 
the regimental staff was again established, so that the regular routine of 
garrison life was soon in operation as smoothly as though it had never been 
interrupted. 
The artillery had had a double line of first lieutenants ever since 1821, 
but about this time the President was authorized to give it, in his discre- 
tion, a double line of second lieutenants as well. He availed himself of this 
right to some extent, the number of second lieutenants in the regiment in- 
creasing from 12 in 1866, to 22 in 1870. This was the greatest number on 
any annual register, and from this time it diminished until the register for 
1874 showed but 7 in all. Since 1876, however, there have been two second 
lieutenants for a light battery and one for each foot battery. The second 
lieutenants appointed in the years from 1867 to 1870 are those who are now, 
—more than 23 years later,—patiently awaiting their captaincies, and even 
now with no immediate prospect of attaining them. 
The regular monotony of garrison life in the years following the war was 
relieved from time to time by occurrences of more or less importance in- 
volving the movement of companies. 
The Fenians required the presence of almost the whole of the regiment 
upon the northern boundary of New York in 1866 and again in 1870. Light 
Battery K was brought out to overawe a mob in New Orleans in 1866. A 
large part of the regiment was called out on four different occasions, in 
1869, 1870, and 1871, to protect internal revenue officers in their pursuit of 
illicit whisky in the slums of Brooklyn and large details were made, with 
ever increasing frequency, for funeral escort duty for the veterans of the 
war. 
In November of 1872 the regiment left its northern stations for those on 
the Atlantic and Gulf coast from Charleston, S. C., to Pensacola Harbor, 
Fla. Here it served three years, suffering each summer from yellow fever, 
but in 1875 the welcome order of relief came and b)f the 1st of January, 
1876—the Centennial year—the regiment was stationed along the New Eng- 
land coast from Fort Adams, R. I., to Fort Preble, Me. 
This was the year of the disputed Presidential election and in November 
every battery of the regiment left its station for duty in some one of the 
disturbed districts. One of them went from Maine to Florida, and all 
went into the Southern States. The mere presence of the troops was all 
that was required. They were never called upon to act, but it was several 
months before the batteries were finally allowed to return to their posts. 
The labor riots of 1877 also took the whole regiment out, this time into 
Pennsylvania ; but there was never occasion for firing a shot. The appear- 
ance of the troops sufficed to overawe the rioters. 
Late in the year 1881 the regiment left New England for the Pacific 
coast where the batteries occupied Fort Canby and the posts in San Fran- 
cisco Harbor for more than eight uneventful years. 
In May, 1890, it was brought back to the Atlantic coast and stationed at THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
311 
its present (November, 1894) posts, with nine batteries and one light bat- 
tery in New York Harbor, one battery at Fort Monroe, and one at Fort 
Sheridan, 111. (first at Fort Riley, Kas.) 
Since the last change of stations there has been but one event in its 
history of any importance, when at Wounded Knee, an opportunity was 
given Light Batterv E to render gallant service which it took advantage of 
to the fullest extent. THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
By Lieut. W. A. SIMPSON, Adjutant 2d U. S. Artillery. 
THE Second Artillery was, with the First, Third, and Fourth, organ- 
ized by an Act of Congress dated March 21, 1821. Each regiment 
was to have one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major,'one 
supernumerary captain (for ordnance duty), one adjutant, one ser- 
geant-major, and nine companies. Each company was to have a captain, 
two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, and fifty-seven enlisted men. 
One company was to be designated and equipped as light artillery, but for 
many years it was such only in name. The list of organizations (given in 
the Army Register) from which these regiments were formed is misleading, 
as some of the organizations mentioned had been out of existence for 
years. The four regiments were formed from the Corps of Artillery, the 
Regiment of Light Artillery, and the Ordnance, the Second being taken 
mainly from the Corps of Artillery. All ordnance duty was to be done by 
the artillery. There was a second regiment of artillery during the War of 
1812, of which Winfield Scott was lieutenant-colonel and then colonel. After 
the war it was merged into the Corps of Artillery. The names of battles of 
that war are borne on the regimental colors to-day, a few of the officers of 
the new Second had belonged to the old, and some of the companies may 
have belonged to both regiments, a fact I am unable to establish ; but as a 
whole the Second Artillery of 1812 was a different organization from the 
Second Artillery of 1821. 
The assignment of companies, stations, and former organizations is 
given in the following table : 
Company. 
Captain. 
Former Organization. 
Station. 
Headquarters. 
“A” 
Fanning. 
2 B. N. D * 
Ft. McHenry, Md. 
West Point, N. Y. 
“ B” 
Gates. 
i B. N. D. 
Watervliet Arsenal. 
“C” 
Roach. 
3 B. N. D. 
Ft. Mifflin, Pa. 
“ D” 
Heileman. 
i B. N. D. 
Ft. Niagara, N. Y. 
“ E ” 
Nourse. 
Made up of recruits. 
Pittsburg Arsenal. 
“F” 
Belton. 
3 B. N. D. 
Ft. McHenry, Md. 
“ G ” 
Zantzinger. 
4 B. N. D. 
Plattsburg, N. Y. 
“H” 
Mountfort. 
4 B. N. D. 
Detroit, Mich. 
“I” 
Legate. 
i B. N. D. 
Mackinac, Mich. 
* B. N. D. stands for Battalion, Northern Division. 
The new field officers were : N. Towson, colonel; James House, lieu- 
tenant-colonel ; J. Hindman, major. Colonel Towson had distinguished 
himself greatly, while a captain of the Second Artillery, in the War of 1812. 
At the time of his nomination to be colonel, however, he was paymaster- 
general, then a civil officer. The senate refused to confirm him as colonel THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
313 
on the ground that selections of officers for the new regiments should be 
confined to the army. The disagreement between the executive and the 
senate in this case lasted through three administrations, and was finally 
settled in 1832 by the nomination and confirmation of the then senior 
lieutenant-colonel of artillery, William Lindsay. This officer had been 
major and afterwards lieutenant-colonel of the Second Artillery in the 
War of 1812. The regiment was thus without a colonel for ten years. 
In 1824 headquarters were removed to Governor’s Island, and the 
greater part of the regiment was brought to New York Harbor. In the 
same year ten companies of artillery (two each of the 1st and 3d, three 
each of the 2d and 4th) were to be assembled at Fort Monroe and organ- 
ized as a regiment under the name of “ The Artillery Corps for Instruc- 
tion. ’ D, G and H were the companies of the 2d Artillery designated for 
this detail. These companies were to be relieved by others at regular in- 
tervals. 
In the autumn of 1827 the regiment was ordered South, exchanging with 
the 1st Artillery. The new stations were at first Augusta Arsenal and 
Savannah, Georgia ; Fort Marion, Florida ; Forts Pike and St. Philip, 
Louisiana. In the order making the change it was stated that this was to 
be regarded as the beginning of a system of periodical changes. The 
southern tour was a long and active one. The stations of the companies 
were frequently changed on account of sickness, and for service in the 
Cherokee and Creek country, embracing portions of Georgia, Alabama, and 
Tennessee. About this time, too, the relations between the general gov- 
ernment and the States of South Carolina and Alabama were somewhat 
strained. The recent tariff legislation was very unpopular in the South and 
“ nullification ” feeling, especially in the former State, ran high. So serious 
did things look that, in the latter part of 1832, Major Heileman, 2d Artillery, 
commanding in Charleston Harbor, was cautioned from Washington to be 
on the alert and hold the forts belonging to the United States against any 
force that might be brought against them. Seven additional companies, of 
the 1st, 3d, and 4th Artillery, were ordered to Charleston Harbor, and Gen- 
eral Scott arrived to command in person and see that the laws of the United 
States were enforced. Happily, no collision occurred. A terrible fire break- 
ing out in Charleston, General Scott ordered 400 men to the city, without 
arms, to assist in subduing the fire, They arrived just in time to relieve 
the exhausted citizens at the pumps. This action did much towards allay- 
ing the bitter feeling of the time. 
In 1832 the Ordnance was separated from the Artillery. In the autumn 
of 1833 the action of the United States marshal in removing white settlers 
from lands ceded to the United States by the Creeks having aroused oppo- 
sition on the part of the authorities of Alabama, a strong force of United 
States troops under Colonel D. E. Twiggs was sent to Fort Mitchell, on the 
eastern border of that State, to support him. The 2d Artillery was repre- 
sented by A, B and C companies. The legislature passed laws giving State 
courts jurisdiction in this territory, and the State officers served writs on 
United States officers, the State courts adjudging them guilty of contempt 
in refusing to obey the writs. The Governor of Alabama went so far as to HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
threaten to raise an army of State troops and drive the Federal troops from 
the State. This, however, was not done, and the Federal and State forces 
did not me to blows. These events show the extent to which the doctrine 
of States’ rights was believed in at the time. 
According to the treaty made with the Seminole Indians, their removal 
to the West was to begin January i, 1836. The actions of the Seminoles as 
that date approached led the authorities to suspect that the Indians would 
not act in good faith, and measures were taken to increase the military force 
in Florida and compel the Seminoles to fulfill their treaty obligations. Of 
the 2d Artillery, A, B, C and G companies were sent to Fort Brooke, Tampa 
Bay. H was there already. D was at St. Augustine, and F at Fort King, 
in the heart of the Indian country, about midway between St. Augustine 
and Fort Brooke. This being an important point, Major Dade, 4th In- 
fantry, with C, 2d Artillery, and B, 3d Artillery, was ordered to march there 
from Fort Brooke. The command left Fort Brooke December 23. On the 
morning of December 28, as they were marching along a lake, they were 
attacked by Indians from the woods on the other side of the road. A mo- 
ment before they were surprised Major Dade had said to his command, 
“ We have now got through all danger; keep good heart and when we get 
to Fort King, I’ll give you three days for Christmas.” The fight lasted 
several hours, every officer and all but two of the men being killed. The 
officers of the 2d killed were Captain Gardiner, 2d Lieutenant Basinger, 
and Brevet 2d Lieutenant Henderson. The same day a detachment of the 
same band of Indians, under Osceola, came upon General Thompson, Indian 
agent, and Lieutenant Constantine Smith, 2d Artillery, who were out walk- 
ing near Fort King, killed them both, and then attacked the fort, hoping to 
find the garrison (F, 2d Artillery) unprepared. The attack was unsuccessful. 
December 29 General Clinch, who had not yet learned of the Dade mas- 
sacre, had a fight with the Indians on the Withlacoochee River. His force 
was made up of detachments of the 1st, 2d and 3d Artillery. The Indians 
were defeated. D and F of the 2d took part in this action, losing one 
man killed and twelve wounded. On February 27 there was another fight 
on the Withlacoochee in which A, B, D, F, G and H were engaged. 
Early in 1836 General Scott took command in Florida. His plan was to 
form three columns ; one to operate from Volusia, on the St. John’s River; 
one from Fort King or Fort Drane, and one from Fort Brooke. The latter 
was commanded by Colonel Lindsay, 2d Artillery. Of the 2d, A, B, G and 
H were in Colonel Lindsay’s column. C, D, E and F were in eastern and 
central Florida, and were generally scattered at small posts. I was not sent 
to Florida until December, 1837. June 9, 1836, the Indians attacked 
Micanopy, commanded by Major Heileman, 2d Artillery. The attack was 
repulsed and the Indians driven two miles. D and E took part in the 
affair. Major Heileman, who was breveted lieutenant-colonel for his con- 
duct in this action, died a few days later from the effects of over-exertion 
in the battle. 
In August, 1836, the regiment was ordered, as soon as its services could 
be dispensed with, to the New England coast, with headquarters at Fort 
Wolcott, R. I. (now the navy Torpedo Station). Headquarters were estab- THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
315 
lishsd at Fort Wolcott, remained there a few months, and then were re- 
turned to Florida, but the rest of the order was never carried out. Detach- 
ments of E and F were in the battle of Big Wahoo Swamp, November 21, 
1836. February 28, 1837, the Indians attacked Camp Monroe, on Lake Mon- 
roe. but were defeated. In this action one sergeant and three privates of C 
were wounded and Captain Mellon was killed. C company, wiped out in the 
Dade massacre, had just been reorganized, and Mellon promoted to its com- 
mand. September 11, 1837, a battalion of mixed troops, commanded by 
Lieutenant Peyton, 2d Artillery, surprised and captured two camps of 
Indians near Mosquito Inlet. 
This meagre statement gives no idea of the hardships incident to serv- 
ice in this war. “ The theatre of operations was a wilderness and every 
hammock and swamp a citadel for the enemy.” The heat the greater part 
of the year was so intense that the troops could not make even ordinary 
marches. The men had often nothing but winter clothing. The water was 
bad, the food poor. No guides could be had and transportation was very 
difficult. General Jesup says, in his official report: “This is a service 
which no man would seek with any other view than the mere performance 
of duty. Distinction or increase of reputation is out of the question. The 
difficulties are such that the best concerted plans may result in absolute 
failure, and the best established reputation be lost without fault. If I have, 
at any time, said aught in disparagement of the operations of others in 
Florida, knowing the country as I now know it, I consider myself bound, as a 
man of honor, solemnly to retract it.” In a little over two years 9 officers 
and 103 men of the 2d Artillery were killed in action, or died of wounds 
received or disease contracted in Florida. Many brevets were conferred on 
officers of the regiment for services in this war. The roster of lieutenants 
of the regiment in 1836-38 shows, among others, the names of John Sedg- 
wick, C. F. Smith, E. D. Townsend, Henry L. Kendrick, A. A. Humphreys, 
James Duncan, Lewis G. Arnold, Edmund Schriver, Robert Allen, and 
Horace Brooks. 
In the spring of 1838, after eleven years’ service in the South, the regi- 
ment was put on the march for the Cherokee country in Alabama and 
Tennessee. A small part of the regiment went up the Mississippi and Ten- 
nessee rivers by boat, but the greater part was brought together on Black 
Creek, East Florida. The route was thence'by water to St. Mary’s, Savan- 
nah, and Augusta, and thence on foot to Ross Landing (where Chattanooga 
now stands), on the Tennessee River. The Cherokees were to be moved 
West, and, as trouble with them was anticipated, a large force of regulars, 
of which the 2d formed a part, was collected in their country. The whole 
regiment was encamped at Ross Landing, and remained there while the 
Indians were being collected and sent West. About this time the “ Patriot 
War ” was raging in Canada, and as the “ Patriots ” had the sympathy of 
a large number of Americans along the border, troops were needed in that 
region to enforce neutrality and prevent aid and reinforcements going to 
the revolutionists from the American side. Accordingly, as soon as its 
duties in the Cherokee country were completed, the regiment was, in July, 
ordered to the Niagara frontier. On its march through Kentucky, it 316 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
camped at Lexington on ground owned by Henry Clay, who did all in his 
power for the comfort of the command. On reaching the Ohio River the 
regiment went by boat to Portsmouth, Ohio, and thence across the state 
by canal to Cleveland. Here the regiment separated, a battalion under 
Major Payne going to Detroit, while the rest of the regiment went down 
Lake Erie to Buffalo, where headquarters were established. 
fen 1838, another company, K, was added to the regiment, C. F. Smith 
becoming its first captain. Colonel Lindsay died September 15, and James 
Bankhead became colonel. Though some changes were made from time to 
time, eight companies were at headquarters during most of the time the 
regiment was on the Niagara frontier. As there was no fighting, the atten- 
tion of the officers was devoted to bringing the regiment up to as high a 
standard as possible. There was great rivalry between the companies, and 
the spirit of emulation was still further increased by the presence over the 
border of some crack British regiments, whose officers worked in har- 
mony with ours in defeating the schemes of the would-be liberators of 
Canada. In 1839 Secretary of War Poinsett ordered the establishment of 
a camp of instruction at Trenton, New Jersey ; one company of each artil- 
lery regiment to be sent there and equipped as a battery of light artillery. 
A of the 2d was selected and went there under command of Lieut, (after- 
wards Captain) James Duncan, who made it so famous in the war with 
Mexico. Three months later it returned to Buffalo as a light battery. 
In August, 1841, the regiment left Buffalo by canal, headquarters and 
B, D and G going to Fort Columbus, A to Fort Hamilton, E to Fort 
Lafayette, F and I to Fort Adams, and C, H and K to Fort Mon- 
roe. These stations were occupied with but little change until the 
Mexican War. 
A (Duncan) left New York Harbor in August, 1845, and C (McKenzie), 
I (Lowd) and K (C. F. Smith), left in September for Corpus Christi. Join- 
ing General Taylor’s army, they marched with it on Matamoras. I was 
assigned to Fort Brown, took part in its defense, and was left in garrison 
there. C and K, as a part of the artillery battalion, and A were engaged at 
Palo Alto (May 8) and Resaca de la Palma (May 9). Duncan by his bril- 
liant advance and attack, without orders, on the Mexican right at Palo Alto, 
did much towards winning the battle and was specially mentioned by Gen- 
eral Taylor. 
G (De Hart) and H (Swartwout) left New York in June and joined Tay- 
lor’s army on the Rio Grande. On the march up the river, C was left at 
Camargo and H at Reynosa. A, C, G and K formed part of Worth’s Divi- 
sion and with it took an important part in the taking of Monterey (Septem- 
ber 20-23), Captain C. F. Smith commanding the storming party that led 
the attack on Federation Hill. When Taylor’s army, previous to the battle 
of Buena Vista, was reduced to strengthen General Scott, all our com- 
panies in Mexico were brought to the sea-board. The rest of the regiment 
left New York for Mexico, and in March, 1847, the whole regiment, except 
E, which was sent to Fort Brown, was assembled before Vera Cruz. On the 
organization of the Army of Invasion the regiment was assigned to 
Worth’s regular division. The reduction of Vera Cruz was largely the work THE SECOND REGIMEN T OF A R TILLER V. 
317 
of the artillery, Col. Bankhead, the senior field officer, acting as chief of 
artillery, in command of the batteries. 
The regiment took part in all the battles of the campaign, figuring most 
prominently and suffering the heaviest losses at Churubusco, Molino del 
Rey, and City of Mexico. Col. Bankhead going on detached service, the 
Lieut.-Colonel (Erving) being Superintendent of recruiting, and the Major 
(Monroe) being chief of artillery of Gen. Taylor’s army, the regiment 
started on the advance under command of Capt. McKenzie. Major Galt, 
promoted to the 2d when a new major was added to each artillery regi- 
ment, arrived and took command before the battle of Churubusco. Capt. 
C. F. Smith, on leaving Vera Cruz, was given command of a battalion of 
light troops, consisting of K (his own) and I of the 2d and one company 
each of the 5th and 8th Infantry. This command he exercised with dis- 
tinction throughout the campaign. B (Kendrick) was left at Puebla as part 
of the garrison, which successfully withstood a siege of 28 days by a vastly 
superior force. The conduct of Capt. Kendrick during this siege was 
spoken of by his commanding officer in the highest terms. 
At Molino Del Rey Lieut. Armstrong was killed, Lieutenants Daniels and 
Shackelford were mortally wounded, and all the lieutenants of Duncan’s 
battery (H. J. Hunt, Wm. Hays, and H. F. Clarke) were slightly wounded. 
At Chapultepec Capt. Horace Brooks commanded one of the siege bat- 
teries erected to prepare the assault. Capt. McKenzie led a storming party 
of volunteers from Worth’s division and after the enemy fled from Chapul- 
tepec, took part in the pursuit up the causeway and in the action at the 
Garita San Cosme. In this action Capt. Brooks commanded what was left 
of the regiment and, jointly with a detachment of the4th Infantry under 
Lieut. U. S. Grant, attacked and carried, after an obstinate resistance, a 
strong breast-work, turned the enemy’s right, and pursued him from house 
to house. During this action it became necessary to advance a piece of ar- 
tillery along the causeway, which was swept by the enemy’s fire, against a 
breast-work. Lieut. Hunt, of Duncan’s battery, was ordered to execute 
this duty. Advancing at full speed for 150 yards, with a loss of more than 
half his men, he accomplished his object and engaged the enemy muzzle to 
muzzle. Gen. Worth says, in his official report, “ It has never been my for- 
tune to witness a more brilliant exhibition of courage and conduct.” 
Throughout the campaign Duncan’s battery (A) was splendidly handled and 
made a brilliant record. The foot companies, though necessarily less con- 
spicuous, contributed their full share to the fame achieved by the American 
armies in Mexico. Even the band took part in the fighting. They were 
trained as soldiers and served in the ranks with muskets in every battle, re- 
suming their musical instruments in camp and garrison. 
In December, 1847, two new companies (L and M) were added to each 
artillery regiment, too late, however, to take any part in the war. M was 
made a light battery. The regiment was now so reduced in numbers that 
C, G, K and L, were broken up temporarily and the personnel distributed 
among the other companies. In June, 1848, the regiment began its home- 
ward journey. It was sent first to Fort Columbus, and was then distributed 
as follows : Headquarters, C and G to Fort Monroe ; A, Fort McHenry ; B 318 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and D, Bedlow’s Island ; E, Fort Johnston, N. C.; F and I, Fort Moultrie; 
H, Fort Macon; K, St. Augustine; L, Augusta Arsenal; M (which had 
been dismounted), Savannah. 
They were not allowed to rest long. In November, 1848, B and D were 
sent to St. Louis, thence, marching from Leavenworth, to New Mexico, 
where they remained until the autumn of 1857. B was stationed at Santa 
Fe and afterwards at Fort Defiance, which post was commanded for some 
years by Capt. Kendrick, who showed marked ability in his management of 
the Indians. D was stationed successively at Santa Fe, and Forts Union, 
Massachusetts, and Stanton. Both companies were out frequently after 
Indians and on exploring expeditions. D was in Loring’s Gila expedition 
against the Apaches in 1857. In 1849, E, F, H, K, L and M were sent to 
Florida, this time to the region between the Indian and the Kissimmee 
rivers, where they were actively engaged in scouting and building roads. 
About the latter work the department commander, Twiggs, was very par- 
ticular. He required the roads to be made in the most careful manner, and 
afterwards refused to allow brick and lime to be hauled over them, although 
greatly needed at an interior post, for fear of cutting them up. In Novem- 
ber, 1850, four companies were sent up to Charleston on account of seces- 
sion excitement, and returned to Florida early in 1852. 
“ M ” (Hunt) was again made a light battery in 1853, and was sent from 
Charleston by water to Fort Smith, Ark., thence overland to Fort Washita 
where it took station. In November of the same year headquarters went 
to Pensacola (afterwards to Fort Brooke) and all the reigiment except the 
light batteries, the companies in New Mexico, and H (which went to Baton 
Rouge), was again in Florida. Major Munroe commanded in the Peninsula 
and Major Harvey Brown along the Caloosahatchie River. For the next 
three years the theatre of operations was mainly in southwestern Florida, 
between Charlotte Harbor, and Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. The 
troops were again at their old work of building roads and scouting. In 
*855-56 the Indians became troublesome and there was considerable fight- 
ing. December 20, 1855, detachments of E, G, I, K and L had a fight near 
Billy’s Town. On the same day Lieut, (afterwards Major-General) Hartsuff 
and a reconnoitring party were attacked by the Seminoles in the Big 
Cypress Swamp, and Hartsuff was badly wounded. January 18, 1856, C 
and L were engaged near Fort Deynaud and March 29 E had a fight at 
Chocaliska Key. April 7, 1856, a detachment of 3 officers and 108 
men of the 1st and 2d Artillery, under Capt. Lewis G. Arnold, 2d Artil- 
lery, was attacked by a large body of Seminoles in the Big Cypress 
Swamp. The Indians were repeatedly charged and driven from the strong 
positions they successively held. August 2, 1856, E had another fight with 
the Indians at Punta Rasa. 
The regiment suffered from yellow fever during this southern tour. In 
1852 it broke out at Castle Pinckney, Charleston Harbor, and Capt. Roland 
and several men of M died. In 1854 yellow fever appeared at Baton Rouge 
and carried off Lieutenants Mebane and Burns (the only officers present) 
and the 1st Sergeant of H. It appeared there again the following year. 
Colonel Bankhead died at Baltimore, November 11, 1856. Mathew M. THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
319 
Payne, formerly major of the regiment, became our next colonel, but he 
was Governor of the Soldiers’ Home and never joined. On the resigna- 
tion of Colonel Payne in 1861, John L. Gardner became colonel. He never 
joined, and was retired within a few months after his promotion, so the 
command of the regiment for nearly five years devolved upon the Lieut.- 
Colonel, Justin Dimick, who was also, for much of that time, in command 
of the Artillery School at Fort Monroe. 
In December, 1856, the regiment began to move North, headquarters 
going to Fort Hamilton, then in May, 1857, to Fort Monroe, and in No- 
vember back to Fort Hamilton. C and L went to Fort Independence, E to 
Fort Ontario, F and I to Fort Monroe, G to Fort Lafayette, H and K to 
Fort Hamilton. B, D and M, on their arrival from the West went, B and 
M to Fort Monroe, and D to Fort Hamilton. Hardly were they settled in 
their new stations when several of the companies were ordered West, where 
most of them remained until 1861. A, E, F, H and M were occupied prin- 
cipally in Kansas, during the troublous ante bellum times in that State, with 
Leavenworth as a base. Headquarters were established at that post for a 
few months in 1859, going to Fort Monroe in November. It is worthy of 
note that one company (F) was sent to Lecompton in 1857 in search of a 
fugitive slave. The two light batteries started in May, 1858, to march from 
Leavenworth to Utah. They got some distance beyond Fort Kearney 
when, the Mormon troubles being over, they were recalled and returned to 
Leavenworth. During a part or all of the period from 1857 to the breaking 
out of the war, G, I and L were at one or the other of the northwestern 
posts, Brady, Snelling, Mackinac, Ridgely, and Ripley. E and H went out 
there before going to Kansas. During the John Brown excitement in 1859 
B and a part of L, under Captain Carlisle, were sent from Fort Monroe to 
Harper’s Ferry for temporary duty. 
In pursuance of the seeming policy of the War Department, not to pro- 
tect the national property in the South, but to guard it sufficiently to pre- 
vent its seizure by hot-headed secessionists before the plans of the leaders 
were ripe, D, E and F were, in i860, sent respectively to the arsenals at 
Fayetteville, N. C., Augusta, Ga., and Little Rock, Ark. In due course of 
time the Southern States passed their ordinances of secession and each of the 
arsenals mentioned was given up to the State authorities, whose demands 
were supported by such a show of force that armed resistance was out of 
the question. Receipts for the public property were given and the officers 
and men were allowed to make their way, by certain specified routes, out of 
the South. Light Battery M (Hunt) was, in April, i860, sent from Kansas 
to Fort Brown, Texas, and was part of the force that Twiggs tried some 
months later to turn over to the South. They had to leave their horses, 
but succeeded in getting out of the State by way of the Gulf with their 
guns, in spite of extraordinary efforts on the part of the Texans to get 
possession of them. 
On the breaking out of the war Captains A. Elzey and S. S. Anderson, 
1st Lieutenants A. Merchant, J. A. de Lagnel, and A. L. Long, and 2d Lieu- 
tenants J. P. Jones, W. Butler, and St. C. Dearing resigned and took part in 
the rebellion. Colonel Payne, who was a Virginian, also resigned in 1861. 320 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
In November W. W. Morris was promoted colonel and headquarters were 
moved to Fort McHenry, where they remained throughout the war. There 
was an unusual number of staff officers appointed from the 2d in 1861, and 
under the laws then in force they retained their regimental commissions. 
In December, 1861, for instance, there were nine officers of the Adjutant- 
General's, Quartermaster’s and Subsistence Departments on the list of ist 
lieutenants. Other officers were absent from their batteries exercising 
higher commands in the artillery service or in the volunteers. Add to these 
the number absent from ordinary causes and it will be seen that officers 
available for duty with their batteries in the field were very scarce. Bat- 
teries were generally commanded by lieutenants and sometimes not an offi- 
cer belonging to a battery was present with it. 
In the early days of the regiment it served as infantry ; occasionally, in 
the Florida War, serving light field pieces. In the Mexican War the foot 
batteries served as infantry, and at Vera Cruz and Chapultepec served siege 
artillery. In the Civil War all the batteries in active service were mounted, 
and all those serving continuously with the Army of the Potomac became 
horse batteries. The armament at the beginning of the war was far from 
uniform, E Battery, for instance, at the first Bull Run having two 13 pdrs., 
two 12’s, and two 6’s. During the winter of 1861-62 the artillery of the 
Army of the Potomac was thoroughly organized by Gen. W. F. Barry, and 
when the army started for the Peninsula, the armament of each battery was 
uniform. In 1864 the horse batteries were reduced to 4 guns each, two 
3-inch and two Napoleons. 
The successive Chiefs of Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, W. F. 
Barry and H. J. Hunt, had been officers of the 2d until 1861. The first 
commander of the Horse Artillery Brigade, Wm. Hays, his successor, J. M. 
Robertson, and the first commander of the 2d Horse Artillery Brigade, 
J. C. Tidball, were all captains of the 2d. When all the horse artillery of 
the Army of the Potomac was, in 1864, consolidated into one brigade, the 
command was given to Capt. Robertson. This brigade organization was, 
however, apparently only for administrative purposes, batteries being de- 
tached for duty with divisions or brigades of cavalry, the whole brigade 
never acting together as a fighting unit under command of its chief. As 
there was no semblance of regimental organization, except on paper, during 
the war, it will be necessary to take each battery separately, and although 
their services were conspicuous, as shown by reports of commanding gen- 
erals, the space allowed for this sketch permits little more than a mere 
enumeration of the battles in which they took part. These sketches follow 
in order. 
“ A ” battery was the first to reach Washington, arriving in January, 
1861. It formed a part of the expedition for the relief of Fort Pickens in 
April, but returned in time to take part in the first Bull Run. In Septem- 
ber it was made a horse battery, the first in this country. In the spring of 
1862 it went to the Peninsula, forming, with B and L (Robertson), and M. 
(Benson) of the 2d and C (Gibson) of the 3d, the famous Horse Artillery 
Brigade. At Yorktown during the siege it was in pursuit with Stoneman’s 
cavalry after the evacuation, and was engaged at Williamsburg, New Bridge, THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY,. 
321 
and Mechanicsville. It covered the withdrawal of the army from the left 
bank of the Chickahominy, being engaged at Gaines’ Mill. It was engaged 
at Malvern Hill, July i, and at Westover, July 3. While at Harrison’s 
Landing a corporal died, and permission to fire the usual salute being re- 
fused, it occurred to Capt. Tidball to have “ taps ” sounded instead ; whence 
the origin of this custom. The battery was with the rear guard on the 
withdrawal from the Peninsula. In the Maryland campaign it was in the 
advance with Pleasanton’s cavalry, and was engaged at Boonsboro, An- 
tietam, and Shepherdstown. It was with the cavalry in advance during the 
movement into Virginia, and was engaged at Piedmont, November 3, and 
Amissville, November 10. The battery was out with Averell’s cavalry in 
April, 1863, and was engaged at Rapidan Station, May 1, and with Pleasan- 
ton at Upperville, June 20. It went to Gettysburg with Buford’s cavalry, at 
which battle it fired the first shot, and after that battle was engaged at 
Williamsport, July 4, Boonsboro, July 8 and 9, and Funkstown, July 10. The 
battery, during September, was in action at Culpeper, Raccoon Ford, and 
Robinson River. In the campaign of 1864 the battery was engaged at Cold 
Harbor, Bottom’s Bridge, Trevilian Station, and St. Mary’s Church. While 
with the army before Petersburg it was several times detached on expedi- 
tions with the cavalry, being engaged at Deep Bottom, July 28, Lee’s Mill, 
July 31, Deep Run, August 16, Vaughn Plank Road, September 29, Boyd- 
ton Plank Road, October 27, Stoney Creek, December i,and on the Weldon 
Railroad, December 7-11. The battery was engaged at Dinwiddie C. II., 
March 31, Farmville, April 7, and Appomatox, April 9. After Lee’s sur- 
render it started for North Carolina with Sheridan, returning when John- 
ston’s surrender was known. The battery was commanded by Capt. 
Tidball until June, 1863 ; by Lieut. Calef at Gettysburg; by Lieut. Clarke 
until June, 1864; by Lieut. Dennison until February, 1865 ; then, until after 
the surrender, by Lieut. Lord. 
B Battery left Fort Monroe in August, 1861, on the Hatteras expedition, 
and took part in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark. Reaching Wash- 
ington in September, it was consolidated with L Battery, and early in 1862 
was made a horse battery. The battery went with the army to the Penin- 
sula. In front of Yorktown during the siege, it was with Stoneman’s cav- 
alry in pursuit after the evacuation. In this campaign the battery was 
engaged at Williamsburg, Slatersville, New Bridge, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ 
Mill, and Malvern Hill. In the Maryland campaign the battery was with 
the advance on leaving Washington, and was engaged near South Mountain, 
at Antietam, and at Shepherdstown. The battery was in action at Hall- 
town, October 3, and at Warrentown, November 6, and was opposite Fred- 
ericksburg, but not engaged, during the battle. The battery took part in 
Stoneman’s raid in the spring of 1863, and was engaged at Beverly Ford 
June 9. It was under fire at Gettysburg, but was not engaged. It was en- 
gaged at Funkstown, July 9, Falling Waters, July 14, Chester Gap, July 22, 
Culpeper, August 1, Brandy Station, August 4, Morton’s Ford, October 12, 
Brandy Station, October 13, Oak Hill, October 15, and Bealton Station 
October 26. In the campaign of 1864 the battery was in the battle of Todd’s 
Tavern and took part in Sheridan’s raids in May and June fighting at 322 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Yellow Tavern, Hanovertown, and Trevilian Station. It was also engaged 
at Deep Bottom, July 28. The battery went to the Valley in August, 1864, 
and was engaged at Newtown, Front Royal, Shepherdstown, Winchester, 
Milford, Waynesboro, Bridgewater, Cabin Hill, and Cedar Creek. It win- 
tered at Pleasant Valley and remained there until it left for Washington 
after Lee’s surrender. The combined battery was commanded by Capt. 
Robertson until October, 1862; by Lieut. Vincent until June, 1863; by Lieut. 
Heaton until August, 1864; thereafter by Lieut. Peirce. 
C Battery went to Dry Tortugas in January, 1861, and to Fort Pickens 
in September. It was in action on Santa Rosa Island, October 9, and in 
the bombardment of Fort Pickens, November 21 and 22, and January 1, 
1862. It went to Pensacola in May and to New Orleans in September. In 
December it was made a light battery and was sent to Baton Rouge. The 
battery took part in the Southern Louisiana expedition in April, 1863, and 
was engaged at Irish Bend, April 14. It took part in the siege of Port 
Hudson. After serving at various posts in the Department of the Gulf, but 
not actively engaged, it reached Washington in August, 1864, and remained 
in that vicinity until the close of the war. The battery was commanded by 
Capt. L. G. Arnold until March, 1862, thereafter by Lieut. J. I. Rodgers. 
D Battery, after being obliged to leave Fayetteville Arsenal, reached 
Washington, was made a light battery, and participated in the first Bull 
Run. In the Peninsular campaign it took part in the capture of West 
Point, and was in the battles of Gaines’ Mill, Glendale, and Malvern Hill. 
In the Maryland campaign it was engaged at Burkettsville and Antietam. 
It was in the battles of Fredericksburg in December, and Salem Church 
in May, 1863. At Gettysburg it was under fire but not engaged. After this 
battle it was detached from the 6th Corps, of which it had until now formed 
a part, made a horse battery, and assigned to Robertson’s Horse Artillery 
Brigade. During the fall of 1863 it was actively employed with the cavalry, 
being in action at Raccoon Ford and Robinson River in September, Mor- 
ton’s Ford and Liberty in October, and Muddy Run in November. In the 
campaign of 1864 the battery was engaged at Todd’s Tavern, and partici- 
pated in Sheridan’s raids in May and June, being engaged at Yellow Tavern, 
Matadequin Creek, and Trevilian Station. In August, 1864, the battery went 
to the Valley with Sheridan. It was in action in September at Milford and 
Luray. Returning to Pleasant Valley, it remained there until the end of 
the war. The battery was commanded at the first Bull Run by Capt. 
Arnold, 5th Artillery; in the Peninsula by Lieut. Upton, 5th Artillery; 
thereafter by Lieut. Williston. 
E Battery reached Washington from Augusta Arsenal in February, 1861, 
was made a light battery, and took part in the first Bull Run. It went with 
the army to the Peninsula, and having heavy guns (six 20-pdrs.) garrisoned 
a battery at the siege of Yorktown. During the campaign it was in action 
at New Bridge, Golding’s Farm, Turkey Bend, and Malvern Hill. It was 
then attached to the 9th Corps, and was engaged at the second Bull Run 
and Chantilly. In the Maryland campaign it was in the battles of South 
Mountain and Antietam. On the march through Virginia it was engaged at 
Warrenton Springs, November 18, and at Fredericksburg occupied the right THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
323 
of the artillery line on the north bank. The battery was sent West in April, 
1863, and took part in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. It 
was sent back to Kentucky in September, and to Knoxville in October. 
The battery was engaged in the operations around Knoxville in November 
and took a conspicuous part in the successful defense, against a greatly su- 
perior force, of Fort Sanders, which terminated the siege. The battery 
came East with Burnside in April, 1864, and was in the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, after which the battery was sent to Washington, and was not again in 
active service during the war. The battery was commanded until August, 
1862, by Capt. Carlisle, and during the rest of its active service by Lieut. 
Benjamin. 
F Battery, after being obliged to give up Little Rock, went to St. Louis, 
was made alight battery, and took part in the capture of Camp Jackson 
and in the operations in Missouri under Lyon and Pope. It was engaged 
at Booneville, June 3, and Wilson’s Creek, August 10, 1861, and in the cap- 
ture of New Madrid, March, 1862. The battery crossed the Mississippi in 
April and was engaged at Farmington and in the operations around Corinth 
in May. It took part in the advance on Iuka in September but was not en- 
gaged, and in the battle of Corinth, October 4. The battery was engaged 
at Town Creek, Alabama, in April, 1863, and was then sent to Memphis, 
where it remained until October. The battery took part in the Atlanta 
campaign, being engaged at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and Ruff’s 
Mills. During the battle on the Chattahoochee, July 22, the battery was 
ordered to another part of the line. In obeying the order, and while moving 
unsupported through a wood, the entire battery, the officers, and part of the 
men were captured. The remnant of the battery served a 4 1-2 inch siege 
gun in the siege of Atlanta. The battery was reorganized and sent back to 
Nashville, being in position during the battle. The battery was stationed 
thereafter at Nashville, Bridgeport, and Chattanooga until August, 1865. It 
was commanded by Capt. Totten in the first part of 1861, by Capt. Molinard 
fora few months in 1863, by Lieut. Murray from July, 1863, until July, 1864, 
and the rest of the time by officers not belonging to the regiment. 
G Battery reached Washington from Mackinac in May, 1861, was made a 
light battery, and took part in the first Bull Run. In the Peninsular cam- 
paign it was attached to the 3d Corps and was in the battles of Glendale 
and Malvern Hill. It went into Maryland with Couch’s Division but was 
not actively engaged. After Antietam the battery was attached to the 6th 
Corps and was in the battle of Fredericksburg in December, and in the bat- 
tles of Fredericksburg and Salem Church, May 3 and 4, 1863. It was in 
action on the Rappahannock, June 15. The battery reached Gettysburg 
with the 6th Corps, July 2, but was not actively engaged. After this battle 
it was made a horse battery and assigned to Tidball’s Horse Artillery Bri- 
gade. Crossing the Potomac, it was actively employed with the cavalry in 
Virginia in the fall of 1863, being engaged near Culpeper, September 13, 
and near the same place November 8. In the latter action, Lieut. J, H. 
Butler, commanding the battery, received a wound, necessitating amputation 
of the leg. The battery was in action at Burnett’s Ford, February 7, 1864, and 
at Cold Harbor, May 31 and June 1. In June the battery was dismounted and 324 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
sent to Washington, having no more active service during the war. The 
battery was commanded at the first Bull Run by Lieut. O. D. Greene; until 
March, 1862, by Capt. Thompson ; until November, 1863, by Lieut. Butler; 
and thereafter, until dismounted, by Lieut. Dennison. 
H Battery reached Washington from Leavenworth in February, 1861, 
and arrived at Fort Pickens in April. It was in action on Santa Rosa 
Island, October 9, and in bombarding enemy’s works November 22, 1861, 
and January 1. 1862. The battery remained at Pickens and Barrancas until 
May, 1864, when it went North, and was thereafter stationed, with the ex- 
ception of two months in New York Harbor, at Fort McHenry until the 
regiment left for California. The battery was commanded during most of 
the war by Capt. Larned. 
I Battery arrived at Fort McHenry from Fort Ridgeley in April, 1861, 
and remained thereuntil May, 1864, when it went to Washington. It was 
engaged in the defenses of Washington July 11, 12, and 13, 1864. In April, 
1865, the battery went to Alabama, as infantry, and to Chattanooga in June, 
returning East in August. The battery was commanded by various offi- 
cers, generally by the regimental adjutant 
K Batter}' arrived in Washington from Plattsburgh in February, 1861, and 
went from there to Fort Pickens in April. The battery was engaged in the 
bombardment of November 22, 23, and 24, 1861, and January 1, 1862. The 
battery remained there until May, 1864, when it went to Fort Hamilton. It 
went to Fort McHenry in August, and remained there and at Fort Federal 
Hill, Baltimore, until the regiment went to California. The battery was 
commanded by Capt. Allen until 1863, then by Capt. Smalley. 
H, I and K batteries had no service as light batteries during the Re- 
bellion. 
L Battery went from Fort Monroe to Washington in September, 1861, 
and was consolidated with B Battery, already mentioned. 
M Battery, after getting out of Texas, went to New York and thence to 
Fort Pickens, whence it returned and took part, as a light battery, in the 
first Bull Run. It was made a horse battery in November and took part in 
the Peninsular campaign. After the evacuation of Yorktown, the battery 
went in pursuit with the cavalry, being engaged at Williamsburg and Han- 
over Court House, It was engaged at Malvern Hill, July 1 and August 5, 
Captain Benson being mortally wounded in the latter battle. In the Mary- 
land campaign the battery was in advance with the cavalry and was en- 
gaged near South Mountain and at Antietam. It was in pursuit after the 
battle, fighting at Martinsburg, October 1, and at Nolan’s Ford, October 
12, after making a march of 80 miles in a little over 24 hours. Crossing the 
Potomac, it was engaged with the cavalry during November at Purcellville, 
Philomont, Upperville, Barbee’s Cross Roads and Amissville. At Freder- 
icksburg the battery was in reserve. The battery took part in Stoneman’s 
raid in the spring of 1863, and was engaged at Beverly Ford, June 9. In 
the Gettysburg campaign the battery was engaged at Hunterstown and 
Hanover, and on the right at Gettysburg, July 3. After the battle the bat- 
tery was in pursuit, fighting at Monterey, Smithsburg, Williamsport, Boons- 
boro, Hagerstown, and Falling Waters, and at Battle Mountain, Va., July THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
325 
24. It was engaged at James City, Brandy Station, and Buckland Mills in 
October, and at Raccoon and Morton’s Fords in November. In the cam- 
paign of 1864 the battery was engaged at Craig’s Meeting House, May 5, 
and at Todd’s Tavern, and took part in Sheridan’s raids in May and June, 
being engaged at Meadow Bridge, Strawberry Hill and Trevilian Station. 
The battery went to the Valley in August, and was engaged at Summit 
Point and Kearneysville in August, at the Opequan in September, and at 
Lacy’s Springs in December. The battery wintered at Pleasant Valley. 
One section remained there until the close of the war. The rifle section 
(Lieut. Woodruff) left in February with Sheridan to join the Army of the 
Potomac, and was engaged at Waynesboro, Dinwiddie Court House, Five 
Forks, Namozine Church, Sailor’s Creek, and Appomatox. The battery 
was commanded at the first Bull Run, by Maj. Hunt, in the Peninsula by 
Capt. Benson until mortally wounded in August, until September by Lieut. 
Hains, until September, 1864, by Lieut. Pennington, and thereafter by 
Lieut. Woodruff. 
The following officers of the regiment were killed during the war: 1st 
Lieut. John T. Greble at Big Bethel, June 10, 1861. 2d Lieut. Presley O. 
Craig at the first Bull Run. 1st Lieut. Guilford D. Bailey, Chief of Artillery 
of Casey’s division, at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Capt. Henry Benson died 
August 11 of wound received August 5, 1862, at Malvern Hill. 2d Lieut. 
Samuel D. Southworth at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. 2d Lieut. Thomas 
Burns at Hatcher’s Run, October 28, 1864. 1st Lieut Albert M. Murray, 
captured near Atlanta, July 22, 1864, died in a rebel prison three weeks 
later. 
The regiment was assembled at Fort McHenry in August, 1865, and 
sailed from there for California via the Isthmus, under command of General 
W. H. French, the lieutenant-colonel. Arriving at San Francisco in Sep- 
tember the batteries were at first distributed among the posts in the harhor, 
with headquarters at the Presidio. In October two batteries (C and L) 
were sent to the mouth of the Columbia and one (I) to San Juan Island, 
which, pending the settlement of the boundary question, was occupied 
jointly by the United States and Great Britain. 
General Morris died at Fort McHenry, December 11, 1865, and W. F. 
Barry became colonel. General Barry remained on detached service in the 
East and when the Artillery School was started again he was assigned to 
its command, which he retained until 1877, General French meanwhile com- 
manding the regiment. 
On the purchase of Alaska from Russia, United States troops were sent 
there, and during part of the Pacific Coast tour of the regiment portions of 
it garrisoned Sitka, Kodiak, Tongass, Wrangell, and Kenai, beside furnish- 
ing detachments to enforce the seal fishery regulations on St. Paul’s and St. 
George’s Islands in Behring Sea. Batteries C, E, F, G, H and I had Alaska 
service. In July, 1868, Battery F, Lieut. McGilvray, while seeking a suit- 
able site for a post on Cook’s Inlet was shipwrecked. All the property and 
records, but no lives, were lost. Battery K was sent to Fort Monroe in 
November, 1867. In the spring of 1869 an order was issued dismounting 
Battery M and sending Battery A to Fort Riley, where a light artillery 326 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
school was ordered established. Indian troubles prevented the plans for the 
school from being carried out, the batteries were called upon to go into the 
field as cavalry, and in May, 1871, the battery was sent back to the Presidio. 
Late in 1872 the regiment (except C and H, which followed in January, 
1873) came East. Headquarters and A, C and H went to Fort McHenry ; 
B to Fort Foote; and the other batteries to posts in North Carolina. De- 
tachments were sent out from time to time, principally from F, at Morgan- 
ton, after moonshiners. 
In July, 1876, after the Custer massacre, C, G and H were sent to Indian 
Territory and I, to Fort Dodge, Kansas. In September D, L and M were 
sent to into South Carolina for duty in connection with the approaching 
election. The unsettled state of affairs arising from this election resulted 
in bringing to Washington the batteries that had gone West, and later 
the batteries from the Carolinas, except M, which was left at Fort Johns- 
ton. Batteries A, C, D, G, I and L took part in the inauguration of Presi- 
dent Hayes. 
The whole regiment was out during the labor riots of 1877. Batteries C, 
D, E, F. G, H, I and L, and a detachment of A, all under command of Gen- 
eral French, arrived at Martinsburg on the morning of July 19, and were 
occupied for the next month along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, open- 
ing the road for traffic and protecting property. A was on duty at Camden 
Station, Baltimore, for a few days in July. B, K and M were sent out on 
the Pennsylvania Railroad and were for some time at Pittsburgh. In 
August, the troubles on the railroads being over, most of the regiment was 
brought together at Fort McHenry, whence a battalion, consisting of E, F, 
G and L, was sent, the last of August, to reestablish the post of Carlisle 
Barracks. After remaining there three weeks, disturbances having occurred 
in the coal regions, they were sent to Wilkesbarre, where they were joined 
by Battery C from McHenry. There were also in camp there most of the 
22d Infantry, five batteries of the 5th Artillery, and Sinclair’s light battery 
of the 3d. In October all the batteries of the regiment were again at their 
regular stations. 
In December, trouble with Mexico being thought probable, the four 
Carlisle batteries were sent to San Antonio, Texas. In January, 1878, L wras 
made a light battery, F was afterwards made a machine-gun battery, and 
horses and Gatlings, but not a full equipment, were temporarily issued to E 
and G. In May Battery F, part with guns and horses and part as infantry, 
and a platoon of Battery L went to Fort Clark, and in June accompanied 
General Mackenzie on his expedition into Mexico. Battery I having been 
sent from Fort Foote to Fort Ontario, the regiment was now scattered 
literally from the Canadian to the Mexican border. 
General Barry died at Fort McHenry, July 18, 1879, and Lieut.-Colonel 
Romeyn B. Ayres, 3d Artillery, became colonel. 
In October, 1880, Battery L was dismounted and after several changes 
arrived at Fort McHenry. Battery F was designated a regular light bat- 
tery in November, and after some changes of station finally settled at 
Leavenworth. E and Gwent to Fort Brown in December, 1879, and a year 
later to Arkansas. In January, 1881, headquarters went to Washington THE SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
Barracks, where one or more batteries had been stationed since 1877. This 
became a five-battery post, and three batteries were left at McHenry, Forts 
Foote, Ontario, and Johnston, no longer being garrisoned by the regiment. 
After the shooting of President Garfield in July, 1881, the regiment fur- 
nished guards at the White House until after the removal of the President 
to Elberon in September, and at the jail until after the execution of Guiteau. 
In September a detachment under Lieut. Weaver accompanied the Presi- 
dent’s remains to Ohio. 
In June, 1885, the regiment was ordered South, exchanging with the 3d. 
Headquarters, G and L went to St. Augustine, and B and H to Fort Bar- 
rancas, Florida ; C and D to Mt. Vernon Barracks, Alabama ; I and M to 
Jackson Barracks, Louisiana ; A joined E at Little Rock Barracks, Arkan- 
sas. In the summer of 1888 yellow fever was prevalent in the South and 
the garrisons of St. Augustine and Barrancas went into camp near Hunts- 
ville, Alabama. K and M from Jackson Barracks (Battery I having re- 
placed K at Fort Monroe) were sent in September to Fort Wadsworth, New 
York Harbor, by sea, and were replaced in December by Battery E from 
Little Rock. 
General Ayres died December 4, 1888, in the village of Fort Hamilton 
and Lieut.-Colonel John Mendenhall, 4th Artillery, became colonel. 
In May, 1889, the regiment came to the New England coast, exchanging 
with the 4th. Headquarters, C, G and H went to Fort Adams; E to Fort 
Preble ; B and D to Fort Warren ; L to Fort Trumbull. A went from Lit- 
tle Rock to Fort Riley, marching through Arkansas and Indian Territory. 
In May, 1890, K and M were transferred from Wadsworth to Fort Schuyler, 
and in November, 1891, Light Battery F changed from Leavenworth to Fort 
Riley. In April, 1892, the Schuyler garrison was changed, K and L, and 
H and M, interchanging stations. 
Colonel Mendenhall died at Fort Adams July 1,1892, and Lieut.-Colonel 
Richard Lodor, 1st Artillery, became colonel. 
The whole regiment, since its organization in 1821, has been together but 
twice,—in 1838 and in 1865, and then only for a short time, and it is to be 
regretted that there is no prospect of its soon being together again. At 
present, besides furnishing garrisons for five posts, it has batteries at two 
other posts, and the same has been true for the past eight years. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
LIEUT. WM. E. BIRKHIMER, Adjutant 3D U. S. Artillery. 
X. ORGANIZATION. 
THE history of the Third United States Artillery dates from the reor- 
ganization of the army pursuant to Act of Congress, March 2, 1821. 
This act reduced the military establishment, and fixed the line at 
four regiments of artillery and seven of infantry. It marks an im- 
portant epoch in the history of the army. 
It is true that, prior to this, there had periodically existed in the United 
States army a third regiment of artillery. There was one during the Revolu- 
tion ; it was organized originally in 1775 by Colonel Richard Gridley, of Mass- 
achusetts, a half-pay British officer, the command soon passing to Henry Knox 
and finally to John Crane. Although numbered third it was in fact the oldest 
of the four continental artillery regiments. It began its career before and 
lasted longer than any other. Crane ranked all the other artillery colonels 
and, when the artillery was consolidated in 1783, he was given command by 
General Washington. Excepting one company, the revolutionary artillery : 
was soon after disbanded. 
The reorganizing Act c. March 16, 1802, provided for one regiment of 
artillerists. The Act of January 11, 1812, authorized two regiments of artil- 
lery. The primary object was to utilize these regiments as sea-coast defend- 
ers ; a light artillery regiment, to move with armies in the field, having been 
authorized, for a limited time, by the Act of April 12, 1808. The three sea- 
coast regiments were, in so far as promotions and other details of service 
were concerned, kept as distinct as though they had belonged to three dif- 
ferent arms ; nevertheless, officially, they were designated the first, second 
and third regiments of artillery. Alexander Macomb, afterwards General-in- 
chief of the army, was colonel of the Third Regiment, which enjoyed a brief, 
though highly distinguished career, serving, like its revolutionary predeces- 
sor, from first to last in the face of the enemy. But the heavy artillery, in 
the War of 1812, principally did duty as infantry, taking its place in the 
works on the sea-coast or in line of battle on the field, as occasion de- 
manded. Pursuant to Act March 30, 1814, this arm was reorganized into a 
so-called corps, and here the new Third Artillery disappeared. 
It thus will be seen that, if the hiatuses from 1783 to 1812, and from 1814 
to 1821 be bridged, the Third Artillery legally may trace its history to 1775, 
when the Colonial army first confronted the British at Boston. The regi- 
ment does not, however, claim the right to do this. It does not seek thus 
to span two such periods in an hypothetical existence. But should the hal- 
cyon days come in which the War Department sanctions uniting the pre- 
historic with the present, the regiment’s genealogical tree will be found 
planted near the source of the stream. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY• 
329 
The army had been reduced in 1815, after the war with Great Britain, to 
10,000 men, and the Act of 1821 still further reduced it to 5600 enlisted. 
The reorganization consequent upon the latter reduction was based upon 
no well considered military principle. Alleged economic reasons alone 
prompted the measure. The new artillery, however, had some features 
worthy of notice. The Ordnance Department—previously a corps of me- 
chanics—was now merged in that arm, and a supernumerary captain 
attached to each artillery regiment also, assisted by detailed artillery lieuten- 
ants, was to perform ordnance duty. It was further provided that one com- 
pany in each artillery regiment should be designated and equipped as light 
artillery. Although the language of the law was mandatory, this feature 
long remained a dead letter on the statute-book. The companies so desig- 
nated continued to carry muskets and serve as infantry or sea-coast artillery 
for many years ; their only distinction being some slight differences of uni- 
form, and the fact that their field-music consisted of bugles instead of the 
fife and drum. In later years, under the able and enlightened administra- 
tion of Secretary of War Poinsett, this provision of the law was given ef- 
fect, and, as the event has proved, to the imperishable glory not only of the 
artillery but of the army. 
Prior to the reorganization of 1821 the artillery embraced the light regi- 
ment and the corps ; the former of 10 companies, the latter of 32 arranged to 
8 equal battalions, in all 42 companies—3860 enlisted men. The four new 
artillery regiments numbered 36 companies—9 each—a total reduction of 6 
companies, but of 1872 enlisted men—nearly 50 per cent. Before this re- 
duction there were in the artillery 1 colonel, 10 other field, and 190 company 
officers—or 1 officer to 19.2 men ; afterwards, 4 colonels, 8 other field, and 
190 company officers, or 1 officer to 10.1 men. Here, for the first time, the 
skeleton regular peace establishment plan—many officers and few men, to 
expand in time of war—was put in operation ; a veritable military ignis 
fatuus which, as to the regular army, in practice, has never materialized. 
After the reduction of 1815 the 8 artillery-corps battalions—4 companies 
to each—were arranged with strict impartiality to the geographical military 
divisions. In each division the artillery companies were lettered from A 
to Q inclusive, excluding J ; 4 companies, numbered from 1 to 4 inclusive, 
constituting a battalion. The companies of the disbanded artillery or- 
ganizations which were arranged to form the present Third Artillery pursu- 
ant to the Act of 1821 were as follows: 
Letters of 3d. Former designation. 
A... .E 3d Battalion Northern Division. 
B ... .B 2d Battalion Southern Division. 
C ... .F 3d Battalion Northern Division. 
D. .. .K 2d Battalion Southern Division. 
E I Lt. Art. and Q xst. Bat. So. Div. 
Letters of 3d. Former designation. 
F ... .E 1st Battalion Southern Division. 
Gj. .. .P 2d Battalion Southern Division. 
H F Light Artillery. 
I O 2d Battalion Southern Division. 
The staff embraced i colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, adjutant, ser- 
geant-major and quartermaster-sergeant each, the adjutant being a company- 
officer. This organization remained intact until the Act of April 5, 1832, 
took away the supernumerary captain for ordnance duty, while organizing 330 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the Ordnance Department anew, although artillery lieutenants continued to 
be detailable under the Act of 1821 for duty therein. 
There was here perpetuated in the artillery, as a permanent part of its 
organization, a feature that always did and always will prove a curse, 
namely, giving each company a double-row of both first and second lieu- 
tenants. This as to first lieutenants has remained unchanged, as to second 
leutenants it now is simply authorized. No army is wisely organized which 
does not, by the ordinary casualties of service, furnish the officers a reasonable 
chance of promotion. The corps as organized in 1814 had the same fault. 
In both cases it was expected that the extra lieutenants would be available for 
ordnance or other kindred duties directly in the line of the artilleryman. 
The trouble was and has continued to be that, when the ordnance depart- 
ment was reorganized in 1832 and 1838, these extra lieutenants were not 
placed therein and cut off from the regimental organizations. 
It was a fundamental error to unite the light and heavy artillery as was 
done in 1821. The duties of these two branches of the arm are so dissimi- 
lar that, to be most efficiently performed, their organizations must be radi- 
cally different. 
It would naturally result that, in a regiment with three field officers to 
nine companies, and four lieutenants to each captain, promotion, unless 
stimulated by a bloody war or sickly season, would soon come to a stand- 
still. Fora time after 1821 stagnation in promotion was even worse in the 
lower branches of the artillery than it is now. In greater or less degree the 
same stagnation affected the other arms of service, but not to the same ex- 
tent as the artillery. To such a pitch did the evil attain that in January, 1836, 
sixty-nine graduates were attached to the army as brevet second lieutenants. 
Plainly the supply was greater than the demand. As a natural result of 
this state of affairs again, officers began to turn from a profession which 
furnished so little hope of advancement. During the same year 117 officers 
resigned, and seven others, including a lieutenant-colonel, declined commis- 
sions. Among those who left the Third Artillery at this time was Lieuten- 
ant George G. Meade, the future victor at Gettysburg. 
This extraordinary exodus of the best young officers in service attracted 
the serious attention of Congress. It was seen that the attempt to main- 
tain a cheap army, when all avenues to promotion were practically closed to 
officers of subordinate grades, was a failure. So-called economy had over- 
reached itself. About this time the Florida war was precipitated and for years 
dragged its slow length along amidst miasmic swamps more fatal than the 
weapons of the concealed and savage foe. Regimental officers were all 
required in the field, where death by the enemy’s bullet or sickness greatly 
and rapidly depleted their numbers. The occasion was considered propitious 
for a general rectification all along the line ! this was particularly the case 
with the staff, which then, as since, found the hey-day of their happiness 
when the regiments were fighting the enemy in the field, and which staff, by 
Act of July 5, 1838, was very largely augmented. The artillery was at the 
same time increased by one company—K—in each regiment, while the num- 
ber of privates per company was temporarily increased by 16, bringing the 
number up to 58, and the number of company second lieutenants reduced to THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
331 
one, the surplus officers being absorbed gradually either in the new staff 
or in their regiments. But in truth the great number of resignations, 
together with the Florida war, had so reduced the army that there were 
very few to be thus absorbed. The increase of 16 men per company was 
only for the Florida war, which virtually terminated in 1842, when, by Act 
of August 23d, that year, the number of privates was reduced to the same 
number, and the artificers to one less per company, than fixed by the Act 
of March 2, 1821. 
The Mexican War, soon after precipitated, wrought a very considerable, 
and, contrary to expectation at the time, permanent change in the organi- 
zation of the artillery. The expansive idea for the regular army was now 
attempted to be acted upon, and the President, by Act May 13, 1846, 
was authorized to increase the number of privates to 100 in each company 
and at discretion reduce it again to 64; the Act February 11, 1847, 
added a second major and a quartermaster, the Act March 3, 1847, gave two 
principal musicians and one principal teamster to each regiment, two 
teamsters to each company, two additional companies to each artillery regi- 
ment, authorized the equipping another company in each as light artillery, 
and gave all the latter mounted pay. These acts were therefore important 
for the artillery. All this was not without reason; and the immediate 
reason was the approved fighting qualities of the artillery on the Rio 
Grande and in Mexico. The country wanted more troops of that kind. The 
increase was, however, intended to be temporary only, except the addi- 
tional two companies. The extra majors were wanted for recruiting duty. 
The regimental quartermaster, and the teamsters, regimental and company, 
were authorized upon the recommendation of the Quartermaster-General, 
after reports by General Taylor of the inefficiency of that department in the 
field. The quartermaster, not being an extra officer, was not affected by 
the clause providing for disbandment after the war; the majors were retained 
permanently, and the principal musicians temporarily, by Act July 19, 1848, 
but the teamsters disappeared with the war. 
The only other act, prior to the Civil War, affecting the artillery, was that 
of June 17, 1850, which fixed the number of privates in a light company at 
64, but authorized the President to increase the number of privates in any 
company under certain circumstances, to 74 at the expense of other com- 
panies. 
The organization of the Third Artillery, like that of all the four old regi- 
ments, remained unchanged until after the War of the Rebellion, when by 
Act of July 28, 1866, it was given, with slight modification, the same organi- 
zation as the Fifth Artillery, organized by Act July 29,1861. The effect was 
to increase the number of majors by one, to make the adjutant, the quarter- 
master and commissary extra lieutenants, increase the regimental non-com- 
missioned staff by 1 commissary sergeant, 2 principal musicians and 1 hospital 
steward, and the battery by 1 sergeant, 4 corporals and a number of privates to 
raise the whole number to not exceed 122 at the discretion of the President, 
who was also authorized to add to each battery x first and 1 second lieutenant, 
2 sergeants and 4 corporals—battery being the new legal designation for the 
old company. The Act of March 3, 1869, added a chief musician, while that of 332 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
July 15. 1870, abolished the grade of regimental commissary sergeant and 
hospital steward, and reduced the number of corporals per battery to four. 
Under the operation of these laws, therefore, the maximum organization of 
a regiment of artillery at this time is: 1 colonel, 1 lieut-colonel, 3 majors, 
1 adjutant, 1 quartermaster and commissary, 1 sergeant-major, 1 quarter- 
master-sergeant, 1 chief musician, 2 principal musicians, and 12 batteries, 
each battery 1 captain, 2 first and 2 second lieutenants, 1st sergeant, 1 quarter- 
master-sergeant, 8 sergeants, 4 corporals, 2 musicians, 2 artificers, 1 wagoner, 
and not to exceed 122 privates. Such remains the organization of the artil- 
lery regiments to-day. The vicious feature is the retention of 4 lieutenants 
to 1 captain. This is simply annihilation to the ambition of younger officers, 
who in consequence labor under disadvantages which do not, to anything 
like an equal degree, affect any other part of the army. 
The Fifth was organized as a light artillery regiment. But its organiza- 
tion was a mistake, if it was to be maintained after peace, as, though the act 
authorizing it did not so contemplate, was actually the case. From 1821 and 
before then, this excessive number of subaltern artillery officers relatively to 
others, has proved detrimental in the matter of promotion ; and yet no 
other branch of service, tested by the demands of actual warfare, has furn- 
ished a greater number of distinguished commanders. 
II. PERSONNEL. 
The officers arranged to the Third Artillery in 1821, were a distinguished 
body of men. Colonel W. K. Armistead, a soldier of twenty years service, 
was transferred from the position of chief of Engineers to make way for 
Macomb, razeed from brigadier. The other field officers, Mitchell and 
Bankhead, were veterans of the War of 1812 ; the former soon resigned, 
serving afterwards in Congress ; the latter, as colonel of the Second Artillery, 
lived to distinguish himself again in the war with Mexico. 
Of the captains, Roger Jones, Samuel B. Archer and Felix Ansart had 
been brevetted for gallant conduct in battle. The former was afterwards 
for many years Adjutant-General, and Archer Inspector-General of the army. 
Captain Henry Knox Craig became chief of ordnance, while 1st Lieutenant 
John A. Dix, the distinguished Union general, and 2d Lieutenant Samuel 
Ringgold, who subsequently commanded and fought with the first company 
of horse artillery equipped in the United States Army, were among the sub- 
alterns. 
It would be an interesting and grateful task to trace the honorable 
careers of officers whose names from time to time have graced the rolls of 
the Third Artillery. Space, however, will permit us here to recall but a few. 
The oldest living graduate, Mr. Wm. C. Young of New York City, whose 
labors have done so much to develop the railroad system of the country, was a 
2d lieutenant in 1823 ; George S. Greene, the gallant old soldier who, though 
threescore years of age, left the position of chief engineer Croton Water Works, 
when the Civil War broke out, and served with highest honors as colonel and 
general officer, joined the Third Artillery as lieutenant in 1823; Robert P. Par- 
rott, so well and favorably known to the world through his invaluable services 
to the Union cause by a new system of ordnance, was a lieutenant from 1S24 THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
333 
to 1836; so also from 1825 to 1832, was Benjamin Huger, subsequently a 
major-general in the Confederate service ; Albert E. Church, the honored 
West Point Professor of Mathematics, served from 1828 to 1838; Robert 
Anderson, the hero of Ft. Sumter, was an officer of the regiment for thirty- 
two years, from 1825 to 1857 ; Erasmus D. Keyes, afterwards a major-general 
of volunteers, from 1832 to 1858; George G. Meade from his entry into ser- 
vice until he resigned as before mentioned. Thomas W. Sherman contin- 
uously from 1836 to 1861, and again from 1863 to 1870 as colonel; Braxton 
Bragg, afterwards lieutenant-general in the Confederate service, from 1837 
to 1856; William T. Sherman from 1840 to 1850; Stewart Van Vliet from 
1840 to 1847 ; Jubal A. Early, the Confederate lieutenant-general, from 1837 
until he resigned ; George H. Thomasfrom i84oto 1855 ; John F. Reynolds, 
who was killed while commanding his corps on the first day at Gettysburg, 
from 1841 to 1861 ; E. O. C. Ord from 183910 1861 ; Samuel G. Field, after- 
wards a Confederate major-general, from 1843 to 1848 ; A. E. Burnside from 
1847 to 1853 ; Romeyn B. Ayres from 1847 to 1861, and as lieutenant-colonel 
from 1870 to 1879; Beekman Du Barry, subsequently commissary general, 
from 1850 to 1861 ; Henry J. Hunt, the distinguished chief of artillery, Army 
of the Potomac, was lieutenant-colonel of the regiment from 1863 to 1869, 
and George W. Getty colonel from 1870 to 1883 ; besides many others, 
whose services with the regiment, though rendered in less conspicuous sta- 
tions, have, as hereafter will more fully appear, been none the less faithful 
or honorable. The Army Register for 1866, the first issued after the close 
of the Civil War, sets forth the proud record of the Third Artillery. The 
lieutenant-general, 2 major-, and 1 brigadier-generals of the 17 general officers 
of the fighting part of the army—nearly one-fourth—served their novitiate 
and received their first practical lessons in the military art in the commis- 
sioned ranks of the regiment. Moreover, not one of these generals was a 
mere political appointment. Not one of them was made a general officer 
for what he was expected to do, but for what he had done. 
III. SERVICES. 
From 1821 to 1827 the Third Artillery occupied the central Atlantic sta- 
tions from Annapolis, Md., to Charleston, S. C. This was a season of quiet. 
The arm was not, however, professionally inactive. In 1824 “the artil- 
lery corps of instruction ” was established at Fortress Monroe, Va.,—the 
forerunner of the present school there—and maintained until broken up by 
the demands of the Florida War for troops. 
In 1827 the stations of the Third were changed to the New England 
coast, headquarters, Ft. Independence, Massachusetts. Existence was tran- 
quil, duties merely routine. The early thirties, however, brought more ex- 
citement. In 1831, B, E, H, took station at Fortress Monroe, whence, next 
year, B and H were sent to Charleston, S. C., to put down the nullification- 
ists; proceeding thence to the disturbed Seminole and Creek Indian dis- 
tricts of Florida and Alabama. When the Florida War broke out C and I 
were also in the hostile country. This was precipitated by a tragic event— 
familiarly known as Dade’s massacre. On December 28, 1835, Brevet Major 
and Captain Francis L. Dade, 4th Infantry, with one company of the Second 334 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and B of the Third, was ambushed near the crossing of the Withlacoochee 
River, Florida, and all but 4 privates killed, one of whom belonged to B. 
Captain Upton S. Fraser, 2d Lieut. R. R. Mudge, Brevet 2d Lieut. John L. 
Keais, and thirty-one enlisted men of the Third fell on the field. 
Upon receipt of this intelligence, the steps of the whole regiment were 
at once bent towards the theatre of hostilities—where A, D, E, F, G arrived 
in June, 1836. Meanwhile the companies in Florida were actively engaged. 
On December 31, 1835, C, H were with General Clinch when he defeated 
the Seminoles near Withlacoochee ford. On March 29, 1836, C, H, I, part 
of the force under General Clinch, were again engaged near the Withlacoo- 
chee. The same companies met the Indians again on June 9 and 19, 1836, 
the former near Macinope, the latter between that place and Ft. Drane. 
Later in the year, A, C, H, I encountered the Indians at Ft. Drane, August 
21st; on the Withlacoochee River, October 13th ; and in the Wahoo swamp, 
on November2i, 1836. At this time the other companies of the regiment, ex- 
cept B, were in Alabama assisting to overawe the Creeks. B, after its an- 
nihilation, was reorganized in Massachusetts, and joined the regiment in 
the field in January, 1837, being engaged with the enemy at Camp Munroe, 
Fla., February 8th, following. 
During 1837 all the companies were actively employed against the enemy, 
driving them from one fastness to another, yet rarely seeing them. The 
service was distressing beyond description. It was almost impossible to 
bring the Indians to bay except they wished it. Besides, the bullets of a 
concealed savage foe were less destructive to life than the reptiles abound- 
ing and diseases contracted under a vertical sun in the almost boundless 
and impenetrable swamps. The year 1837 was the season of General Jes- 
up’s advent upon the theatre of operations. It were tedious and unprofitable 
to follow the companies of the Third in all their wanderings through the 
everglades. Suffice it to say they were constantly on the move, drawing 
tighter the cordon about the Indians who gradually were being made pris- 
oners or exterminated. All the companies were in the field, traversing the 
hostile district in every direction. In May, 1837, C was mounted, and with 
B, 4th Artillery, performed the duty of scouts until the 12th of the following 
December when the horses were turned in. 
The termination of this year was signalized by an event of great interest 
to the regiment. For the first time since its organization all the compa- 
nies were united ; they were mustered together December 31, 1837, at Fort 
Christmas, Florida. 
The next day the regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Gates, marched, in 
Brevet Brigadier Eustis’ brigade, against the hostiles, who were defeated, 
January 24th, at the Locheehatchie. The Indians were now coming in rap- 
idly. But the Cherokees, in the northern part of Georgia, were now to be 
removed west of the Mississippi, and troops were needed to start them. 
Accordingly, in April, 1838, A, F, H, I, under Lieut.-Colonel Gates, fol- 
lowed, May 7th, by D, C, E, G, under Brevet Major McClintock, 4th Artil- 
lery, and later by B, marched across the peninsula from Fort Jupiter to 
Tampa Bay, and proceeded via New Orleans and Tuscumbia, Ala., to 
Chattanooga, Tenn., where the regiment was again, and, so far as known, for THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
335 
the last time united ; for, although K was authorized at this time, it was not 
yet organized. Here the Third remained, camped on the sites of subse- 
quent famous battle-fields, until the Cherokees started west, when it re- 
turned, piecemeal, via Augusta, Georgia, to the theatre of active opera- 
tions in Florida. On November 19, 1838, C was broken up, the men 
transferred to other companies, and the lieutenants ordered to Carlisle, Pa., 
where the company, as will hereafter be narrated, was being reorganized as 
horse-artillery. To keep up the equilibrium in Florida, however, K, the 
newly authorized company, joined December 24, 1838. 
During the remaining years of the Florida War, 1839, ’40, ’41, ’42, there was 
no relaxation in the arduous nature of the services required of the regiment, 
which was scattered all over the northern part of the peninsula, building 
roads and posts, following and skirmishing with the Indians. The latter, while 
ordinarily small affairs, judged by casualties alone, were generally brought 
about only after great suffering on the part of the troops, to whom the in- 
numerable annoying and venomous insects of the swamps rendered existence 
intolerable. To fight the Indian was a relief, for it had at least the charm 
of excitement. But they had learned by dear experience that they were no 
match for the whites in the long run, and therefore avoided the latter ex- 
cept when fortuitous circumstances gave them every advantage. Never- 
theless, the Third had frequent passages at arms with them in the campaign 
of 1839 under Brevt. Brigadier-General Z. Taylor ; again on July 26, at New 
River inlet, November 1, on the Picolata road, December 3-24 in fihe Ever- 
glades, all in 1840; and at the latter place, January 7, 1841. The campaign 
of 1840, carried on through the tropical heat of summer, was particularly 
trying. 
The war may be said to have ended August, 1842. The Indians, origi- 
nally 7000 strong, excepting 300, 95 of whom were warriors, were killed or ex- 
pelled, and those excepted were compelled to live within certain prescribed 
limits. Eleven officers of the Third died in Florida during that war ; of these 
three fell in action, and one died of wounds; 45 enlisted-men were killed by 
the Indians, and 113 died of disease. Nearly every officer of the Third was 
in the field. Ten were brevetted for gallantry in specific actions. 
The war being over, the Third, in 1842, occupied the stations from Smith- 
ville, N. C., to St. Augustine, Fla., where it remained until the Mexican War. 
The re-organizing act of March 2, 1821, provided, as before mentioned, 
that in each regiment of artillery, one company should be designated and 
equipped as light artillery. In 1838 the initiatory steps were taken to carry 
this provision into effect. Brevt. Major Samuel Ringgold, captain 3d Artil- 
lery, was selected by Secretary Poinsett for this work. Hitherto the great 
objection to carrying the law into execution was the attendant expense. 
But now a number of horses rendered surplus, after some of the south- 
ern Indians had been removed, were available for the purpose of mounting 
C company as horse artillery in which role it served until after the Mexican 
War. Companies of the other artillery regiments were also soon afterwards 
mounted, but as field artillery. In Ringgold’s company the drivers were 
armed with the sabre ; all other enlisted men with sabre and pistol. In the 
field companies, the mounted men were armed in the same way, but the can- 336 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
noneers each with musketoon and artillery sabre, which must have proved 
extremely inconvenient. 
The Mexican War soon brought every officer of the Third into the field 
again. As during the Florida War, headquarters moved into the enemy’s 
country. The action of the Congress and President of the United States in 
1845, regarding the annexation of Texas, precipitated hostilities. A, C, E, I, 
with other troops, were sent that year to Corpus Christi, Texas, forming 
General Z. Taylor’s army of occupation. 
A, C, I, were present when the opening gun of the war was fired at Palo 
Alto, May 8, 1846. Ringgold, while skillfully fighting his guns, was mortally 
wounded by a cannon-shot, dying on the 10th of the same month. He was 
one of the most accomplished officers of the regiment, and the beau-ideal 
horse artilleryman. The command of Cthen devolved upon 1st Lieutenant 
Randolph Ridgely who retained it until after the capture of Monterey. A 
and I formed part of the artillery foot-battalion both at Palo Alto and the 
next day at Resaca de la Palma. Lieut. Churchill of the Third commanded 
two heavy 18-pounder guns from this time until after the army crossed the 
Rio Grande. In his report of the battle of Palo Alto General Taylor states : 
“ Our artillery, consisting of two 18-pounders and two light batteries (C, 
Third, A, Second) was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent man- 
ner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our success mainly due.” E 
during this time was at Ft. Brown forming part of the garrison which, for 
160 hours stood off and finally repulsed an overwhelming besieging force. 
Shortly afterwards it was mounted as light artillery, Braxton Bragg com- 
manding, with George H. Thomas and John F. Reynolds as assistants. 
What a trio that was ! the first the victor at Chickamauga; the second at 
Nashville; the third the incomparable commander of the first Army Corps 
who fell in the fore-front at Gettysburg ! 
Under the Act of May 13, 1846, authorizing 100 privates per company, 
many companies in the field were broken up, the men transferred, and an 
officer sent home to recruit. This happened to I, July 7, 1846, whose cap- 
tain, Martin Burke, was dispatched to North Carolina to reorganize the 
company, which he did and then rejoined the army at Perote on General 
Scott’s line of operations. The place of I in the foot-battalion was filled by 
B which arrived at Mier, Mexico, July 31, 1846, officered by Capt. Vinton, 
Lieuts. Van Vliet, Joseph Stewart and Francis J. Thomas. 
In the movement on Monterey, A and B were part of the foot-artillery 
battalion, 1st Brigade, Worth’s Division ; C, marching with the dragoons, 
formed part of the 3d Brigade, Twiggs’ Division. In the attack upon that 
place, as is well known, the army was divided. Worth, making a detour to 
his right attacked from the west: Twiggs, Butler and Quitman from the 
east. Both C and E moved with Twiggs’ column. The gallantry of these 
two light companies was never surpassed. Impression upon the substantial 
earth-works and heavily built houses of the town they could make little ; 
but whenever the enemy showed themselves in the open they were at once 
assailed by the light artillery in such manner as to cause them soon to seek 
shelter. The part taken by A and B, while not so brilliant, contributed 
however in no less degree to the success of our arms. They formed part THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
337 
of the storming column sent against Lomade Federacion ; Captain John R. 
Vinton commanding the artillery battalion, Van Vliet, B., and Lt. Francis 
Taylor, A. The brave fighting of the troops was conspicuous, and was con- 
tinued the next day, September 22, when the Bishop’s Palace was taken, and 
thence from house to house into the centre of the city, which then capitu- 
lated. 
Soon after this event both Worth and Twiggs’ regular, and Butler’s and 
Quitman’s volunteer commands joined General Scott’s army destined to 
the southern line of operations, Vera Cruz—City of Mexico. C and E 
alone of the Third were left to General Taylor, their commanders having 
been meanwhile changed. Ridgely was accidentally killed October 27, 
1846, at Monterey, and Bragg was, November 7th, transferred to C ; Capt. 
Thomas W. Sherman, who, promoted May 28, 1846, to E, had been arbitra- 
rily kept out of its command by General Taylor, now was assigned to his 
proper position, joining his company February 14, 1847, just in time to take 
part in the fighting at Buena Vista. 
The American army being thus divided, and Taylor left with only about 
4000 men, Santa Anna, whether by instinct or accident, determined to act 
upon the correct military principle and beat the widely separated parts 
in detail. Hence resulted the battle of Buena Vista, which shed an unfad- 
ing lustre on the American arms. On our left, the volunteers at first fled 
ingloriously. The torrent of defeat was stemmed by the light artillery, 
O’Brien of the 4th Artillery losing his pieces, his horses being killed and 
the infantry supports gone. This was the supreme moment. Santa Anna 
launched his reserves on our centre, at first with irresistible force. Every- 
thing gave back before the enemy’s masses. But E was there, and, although 
compelled to recede, did so only by the recoil of its splendidly served guns. 
Bragg, with C; had gone to the left to assist righting matters ; but, seeing 
the movement against the centre, hurried as fast as his jaded horses could 
travel to meet it. What followed is best described in the language of Gen- 
eral Taylor’s report: “ Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, 
was ordered into battery. Without infantry to support him, and at the im- 
minent risk of losing his guns, he came rapidly into action, the Mexican 
lines being but a few yards from the muzzles of his pieces. The first dis- 
charge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate, the second and third drove 
him back in disorder and saved the day.” Bragg stated that he expended 
250 rounds of ammunition per gun that day. In his official report General 
Wool stated that, “ without our artillery, we could not have maintained our 
position a single hour.” 
There has always been an amiable tradition in the army since Buena 
Vista that General Taylor, when Bragg came up at the interesting moment 
above referred to, remarked “A little more grape, Captain Bragg.” This 
has been echoed in popular histories of the war, until the incident has ob- 
tained general credence. Now the spirit of the supposititious occurrence 
is above criticism ; it has the true ring of the battle-field. Artillerymen have, 
therefore, permitted it to pass unchallenged, not knowing but that it might 
have occurred, and not wishing to spoil a good story ; at the same time, as 
they knew very well that Bragg carried no grape in his ammunition chests, 338 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
they doubted its truth, yet with a conscious look of commiseration, 
patronizingly put the whole thing down as doubtless the not unnatural 
mistake of an infantry general. Fair play, however, demands that this re- 
flection on old “Rough and Ready’s” technical knowledge be removed. 
Bragg himself has furnished the evidence that the incident, as narrated, 
never transpired. Afterwards when he was lieutenant general, his atten- 
tion was called to it, and he said that he remembered the circumstance 
perfectly; but that General Taylor, far from wasting any time on imaginary 
grape, called out in clarion tones, “ Captain, give them hell. ” The transi- 
tion was doubtless made by some one more piously than truthfully inclined. 
We tender, as seems fitting in this year of jubilee and “historical sketches” 
this the amende honorable to our infantry brethren, craving pardon for hav- 
ing given countenance to an insinuation, which we all felt was probably 
unjust, against the accuracy of the professional language of one of the best 
and truest soldiers they have ever produced ; one under whom every ar- 
tilleryman loved and was proud to serve; one whose indomitable will and 
honesty of character triumphed over every obstacle, turning, as at Buena 
Vista, seeming disaster into glorious victory ! 
One more word aside : When the Mexican reserves pierced our lines 
just before Bragg “ saved the day ” there fell, gallantly fighting at the head 
of his regiment, Col. William R. McKee of the 2d Kentucky. An 
educated soldier, his was an exalted and noble spirit! A fitting sire of that 
other accomplished officer, Major George W. McKee, whose death the army 
and a host of devoted friends recently have been called upon to mourn. 
Stricken down in the prime of intellectual vigor, in Major McKee the army 
saw pass away one of its brightest ornaments and most useful members, 
one upon whom nature had showered her choicest gifts; possessed at once 
of every attribute which renders man respected, admired, beloved. 
We will now follow the companies of the Third on other theatres of 
operation. Before General Scott left the Losbos Islands he had designated 
H as a mounted company. It served as such during the war, commanded 
first by Captain Wall and then by Steptoe. A, B and G arrived at Vera 
Cruz in time to take part in the siege, March 9-28, 1847, being joined 
April 11, by K. Colonel Gates with headquarters were, with D, tempo- 
rarily established at Tampico, an important port of entry, and the capital of 
a district held under military government with Gates as governor. D re- 
mained at Tampico and vicinity during the whole war, being equipped part 
of the time as horse artillery. F, in which W. T. Sherman was a subaltern, 
was at Monterey, Upper California. I was being recruited, and L and M 
not yet organized. 
At Vera Cruz Captain John R. Vinton was killed in the trenches by one 
of the first shots from the enemy. It was one of those singular cases in 
which death results from the close proximity of a projectile in its flight. 
His clothes were not even disarranged. The projectile, afterwards recovered 
unexploded, now rests upon his grave at Providence, R. I. It was a Paix- 
han shell, and, when the fuse was drawn, was found to contain 320 leaden 
bullets. In the death of Captain Vinton the Third lost another of its most 
valuable officers. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
339 
In organizing the army for the advance upon the City of Mexico A, B, G, 
K, formed a battalion under command of Lieut-Col. Belton, 3d Artillery, in 
the 1st (Garland’s) brigade, Worth’s division, and here the battalion 
remained during the war, except, that, at Perote, A was stopped, and I, under 
Captain Burke took its place. In the advance H was assigned to Patter- 
son’s volunteer, division, and it served with the volunteers until the army 
left Mexico. 
Vera Cruz was an affair wholly of engineering and siege artillery. The 
next battle, at Cerro Gordo, was one, on our side, almost wholly of in- 
fantry. Unfortunately, moreover, Worth’s division, which had done most 
of the work at Vera Cruz, did not get into position at Cerro Gordo until 
there was little for it to do. By one of those accidents which sometimes 
happens, Worth, while going into action, was halted to permit Pillow to 
file in front of him into position on the extreme left. As a result, when 
Worth reached the Cerro Gordo hill he found the enemy already fleeing 
from it, and could therefore only join in the unsatisfactory duty of facilita- 
ting that flight. H, however, was more fortunate. The armament of the 
company consisted of four 12-pdr. brass guns and two 24-pdr. howitzers. 
The battle was fought on the 18th of April 1847. During the night of the 
17th, Steptoe and Lt. H. Brown, 3d Artillery, after immense toil, in which 
they were assisted by the infantry, placed the two 24-pdr. howitzers on the 
hill Atalaya 900 yards from the Cerro Gordo, the stronghold of the Mexi- 
cans, and from which next day, during the assault, they were served with 
great effect upon the enemy. For his conduct here Steptoe was brevetted 
major. 
From this time on the Third took part in all the battles except Contreras 
on Scott’s line of operations. That battle was fought by Twiggs’ division. 
There was no fighting of consequence after Cerro Gordo until the Ameri- 
can army was within sight of the Capital. The army advanced from Puebla 
August 7, 1847. B, G, I, K, formed the foot battalion of the Third. Cap- 
tain Wall of H was left sick at Puebla, where, August 13th he died, and the 
company then was commanded by Steptoe, being attached to Quitman’s 
volunteer division. The officers present were : Lt. Col. Belton, command- 
ing battalion ; B, Lieuts. Farry and Lendrum ; G, Capt. Anderson, Lieut. 
Shields; I, Capt. Burke, Lieut. Ayres ; K, Lieut. R. W. Johnston ; Light 
Company H, Capt. Steptoe, Lieuts. Judd, H. Brown, Francis J. Thoms, and 
Welch. Brevet Major R. D. A. Wade was also present, sick,* not com- 
manding his company, K, but acting as field officer. 
While Twiggs’ division was assaulting the enemy’s lines at Contreras, 
August 20, 1847, Worth’s division, on the right, moved against Cherubusco 
and the fortified village of San Antonio. Here the Third, particularly K, in 
its advance as a forlorn hope against the latter place, had an opportunity to 
render conspicuous service. San Antonio being taken, K remained tempo- 
rarily to garrison it, while the other companies pressed on to assail and cap- 
ture Cherubusco. Seven men of the Third were killed, and Lieut -Colonel 
Belton and twenty-seven men wounded. H was not in the battle ; it was 
back in San Augustine with Quitman, protecting the supply depots, and the 
army from attack in rear by the enemy’s cavalry. 340 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The fruitless armistice which followed this event having been terminated, 
the battle of Molino del Rey was fought September 8, 1847. Here the 
brave Farry and Ayres fell. Farry, with fifty men of the Third joined the 
storming party directed against the fortified centre of the Mexican position 
at the Casa Mata. The attack was successful, but 12 of the 14 officers of the 
party fell in the assault. The battalion of the Third entered el Molino on 
the right of our line, and here, while gallantly leading his men, Lt. Ayres 
was killed, while Captain Anderson and Lieut. George P. Andrews were 
wounded. H was not present. The battle was fought by Worth’s division, 
to which it was not attached. 
Chepultepec alone remained to be fought. Molino was preparatory 
thereto. At Chepultepec all the Third with the army were engaged. H 
was placed on September nth on the right, to threaten an attack on the San 
Antonio and Candelaria gates of the city. It remained there constantly 
employed until the evening of the 13th when it rejoined Quitman who, in 
the general battle, had stormed the Belen gate, but without artillery 
support, could not advance further against the fire from the Citadel 300 
yards away. Steptoe, by greatest industry placed in a well constructed bat- 
tery some heavier guns, but at dawn of day a white flag bespoke the enemy’s 
surrender. H then moved in, being the first light company to enter the 
City of Mexico. Meanwhile, the foot-battalion had not been idle. Details 
were assisting to construct the batteries to play on the fortifications of Che- 
pultepec. Lieut. R. W. Johnston with a party of the Third were told off 
to the storming party. The remnants of the Second and Third Artillery, 
under Lt. Col. Belton, were temporarily formed into 4 companies, Shields 
and Lendrum commanding those from the Third. They moved with 
Worth’s division along the causeway, driving the enemy, until, at San 
Cosmo garita, night put an end to the conflict. Next morning Santa Anna 
had fled the Capital. 
The war was practically ended. The light companies of the Third had 
a few brushes with the enemy besides those mentioned, but the heavy fight- 
ing has been narrated. And it was heavy fighting. The strength of the 
positions occupied by the enemy was remarkable. The nearest approxima- 
tion in this century to the style of fighting our army there did was exhibited 
by Wellington’s war against fortified places in the Spanish Peninsula. The 
City of Mexico was ours September 14, 1847. But before this, D, under Capt. 
F. O. Wyse had a most creditable affair at the Callabosa River, D at this 
time was equipped as horse artillery. A, equipped as field artillery, was present 
at Huamantla, October 9, 1847, at Atlixco, October 19th, and at Matamoras, 
near Puebla, November 23, 1847. These were among the last of Santa 
Anna’s guerilla efforts. The light company—A— won high encomiums for 
its conduct. 
The army evacuated the City of Mexico June 12, 1848, Worth’s division 
being the last to leave. L and M saw no fighting in that war. They left 
New York City for the scene of hostilities October 12, 1847, were wrecked 
and put in to Charleston, S. C., November 5, left Fort Moultrie December 
17, and arrived at the Mexican capital early in 1848, where also was estab- 
lished regimental headquarters. Colonel Gates remained Governor of Tam- THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY- 
341 
pico, and Captain Martin Burke temporarily commanded the regiment. At 
this time the companies of the Third were distributed : A, Perote ; B, G, H, 
I, K, L, M, City of Mexico; C, E, Walnut Springs near Monterey, Mex.; F 
in California; D, Tampico. C, D, were equipped as horse artillery; A, E, 
H, as field artillery; the rest marched as infantry. 
The companies of the Third on Scott’s line all left Vera Cruz July 16, 
1848. The regiment, except C, E, F, was concentrated at Fortress Monroe, 
and thence distributed to the New England stations which it had left thir- 
teen years before for the Florida War. E left Ft. Brown, Texas, October 
26, 1848, for Fort Trumbull, Connecticut. C, under Lt. Judd, marched via 
Chihuahua to Santa Fe, N. M., where the guns were soon stored, and the 
company, equipped as cavalry, served two years against the Indians, 
eventually joining Bragg, with the few men whose terms of service had not 
expired, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in 1850. F still held the fort at 
Monterey, California. 
Soon the Seminoles who had been left in Florida became restive. Ac- 
cordingly in September, 1849, B, under Geo. H. Thomas; D, under Wyse; 
H, Steptoe ; L, under Austine, embarked for Palatka, Fla., near the scene of 
disturbance. Here they remained, marching through the swamps, until 
order was restored, when they returned to their stations in 1850. 
The regiment now looked forward to the enjoyment for a time at least 
of a quiet life. But this hope was short-lived. In the nature of things it 
could not long be indulged. We had acquired a vast and unsettled territory 
by conquest; it was inhabited by savages or semi-savages. The army was 
needed to keep them in subjection. 
Before narrating, however, the part acted by the Third in this field of 
duty, it will be best hurriedly to glance at the experiences of the light com- 
panies from the close of the Mexican until the breaking out of the War of 
the Rebellion in 1861. During this time the light artillery was the sport of 
the War Department. On the plea of retrenchment, the number of light 
artillery companies in the army was reduced to four, including C, Third, in 
September, 1848. April, 1849, four additional companies were authorized; 
but, in the Third, instead of E, B was selected and ordered to West Point, 
where Shover, its captain, was instructor of artillery. Captain T. W. Sher- 
man had again to fight for his rights. But he triumphed ; the order was 
modified, and E, not B, was mounted. The termination of this controversy 
was supposed, at the time, to establish the legal principle “ once a light 
company, always a light company ” ; for the contention then was, and the 
War Department apparently conceded the point, that when the President 
had designated two companies in each artillery regiment as light artillery, 
under the Acts of March 2, 1821, and March 3, 1847, he thereby fixed their 
legal status as that of light companies until the law should be changed. 
This is not the place to argue regarding the correctness of the proposition ; 
more recent practices have not been in accordance therewith. However, in 
1851 E was dismounted again; in 1853, Congress having appropriated 
money expressly for the purpose, it was remounted, took station in Minne- 
sota, where, excepting some expeditions over the Western Territories, it 
remained until 1861. C, after being remounted at Jefferson Barracks, 1850, 342 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
served at Forts Gibson and Washita, Indian Territory, where the expense 
of maintaining it was enormous, and where, as a school of instruction, it was 
almost valueless. In 1856 it was dismounted, and, with three others, one 
company each from the respective artillery regiments, stationed at Fortress 
Monroe, Va., to reestablish the artillery school of practice; in 1858 it was 
remounted, ordered to Salt Lake to take over the light artillery armament 
which the Ordnance Department was masquerading with, and went thence 
in 1859 to Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, where it remained until 
1861. 
In October, 1848, M, under Lieut. Geo. P. Andrews, sailed for California 
around the Horn, to join F. The movement of the regiment, though con- 
templated, was deferred. But our recently conquered subjects were rest- 
less, and had to be kept in order. With this object in view, B and L were 
sent early in April, 1853, to Texas, where they remained until early in 1854. 
This was for them a most fortunate circumstance, as they thus missed one 
of the direst calamities that has ever befallen our army on the seas. 
How this was, we will now proceed to state. Pursuant to General Or- 
ders No. 2, H. Q. Army, September 26, 1853, Headquarters and the band 
with A, D, G, H, I, K, and large detachments of recruits for B and L, em- 
barked December 21st, that year, for California, via Cape Horn, in the 
commodious steamer San Francisco. The vessel was new, its machinery 
excellent, and it was believed to be seaworthy. There were about 600 souls 
on board, including 500 belonging to or connected with the regiment. On 
the 22d the vessel was at sea. The 23d ended with a fresh breeze and cloudy 
weather. By that time the weather was very threatening. An ominous calm 
prevailed. At 9 p. M. that night the wind came up with terrific force out of the 
northwest. The sea rolled mountains high. The ship, spite of all efforts of 
her skillful and devoted crew, soon became unmanageable. By 1.30 A. M. of 
the 24th she was entirely at the mercy of the waves, her machinery being 
disabled, and sails blown away. At 9 A. M., 24th, a huge wave struck her, 
stripping everything from the upper deck, including the saloon, in which, 
in addition to the regular passengers, a large number of soldiers had taken 
refuge. It was estimated that 175 souls perished at this time, including 
about 150 soldiers and Major Washington, Captain Francis Taylor, Captain 
Field and Lieutenant Smith, together with Mrs. Taylor and Colonel Gates’ 
son. Nothing could exceed the terror of the situation. Fortunately there 
were men on board who were fit to command. The officers of the vessel, 
and of the army, and Lieut. F. K. Murray of the Navy, set an example of 
heroism. The men, except a few dastardly souls, nobly seconded their ef- 
forts. To add to the horrors of the storm a leak was sprung, and only by 
intelligent, systematic, incessant and prolonged exertions was the vessel 
kept afloat. On the 25th the brig Napoleon was spoken but sailed away. 
The arrival of this vessel at Boston gave the authorities their first knowl- 
edge of the disaster. On the 26th, in latitude 38° 20', longitude 69°, another 
vessel was sighted, but lost in the night. The men now began to die from 
exposure and exhaustion. On the 28th the bark Kilby of Boston stood by 
the wreck, and, the weather moderating on the 29th somewhat, ran a haw- 
ser and took off 108 passengers. That night the storm freshened, the haw- THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
343 
ser parted, the San Francisco drifted out of sight, and the Kilby, after a vain 
search for days, sailed for New York. At 9.30 A. M., December 31st, 
the British ship Three Bells of Glasgow was spoken and lay to. The storm, 
however, was unabated. No communication, except by signals, could be 
had. On January 3, 1854, the Three Bells was joined by the Antarctic of 
Liverpool. On the 4th and 5th all survivors were tranferred to these two 
vessels. The Antarctic carried hers—142—to Liverpool. The Three Bells 
hers to New York. On January 12th the Kilby transferred most of her pas- 
sengers to the Packet Lucy Thompson, bound to New York, making, herself, 
for Poston. Thus ended this appalling event. The ship was never seen or 
heard of more. 
A Court of Inquiry, of which General Scott was President, was instituted 
to examine into the circumstances of this wreck, and as a result, whether 
justly or unjustly, Colonel Gates was relieved from command of the regiment 
which he did not resume until November, 1861. 
Nothing daunted, the Third was soon again en route, this time by the 
Isthmus. April 5, 1854, headquarters with B and L, embarked at New York 
on the steamer Illinois, arriving, L at the Presidio, and B and headquarters at 
Benicia, California, May 5th following. The band, with D, G, I, K, were not so 
fortunate. They embarked on the steamer Falcon, and very nearly repeated 
the experience of the San Francisco. The vessel, though disabled in a 
storm, managed to make Hampton Roads, where the troops landed at 
Fortress Monroe. In May, 1854, the steamer Illinois picked them up, and 
they finally, after many tribulations, reached the California stations. H and 
A marched overland, via Salt Lake, Utah, where they wintered 1854-55, ar- 
riving, July 25, 1855, at Benicia. 
From 1854 to 1861 the Third was actively employed in marching and 
scouting over the Pacific Coast throughout its length and breadth. There 
was not an Indian tribe from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean whom they 
did not visit. They became veritable foot-cavalry, In this school some of 
the best soldiers of the War of the Rebellion were developed. 
Scarcely had D landed at Benicia when it was sent on an expedition 
against the Indians of Pitt and McCloud rivers. L marched against the 
Umatillas, and both B and L, under command of Major G. R. Rains, 4th 
Infantry, against the Yakimas in October and November, 1855. During the 
same year D was engaged against the Klamath and M against' the Puget 
Sound Indians. In the action at Hungry Hill, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 1855, Lieut. 
H. G. Gibson, since colonel of the regiment, commanding D, was wounded. 
In the winter of 1855-56 the Rogue Rivers went on the war-path. B and H 
formed part of the command sent against them. E. O. C. Ord commanded 
the former, John F. Reynolds the latter. Ord attacked a party of hostiles 
at their village, Mackanootney, Oregon, March 26, 1856, routing them and 
burning their town. On April 28th, following, he met and defeated them 
again. Reynolds was fighting the same enemy elsewhere. In June, 1856, 
the Indians sued for peace. General Scott in orders from army headquar- 
ters complimented these officers and their commands for their gallant con- 
duct in this war. In the same order the services of M under Keyes on 
Puget Sound, and L under Piper at the cascades of the Columbia were men- 344 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
tioned with commendation. It was at the latter affair that Lieut. P. H. 
Sheridan so distinguished himself. E also, under its indefatigable captain 
T. W. Sherman was doing good service. The Indians at the Yellow Medi- 
cine Agency began to manifest an ugly disposition. Sherman took their 
breath away by appearing among them with his battery, thus, in the lan- 
guage of the General Order before mentioned (14, H. Q. A., 1857) “by his 
promptness, judgment and firmness preserving the country from a war with 
the tribes of the Sioux nation.” 
The Pacific Slope Indians, having been severely punished all around in 
1856, remained quiet during the next year. Not so, however, in 1858. May 
17, that year, Steptoe, now a major 9th Infantry, was surprised by Indians at 
Tohotsnimme 40 miles north of Snake River on the road between the present 
towns of Almota and Colfax, Washington. The uprising was entirely un- 
expected, but the news spread, and the neighboring tribes flew to arms. 
Safety to the frontier settlements required the chastisement of the Indians. 
Accordingly an expedition was fitted out for this purpose under Colonel 
Wright, 9th Infantry. The Third composed the major part of the troops, 
and they were rapidly concentrated. A, from Yuma; B, Rogue River; D, San 
Diego ; G. San Bernardino ; K, Ft. Miller : M, the Presidio, were united at 
Fort Walla Walla. The Indians were vastly more numerous than the 
troops, but the latter were armed with rifle-muskets, just then issued to the 
army, the former with smooth-bores. The superiority of the rifle was at 
once strikingly manifest. The Indians, waiting until their smooth-bores 
were effective, found themselves mowed down by troops whom their own 
projectiles could not reach. They were signally defeated at Four Lakes, 
September 1, Spokane Plains September 5, and Spokane River, September 8, 
1858. Nine hundred ponies were shot in one spot, on the Spokane River, 
which to this day is marked by their whitened bones. The principal chiefs 
were captured and hanged, and the tribes so humbled that they have never 
gone on the war-path since. In general orders from headquarters of the 
army, General Scott testified his appreciation of the services of the regiment 
in this campaign in most eulogistic terms. 
The defeats of 1858 had the effect of keeping the Indians quiet in 1859. 
But the dispute over the boundary-line, and who should own San Juan 
Island seemed likely to precipitate war with Great Britain. Accordingly, 
August 8, 1859, A, B, D, G, left Ft. Vancouver and joined other troops at 
Camp Pickett on the southern, while the British troops occupied the north- 
ern end. In this position the forces of the two countries glared at each 
other for years ; but as there was no fear of immediate hostilities after Gen- 
eral Scott arranged for joint-occupation, the companies mentioned returned 
to Ft. Vancouver in December, 1859. 
Early in i860, Indian hostilities broke out in another quarter. A party of 
prospectors, headed by a Mr. Meredith, were massacred near Pyramid Lake, 
then in Utah, but now Nevada. Young Winnamucca was the leading spirit 
in this affair. An expedition was at once fitted out to punish the -Indians 
involved. D, under Lieutenant Joseph Stewart, and a detachment of I, under 
Lieutenant H. G. Gibson, formed part of this force. The Indians were at- 
tacked and defeated near Truckee River, Carson Valley, June 2, i860, several THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
345 
soldiers and many Indians being killed and wounded. On July, 9, same year, 
A, B, M, left Ft. Vancouver, W. T,, to scout through the Snake River coun- 
try, returning in September. In August they met and routed the Indians at 
Harney Lake, Oregon. L, during the same year left Fort Umpqua to scout 
through the Klamath country, the theatre of the Modoc war of 1873, so 
often traversed by the Third during its tour on the Coast. 
This practically ended the campaigning of the Third on the Pacific. 
Events soon called for its presence elsewhere. Meantime, to replace C, Co K, 
(Capt. Ord) left Ft. Vancouver, after the Spokane campaign of 1858, arriving 
at the Artillery School of Practice, January 1,1859 ; and as, by War Depart- 
ment orders in 1858, two instead of one company from each artillery regi- 
ment were to be stationed there, F, then at Ft. Yuma, was sent to Fortress 
Monroe also arriving September 28, 1859. Here they remained, being 
only called out during the John Brown disturbance at Harper’s Ferry, until 
they joined the army at Washington as light artillery in 1861. In August, 
i860, J. F. Reynolds was appointed Commandant of Cadets, West Point, and, 
in October, Captain E. O. C. Ord transferred to light company C. 
When the War of the Rebellion was precipitated, the Government was 
extremely anxious about the temper of the States on the Pacific Coast, par- 
ticularly California. This led at once to energetic measures to secure the 
safety of San Francisco. All the companies of the Third on the Coast, ex- 
cept D, were at once concentrated in that harbor. Much, however, as they 
were needed there, they were needed in the east more. Accordingly, Octo- 
ber 14, 1861, headquarters with H, G, L, M, and C, the horses and guns being 
turned in, embarked for New York via the Isthmus. This left A, B, I, at 
San Francisco and D at Ft. Vancouver, the latter proceeding in February, 
1862, from Camp Pickett, San Juan Island, to Alcatraz Island, San Fran- 
cisco Harbor. 
Here B and D remained during the whole war. I came east in 1864 and 
was equipped as a light battery. A, similarly equipped, joined Colonel 
Carlton’s column which marched in 1862 from California across the deserts 
to Tucson, Arizona, to secure that Territory from usurping rebel authority. 
This task having been successfully accomplished, it marched with other 
Union troops into New Mexico where it served as a light battery until 1865 
when it was transported to Boston Harbor. While in New Mexico the 
light battery saw exceedingly hard service. It was marching much of the 
time, when not as artillery, against the Indians as cavalry. No company of 
the regiment saw harder service during the war than A. And it was of a 
nature precisely like that of horse company C, in the same section of coun- 
try, from 1848 to 1850. 
We now turn to the companies on the great theatre of war. E came in 
from Fort Ridgley, Minn., in May, 1861, and was present at Blackburn’s 
Ford, July 18, and again at the first Bull Run July 21, 1861. Lieutenant L. 
Lorain was wounded at the former. The company was attached to W. T. 
Sherman’s (1st) brigade of Tyler’s (3d) division. In the battle of the 21st 
it attacked, with Sherman, at the centre; but as Bull Run was not there 
fordable, it had to content itself with engaging the enemy at long range. 
It assisted, with other batteries, to cover the retreat of the army. In 346 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
these engagements it lost several men killed and wounded. During the re- 
treat the battery lost 3 caissons and its baggage wagons, these having been 
sent ahead, when the horses were cut out and ridden away by the cowardly 
fugitives fleeing from the battle-field. 
Soon after this E started on an expedition to the South-Atlantic coast, 
and, as its services thereafter during the war were in a theatre distinct from 
the other companies of the regiment, they will be mentioned here. Its old 
and honored captain, T. W. Sherman, had been regularly promoted major, 
April 27, 1861, appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the new 5th Artillery May 14, and 
brigadier general of volunteers May 17, 1861. He was now to command 
the land forces of the joint expedition against Port Royal, South Carolina. 
From this time until January 1864, E served in the Department of the 
South, along the coast of South Carolina and Florida. It had six guns, and 
these were often divided up, a section (2 guns) going hither and thither in 
the petty warfare constantly carried on among the islands of the coast. It 
was engaged, June 10, 1862, at Secessionville, S. C.. at Pocotaligo, Oct. 22, 
where hard fighting was done. In the latter affair Lieutenant Gittings was 
wounded. The battery was attached to the 2d brigade of Wright’s (2d) 
division. It joined in the assault and repulse at Fort Wagner, S. C., July 18, 
1863, under Myrick, and engaged in the siege of that place July 18th to Sep- 
tember 7th, 1863. On February 20, 1864, it was present at the sanguinary 
battle at Olustee, Fla., in the army commanded by General Truman Sey- 
mour, and suffered great loss. All the officers, Capt. Hamilton, Lieut. 
Myrick, and two volunteers attached were wounded ; 11 men were killed, 18 
wounded and 6 missing—a loss as great as that of Senarmont’s famous 
battery at Friedland. This terminated the services of E in the south. 
Pursuant to General Grant’s plan to concentrate all the available forces to 
move against the Army of Northern Virginia, it left the Department of the 
South in April, 1864, under command of Lieut. J. P. Sanger, 1st Artillery, 
with the 10th Army Corps, and was assigned to duty with the Army of the 
James, being part of the artillery brigade of the 3d division. It was present 
at all the battles in which that “ bottled up” army was engaged, on the 7, 16, 
19, 20, April, 1864, afterwards in the intrenched lines at Bermuda Hundred, 
and on both sides of the James River, and in the works before Petersburg 
from August to September. Lt. Myrick was again commanding. It was 
present at Laurel Hill, Va., October 7, 1864, when the 10th Corps repelled 
Longstreet. It was present at both the attacks on Fort Fisher, North 
Carolina. After the successful issue of the second attack it marched with 
the army against Wilmington, N. C., having several skirmishes with the 
enemy. In March, 1865, E with the 10th Corps joined W. T. Sherman’s 
army, engaging in the pursuit of J. E. Johnston, until the final surrender of 
the rebel armies. 
When McClellan’s army moved to the Peninsula in 1862, the other light 
batteries of the Third were attached to the artillery reserve. H, however, 
after being some time equipped as light artillery, was broken up just before 
the army started, and sent out to San Francisco under Captain Joseph 
Stewart to recruit. Captain John Edwards had transferred to M from B 
with George P. Andrews. This left C, E, F, G, K, L, M, on the Atlantic THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY- 
347 
Coast. The artillery reserve was, however, not a reserve as that term gener- 
ally is understood. The idea was not to retain its batteries necessarily in the 
hands of its commander until their guns could be launched against the 
enemy at the supreme moment. It is true that they might be so used. 
But, aside from this use, it was expected that the reserve was to be a source 
of artillery supply whence the divisions could draw batteries for their needs, 
to be returned when this temporary service had been rendered. 
From the first, consolidation of companies was necessary, because of the 
difficulties of recruiting for the regular army, and the demand for regular 
officers for other duties. The companies of the Third which marched with 
McClellan were (C-G) consolidated, equipped as horse-artillery, under H. G. 
Gibson, (F-K) under Capt. Livingston, and (L-M) under Capt. Edwards, the 
two latter consolidated companies as field artillery. (C-G) was soon de- 
tached with Stoneman’s cavalry, and (L-M) with Sykes’ brigade of regulars. 
The first was hotly engaged at Williamsburg, Va., May 4, 1862, 2d Lieut. W. 
De Wolf being mortally wounded, and the battery losing one piece, several 
caissons, and seventeen horses. When the army made the flank march from 
the Chickahominy to James River, (C-G) was cut off with Stoneman’s com- 
mand toward the old base of supplies at the White House, and, after its 
destruction, rejoined the army via Gloucester Point. (L-M) was engaged 
at Newbridge June 19, Mechanicsville June 26, and Gaines’ Mill June 27, 
1862. At Mechanicsville it was attached to Griffin’s brigade, McCall’s divi- 
sion, on the extreme left. At Gaines’ Mill it was on the right, about 500 
yards in front of the line, where it fought with great gallantry, and, it truth- 
fully can be said, under great disadvantages ; for at that early day, the neces- 
sity for concentrating artillery fire was not understood by subordinate 
infantry generals. Nevertheless, both our own and the enemy’s general 
officers praised the conduct of the artillery on that day. (L-M) lost one 
section, Lieut. Hayden, its commander, being wounded, and the horses all 
killed. During the change of base to the James River (L-M) fought at Tur- 
key Bend June 28-29, at Turkey Bridge June 30, and side by side with (F-K) 
at Malvern Hill June 30-July 1, 1862, during which all its lieutenants were 
wounded. At Malvern Hill the artillery acted a decisive part. The enemy 
attributed their repulse to our superiority in that arm. The Union artil- 
lery that day illustrated the truth of the maxim that artillery, under favor- 
able circumstances, can defend itself against a frontal attack. 
The Third was not present at the second Bull Run. When the army 
after that disaster moved into Maryland, (C-G) was with Pleasanton’s cavalry, 
and (L-M) with the 9th Army Corps, though unattached. On the 13th and 
also at South Mountain on September 14th, the former rendered excel- 
lent service, as it did also at Antietam, where, with the other horse batteries, 
it filled the gap in the centre of the main line of battle between Hancock's 
division and Burnside’s corps. 
Soon after this, by War Department orders, G was formally broken up 
and the officers and men attached to C. For two years G remained a paper 
company only. 
At Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862), C was attached to the Cavalry 
brigade, left grand division of the army. Livingston, captain (F-K), com- 348 
HIS TO RICA L SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
manded the artillery 3d Corps, to the first division of which this battery 
(F-K), under Lieut. Turnbull was attached. When the Union army crossed 
the Rappahannock to the attack, it was stationed to cover the crossing, at 
the middle bridge. After the repulse of the right grand division it moved 
to the left and joined in the battle with its proper command ; (L-M) crossed 
the river with General Sumner, but the jammed condition of the streets 
and character of the country prevented its coming into action. 
In March, 1863, the 9th Corps was sent west, (L-M) accompanying it. The 
corps arrived at Vicksburg in season to take part in the siege of that place, 
and afterwards, July 10-16 in the siege of Jackson, Miss. From this time 
until March 16, 1864, (L-M) operated in the west. On May 24, that year, it 
again rejoined the Army of the Potomac. All this time it formed part of 
the artillery of the 9th Corps. It took part meanwhile in Burnside’s cam- 
paign in east Tennessee, in 1863. It was engaged at Philadelphia, Tenn., 
October 16, Campbell Station, Tenn., November 16, was in position in the 
trenches during the siege of Knoxville, November 17-December 5, in pur- 
suit of Longstreet’s army at Blain’s cross-roads, Tenn., December 17, 1863, 
and again at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., January 21, 1864. Its next fighting 
was in the Wilderness, under General Grant, from May 5th to 14th, 1864, 
whence it was sent back to the defences of Washington. 
When Hooker made his march around the left flank of Lee’s army, before 
the battle of Chancellorsville, C, under Lieut. Meinell, was left with the force 
which was intended to cross below Fredericksburg and hold the enemy in his 
works. It thus missed the battle. (F-K), under Turnbull, was more fortu- 
nate. On the 2d of May it rendered the Union cause most opportune ser- 
vice. It was still attached to the 1st division 3d Army Corps. When the 
nth Corps was routed, a battery of 22 guns was hastily thrown together at 
Hazel Grove, on ground dominating the enemy’s advance. (F-K) was of 
this battery, the fire from which, at short range, hurled back the victorious 
enemy discomfited. Of this struggle General H. J. Hunt, chief of artillery 
of the army, remarked in his official report: “ When the enemy, flushed 
with success, appeared before this battery, they were met with a storm of 
canister first checking and then driving them back from whence they had 
emerged at three hundred yards distance. It was a desperate combat be- 
tween artillery and infantry, in which the former repulsed the latter, flushed 
as they were with a great success, which they were following up when 
checked by this battery.” 
At Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, (F-K) again acted a distinguished part, 
losing Lt. Manning Livingston and 8 enlisted men killed, 14 wounded, 1 miss- 
ing and 45 horses killed. It was on the Emmittsburg road supporting 
Humphreys’ division when Sickles’ corps was attacked at Peach Orchard. 
This was about 3.30 p. M. July 2d. Here Captain D. R. Ransom while placing 
(F-K) in position was wounded. When Sickles’ corps fell back, (F-K) was 
rescued with only the greatest difficulty. It was in the thickest of the fight 
when A. P. Hill took Birney’s division in flank. Humphreys speaks in 
highest terms of the performance of the battery that day. 
When Lee moved from in front of Hooker on the offensive campaign 
which terminated at Gettysburg, C was with Gregg’s cavalry guarding the THE THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
349 
Union right flank. It was in the engagements at Brandy Station June 8, 
Aldie June 17, Middleburg June 18-19, Upperville June 21st. Detached 
with General Huey’s brigade it marched for York, Penn., in which general 
direction the rebel army seemed bent. It was upon this service when the 
battle of Gettysburg was fought. Being recalled, it arrived near the battle- 
field just in time to harass the retreating enemy. In doing this it was en- 
gaged at Smithburg, Maryland, July 5 ; Williamsport, Md., July 6 ; Boons- 
borough, Md., July 8; Antietam and Funkstown, Md., July 10 and 11 ; near 
Port Royal, Va., September 1st; at Brandy Station, Culpepper and Rapid- 
an River, September 12-14, at Madison Court-house and Robertson’s ford 
September 22-23, 1863. 
C was early in the field in 1864. It accompanied Kilpatrick in his raid 
to Richmond, being engaged at Mechanicsville, Va., March ist,and stopped 
long enough in passing to throw 150 shells into the works guarding the 
enemy’s capital. Soon after this (C-F-K), consolidated, became one battery, 
serving with the cavalry. Under Sheridan it was actively employed. It 
accompanied him in his raid on Richmond, May 9-24, 1864, passing the 
right of the enemy’s army, defeating his cavalry, rejoining General Grant 
June 24, near Chesterfield, Va. During the flank march to the James 
River, the battery was engaged at Hanover Court House, May 31 ; Ashland, 
June 1, Bethesda Church, June 3, and in the works at the White House, 
June 20, 1864. 
The next service of (C-F-K) was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah 
Valley. It was attached to the horse artillery brigade, commanded by 
Captain L. L. Livingston. Engaged near Winchester, August 11, on road to 
Front Royal, August 16, at Woolperth’s cross-road and Sheperdstown, August 
25, and Smithfield, August 29, 1864. The character of these affairs presaged 
the nature of the fighting that was to follow. Each commander, but particu- 
larly Early, seemed anxious to test the capacity and mettle of his opponent. 
In the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, (C-K-F) was present. 
After this it was engaged with others of Sheridan’s troops in sweeping the 
Shenandoah Valley of the enemy, the engagement at Mount Jackson, Va., 
being the severest in which the battery took part. This practically closed 
the fighting of the battery during the war. That winter it went into quarters 
at Pleasant Valley, Maryland, and the next spring moved to the vicinity of 
Washington City. 
When the 9th Army Corps came east in March, 1864, it was increased, 
before joining the Army of the Potomac, by several regiments and batteries, 
and among the others, G, equipped as field artillery. This battery accom- 
panied the corps to the Wilderness where it partook in all the fighting of the 
latter until May 14. As is well known the country was not favorable for 
the manoeuvre of light artillery, and consequently General Grant sent a 
large part back to the defences of Washington, and among others G. (L-M) 
arrived at the same time. Later they were joined by I. They remained in 
a condition of preparedness for active service; but, from this time on, ex- 
cept when Early made his attempt on Washington in July, 1864, nothing 
seriously demanding their attention occurred. 
Thus it will be seen that B and D alone were not at some time equipped 350 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
as light artillery with the armies in the field. They remained at San Francisco 
harbor, where their services were deemed to be of more importance than 
they could be elsewhere. And when we reflect upon the absolute necessity 
that existed for preventing that city from falling into the enemy’s possession, 
through their cruisers, it must be conceded that these companies best served 
their country as garrison artillery in the city’s defences. C, as has been seen, 
was equipped as horse artillery during the Mexican War, so that B remains 
the only organization in the Third which at some time has not been 
equipped as light artillery. 
Here terminates the “ historical sketch ” of the Third, for the pages of 
the Journal of the Military Service Institution. It would be in- 
teresting to pursue the subject to later periods; yet subsequent events can 
scarcely be spoken of as “ historical,” but what is of determinative importance 
in the matter, we have already occupied to the full the limits permitted us 
in the Journal’s pages. The Third Artillery stands on its record. It has 
ever done its whole duty. Neither the regiment nor any of its officers has 
ever intrigued to impose that duty on another. Major-General 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commanding the Army, 1841-1861. THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
By FIRST LIEUT. ALEXANDER B. DYER. 
Fourth Artillery. 
IN obedience to the resolution of the House of Representatives, May u, 
1820, Mr. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, submitted to the House on 
the 12th of the following December a plan for the reorganization and 
reduction of the Army. Since the reorganization of the artillery, in 
1814, this arm of the Service had consisted of a regiment of light artillery and 
the corps of artillery. 
The views of Mr. Calhoun, in so far as they related to the artillery, were 
adopted by Congress ; and in accordance with the act of March 2, 1821, the 
first four regiments now in service were organized from the regiment of 
light artillery, the corps of artillery, and the ordnance. Each regiment was 
to consist of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one adjutant, 
one supernumerary captain to perform ordnance duty, one sergeant-major, 
one quartermaster-sergeant, and nine companies ; and each company was to 
consist of one captain, two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, and 
fifty-five enlisted men. One company was to be equipped as light artillery ; 
and A company was designated as the light company for many years, 
but continued on foot to the contrary notwithstanding. The general order 
of May 17, 1821, from the adjutant and inspector-general’s office contains 
the names of the officers of the 4th Artillery, their assignment to companies, 
and their stations. 
John R. Fenwick, lieutenant-colonel of the regiment of light artillery, 
was made colonel of the “ Fourth,” with headquarters at Pensacola ; and the 
companies were assigned to the stations on the Florida and Gulf coasts, ex- 
tending from Saint Augustine to New Orleans. The following table indi- 
cates the organizations from which the companies of the regiment were 
taken: 
Companies and Captains 
Fourth U. S. A rtillery. 
Old Organization. 
Captains of old Organiza- 
tions. 
A. (Bell’s) 
Co. K. Light Artillery. 
Bell. 
B. (Humphrey’s) 
Co. C, 3d B., S. D * 
Humphrey. 
C. (Burd’s) 
Co. D, 4th B., S. D. (and 
part of L). 
Fanning. 
D. (Pierce’s) 
Co. G, 3d B., S. D. 
Root. 
E. (Payne’s) 
Co. M, 1st B., S. D. 
Payne. 
F.f (Hayden’s) 
Co. A, 3d B., S. D. 
Sands. 
G. (Hobart’s) 
Co. E, Light Artillery. 
Hobart. 
H. (Irving’s) 
Co. I, 1st B., S. D. (and part 
of E). 
Mason. 
I. (Sands) 
Co. M, 4th B., S. D. 
Biddle. 
*B., S. D. in the table stands for “ Battalion, Southern Division.” 
f Organized by Alexander Hamilton in 1776. 
351 352 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
It will be seen from this table that the companies were then serving in the 
South with the exception of A and G ; which were sent South from Boston. 
Some of the lieutenants were afterwards exchanged to other regiments, so 
that the student of the personnel of the Fourth Artillery will have to con- 
sult the War Department order of August 16, 1821. 
Under the order of the War Department, dated April 15, 1824, estab- 
lishing the Artillery Corps of Instruction at Fortress Monroe, Colonel Fen- 
wick was ordered to that post in command of the new school, with Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Eustis of the 4th Artillery as the second in command. Compa- 
nies C, Dand I were selected from the regiment as its quota to the Corps of 
Instruction. 
In April, 1826, regimental headquarters returned to the South, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Eustis being left in command at Fortress Monroe. Two of the 
companies of the regiment were changed at the same time. Soon after its 
organization the regiment suffered severely from the ravages of yellow fever, 
and the records for several years indicate great mortality. The southern 
stations were regarded as unhealthy, and in 1827 General Jacob Brown 
ordered a general transfer of regiments “as the commencement of a sys- 
tem promising to the artillery generally the advantage of a biennial ex- 
change, and the garrisons of the sickly stations in particular (on the south- 
ern frontier) the hope of periodical relief.” 
The headquarters of the regiment were ordered to Fort Columbus, with 
the companies distributed to stations at Forts McHenry, Delaware, Colum- 
bus, Monroe, and at West Point. The total expense for moving all the 
regiments was $15,680, an outlay that must have astonished Congress, as 
the House called for the reasons for such an expenditure. In his letter of 
reply General Brown says: * * * “ It will be only necessary to state the 
fact that one of our regiments, lately relieved from the Gulf Frontier, has 
constantly furnished garrisons for the dreary and sickly posts in that quar- 
ter since the organization of the Army in 1821. The number of deaths 
among the officers of that regiment within this period, six years, has 
amounted to sixteen, being four times greater than the average number in 
all the other regiments of artillery.” 
He should have added that the regiment lost two hundred and twenty 
enlisted men by death during that tour. 
During the next few years there were changes of station between com- 
panies of the regiment, and at the opening of the year 1829, regimental 
headquarters were transferred to Philadelphia. 
This was the beginning of the practice of separating the headquarters 
from the companies, and was continued, at times, for many years. The 
Black Hawk War, in 1832, necessitating the concentration of more troops 
in the West, in June of that year Brevet-Major Payne (captain of E com- 
pany) was ordered to proceed to Chicago with E, F and H companies of 
the regiment; and at the same time five companies from Fortress Monroe 
were ordered West. This battalion included C and G companies of the 
regiment, and was under the command of Major Crane, of the 4th Artillery. 
Lieut.-Colonel Eustis, 4th Artillery, commanding Fortress Monroe, was 
ordered to the frontier to take command of all the artillery. FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
353 
These troops formed part of Scott’s forces ; and instead of arriving in 
time to fight the Indians, they were, while en route, assailed by a more 
dreadful foe ; for on the passage up the lakes the cholera broke out among 
them. 
After terrible sufferings the depleted battalions arrived at Chicago in 
August, and finally reached Rock River; but too late for active hostilities. 
The artillery troops returned to their stations that fall, excepting com- 
panies E and H, which remained at Fort Gratiot until May, 1834, when E 
took station at Fort Trumbull and H at Fort Hamilton. 
The political aspect of affairs in South Carolina demanded the attention 
of the Government, and some troops were sent to that section ; companies 
B, C and G taking station at Fort Moultrie for a few months in 1832-33. 
Regimental bands had been merely existing; but in 1832 the regiments 
of artillery were given “ a sergeant to act as master of the band, and one 
corporal or private in addition to the ten men ” allowed to act as 
musicians. 
In the winter of 1833-34, companies A, B and C were part of the forces 
under Colonel Twiggs, in Alabama. The necessity for troops having passed, 
they returned to Fortress Monroe in March. Regimental headquarters 
moved temporarily to Fort Hamilton, but in November, 1835, were estab- 
lished at Fort McHenry. The annual return of the regiment for that year 
contains the following pertinent remark : *‘ It is the opinion of the colonel 
that were the regiment concentrated under the command of its own officers, 
its discipline as well as its instruction might be improved and the number 
of desertions might be diminished, and a higher spirit of pride and emula- 
tion created.” 
The Seminole War in Florida, began in the fall of 1835, and that winter 
and spring the Creek Indians, in Georgia and Alabama, also gave trouble ; 
so that in May, 1836, seven companies of the regiment were ordered to Fort 
Mitchell, Alabama. 
Companies B, D, E, F, G, H and I, reached Fort Mitchell in June, and 
General Fenwick was ordered to command all the troops concentrated 
there; but being in poor health he soon after returned to Fort McHenry. 
During that summer the companies were constantly engaged in marching 
through the swamps on service against the Indians: and when no longer 
required in the Creek Country, were transferred to Florida. Companies A 
and C had been sent to Florida the preceding July, so that the entire regi- 
ment was concentrated in the Seminole Country that fall. 
Company C, under Lieutenant Picked, was, August 21, 1836, in the fight 
at Fort Drane, where it had four men severely wounded. The same com- 
pany, and part of A, were with Governor Call, October 13, 1836, when he 
was opposed by the Indians in attempting to cross the Withlachoochee 
River, and Companies A, C, D, E, F, G and H, were with his second expe- 
dition and participated in the battle of Wahoo Swamp, November 21, 1836, 
where one sergeant of H Company was killed. General Jesup relieved Gov- 
ernor Call and opened his campaign in January, 1837, with Companies B, C, 
D, E, F, G, H and I, forming part of his command. E Company, under 
Lieutenant Brent, was engaged at A-ha-pop-ka Lake, January 23d, and 354 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
again at Hatchee-Lustee, four days later, as were other companies of Hen- 
derson’s Brigade, Company I losing one man killed. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Fanning and Lieutenant Thomas were engaged in 
the defense of Fort Mellen, February 8, 1837. 
The war seemed over in the spring and the regiment was ordered to New 
York harbor, excepting D and I Companies, which were to take station at 
Fort Mifflin. But the flight of the Indians under Osceola, in June, renewed 
hostilities, and many months elapsed before the regiment left Florida. That 
summer, B Company was mounted and did duty as light artillery during 
active operations. A, B, D and H Companies were in Taylor’s fight at 
Lake Okecho-bee, in December, 1837, when the Indians were routed, and 
B, D and H Companies were in the fight at Locha-hat-chee, January 24, 
1838. 
Companies D and G were part of Bankhead’s forces when he made an ex- 
pedition into the “ Everglades,” in March, and fought so successfully the 
band of Arpieka. Company I under Lieutenant Soley, was engaged at 
Tuscawilla Pond, April 29, 1838, losing one private killed. At the close of 
the campaign, the regiment was ordered to the Cherokee Country, western 
North Carolina, and after assisting in the removal of the Cherokee Indians 
came north to Fort Columbus, New York. Its period of rest was short, for 
in September it was ordered back to Florida for service. The act of July 
5, 1838, added K Company to the regiment. It was organized at Governor’s 
Island, July 24th, and went to Florida in October. The same act cut off one 
second lieutenant from each company, but more than compensated therefor 
by the addition of sixteen privates. 
The regiment remained in Florida until April, 1839, and was constantly 
engaged in scouting and in building roads and forts. The only action we 
find reported was the successful defense of Fort Maitland, in May, 1839, by 
a detachment of ten men under the command of Lance Sergeant Thomas 
Baldwin, a corporal of D Company. 
May 27, 1839, the entire regiment was at Fort Columbus, and was sent 
from there to the Grand Camp of Instruction held at Trenton that summer, 
at which B Company was mounted as a light battery September 27th, re- 
ceiving its horses from the Dragoons. On the breaking up of the encamp- 
ment, the regiment was ordered to the Lake Frontier and the headquarters 
and seven companies took station at Detroit, A and K at Fort Gratiot, and 
G, at Cleveland, Ohio. H Company was subsequently sent to Fort Macki- 
nac. During the summer of 1840, Companies C, F and I, under Captain 
Galt, and a detachment of Light Company B, acting as cavalry, under Lieu- 
tenant Soley, were engaged in guarding the emigrants passing through the 
Indian Country, and collecting the Pottawattomie Indians for emigration. 
The companies exchanged stations at different times, and in August, 1841, 
regimental headquarters were removed to Buffalo, N. Y., with companies as 
far east as Madison Barracks. March 19, 1842, General Fenwick, who had 
been in bad health for a long time, died at Marseilles, France, and John 
De B. Walbach, then seventy-eight years of age, became colonel of the regi- 
ment. In May, the regiment was ordered from the northern frontier to 
the seaboard. Headquarters and all the companies, excepting B, arrived at FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
355 
Fort Columbus in June and July, only to be again transferred, for the order 
had already been issued for headquarters and six companies to take station 
at Fortress Monroe, with two companies at Fort Washington, one at Fort 
McHenry, and one at Fort Severn. Some change in the order must have 
been made, for eight companies went to Fortress Monroe and none to Fort 
Washington. 
The “light companies” of the Third and Fourth Artillery regiments 
were to garrison Fort McHenry. The Act of August 23, 1842, reduced the 
strength of each company by seventeen men, so that in order to keep the 
light batteries efficient they were reduced to four guns ; and under orders 
17, of 1844, two companies of each regiment were to be associated together 
for instruction in light artillery. Light Company B was then at Carlisle, 
Penn., and Company K was sent there to join it in November, and they 
remained together until the following September. 
Space will not permit us to give more than a brief sketch of what the 
regiment did in the Mexican War. In the fall of 1845 Lieutenant-Colonel 
M. M. Payne, 4th Artillery, and companies D, G, E and I, of the regi- 
ment, were sent to join the “ Army of Occupation ” at Corpus Christi. 
G Company took from Fortress Monroe the materiel for a light bat- 
tery, and the other companies were armed with flint-lock muskets ; but ex- 
pected to have the new percussion muskets sent to them in Texas. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Payne was appointed inspector-general of the army of 
occupation, G Company was relieved of the field guns, and all four compa- 
nies were assigned to Child’s artillery battalion. In the battles of Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, May 8th and 9th, 1846, the companies above 
mentioned did their share of the work, Lieutenant-Colonel Payne being 
wounded and eight enlisted men killed and wounded. Major Gardner, 
with F and H companies, joined Taylor’s army in July ; and in September 
Light Company B arrived at San Antonio and joined Wool’s forces. E com- 
pany was broken up in July, and A and K companies left Fortress Monroe 
in October for the seat of war. 
During the year, A, D, F, G, H, I and K companies were armed with 
the percussion musket, “ which have so far proved a very efficient weapon, 
far superior to the flint,” says the report of the regimental commander for 
the year 1846. When Taylor moved from Camargo and from there on 
Monterey, D, G, H and I companies, with Harvey Brown acting major of 
the battalion, formed part of Child’s battalion of the first brigade, second 
division, F company having been left at Fort Polk. 
Early on the morning of September 21, 1846, the battalion of the 4th 
Artillery was engaged near Monterey, and at noon of that day G and H 
companies were selected as part of the command to storm the batteries on 
Federacion Hill. Early the next morning G and I companies were part of 
the storming party to carry the works that crowned the Independencia Hill 
(which was finally accomplished with the bayonet) and afterwards the 
Bishop’s palace. Worth’s columns of attack on the morning of the 23d 
contained the four companies of the 4th Artillery, and they bore off full 
honors in the fighting that ensued before the capitulation of the city, with 
a loss of twelve men killed and wounded. First Sergeant Hazzard of I 356 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY 
company was one of the nine soldiers mentioned in the official dispatches 
as having been highly distinguished. We now turn to Light Company B 
at the battle of Buena Vista, in February, 1847. It had, besides its four 
6-pdr. guns and two 12-pdr. howitzers, two 4-pounder Mexican guns that 
had been added after its arrival at San Antonio, and its personnel was in- 
creased by volunteers from the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments. In this bat- 
tle, B company greatly distinguished itself; Captain Washington, with part 
of the battery, protecting the right flank of the army, while Lieutenant 
O’Brien, with the remaining guns, covered himself with glory on the plain. 
On the 22d O’Brien was so hard pressed that, for lack of horses and can- 
noneers, he was forced to abandon one of the 4-pounders; and the following 
day, though wounded himself, and all his cannoneers excepting a few, dis- 
abled or killed, this gallant officer fought his guns a I'outrance, winning the 
highest praise from his foe,* who was held in check by those guns, that were 
“ lost without dishonor,” until the batteries of Sherman and Bragg came 
up, and Bragg “saved the day.” B battery may well feel proud of its work 
at Buena Vista, for it is unexcelled. It lost two officers and twenty-four 
men in killed and wounded. 
When General Scott began his campaign that culminated in the capture 
of the City of Mexico, regimental headquarters, Major J. L. Gardner, com- 
manding, with companies A, D, F, G and H belonged to Twigg’s division 
of his army. Company K was left in garrison at Carmago and I at Fort Polk. 
The Fourth Artillery participated in the various duties of artillery and 
infantry in the trenches and on picket at the siege of Vera Cruz. Then 
moving with Riley’s brigade of the division it was engaged at Cerro Gordo 
April 17th and 18th, 1847, entered Jalapa two days later, and was there 
joined by E company the following week. In May they all went to Puebla 
and were there joined by C company. This company left Vera Cruz as 
light artillery, but was immediately dismounted on reaching Perote, and 
joined the battalion of the regiment. G company was designated in gen- 
eral orders of July 16th, as the additional light battery of the regiment, 
but was not mounted until after the battle of Contreras. 
In the battle of Contreras, August 19th and 20th, Riley’s brigade, with 
the Fourth Artillery leading, pushed into the village of San Geronimo on the 
19th, and when the next morning the storming columns were formed to 
attack Valencia’s troops at Contreras, the column on the right consisted of 
the Fourth Artillery and part of the Second Infantry, the Fourth Artillery 
being in front in double column. As the victorious troops were pushing 
forward, the color sergeant of the regiment (Sergeant Goodwin) was killed, 
and gallant Lieut. Calvin Benjamin, seizing the colors of the Fourth Artil- 
lery, bore them the first into the works. G was the first company to enter, 
and “ recovered with glory ” the very guns that O’Brien had fought and 
lost at Buena Vista. 
After the battle the regiment collected around the guns with the great- 
est feeling of pride and exultation, and received the hearty congratulations 
of its companions in arms. General Scott, arriving, joined in the cheers, 
congratulated the regiment on having recaptured the guns that “were lost 
* See letter of General Ferres to Don P. Barrasmonda. FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
357 
by it on the field of Buena Vista without dishonor and recovered with 
glory,” and also promised that, with an appropriate inscription to its honor, 
they should be given to the regiment in perpetual token of its achievement. 
Alas! they now rest in the niches of the Administration Building at the 
Military Academy. “ Remember this, and show yourselves men : bring it 
again to mind, O ye transgressors.” 
These guns were at once given to Drum, and they formed part of the 
armament of his company, which was regularly mounted that day. The 
regiment lost in the battle one officer and thirty-seven men killed and 
wounded. 
At Molino del Rey, September 8th, Battery G did tremendous work. 
The other companies of the regiment were with the threatening force in 
front of the south side of the city, and on the morning of September 12th 
were in the demonstration against the Garita de Candelaria; and on the 
afternoon of the following day were detached for the purpose of making a 
diversion on the Piedad Causeway. Battery G was engaged at the storming 
of Chapultepec, September 12th ; and when volunteers were called for that 
afternoon to storm the heights the Fourth Artillery soon made up its quota 
(consisting of Lieuts. D. H. Hill and G. A. DeRussy and twenty-seven men 
from C, E, F and H companies), which formed part of Casey’s storming 
party the following day, while Battery G worked hard at covering the 
movement by its fire. After that G Battery fought along the Belen Cause- 
way up to the very gate of the city, losing so many men that additional 
cannoneers were twice furnished by the South Carolina Regiment. Capt. 
Simon H. Drum, Lieut. Calvin Benjamin and four men killed, and Lieut. 
FitzJohn Porter and twenty men wounded, attest the hot position of the 
battery in that fight; and General Quitman truly says in his report: “ The 
losses sustained by Captain Drum’s heroic little band of artillerists from the 
Fourth Artillery evince their exposure during the day. I do them, officers 
and men, but justice when I add that no encomium upon their conduct and 
skill would be misplaced.” 
The storming party of the regiment at Chapultepec had not gotten off 
without loss, six men having been wounded. The following day the regi- 
ment entered the city. On the very night the gates of the City of Mexico 
were opened the siege of Puebla (where we left A Company) began, and 
continued for thirty-two days, A Company being actively engaged at vari- 
ous times during the siege. 
The Act of February 11, 1847, gave the regiment another major and a 
regimental quartermaster; while that of March 3d added L and M Compa- 
nies. M Company was organized at Fortress Monroe, July 28th, and L 
Company at Fort Columbus, N.Y. H., November 12, 1847. Both of these 
companies joined the regiment in Mexico the following December. 
In the war with Mexico the regiment lost two officers killed and four 
wounded, and one hundred and twenty-four enlisted men killed and 
wounded. 
When the regiment left Mexico for Fortress Monroe, in the summer of 
1848, Light Battery B and Company K were ordered to remain on the line 
of the Rio Grande. G Company turned in its horses at New Orleans, but 358 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
took its guns to Fortress Monroe, where it was regularly dismounted in ac- 
cordance with the Circular of September 30, 1848, A. G. O. Under the Act 
of July 14, 1848, the companies were reduced to forty-two enlisted men. In 
October the regiment was ordered to Florida, and headquarters were estab- 
lished at Fort Pickens, but moved to Pensacola in the following spring. 
General Orders 22 of 1849 mounted an additional battery in each regi- 
ment. G, of the Fourth, having been designated for that duty, was sent 
from Fort Pickens to Jefferson Barracks ; and after being there mounted 
proceeded to Leavenworth and engaged in field duty. It did not remain 
mounted very long, for in March, 1851, all the light batteries' were dis- 
mounted excepting Taylor’s of the First, and Bragg’s of the Third Artillery. 
While in Florida the companies were kept constantly at work moving 
through the country. The orders of October 8, 1850, sent the regiment 
North with headquarters at Fort Columbus, the companies being distributed 
to that post and Forts Lafayette, Hamilton, Mifflin and Washington. A, 
C, H and M Companies did not remain long at their new stations, for in 
June, 1851, they were sent to the coasts of North and South Carolina, only 
to be sent North again the following June, when headquarters were ordered 
to Fort Hamilton and a number of the companies to stations on the Lakes, 
as far as Fort Mackinac. 
In 1853 some of the companies again changed station, C and I Companies 
going to Fort Independence, Massachusetts, while D and M, less fortunate, 
were sent to the Rio Grande. General Walbach established regimental head- 
quarters at Baltimore, October 1, 1853, the regimental quartermaster and band 
remaining at Fort Hamilton. In May, 1855, G Battery was ordered to prepare 
for the field as a mountain-howitzer battery, and was so exercised on two oc- 
casions ; but after firing a few rounds of ammunition at practice, the materiel 
was so much injured by the cracking of axles, etc., that the scheme had to 
be abandoned. The battery subsequently joined in the Sioux expedition, 
mounted on the battery horses and armed with long range rifles, and Sep- 
tember 3, 1855, was engaged under Captain Howe in the battle of Blue 
Water against the Brule Indians, being the only one of the four mounted 
companies that attacked the enemy on the heights on foot, losing two men 
in the fight but killing and capturing a number of the Indians. October 
10th, it encountered a band of Indians and captured five, and subsequently 
took station at Fort Laramie. 
The first part of the following year it operated as cavalry under Cooke, 
but in August it proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, resumed its guns and par- 
ticipated in the Kansas troubles. It was dismounted under G. O. 9 of 1856, 
which permitted only one battery to each regiment, and was sent to Fort- 
ress Monroe in December to form part of the artillery school. 
In the fall of 1856, the regiment was again sent to Florida, the field and 
staff arriving at Fort Brooke, December 13th. All the companies, except- 
ing B and G were that winter in Florida, having been drawn from Fort 
Mackinac on the north and Fort Brown on the south, “ in order to carry on 
a vigorous campaign against the Seminoles, who have within the year given 
evidences of their hostility.” 
Light Battery B had already been sent from Texas to Jefferson Bar- FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
359 
racks, and in March, 1857 joined at Fort Leavenworth to form part of Har- 
ney’s Utah expedition. It there received the horses of G Company, 
recently dismounted, its own having been turned in at New Orleans. 
The regiment was very actively engaged in hunting Indians while in 
Florida, and suffered great hardships in some of its expeditons through the 
swamps. The only casualty reported was the wounding of Pvt. King of M 
Company, in an engagement at Big Cypress, March 13, 1857. 
General Walbach died June 10, 1857, at the advanced age of ninety-three 
years, and Francis S. Belton was made colonel of the regiment. The oper- 
ations in Florida were prosecuted with good promise of a successful termi- 
nation of the campaign, but the War Department concluding that its servi- 
ces were needed in Kansas, all the regiment was sent to that Territory in 
the fall of the year 1857, and soon after distributed through Utah and 
Nebraska. The field staff and band and Companies A and I took station at 
Fort Laramie, in August, 1858; Company C and Light Battery B went to 
Salt Lake, D and E to Platte Ridge, F, H and K to Fort Kearney, and L 
and M to Cheyenne Pass. 
The following summer headquarters and companies E, H, I, L and M 
were sent to Fort Randall, Dakota, A, to Salt Lake, and F and K to Fort 
Ridgely, Minn. The privates of D Company were transferred to other com- 
panies of the regiment, and the officers and non-commissioned officers pro- 
ceeded to Fortress Monroe, where the company was reorganized and took 
station. During the trouble at Harper’s Ferry, in the fall of 1859, G and 
part of D Company were sent to that place and remained there several 
weeks in November. In i860, the companies in Utah were kept busy pro- 
tecting the parties of emigrants going West, and keeping open the mail 
routes. Light Battery B, operating as cavalry, marched during that sum- 
mer 2000 miles over a barren and desert country, and though the Indians 
were continually hostile, the roads were kept open. The battery had a suc- 
cessful fight against 200 Indians at Eagan’s Canyon, August, n, i860, losing 
three men wounded (one mortally). August 10th, Sergeant Bishop, com- 
manding a small detachment of the battery, was attacked and forced to 
withdraw to Deep Creek, where in a fight with a party of Indians, Septem- 
ber 6th, he was wounded. All the companies on the plains were kept busy 
scouting that summer. L Company was sent from Fort Randall to Fortress 
Monroe that year, exchanging with Company G. 
In the War of the Rebellion the active service of the batteries (the term 
by which we shall hereafter designate the units of the regiment) was so 
continuous and they were so separated that it is simply impossible, in a 
short magazine article, to attempt more than a general indication of the 
work performed by them. The outbreak of the War soon brought the regi- 
ment in from the plains. Regimental headquarters took station at Fort 
McHenry, but were subsequently sent to Fort Washington. Colonel Belton 
was retired August 28, 1861, and Charles S. Merchant became colonel of the 
regiment. He was retired August 1, 1863, and Horace Brooks was made 
colonel. 
We will now give, in alphabetical order, the services of the batteries 
during the War. 360 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Battery A.—Batteries A and C were united at Washington, D. C., in 
October, 1861, made a light battery (4 10-pdr. Parrotts) and attached to 
Sumner’s Division in December. In March, 1862, its armament was 
changed to 6 12-pdr. guns, and it was assigned to Richardson’s Division of 
the Second Corps. 
It was first engaged with the enemy at Rappahannock Station April 28, 
1862, being with Howard’s Brigade; and in the ensuing campaign against 
Richmond it did its full share of hard work. It fought well at Fair Oaks 
June 1 st; and, forming part of the rear guard of the Army, was heavily en- 
gaged at Allen’s Farm and Savage Station June 29th, and at White Oak 
Swamp June 30th (Capt. G. W. Hazzard of C being mortally, and Lieut. 
A. Morris slightly wounded), and was in reserve at Malvern Hill the follow- 
ing day. 
With Sumner on the right flank of the Army at Antietam it fought des- 
perately, and in the language of its corps commander, rendered “ distin- 
guished service.” It was next engaged at Charlestown, W. Va., October 16, 
1862. Two days later the batteries (A-C) were separated at Harper's 
Ferry. 
A Battery obtained seventy men from the 4th Ohio, proceeded to 
Washington to refit, obtained 6 3-in. rifles, and rejoined the Second Corps. 
It was near the right of Hays’ Division of Artillery when Fredericks- 
burg was bombarded, and afterwards crossed the river and was in the fight 
of December 14th. It afterwards formed part of the artillery reserve of the 
Second Corps; and though present and occupying several positions at 
Chancellorsville, it was not regularly engaged. After that it became part 
of the artillery brigade of the Second Corps, and was engaged with the 
enemy at Haymarket May 28, 1863. 
On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, it was put in position just on the right 
of Webb’s Brigade of the Second Division, and fought hard and well; and 
when, the following afternoon, this point became the objective of the op- 
posing forces, and Pickett’s men pushed forward to the stone wall, Battery 
A of the Fourth Artillery, just in rear of the wall, though hard hit itself, 
poured withering fire into the advancing ranks. The battery may well be 
f>roud of its magnificent record in the battle of Gettysburg, and Lieut. 
Alonzo H. Cushing, killed in Pickett’s charge, has left a name for gallantry 
that cannot be excelled. 
Cushing and Milne (1st R. I. A. attached) killed, Canby wounded, thirty- 
eight men killed and wounded, three limbers blown up, carriages and guns 
broken and injured, and sixty-five horses killed and wounded bear witness 
to the fact that A Battery was engaged at Gettysburg. What remained of 
it was attached after the battle to I Battery of the 1st Artillery, but was 
separated from it July 16th, made a horse battery (2 3-in. rifles and 2 12- 
pdr. Napoleons), assigned to the First Brigade of Horse Artillery, and re- 
mained with it until dismounted in June, 1864. 
Its service while a horse battery was with the cavalry, and it fought at 
Sulphur Springs September nth and 12th, at Bristoe Station October 
14th, and at Parker’s Store November 29, 1863. 
In Grant’s Wilderness campaign, in the spring of 1864, it was engaged FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
361 
at Todd’s Tavern May 5th, at Tiney Woods May 6th, again at Todd’s Tav- 
ern May 7th, and at Pine Run May 8th. 
Starting on Sheridan’s raid May 9th, it fought at Ground Squirrel 
Church May 10th, before Richmond May nth, at Mechanicsville May 12th, 
and at Salem Church and Harrison’s Store May 28th. It reached Harri- 
son’s Landing June 3d, and was there dismounted. It was sent the next 
day to Washington, equipped as a light battery, and remained in the de- 
fenses of Washington from that time until the close of the War. 
Battery B.—B Battery was a light battery throughout the War. It 
was armed with six 12-pdrs. until May, 1864, when two of the guns were 
turned in, and it thereafter served as a four-gun battery. It reached Wash- 
ington in October, 1861, obtained its new armament, and was assigned to 
M’Dowell’s Division the following month. When Pope’s army was organ- 
ized in June, 1862, it was assigned to the 4th (Gibbon’s) Brigade of the 1st 
(King’s) Division of the 3d (M’Dowell's) Corps. 
It was first opposed to the enemy at Orange Court House July 26, 1862, 
was under fire at Cedar Mountain August I7th-i9th, engaged in the defense 
of the Rappahannock at Rappahannock Station August 2ist-23d, in action 
at Sulphur Springs August 25th-26th, fought hard at Gainesville August 
28th, and at the second battle of Bull Run August 29th-30th. 
When McClellan resumed command of the Army King’s Division was 
assigned to the 1st (Hooker’s) Corps. The battery, still with Gibbon, 
fought gallantly at South Mountain September 14th, and in the battle of 
Antietam September 17th, when Hooker was directed to turn the left flank 
of the enemy, B Battery was in the thickest of the fight, and though sub- 
jected to a murderous fire at short range dealt desperate and effective 
blows in return. Lieut. J. B. Campbell wounded, thirty-nine men and 
thirty-three horses killed and wounded are indicative of the position of the 
battery in that battle. At Fredericksburg, with Doubleday’s Division of 
the 1st Corps, it crossed the river and was engaged in the battle from the 
13th to the 15th of December, 1862, and won the highest encomiums from 
its corps commander, John F. Reynolds. After the battle it became part 
of the artillery brigade of its division. It was engaged at Fitzhugh’s Cross- 
ing April 26, 1863, and was next under fire at Chancellorsville May 4th, 5th 
and 6th. 
After that the artillery of the corps was consolidated and it became part 
of the artillery brigade of the 1st Corps. It went into action at Gettysburg 
on the afternoon of July 1st, and was severely engaged, barely escaping 
capture, and finally fell back to Cemetery Hill. The next day it was hard 
at work under a very heavy fire, and continuing in position, had the same 
experience July 3d. Lieuts. James Stewart and James Davison (5th Art. 
attached) wounded, and thirty-two men and thirty-two horses killed, 
wounded and missing, one caisson blown up, three broken down, and two 
guns placed hors de combat are indicative of the positions occupied by 
“ Jock ” Stewart’s Battery on the field of Gettysburg. The battery was em 
gaged at Funkstown July nth, at Warrenton July 23d; and at Haymarket 
October 19th, and Mine Run Nov. 30th it was in position. 
It fought in the Wilderness in May, 1864, being engaged at Spottsyl- 362 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
vania Court House May 12th, Po River May 20th, North Anna May 23d, 
and Tolopotomy Creek May 25th. It was in position June i-4th at 
Bethesda Church, losing heavily in the fighting on the third and fourth 
days. In position at White House June 15th, and engaged all day in the 
fighting before Petersburg on June 18th, and remained in that vicinity the 
rest of the year. It was engaged in a fight at Hatchers Run October 28, 
1864, fought well at Gravelly Run March 29, 1865, where Lieut. John 
Mitchell was wounded, and ended its fighting in the Civil War at Quaker 
Road March 30, 1865. Its war record is magnificent, excelled by none, and 
only equalled by that of Battery K. 
Battery C.—C Battery had to its record, when separated from Battery 
A in October, 1862, the various engagements indicated in the record given 
above of Battery A. Its captain, G. W. Hazzard, was mortally wounded at 
White Oak Swamp. When A and C batteries were separated, the horses, 
guns and equipments were turned over to C Battery, which remained with 
Hancock’s division of the Second Corps. It crossed the river with the 
Irish Brigade December 12, 1862, was placed in position opposite Marye’s 
Heights the following day, and during the battle of Fredericksburg, when 
the infantry struggled so hard to carry the Heights, C Battery did all that 
it could to assist its sister arm. It next fought at Chancellorsville May 2-3, 
1863, where part of the battery was with Hancock and Geary, and when the 
Third Corps was forced back on Sunday morning the half of C Battery at 
the Salient Angle, subjected to a terrific fire, poured canister into the 
enemy not sixty yards distant. The struggle was desperate, Lieutenant 
O’Donohoe (attached) was killed, and the intrepid Field voluntarily re- 
mained with Geary and did good work long after he had been ordered out 
of action. 
The battery was afterwards assigned to Ransom’s (First Regular) Brig- 
ade of the Reserve Artillery. It was sent forward July 2d to the line of 
battle at Gettysburg, just to the left of the Second Corps, and on that and 
the following day was well fought by Evan Thomas, losing Lieut. John 
M’Gilvray wounded, and seventeen men and twenty-nine horses killed and 
wounded. In August it was reduced to a four-gun battery (12-pdr. Na- 
poleons), and during October operated with the Third Division of the Sixth 
Corps. It was regularly assigned to that corps October 16th, and fought 
at Mine Run November 30, 1863. 
It was united with E Battery as a horse battery April 11, 1864 (2 3-in., 
2 12-pdrs.) and they remained so united until after the close of the War. 
This united battery was at once assigned to the first brigade of horse 
artillery, and during the spring campaign of 1864 was attached to the third 
division (Wilson’s) of the cavalry corps, and was engaged at Craig’s Chapel 
and Todd’s Tavern May 5th; at Spottsylvania Court House May 8th ; and, 
participating in Sheridan’s raid, fought at Meadow Bridge May 12th, and at 
Mechanicsville, May 14th, losing five men and twenty-two horses. Contin- 
uing with the cavalry corps it was engaged at White Oak Swamp June 3d, 
also at Riddell’s House the same day. Starting on Wilson’s raid June 22d, 
it fought at Nottoway Court House June 23d, Roanoke Station June 25th, 
Stoney Creek Station June 28th, and June 29th at Ream’s Station, where FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
363 
Wilson ran into the Confederate infantry, and after some severe fighting the 
battery was captured. The guns were spiked, the carriages destroyed, and the 
men mounted on the battery horses with pistols and sabres picked up on the 
road, fought their way out, and rejoined the horse artillery brigade the fol- 
lowing day, after having lost several men wounded and eighteen captured. 
It was at once re-equipped as a horse battery, receiving the same armament 
as before. 
It went with Wilson’s cavalry division to operate under Sheridan in the 
Shenandoah, and was engaged at Winchester August 17th ; Summit Point 
August 21st; Kernsville August 25th Berryville September 5th; after 
which it joined the reserve at Pleasant Valley. October 25th, with a bri- 
gade of the 19th Corps, it was successful in repulsing the attempt of 
Mosby to capture the paymaster’s train at Bunker Hill, and joining Sheri- 
idan the following day was assigned to the second brigade of the first cav- 
alry division. 
The half battery of rifled guns formed part of Sheridan’s command; 
when he made his raid that began February 27, 1865, and this part of the 
battery did good work in the fights that occurred at Waynesboro March 
2d ; Dinwiddie Court House March 31st; Five Forks April 1st; Scott’s Cross 
Roads, Sutherland Station, and Brown’s Cross Roads April 2d; Nelson’s 
Farm and Sailor’s Creek April 6th ; Appomattox April 8th; and on the fol- 
lowing day formed part of the fighting line that barred Lee’s way and 
forced the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. 
Battery D.—D Battery was mounted as a light battery in February, 1862. 
(6 i2-pdre guns) and remained a light battery throughout the War. A de- 
tachment of it was at Big Bethel June 10th, and at Fort Hatteras August 
28, 1861. 
The battery formed part of Wool’s force for the capture of Norfolk in 
May, 1862, and the following September was sent to Suffolk, where it re- 
mained with the troops under General Peck, forming part of the first divi- 
sion of the 7th Corps ; and was sent on various expeditions while serving in 
that vicinity. The right section (platoon is the name now given to what 
was then designated a section), under Lieutenant Whitney, was engaged at 
Franklin, Va., October 4th, and the entire battery having marched 50 miles 
in 30 hours, was in action at the same place October 31st. It was next engaged 
when General Corcoran had his fight at Deserted House January 29, 1863 
and again the same afternoon, ten miles from Suffolk, losing in the latter 
fight eleven men killed and wounded. April 24th the left section was in action 
at Edenton Road under General Peck, and from April 10th to May 30th, the 
battery was engaged in the siege of Suffolk. It was also in action May 24th 
while engaged under General Corcoran in destroying the Petersburg R. R. 
It fought at Franklin, Va., June 18th, and at Windsor June 22d, being part 
of the first division of the 7th Corps. When the 18th Corps was organized 
in April, 1864, to play its part in Grant’s campaign against Richmond, the 
battery belonged to the artillery brigade of the Second (Weitzel’s) Divi- 
sion, and moved to Bermuda Hundred in May. The right and left sections 
were, with the first division of the 18th Corps, engaged against the enemy 
at Point of Rocks May 7th, and the right section had several men wounded 364 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
in the fight near Petersburg May 9th. The centre and leit sections were 
heavily engaged with severe loss at Fort Darling May 14th, the entire battery 
at the same place two days later, and in front of Petersburg June 15th, 16th 
and 17th. The left and centre sections were engaged at Deep Bottom July 26th. 
The battery forming part of the artillery brigade of the 10th Corps partici- 
pated in the siege of Petersburg, being daily engaged from August 26th to 
September 24th, 1864, and also fought at Laurel Hill September 29th, and 
at New Market Road October 7th of that year. It remained in front of 
Petersburg until December, when it is reported as in front of Richmond, 
where it remained until April 3d, when it marched through the city that had 
been so long the capital of the Confederacy. 
Battery E.—Battery E, armed with 6 10-pdr. Parrott’s, was mounted 
as a light battery at Camp Monroe, Ohio, in August, 1861, and joined Rose- 
crans’ army in West Virginia. In December it was sent to General Kelly 
at Romney, and a section was with Dunning in his little fight near Blue 
Gap, January 7,1863. The battery now belonged to Landers’ Division, which 
afterwards became the second (Shields’) division of the 5th (Banks’) Corps 
in the organization of March, 1862. Four guns of the battery were in the 
skirmishes at Middletown and Cedar Creek March 18th, and the entire bat- 
tery, with Kimball’s Brigade, fought at the battle of Winchester March 23d, 
and was in the skirmish at Mount Jackson April 17, 1862. 
May 1st, Shields’ Division was transferred to M’Dowell’s department. One 
section of the battery was engaged at Front Royal May 31st, and June 9th the 
entire battery was heavily engaged at Port Republic where, after a desperate 
resistance, it lost three guns and two caissons. One of the guns it had the 
satisfaction of recapturing during the battle. The lost guns were not re- 
placed ; but in July the battery was made a horse battery, retaining its four 
Parrott guns. When the 1st, 2d and 3d Corps were organized in June, 1862, 
the battery remained with M’Dowell, being reported as unattached ; but in 
August it was assigned to Reno’s Division of the 9th Corps, and was en- 
gaged in the defense of the Rappahannock August i5-26th. 
Temporarily attached to Hooker’s Division it was engaged at Broad Run 
August 27th. Then rejoining Reno it fought at the battle of Second Bull 
Run August 29th and 30th, where it “ behaved nobly,” and was in action at 
Chantilly September 1st. In the reorganization of the Army it became 
part of Sturgis’ (2d) Division of the 9th Corps, and did good fighting at 
South Mountain September 14th. It participated in the battle of Antietam 
September 17th, where Lieut. E. L. Baker was killed, and Capt. J. C. Clark 
was four times wounded. The battery being without officers, General Hunt 
selected Lieut. Geo. W. Dickenson, 4th Artillery, to reorganize the battery 
after the battle and prepare it for field service. Temporarily with Hancock’s 
Division, it was in the fight at Charlestown, W. Va., October 16, 1862. It 
formed part of the grand battery opposite Fredericksburg, then crossed the 
river with its division (Sturgis’) on the morning of December 12th, and was 
heavily engaged on the following day, when it was subjected to a terrific fire. 
In less than twenty minutes “ the gallant Dickenson fell gloriously at his 
post,” while twelve of the cannoneers were killed and wounded, and all the 
men were twice driven from their guns. FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
365 
In March, 1863, it was assigned to the first brigade of horse artillery. 
After Fredericksburg “ Sam ” Elder was placed in command of the battery 
and retained it until the following November when he joined his own regi- 
ment. It fought at Kelly’s Ford April 14, 1863, while on Stoneman’s 
Raid, and after returning from the raid the Parrott guns were turned in and 
replaced by four 3-inch rifles. The battery was next engaged at Beverly 
Ford June 14th, with Buford, and next with Kilpatrick’s division at Han- 
over June 30th ; in the Battle of Gettysburg July 1st, 2d and 3d ; at 
Smithsburg July 5th; at Hagerstown July 6th; at Boonsboro July 8th ; at 
Funkstown July 10th; again at Hagerstown July nth; at Port Conway 
September 3d ; at Brandy Station October 10th and 1 ith ; at Buckland Mills 
October 13th ; fought again the next day, and again near Buckland’s Mills 
October 19th. October 27th and 28th it was in action while engaged in 
guarding Raccoon Ford, and in December went into winter quarters with its 
brigade of horse artillery. A new armament of 3-inch guns was obtained 
in March, 1864, but on the nth of April C and E batteries were consoli- 
dated and made a horse battery (two 3-inch rifles and two 12-pounder guns) 
and the war record of E battery from that time on has already been given 
in the record of Battery C. 
Battery F.—Battery F arrived in Washington from the West on the 
18th of April, 1861, after having had a number of its men injured from 
stones, etc., thrown by the mob while passing through Baltimore. It was 
sent to Carlisle in June and there equipped as a light battery (four 
6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers) and formed part of Patter- 
son’s command, the sections being distributed to the different brigades. 
The battery was first engaged at Falling Waters July 2d, 1861; July 8th 
it is reported as attached to Stone’s brigade. 
In the organization of the Army, October 15, 1861, it was assigned to 
Banks’ division, of which it then formed part, and was engaged for several 
days in December in defending dams Nos. 4 and 5. In the reorganization 
of March, 1862, it was assigned to to the First (Williams’) Division of the 
Fifth (Banks’) Corps. One section was in action at Newton May 24th, 
and the entire battery fought in the battle of Winchester the following 
day. In June, 1862, the armament was changed to six 12-pounder Napo- 
leon guns. When Pope’s army was formed Banks’ corps became the Sec- 
ond Corps. At Cedar Mountain the battery fought hard and Weil, suffer- 
ing severely and losing, by an accident, one gun in the retreat. After 
Pope’s campaign Banks’ corps was made the 12th Corps (General Mans- 
field’s) which, after Antietam, became Slocum’s. The battery was, in the 
reorganization, taken from the division to form part of the artillery brig- 
ade of the corps, and was held in reserve at Antietam and not engaged 
during the battle. 
It was at Chancellorsville that it covered itself with glory, being engaged 
May 1st, 2d and 3d. Lieut. E. D. Muhlenberg, with his guns at the angle 
near Geary, did work of which the battery may well feel proud, for with 
“courage, coolness and indomitable bravery—he contended against the 
fearful odds before him until every gunner was killed or wounded at his 
post, seven horses killed and his ammunition exhausted.” Lieutenant F. 6. 366 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Crosby, a most gallant and efficient officer of the battery, was killed on 
the 3d. 
We next find the battery engaged at Gettysburg, when July 2d it was in 
action near Culp’s Hill, and on the following day, placed about the centre 
of the line of the 12th Corps, it rendered valuable service by its work 
against the enemy. That ended the fighting of F Battery for the War. It 
went West with the 12th Corps that fall, and in the spring of 1864 was sent 
to Nashville to form part of the first division of the reserve artillery of 
the Army of the Cumberland. In October, 1864, it was dismounted, the 
privates assigned to M Battery, and the officers and non-commissioned 
officers sent east to recruit. It was not remounted nor did it again rejoin 
the forces in the field. 
Battery G.—Early in June, 1861, Battery G was equipped as a light 
6attery (4 6-pdr. guns and 2 12-pdr. howitzers) at Cincinnati, and joined 
McClellan in West Virginia, being present at the fight at Rich Mountain 
July nth. On the 25th of July it was assigned to the Third (McCook’s) 
Brigade by Rosecrans, and subsequently joining the First (Reynolds’) Bri- 
gade, it fought well at Green Briar River October 3d, losing six men 
killed and wounded. In December it joined the Army of the Potomac as 
part of the reserve artillery, and received a new armament of 6 12-pdr. Na- 
poleon guns. 
It participated in the Peninsular campaign, being actively engaged in the 
siege of Yorktown. After that it was attached to the Second (Slocum’s) 
Division of the Second (Franklin’s) Corps, and a month later joined Getty’s 
Brigade of Reserve Artillery. June 28, 1862, it joined Naglee (of Peck’s 
Division of the Fourth Corps), who was left behind to hold Jackson in 
check, and was that afternoon engaged in the fight at Bottom’s Bridge. It 
was on the line of battle and slightly engaged on several occasions during 
the retreat, serving with Peck, and also Smith’s Division of the Sixth 
Corps, after which it returned to the artillery reserve. It next appeared 
with Sykes’ Division at Antietam, and while the battle was going on was 
sent to Burnside ; but it practically did nothing in that battle. 
At Fredericksburg it belonged to the right centre division of the reserve 
artdlery, was placed just to the left of the Lacy House December 10th, 
and the next day was engaged and did well in covering the crossing of the 
troops. It was next in action near Falmouth May 3-4, 1863, and the month 
after was assigned to the Artillery Brigade of the Eleventh Corps. July 1st, 
with the First (Barlow’s) Division of its Corps, it was severely engaged 
at Gettysburg, losing its commander, Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson, “ an officer 
of great gallantry.” That night it was placed in position on Cemetery 
Hill, where, under Lieut. E. A. Bancroft, it did heavy fighting July 2d and 
3d, losing thirteen men and twenty-four horses killed and wounded. It 
participated in the movements of the Army of the Potomac until that fall, 
when it was sent West with its corps; fought at Chattanooga October 22d, 
23d and 24th, and engaged in the pursuit of the enemy on the 26th and 
27th. The materiel of the battery was turned over in February, 1864, to 
the First Ohio, the officers and men of the battery being sent to Nashville, 
where in April four guns (4 12-pdr. Napoleons) were given to it, and in June FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
367 
a full complement of horses was obtained. The battery was dismounted in 
the following October, the privates transferred to Battery I, and the officers 
and non-commissioned officers sent to New York to recruit. Its field ser- 
vice in the War of the Rebellion was over, but in February, 1865, it was re- 
mounted as a light battery at Washington, D. C. 
Battery H.—H and M Batteries arrived at Louisville, Ky., in January, 
1862, from the West, February 1st they were united, mounted as a light 
battery (2 3-in. and 2 12-pdrs.), and assigned to Crittenden’s Division, that 
formed part of Buell’s command. 
At the battle of Shiloh, April 7th, this battery went into action near the 
left of Nelson’s line and did magnificent work, and later in the day, with the 
14th Brigade, it added lustre to its record. In the reorganization in May, 
1862, it was assigned to Nelson’s Division and was engaged in the siege of 
Corinth; and while in the trenches at that place received two more guns 
(3-in. rifles). It moved out of the trenches with the 22d Brigade on the 
28th of May and seized the bridge at Bridge Creek, where it had a heavy 
fight. 
One section was with Jackson’s Cavalry, when he had his fight at Tus- 
cumbia Creek, May 31st. June 2d the armament was again increased by the 
addition of 2 12-pdr. howitzers. The battery was at the battle of Perry- 
ville, October 8th, but not engaged. When Rosecrans assumed command 
in October, 1862, it was attached to the Third (Grose’s) Brigade of the First 
(Smith’s) Division of Crittenden’s Corps, and at the battle of Stone River, 
December 29 and 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, it was heavily engaged. A 
few days after that battle the batteries were separated, H retaining the four 
12-pdr. howitzers and M the 3-in. rifles. H Battery remained with Grose’s 
Brigade and fought at Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, where Lieu- 
tenant Robert Floyd (3d Art. attached) was mortally wounded, twenty men 
and twenty-five horses killed and wounded, and one gun lost. In this bat- 
tle the battery, under Lieutenant H. C. Cushing, did magnificent fighting 
and fully earned the high praise bestowed on it. 
February 24 and 25, 1864, it was engaged against the enemy at Buzzard’s 
Roost Gap. The following month it was relieved from duty with Grose’s 
Brigade, sent to Nashville to form part of the reserve artillery, and was 
there dismounted in October, 1864, the privates being transferred to Battery 
I, and the officers and non-commissioned officers sent east to recruit. It 
was then sent to Washington where it was remounted as a light battery, in 
March, 1865, but its war service was over. 
Battery I.—In June, 1861, Battery I joined McClellan’s headquarters 
in West Virginia, and was present at Rich Mountain, July nth-i2th. July 
22d, it was mounted as a light battery (4 mountain howitzers) and three 
days later was assigned by Rosecrans to the Second Brigade. That fall, 
with different brigades, it was engaged in several minor actions, viz.: Carni- 
fex Ferry September 13th ; New F.iver November 5th ; again at New River 
November nth, and the following day used two 10-pdr. Parrott's (recently 
added to its armament) at the same place. Leaving its howitzers in West 
Virginia, the battery joined Buell’s forces in Kentucky in December, there 
received 4 6-pdrs. (two of which belonged to the 4th Michigan) and was as- 368 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
signed to Thomas’ Division, which subsequently became T. W. Sherman’s. 
The battery was engaged in the siege of Corinth, in May, 1862, and joined 
in the pursuit of the enemy after the evacuation of the town. In August it 
was regularly assigned to the Third (Steedman’s) Brigade of the Third 
(Thomas’) Division, which was then under command of General Schoeppe 
and participated in the manoeuvres against Bragg. After that the section 
of the 4th Michigan was relieved and the armament of the battery became 
2 6-pdr. guns and 2 10-pdr. Parrott’s. 
The Third Division passed into Gilbert’s Corps, and was engaged near 
Springfield, October 4th, and at Perryville, October 8, 1862. When Rose- 
crans took command and reorganized the army the battery became part 
of the Third (Steedman’s) Brigade of the First (S. S. Fry’s) Division of the 
Fourteenth (Rosecrans’) Corps, October 24, 1862. In February, 1863, its ar- 
mament was changed to 4 12-pdr. guns. It skirmished with the Confederate 
Cavalry near Chapel Hill March 3d, and near Harpeth River March 8th, and 
was sent several times during that month to the Harpeth River to prevent 
the enemy from crossing. It participated in the Tullahoma campaign, and 
on the morning of September 19, 1863, opened fire at Chickamauga, where 
it was heavily engaged on that and the following day, losing Lieutenant N. 
Redmond wounded, twenty-three men and nineteen horses killed and 
wounded, one limber blown up and the battery wagon captured. This was 
the heaviest and most brilliant work of the battery in the War, and the clear 
judgment of Lieutenant F. G. Smith, in holding it at Snodgrass Hill, after 
Negley’s withdrawal, which subsequently became the key point for the ar- 
tillery that turned the tide of battle, enhances the value of the work well 
done. 
While at Chattanooga the battery, with the other troops, suffered for 
lack of supplies and most of the horses died of starvation while standing at 
the picket line ; so that when it moved out in November it had only some 
thirty nearly starved horses and a few mules to draw the guns and 
caissons. 
At the battle of Chattanooga, November 23, 1863, it was put on duty 
with the Second (Sheridan’s) Division of the Fourth Corps and was engaged 
near Bushy Knob on that and the following day. It joined, with its own 
division, in the pursuit on the 26th, but the horses were in such poor con- 
dition that it had to be sent back to Chattanooga, where it was dismounted 
in March, 1864, and sent to Nashville to form part of the garrison artillery. 
In October it was filled up by the transfer of the privates from G and H 
Batteries, obtained the four 12-pdr. guns from H Battery, and was regularly 
mounted as a horse battery. It was assigned to Johnson’s Division of Cav- 
alry, and in the following month to Wilson’s command of Cavalry. It was 
engaged against the enemy at Charlotte’s Pike December 15, 1864, and at 
Pulaski ten days later, where, owing to the loss of seventeen horses and 
lack of support, one gun was lost. 
When Wilson prepared for his raid through Alabama in the spring of 
1865, the battery under Lieut. G. B. Rodney, with eight horses to each of 
its four 12-pdr. Napoleons, formed part of Upton’s Division. It skirmished 
with the enemy at Jasper March 26th, fought near Montevallo March 31st, 369 
FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
was present at Ebenezer Church April ist, engaged at Selma April 2d ; and 
April 16th did its last fighting in the War at Columbia. 
Battery K. — In August, 1861, Battery K was sent to Washington, 
mounted as a light battery (2 20-pdr. Parrott’s and 2 12-pdr. howitzers), 
and in the organization in October was assigned to the Reserve Artillery. 
In December its armament was changed to 6 12-pdr. Napoleon guns. It 
remained a light battery throughout the War, retaining its six guns until 
May, 1864, when two of them were turned in, under the order reducing the 
batteries to four guns each. 
It participated in the Peninsular campaign, being engaged at Yorktown 
April 28, 1862. June 2d it was assigned to the Third (Heintzelman’s) 
Corps, and fought at Fair Oaks June 25th, at Ropers’ Church June 30th, at 
Malvern Hill July ist, and again at the same place August 6th. It did not 
reach Second Bull Run in time to participate in the battle, but was en- 
gaged at Chantilly September ist. 
When Burnside took command of the Army it was assigned to the 
Second (Sickles’) Division of the Third (Hooker’s) Corps, having been pre- 
viously part of the reserve artillery of the corps. It was engaged in the 
bombardment of Fredericksburg December nth and 12th, forming part of 
Tompkins’ Division of Artillery; then joining Franklin’s troops on the 
following day, it did excellent service against the right flank of the enemy. 
May 3d it fought at Chancellorsville, losing Lieut. I. Arnold (Ord. Dept, 
attached), wounded, and 44 men and 59 horses killed and wounded. It was 
in this battle, on the height at Fairview, at the extreme left of the crest, 
while under the most terrific fire, that K Battery won the admiration of all 
who beheld it, and its record at Chancellorsville under Lieut. F. W. Seeley, 
that prince of battery commanders, must always form one of the brightest 
pages in the history of our light artillery. Its work may be equalled but it 
cannot be surpassed. 
After the battle it became part of the corps artillery, was assigned to 
Humphreys' Division of the 3d Corps for the battle of Gettysburg, and 
July 2d and 3d did work that, in the language of that magnificent soldier, 
Humphreys, “excited my admiration as well as that of every officer who 
beheld it.” Lieutenant Seeley was severely wounded and 24 men and 28 
horses were killed, wounded and missing. The Battery was next engaged 
at Union Mills October 18th, and at Mine Run November 30, 1863. In 
April, 1864, when several of the Army corps were consolidated, the Battery 
was assigned to the artillery brigade of the 2d Corps, and during the suc- 
ceeding campaigns of the War, under command of Lieut. J. W. Roder, its 
hard fighting added to the magnificent reputation it had already acquired. 
In the Wilderness campaign it was engaged at Spottsylvania Heights May 
10th, 12th, 16th and 18th ; near North Anna May 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th ; 
at Sheridan’s Farm May 30th and 31st, at Cold Harbor June 3d, 4th, 5th 
and 12th ; near Petersburg June 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th and 26th; at Deep 
Bottom August 16th, and Boydton Plank Road October 27, 1864. 
The right section was engaged at Hatcher’s Run, February 7, 8, 1865. 
and the Battery participating with its corps in the final campaign against 
Lee, was in action near Hatcher’s Run March 22d, in the vicinity of Fort 370 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Cummings March 25th, at Hatcher’s Run April 1st and 2d, at Sailor’s 
Creek April 6th, and had the satisfaction of being at Appomattox Court 
House on the 9th of April when the Army of Northern Virginia laid down 
its arms. 
Battery L.—Battery L was mounted as a light battery at Fortress 
Monroe, in July, 1861 (6 12-pdr. Napoleons), and remained so mounted 
throughout the War. Its first engagement was March 8, 1862, when, from 
its position at Newport News, it was in action against the famous 
Merrimac. 
It was sent to Suffolk in July to form part of General Mansfield’s force, 
and remained in that vicinity until the organization of the Army of the 
James, when it joined that army and participated in its operations. When 
the 7th Corps was formed, in September, 1862, the Battery became part of 
Peck’s Division of that Corps. It was attached to Ferry’s Brigade in the 
operations that fall, and fought at Blackwater October 26th, and at Joiner’s 
Ford December 13th of that year. 
Getty’s Division of the 9th Corps became the 2d Division of the 7th 
Corps in March, 1863, and the battery was attached to it. It participated 
in the siege of Suffolk, which lasted from April 10th until May 3d, and also 
fought near Suffolk May 3d ; near Franklin May 16th, and was again in 
action a few days later, when it assisted in the destruction of the Peters- 
burg railroad. In July, 1863, it was sent with Spear’s Brigade of Cavalay 
on a raid into North Carolina, and was engaged against the enemy’s 
entrenched position near Jackson, on the 28th of that month; after which 
it proceeded to Winston and embarked for Portsmouth, Va. About this 
time the 7th Corps was discontinued and the battery was sent to York- 
town in October to form part of General Wistar’s command, which in 
the reorganization of April, 1864, passed into the 2d Division of the 18th 
Corps, the Battery becoming part of the artillery brigade of its division. 
A few weeks after, all the batteries of the corps were formed into a brigade 
of corps artillery. 
The Battery moved to Bermuda Hundred with Butler’s forces and under 
General Heckman, was engaged at Valley Farm, May 6, 1864, and at Walt- 
hall Junction the following day. It fought within two miles of Petersburg, 
May 10th, at Proctor’s Creek May 13th, and on the following day was en- 
gaged for five hours against an entrenched battery. When Grant detached 
four divisions from the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps at Bermuda Hundred, 
the latter part of May, 1864, and brought them around by steamer to White 
House to operate with the Army of the Potomac, L Battery accompanied 
Heckman’s division. While engaged in this movement Lieut. J. S. Hunt 
(who had relieved Captain R. V. W. Howard of command of the battery the 
previous September) fell from the steamer the night of May 28th and was 
drowned. Lieut. H. B. Beecher then took command of the Battery and re- 
tained it until the close of the War. The Battery participated in the fight- 
ing at Gaines’ Farm June 1st, when an attempt was made to force the 
passage of the Chickahominy, and two days later fought in the battle of 
Cold Harbor, where Lieut. S. L. Hubbard (2d Mass. Vols. attached) was 
wounded and 5 men and 14 horses were killed and wounded. • FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
371 
After serving on picket duty on alternate days from the 5th to the 12th of 
June, it returned to the Army of the James and was engaged in the siege 
of Petersburg from June 17th until August 28th, in which Lieutenant 
Beecher and the Battery were highly distinguished. It was in the trenches 
from the 22d to the 30th of June, from the 1st to the nth of August 
(when it was partially engaged day and night), and again from the 14th to 
the 27th of the same month—during which operations it suffered some loss 
in both men and horses. August 28th it crossed the Chickahominy, moved 
to Hatcher’s Run, went •immediately on picket duty, and was engaged in the 
trenches before Richmond until the 5th of the following February, when it 
was relieved from its position and moved to Signal Hill. When the Twen- 
ty-fourth Corps was organized the previous December from troops of the 
Tenth and Eighteenth Corps, the Battery became part of the artillery brig- 
ade of that corps and served with it in the operations around Richmond. 
Battery M.—The story of M Battery in the Civil War, until after the 
Battle of Stone River, has already been told in the sketch of H Battery. 
Batteries H and M were separated immediately after that battle, M 
Battery retaining the four 3-in. guns, and at the same time increasing its 
armament by the addition of two 24-pdr. howitzers. It still remained 
Grose’s Brigade, which became the Third Brigade of the Second Division 
of the Twenty-first Corps on the 9th of January, 1863. Moving with its 
brigade the battery experienced all the discomforts of the Tullahoma cam- 
paign ; and after that, at the battle of Chickamauga September 19 and 20, 
1863, under Lieut. F. D. L. Russell, it fought in a distinguished manner, 
losing 8 men and 13 horses killed and wounded. When the Fourth Corps 
was recreated September 28, 1863, the Battery passed into it with Palmer’s 
Division and became part of the Artillery Brigade of the First Division of 
the Fourth Corps. It remained at Chattanooga until November, and was 
then sent with the First (Cruft’s) Brigade to guard the railroad bridge at 
Bridgeport, Alabama. By the following March it had become so reduced 
in horses that it was dismounted (turning in its guns and horses at Blue 
Springs, Tenn., March 19, 1864) and sent back to Nashville to refit. It 
there received four 12-pdr. guns March 30th, and the necessary horses in 
May, and again became a light battery. In June it marched to Decatur; 
but soon after returning to Nashville by rail, it was assigned to the First 
Division of the Reserve Artillery of the Army of the Cumberland. In 
October its enlisted strength was increased by the transfer to it of the pri- 
vates of F Battery of the regiment. 
Half of the battery was attached to Croxton’s Brigade of Cavalry in 
October to operate along the Tennessee River, and was severely engaged 
near Pulaski October 22d, again on October 29th, when Croxton was driven 
back by Hood, and at Shoal Creek November 4th. The half batteries were 
reunited at Columbia the latter part of November. The battery was now 
attached to the artillery brigade of the Fourth Corps, and in Schofield’s 
operations in that vicinity it was placed in position on several occasions. 
It was heavily engaged at the battle of Franklin November 30th, losing 9 
men and a number of horses. 
It fought in the battle of Nashville December 15th and 16th, and after- 372 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
wards accompanied the artillery brigade in pursuit of the enemy. It then 
went into winter quarters at Pulaski, where it remained until the latter 
part of January, 1865. Then proceeding to Huntsville it turned in its 
horses and moved to Bridgeport with its guns, where it took station in Fort 
Number One as part of the post artillery. 
The following June while at Chattanooga it was mounted as a horse bat- 
tery, but the War was over and it was soon after permanently dismounted. 
Almost all of the field officers and captains, and some of the lieutenants 
were detached from the regiment and given higher, commands during the 
War, E. O. C. Ord, A. P. Howe, Gustavus A. DeRussy and John Gibbon 
winning fame as commanders of high rank; while Charles H. Morgan, on 
the general staff of the Second Corps, proved himself to be a man of the 
most distinguished military attainments combined with indomitable en- 
ergy. Morgan was promoted major under the Act of 1866, giving an addi- 
tional major to each regiment. 
By the fall of 1865 most of the batteries had been dismounted and the 
regiment was again performing garrison duty. Headquarters were at Fort 
M’Henry with batteries at that post, Forts Delaware, Washington, Foote, 
Monroe, Whipple, and in Washington City. 
* D Battery had been sent with its corps to Texas, but returned North 
and took station at Washington in February, 1866. B and K Batteries 
having made the most brilliant records in the War, were recommended by 
the colonel of the regiment to be retained as the two light batteries of the 
regiment. But the captain and one or more lieutenants of K being absent 
on detached service, this recommendation was not approved at the War 
Department in regard to that battery, and G, which had been one of the 
mounted batteries before the War, was retained as a light battery in its 
stead. 
Light Battery B was sent to Leavenworth and G took station at Detroit. 
The organization of alight battery under Orders No. 151, Series 1865, 
was 74 privates, 73 horses, 56 sabres (the drivers not being armed), and 8 
revolvers for chiefs of pieces and caissons. One battery of each regiment 
was to be armed with 4 3-in. rifles and the other with 4 12-pdr. Napoleon 
guns. 
The regiment retained its stations until November, 1872, the batteries 
occasionally interchanging, and a number of them doing reconstruction duty 
in North Carolina from 1870-72. G Battery was dismounted in February, 
1869, under the order allowing but one light battery to each regiment, and 
was sent to North Carolina for duty in that section. 
Light Battery B was in the field against the Cheyenne Indians in 1867, 
and in the campaign against the Indians in 1870, and joined at regimental 
headquarters in 1871. 
When the regiment exchanged with the 2d Artillery in the fall of 1872, 
headquarters were established at the Presidio of San Francisco with batter- 
ies at the various posts in the harbor, two at the mouth of the Columbia 
River, and two at Sitka, Alaska. 
The batteries at the mouth of the river and in Alaska were changed 
every two years, D, E, F, G, H, K and M serving at the mouth of the river FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
373 
and A, C, D, F, G, L and a detachment of M in Alaska during tour of the 
regiment on the Pacific Coast. The Modoc War called a number of the 
batteries into the field a few weeks after their arrival on the Pacific Coast, A, 
B, E, G, K and M participating in that campaign which proved so disas- 
trous to the regiment and the Army. 
B Battery, mounted on the battery horses, acted as cavalry, while A, E, 
K and M formed part of Green’s command on the south side of Tule Lake. 
When the movement was made, in the middle of April, 1873, to close in 
on the Indians occupying the stronghold in the lava beds A Battery used 
the Coehorn mortars, while E, K and M acted as infantry; and all four 
were handsomely engaged in the fighting that occurred on April 15th, 16th 
and 17th, suffering a loss of ten men killed and wounded; and a detach- 
ment of M Battery was engaged April 20th, with the loss of one man. On 
April 26th occurred the unfortunate affair in which, after desperate fighting, 
Capt. Evan Thomas and Lieuts. Albion Howe, Arthur Cranston and George 
M. Harris were killed and twenty-one men of the regiment were killed and 
wounded. B Battery was in reserve in the fight at Sorass Lake May 10th, 
and turning in its horses the following day went into the lava beds to the 
stronghold. Then remounting on the 17th, it started with Green’s Battalion 
in pursuit of the fleeing Indians, had a fight with the Cottonwood Band 
near Fairchild’s ranch, and surprised Captain Jack at Willow Creek. The 
pursuit was continued the following day, during which a number of Indians 
were captured. 
In the campaign of 1876 against the Sioux Indians, Batteries C, F, H 
and K formed a battalion under Capt. J. B. Campbell of F Battery. 
They left their stations in August, 1876, and did not return until the 
following January. The battalion reported to General Mackenzie at Camp 
Robinson, encamped at Red Cloud Indian Agency, and was kept under 
arms when Mackenzie disarmed the Agency Sioux. When Crook organized 
his Powder River Expedition in November, the Battalion of the Fourth 
Artillery formed a part of Col. Richard I. Dodge’s command ; and during 
the subsequent operations the discomforts of a winter campaign were fully 
experienced, the thermometer on one occasion falling to forty degrees be- 
low zero. 
January 10, 1877, General Brooks was retired and Joseph C. Roberts 
became the colonel of the regiment. He had entered the regiment as a 
brevet second lieutenant in 1835, and had risen through the various grades 
without ever having been out of it. General Roberts was retired July 2, 
1877, and William H. French became colonel. 
The Nez Perces, under Chief Joseph, broke out in hostilities in June, 
1877, and the Fourth Artillery was again called on for field service, A, B, 
C, D, E, G, L and M Batteries going into the field. E Battery was with 
Howard at the crossing of the Salmon River, where the Indians were driven 
back after a brisk skirmish on the afternoon of June 28th. A, D, G and M 
Batteries joined Howard the next day. Following the Indians, the column 
next struck them at the Clearwater July 1 ith, and at one o’clock that after- 
noon Lieut. H. G. Otis of E Battery was at work against them with his 
howitzer. The fighting was very heavy, and in the spirited countercharge 374 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
against the enemy at 3.30 that afternoon A and E Batteries participated, 
Capt. E. A. Bancroft of A receiving a bullet through the lungs about this 
time. 
A little later in the day Captain M. P. Miller, of E, led a second charge 
near the centre, which gained the ridge in front. At daylight the following 
day, in order to get possession of the spring, Captains Miller (Battery E) 
and Perry (1st Cav.), with Otis’ howitzer, supported by Rodney’s (D) 
Battery, were sent to secure it. 
That afternoon Miller’s battalion of the regiment (A, D, E, G and M 
batteries) made a handsome charge, which, after stubborn resistance, broke 
the enemy’s lines. In this fight A Battery lost one officer and five men; 
E Battery, five men, and G Battery one man, killed and wounded. Just as 
the Indians were crossing the river the following day the troops came up 
with them, and some firing ensued. 
C and L Batteries were sent from San Francisco, and joined Miller’s 
battalion on the 26th of July. Organizing a column, consisting of Batteries 
A, C, D, E, G, L and M of the 4th Artillery, the 21st Infantry and the 1st 
Cavalry, Howard pushed on over the “ Lolo Trail,” constantly pressing the 
Indians, who were finally captured by General Miles. The battalion was 
not again engaged after crossing the Clearwater, but September 12th Lieu- 
tenant Otis, with his men in charge of the howitzer, was sent forward with 
Sturgis’ command, and was engaged September 13th in the fight at Canyon 
Creek. In October the battalion came down the Missouri River by steam- 
boat to Omaha, and from there the batteries returned to their stations by 
rail. B Battery, equipped as cavalry, had proceeded by rail to Winne- 
mucca, and marched from there to Fayette Lake, Idaho, but was recalled to 
San Francisco on account of the labor riots which occurred that summer. 
This cause in the east had taken I Battery from Fortress Monroe to assist 
in their suppression, and it served at Baltimore, Pittsburg and Cumberland 
during the troubles. In July, 1878, headquarters were sent to Angel Island, 
and most of the batteries were ordered into the field against the Bannock 
Indians. A, B, D, E, the greater part of F, G, H, K and M serving in that 
campaign. B was equipped as cavalry, and D and G mounted at Grande 
Ronde Valley the latter part of July formed part of Miles' battalion of 
mounted riflemen. D and G Batteries were engaged against the Piute In- 
dians at Umatilla Agency, July 13th; and July 31st, Private J. H. Fisher, with 
three other privates of B Battery, had a handsome little fight with a party 
of Bannock Indians at Perry Munday’s Ferry, and succeeded in defending 
the station and rescuing the mail stage, the driver of which had been badly 
wounded. 
Regimental headquarters returned to the Presidio in March, 1880. Gen- 
eral French retired July 1st of that year, and was succeeded by Emory 
Upton, whose sad death on March 15, 1881, made John M. Brannan colonel 
of the regiment. 
In October, 1881, C, H and L Batteries were sent to Arizona to take 
part in the “ Apache campaign,” but were recalled a few weeks after their 
arrival, as the regiment was ordered east to take the stations of the 1st 
Artillery on the New England coast. The following extract from a tele- FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
375 
gram to the Adjutant-General of the Army from the Headquarters of the 
Division of the Pacific is indicative of the esteem in which the regiment 
was held: 
Presidio of San Francisco, November 20th. 
To the Adjutant General, 
Washington, D. C. 
In the absence of the Division Commander I say, what I am sure he would have 
me say for him upon the departure of this regiment, that it has, while in this Division, 
added to its already splendid reputation, by soldierly efficiency in the field in four 
campaigns, by continuous exemplary conduct in garrison, and especially by the con- 
spicuous attainments and affability of its officers. Kelton, A. A. G. 
The record of the regiment in the campaigns against the Indians was an 
excellent one, and while all did well Captain Marcus P. Miller, of E Bat- 
tery, made a most distinguished reputation. 
The regiment remained on the New England coast, with headquarters 
at Fort Adams, R. I., until May, 1889, when it was sent to the southern 
stations with headquarters and four batteries at Atlanta, Georgia ; two bat- 
teries at Saint Augustine, Florida; two at Barrancas, and one at New Or- 
leans, La. Light Battery B still remains at Fort Adams, and Light Battery 
F (mounted August 15, 1882), after serving at Fort Snelling, Minn., from 
the fall of 1882 until May, 1889, is now at Fort Riley, Kansas. 
When General Brannan was retired April 19, 1882, Albion P. Howe suc- 
ceeded to the colonelcy. He was retired June 30, 1882, and Gustavus A. 
DeRussy was made colonel of the regiment. This officer transferred with 
General George W. Getty, colonel of the Third Artillery, July 17, 1882. 
Generals Brannan, DeRussy and Getty never assumed command of the 
regiment. Getty, commanding the Artillery School at Fortress Monroe, 
was retired October 2, 1883, and Clermont L. Best, was promoted colonel 
of the Fourth Artillery. He took command of the regiment and retained 
it until retired April 25, 1888, when Henry W. Closson was promoted to the 
colonelcy. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY* 
First Lieut. JAMES C. BUSH, 5TH U. S. Artillery. 
ON May 4th, 1861, in conformity with the proclamation of the Presi- 
dent, a new regiment of 12 batteries was added to the artillery arm 
of service and became known as the Fifth of the series.* 
Congress confirmed this act of the President, July 12th (ap- 
proved July 29) of the same year, but all appointments dated from May 
14th. 
Differing in organization from the older regiments, the new one com- 
prised only field batteries, being in this regard the first entire regiment so 
equipped in the Regular Army. But it must not be inferred that the Fifth 
was designated by law as a light artillery regiment. “ Nowhere in the act 
of July 29th do the words ‘field or light artillery’ occur, nevertheless, the 
batteries received the personnel belonging to field-artillery only. This, to- 
gether with the other fact of the mounting, equipping and sending out as 
field artillery all the batteries, does not leave in doubt that Congress in- 
tended the Fifth to be a field artillery regiment.” 
Though formed only the previous May, we find one battery (Griffin’s, D) 
in the thick of the fight at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21. 
Orders No. 3, Headquarters Military Academy, Jan. 7, 1861, directed 
Lieut. Griffin, Tactical Department, to form a light battery of four pieces, 
with six horses to the piece. Enough men to make the command 70 strong 
were transferred from the dragoon and artillery detachments. On Jan. 31, 
1861, the command left West Point for Washington where it remained till 
July 4th when it was assigned as Battery D, 5th Artillery. Captain Griffin, 
who had been promoted, and transferred to the Fifth, retained command 
of the battery he had formed. 
This same day, July 4, the battery proceeded to Arlington, and thence 
by short marches to Fairfax and the battle-field of Bull Run, where, with 
Rickett’s battery of the First, it found itself posted opposite the enemy’s 
left. The withering fire poured in by these two soon silenced the opposing 
batteries and caused the enemy’s lines to fall back, pursued by our infantry. 
Later, in the afternoon, both batteries advanced, in the final attack, to a 
position previously occupied by the Confederates, when they were suddenly 
charged from an adjoining wood by a body of infantry and cavalry supposed 
at first to be Federals. The supports—entirely raw troops—gave way; 
every cannoneer was cut down, a large number of horses were killed, and 
notwithstanding the efforts of the officers to rally the supports, most of the 
guns were captured and the batteries placed hors de combat. 
Battery D lost during the day 27 men killed and wounded, out of an ef- 
fective of 95, and 55 horses. 
* Condensed from Lieut. Bush’s History of the Fifth Artillery. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLER Y. 
377 
Captain Griffin received especial mention for the handsome manner in 
which he had handled his battery, and Lieut. Ames for gallantry. 
At “Camp Greble,” near Harrisburg, Pa., a depot of instruction was es- 
tablished in June, Lt.-Col. T. W. Sherman, 5th Artillery, commanding. Here 
recruits were received and drilled and batteries fitted out for the field, the 
State of Pennsylvania furnishing most of the recruits.* 
Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Harvey Brown, Colonel 5th Artillery, after successfully 
sustaining the siege of Fort Pickens with his troops, came north and as- 
sumed command of the regiment, broke up Camp Greble and transferred 
the headquarters to Fort Hamilton, N. Y. Harbor, in April, 1862. Here the 
colonel and headquarters remained till General Brown’s retirement, August 
1, 1863. Colonel H. S. Burton, who practically succeeded him, was in the 
field and commanded the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, during 
the Wilderness campaign, until the breaking up of the Reserve, May 16, ’64. 
In the latter part of July he took station with the regimental headquarters 
at Fort Richmond, New York Harbor. 
Lt.-Col. T. W. Sherman and Major Thomas Williams, Fifth Artillery, 
after successively commanding Camp Greble, were made general officers of 
volunteers, and never served with the regiment in the field. 
1st Lieuts. Henry A. DuPont and J. B. Rawles were respectively the first 
regimental adjutant and quartermaster. 
II. 
Early in April McClellan’s army disembarked at Fort Monroe, and a 
few days later was brought to a stand before the intrenchments of York- 
town. 
In the advance towards Richmond, after the evacuation of Yorktown, 
the seven batteries, A, C, D, F, I, K, M, sustained their part in various engage- 
ments, notably F at Williamsburg and D in Porter’s flank movement to 
Hanover Court House. 
It would be impracticable within the space allowed, to write any adequate 
account of the part performed by different batteries of the Fifth during the 
battles, sieges and engagements, 108 in number, of this and other campaigns 
of the war. We can give only an outline of the general movements, with a 
brief reference to actions in which certain batteries particularly distin- 
guished themselves. 
Three kinds of field pieces composed the armament, 12-pdr. Napoleons, 
10-pdr. Parrott rifles and 3-inch ordnance rifles. Most of our batteries 
received one kind of gun, but at the opening of this campaign two of them 
(A, F) had four 10-pdr. Parrotts and two Napoleons assigned to each or- 
ganization. 
Four batteries of the Fifth (C, D, I, K) assisted in the heavy artillery 
fire which met A .P. Hill’s attack (June 26) at Mechanicsville, in Lee’s effort 
to force a passage towards McClellan’s right. 
* Regimental orders No. i, dated Harrisburg, Penn., July 4,1861, Lieut. Col. T. W. Sherman, 
5th Artillery, commanding, assigned the captains as follows : 
A, George W. Getty; B, James A. Hardie ; C, Truman Seymour; D, Charles Griffin ; E, 
Samuel F. Chalfin; F, Romeyn B. Ayres ; G, Richard Arnold ; H, William R. Terrill ; I, Stephen 
H. Weed ; K, John R. Smead ; L, Henry V. DeHart and M, James McKnight. 
Transfers, April, 186 £: 
Seymour from C to E, Chalfin from E to L, DeHart from I. to C. HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
After a severe struggle the enemy retired with heavy loss, the artillery 
taking a conspicuous part in achieving the result. 
The position at Beaver Dam Creek had its right flank so far in the air 
as to be easily enveloped by Jackson's force. The Federals fell back to the 
high ground at Gaines’Mill, where Lee attacked them next day with 124 
regiments and 120 guns against Porter’s force of 49 regiments and 96 guns. 
“ As the battle progressed, the batteries in reserve were thrown forward 
and took the best position available. The extreme simplicity of the battle 
favored this, and enabled battery commanders (Smead and Kingsbury 
among others) to supplement by their own judgment what was lacking in 
the proper organization and command of the artillery.” 
Just before sunset—the last charge of the Confederates—80 guns were 
concentrated, virtually in one battery, covering the withdrawal of the re- 
tiring infantry. “These opened successively as our troops withdrew from 
in front of their fire, and checked in some places, and in others drove back 
the advancing enemy.” 
In this last position Battery D remained till after dark, when it was 
withdrawn and ordered towards Malvern. 
“Two regular batteries (Weed’s I, and Tidball’s of the Second), almost 
entirely unsupported, were posted on the extreme right flank, and by their 
united and well sustained fire were enabled to repel three powerful assaults 
and prevent Jackson from enveloping and crushing in that flank. Jackson 
in his report says that he brought up parts of four battalions of batteries, in 
all about 30 pieces, to break this flank. The two batteries referred to with- 
stood a good portion of the firing of these pieces.” 
General Sykes in his report states : “ It is not too much to say that the 
enemy’s attack on my right flank was frustrated mainly by the services of 
Captains Weed and Tidball.” 
On the extreme left the enemy gained a strip of woods towards dusk 
and forced the line, coming through in great numbers. General Cooke, 
fearful for the safety of three batteries, DeHart’s, Easton’s and Kerns’, 
which had played an important part during the day at that point, ordered a 
charge of his cavalry. A volley of musketry broke the charge and sent the 
troopers and many riderless horses in utter rout to the rear through the 
batteries. Before the latter could recover from the confusion thus pro- 
duced, the enemy were upon them. 
“ Captain De Hart’s battery (C) did its best service, keeping its ground 
and delivering its fire steadily against the advancing enemy. Officers and 
men displayed the greatest gallantry, but no efforts could repel the rush of 
a now successful foe, under whose fire rider and horse went down and guns 
lay immovable upon the field.” Captain De Hart was wounded at this 
time, and died not long after at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. 
Captains Smead, Weed, De Hart and Lieut. Kingsbury received high 
praise “ for the superb manner in which their guns were handled.” 
Thence to the James, every day was a fight, and our batteries struggled 
along with the rest, the horses held ever ready to move at a moment’s 
notice. 
Having repulsed the enemy at points where he had endeavored to break THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
379 
the retreating column, the Federals assembled their army and made a final 
stand on Malvern Hill the morning of July 1. 
Porter’s corps and Couch’s division occupied the left and upon them 
the brunt of fighting fell. Here were posted our batteries (A, D, I, K). 
“ Brigade after brigade formed under cover of the woods, and started at 
a run to cross the open space and charge the batteries, but the heavy fire of 
our guns, and the steady volleys of the infantry, sent them reeling back to 
shelter.” 
During one of these assaults Battery D so shattered a regiment charg- 
ing upon it, that the infantry bolted, leaving their colors which were after- 
wards awarded to the battery. 
“ Just as the sun was setting, the enemy made his last and most deter- 
mined assault, which fell entirely upon Porter. It seemed as though he 
must give way to the overwhelming pressure.” But at this critical moment 
Colonel H. J. Hunt pushed forward the batteries of the Artillery Reserve 
(A and I) and an almost continuous battery of about 60 guns was opened 
on the enemy, crushing him back into the woods from which he did not 
again return. 
Ames’ battery remained on the firing line, in a particularly exposed posi- 
tion on the extreme left, during the entire day, and fired 1392 rounds of 
ammunition. 1st Lieut. Adelbert Ames and his subalterns, James Gillis and 
George W. Crabb, received particular mention for gallantry and skill both 
at Malvern Hill and Gaines’ Mill (Golding’s). 
The Federals retired to their base, Harrison’s Landing, whither our other 
batteries (C, F, M.) had already gone. 
III. 
Lee soon set on foot a new campaign towards the old battle-ground of 
Bull Run, in which quarter an army had been created under General Pope. 
Thither too the Army of the Potomac was gradually transferred. 
After some preliminary manoeuvring, the opposing forces met in action 
near Manassas, Va., August 29-30. Battery C took part in the fight of the 
28th, C and D in that of the 29th and C, D, I, K, in that of the 30th. 
“Despite hard blows, the Federals were forced back all along the line. 
Had not a successful stand been made by a hurriedly assembled force 
massed on the Henry house hill, the afternoon of the 30th, the disaster 
would have been fatal to the Army of Virginia.” 
On the hill all our batteries took position. 
As the broken columns fell back, Meade’s and Seymour’s brigades of 
Reynold's division, and their three batteries (Ransom’s, C), were thrown 
in to resist the advancing enemy. 
“The brigades and Ransom’s battery after hard fighting moved to the 
Henry house, which position they most gallantly maintained for two hours,” 
when they were ordered toward Centreville. 
Hazlett distinguished himself in the desperate endeavor of Warren’s 
brigade to protect the left of Sykes’ division against an attack of greatly 
superior numbers, just before retiring to the Henry house. 
Battery D had been ordered to an important position in support of an 
attack of our infantry, when Hazlett suddenly found that all the troops on HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
380 
his left had been withdrawn, not even leaving pickets. He applied to Gen- 
eral Warren on his right for support and received it. Not long after, the 
Confederates discovered this exposed flank and attacked. 
“The enemy poured upon this little command a mass of infantry which 
enveloped and almost destroyed it, completely piercing our line,” writes 
General Sykes. “ It became necessary to change our ground. This the 
brigades accomplished under a severe artillery fire. Weed’s, Smead’s and 
Randol’s batteries moving with and near them. After an interval, the re- 
mains of my command united on the plateau where my artillery joined me.” 
Captain Smead was unfortunately killed in bringing off his guns, and 
the command devolved upon Lieut. Van Reed who retired the battery to 
the Henry house and, later, conducted it to Washington. 
“ Weed was in action throughout the day, and strengthened the reputa- 
tion he had already acquired ” (Sykes’ report). 
Hazlett remained on the hill, firing, after his division had left, till ordered 
away by General Hooker. 
IV. 
No sooner had the broken members of Pope’s army been gathered 
within the defenses of Washington, than McClellan, reinstated, found it 
necessary to move up the left bank of the Potomac to encounter his old foe 
on the soil of Maryland. 
He first met Lee (Sept. 14) at the passes of South Mountain, through 
which the latter was withdrawing from Frederick to a strong position on 
the Sharpsburg ridge, extending across a bend of the Potomac, behind An- 
tietam creek. 
Batteries C and F participated in the fight of the 16th and A, C. D, F. 
I, K in the main one of Sept. 17th, Antietam. 
Battery A (Lieut. Charles P. Muhlenberg) was attached to Rodman’s 
division, IX. Corps, Burnside’s, and took position near bridge No. 3 on the 
left. In the afternoon, after shelling the opposite bank during the day, 
Muhlenberg crossed over with his division in the attack upon the Con- 
federate right. 
Weed, Hazlett and Van Reed took position at the centre, near bridge 
No. 2, with Porter’s corps. 
The batteries of Weed and Van Reed were among those that did such 
effective work against Jackson’s right near the Dunker church. Of these 
Jackson says: “The Federal batteries, so posted on the opposite side of 
the Antietam as to enfilade my line, opened a severe and damaging fire.” 
Ayres (F) was in the thick of the fight in his old division (Smith’s, VI. 
Corps), while Ransom (C) remained with the Pennsylvania Reserves, now 
Meade’s division of the I. Corps, Hooker’s, on the right, where the severest 
fighting took place. 
“At about 10 o’clock,” wrote Lieut. Gansevoort, who actually commanded 
Battery C during the day, “ General Hooker ordered our battery to the ex- 
treme front, and took it there himself. We passed through a wood, then 
over a ploughed field into a pasture. 
“ The infantry on our right fled, and also on our left. As we came in, a 
battery on our left retired, and we were left alone without support. The 
rebels were coming down upon us, and we would have retired to save our THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
381 
pieces; but many of the horses were killed and it was impossible. We 
therefore continued firing; and, after a short time, the horses of the caissons 
came up with the caisson limbers, containing fresh ammunition. The en- 
emy after a while retired, and with the last horses we also retired, having 
accomplished our mission, but with great loss.” 
General Meade in his report says :—“ I cannot close this report without 
calling your attention to the skill and good judgment, combined with cool- 
ness, with which Captain Ransom, his officers (Lieutenants Weir and Gan- 
sevoort) and men, served his battery. I consider this one of the most 
critical periods of the morning, and that to Captain Ransom’s battery is 
due the credit of repulsing the enemy.” 
Smith’s division also attacked on the right and with it Ayres' battery 
(F). Captain Ayres says:—“ My own battery was brought upon the line 
under heavy fire at about 11:30 o’clock A. M. From this time it was mostly 
under the command of First Lieut. L. Martin, my duties (chief of artillery) 
calling me to other points on the field. 
“ The splendid services of the battery of Lieutenant Martin, 5th Artillery, 
posted near my right,” reported General Irwin, “ attracted the admiration 
of all who saw it in action. For several hours it engaged the enemy at 
short range and with deadly effect. In this action I felt a particular inter- 
est in Lieut. Martin’s battery, for to its fire the safety of my brigade may be 
largely imputed. Had he not checked the heavy fire from the batteries of 
the enemy, they would have destroyed the greater part of my command.” 
V. 
The Confederates retired into Virginia, whither the Northern army fol- 
lowed, and by the end of November, 1862, our batteries found themselves 
at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg. 
Batteries A, C, D, F, I and K took part in the battle of December 13. 
The artillery, except one battery for each division, was withdrawn from 
the corps and temporarily attached to the Artillery Reserve, and all arranged 
in.four divisions posted in positions favorable for the purpose. Battery K 
(Lieut. D. H. Kinzie) alone of the Fifth, remained permanently with the 
Reserve and served in the second of these divisions. Battery D (Hazlett) 
fought in the first, and Battery A (Gilliss) was temporarily attached to the 
third division on December 11, and aided in covering the crossing of the 
troops. On the 13th it crossed the river and remained in Fredericksburg 
during the fight as also did Battery I (Lieut. M. F. Watson). 
Batteries F (Lieut. Leonard Martin) and C (Captain Ransom) crossed 
the river and did gallant service in the attack of Franklin’s Grand Division 
against the Confederate right. 
Lieut. Martin received mention for the gallant style in which he com- 
manded his battery. 
VI. 
The dreary winter wore away in the cantonment at Falmouth, and in 
April the defeated army, now recuperated, moved by its right flank across 
the river to Chancellorsville, again facing Fredericksburg. 
General Hooker, who had assumed command, prefaced this movement 
by a feint under Sedgwick, below Fredericksburg, while he cleverly stole 
a march by the upper Rappahannock to the left flank of Lee’s army. 382 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
With his wonted boldness, Lee divided his force, and sent Jackson around 
his adversary’s right to take him in reverse and thus cut him off from the 
U. S. Ford. 
In the battle that followed, (May 2, 3, 4) the Fifth was represented by 
Batteries C, D, F, I and K. On May 1, Battery K of the reserve moved to 
the north side of the river, covering Banks Ford, where it remained during 
the fight. 
Meanwhile Hooker weakened his right and thus enabled Jackson to 
complete his manoeuvre and crush the XI. Corps (May 2). On the morrow, 
by dint of massed blows, Lee fairly drove the Federal army into a corner. 
The batteries, as a rule, stuck closely to their divisions and were posted 
without regard to concert of action and often where they were entirely 
useless. “ The woods seemed full of batteries.” 
Battery D (Hazlett) formed one of a group of batteries on a knoll at the 
left of the line. The favorable position of these batteries undoubtedly de- 
terred any attack upon them. 
Battery C (Ransom) (April 28) marched with its division a few miles be- 
low Fredericksburg where it became engaged with the enemy while covering 
the crossing of the troops, and lost a few horses. On the 30th it crossed the 
river, and thence marched to Chancellorsville where it took position (May 
3) in a group of batteries on the front and right of the array. 
Battery I (Watson) after the action of May 1, took position near the 
Chancellor House and on the 3d formed one of a group of batteries collected 
by Captain Weed. 
“ The Federal troops were forced back to the new line, the centre oc- 
cupying the open space on which stood the White House, which line also 
had a salient, the apex of which, pointing in the direction of the Chancellor 
House, was about three-fourths of a mile in rear. 
“ General Meade (V. Corps) directed Captain Weed, his chief of artillery, 
to collect all the batteries that he could and place them in position in this 
salient. Thus armed with proper authority, that energetic officer soon had 
56 pieces in a commanding position looking in the two most exposed direc- 
tions.” 
During this and the following day the enemy made attacks upon Weed’s 
batteries, but they were never driven home, and the line held its ground till 
the whole army retired. 
Weed’s services on this occasion obtained for him promotion to a briga- 
dier generalcy. 
Battery F (Martin) crossed the Rappahannock in Sedgwick’s command 
(May 2), after covering the crossing of his division (Howe’s). The next 
morning it took positions so as to reach the heights held by the Confeder- 
ates and rendered efficient service in keeping down their fire. 
The battery accompanied the infantry in its assault against a position 
where Burnside had lost 13,000 men only a short time before, and, moving 
with the firing line, arrived on the crest but a few seconds after its capture. 
Early next morning, May 4, the enemy made a determined attack against 
Howe’s division, which was successfully repulsed by Martin’s battery and a 
portion of Neill’s brigade. But in the afternoon Lee turned all his avail- 
able force against Sedgwick, who had been ordered to rejoin the main army. 
Our battery kept up a sharp enfilading fire, changing position as the enemy THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
383 
advanced, and withdrew only when its ammunition was exhausted and the 
enemy within a few yards of its guns. 
The Confederates retired with the growing darkness, and during the 
night Sedgwick withdrew across Bank’s Ford. 
“ Great credit is again due our artillery,” writes General Howe, “ for their 
services in repelling the attack. In the action at Guest’s farm the section 
under Lieut. Simon, 5th Artillery, and Captain Rigby’s battery were largely 
instrumental in breaking the attack of the enemy’s left, and the artillery on 
our left, under Captain Martin, 5th Artillery, was used with great effect in 
checking the advance of the enemy on that point, and afterwards, in 
connection with Lieut. Butler’s battery (2d Artillery), in wholly breaking the 
attack.” 
Battery L (Chalfin) had been stationed since its organization just out- 
side of Baltimore, Md., from whence it took part in the effort to head off 
Stuart’s raid (Sept. 1862), and in May ’63 joined General Milroy’s division 
in the Valley under command of Lieut. W. F. Randolph. 
VII. 
Now supervened another rest in the thrice occupied Falmouth camp, 
while Lee planned a second raid into the Northern States. Still grasping 
with his right the old defenses at Fredericksburg, he covertly advanced his 
left, under Ewell, to Culpeper and thence into the Shenandoah Valley. 
Ewell pushed rapidly up the valley and trapped Milroy at Winchester from 
whom he captured some 4000 prisoners and much material, among which 
figured the equipment of Battery L and most of its personnel. 
Battery L, after participating with credit in certain minor affairs, was 
ordered by General Milroy on the 14th, to occupy, without adequate support, 
an isolated, unfinished outwork dominated by a mountain to the west, 
within range. Here the battery remained till late in the afternoon, when 
the enemy opened upon it with plunging fire from 16 guns which he had 
succeeded in getting into position on the mountain. Many of the men and 
most of the horses were shortly killed or wounded, and caissons and limbers 
blown up. The battery was so disabled inside of ten minutes that it became 
impossible to remove the guns. 
Suddenly the enemy charged with five regiments which had been massed 
behind a neighboring ridge in front. The timber had been only partially 
cut away and troops could approach unseen to within 100 yards. Nothing 
inside the work could stop this onslaught, but our men stood by their guns 
till the enemy had planted his colors on the parapet. Not till then did 
Randolph order his men to fall back. Lieut. Spooner with 18 men escaped. 
Lieut. Randolph was carried, wounded, into the town and fell into the hands 
of the Confederates. 
As soon as Hooker discovered the nature of Lee’s movements, he started 
his army for the Potomac and concentrated it at Frederick, Md.; here 
Meade succeeded him in command. The opposing forces met at Gettys- 
burg where Batteries C, D, F, I, K, sustained their part in the battle of 
July 2, 3, 4. 
The XII. Corps arrived on the field at sundown July 1, and took position 
on the extreme right, resting on Culp’s Hill. Its artillery brigade (K) was 
held in reserve on account of the unfavorable nature of the ground till the 384 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
afternoon of the 2d, when space was found for one section of Battery K. 
The enemy opened immediately upon this section and a spirited duel re- 
sulted in the silencing of the Confederate guns. The conduct of Lieut. Van 
Reed, who commanded his section, was mentioned with praise in General 
Hunt's report. 
The next day the entire battery occupied a trying position opposite the 
centre of its corps and rendered efficient service in repelling the attack on 
that part of the line. 
Sickles had moved his corps to the front, into a peach orchard near Little 
Round Top, so as to form an angle not only with itself but with the rest of 
the line. 
After Longstreet s attack had developed and Sickles was being forced 
back to the main line, Battery C was placed in position on the right front 
of his corps. 
“I opened with solid shot and spherical case,” says Weir, “and as 
the enemy continued to advance, with canister. Soon it was reported 
that we were out of canister. The enemy being within a few rods of 
us, I limbered up, and was about to retire when a regiment of their 
infantry appeared on my left and rear and opened fire. I endeavored to 
get my guns off the field, but lost three of them, as some of the drivers and 
horses were disabled while limbering up. The guns were subsequently re- 
covered and during the afternoon of July 3, Weir’s battery, among others, 
was placed in position in front of the advancing enemy—Pickett’s charge. 
“ I was conducted to General Webb’s line, ” states Weir, “ and came into 
battery under a heavy fire. I opened at once with canister. After a time 
our infantry charged and the enemy were driven back.” 
Captain Ransom and Lieut. H. H. Baldwin were wounded. 
While Battery I was awaiting orders during Longstreet’s attack of the 
2d, it was seized upon by a staff officer of General Sickles and placed in po- 
sition with the III. Corps. 
Lieut. Watson was soon wounded and the command devolved upon Lieut. 
MacConnell, who writes :— 
“ The battery was without support of any kind. The enemy appeared 
shortly after taking position. As they approached the battery poured in 
canister until our men and horses were shot down or disabled to such an 
extent that the guns had to be abandoned.” 
“ They were, however, recaptured by the bravery and determination of 
Lieut. Samuel Peeples, 5th Artillery, who, having procured the services of 
the Garibaldi Guard, took a musket and led the charge himself, driving the 
enemy from the guns, and, retaking everything that had been lost, con- 
veyed it safely to the rear.” 
Lieut. Peeples was commended for “ heroic conduct ” and First Sergeant 
Lemuel Smith for gallantry. 
When General Warren discovered the attempt to take Little Round 
Top on the afternoon of July 2d, he hurriedly obtained Vincent’s brigade, 
V. Corps, to protect the summit. 
“ The contest here became furious and the rocks alive with musketry. 
Hazlett’s battery (D), supported by O’Rorke’s regiment of Weed’s brigade, THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
385 
was sent to the support of Vincent. Hazlett’s guns were dragged by hand, 
with great labor, through the rocks and bushes to the crest of the moun- 
tain, from which position they opened a damaging fire upon the flank of the 
enemy.” 
“ Night closed the fight. The key of the battle-field was in our possession 
intact; but Vincent, Weed and Hazlett, chiefs lamented throughout the 
corps and army, had sealed with their lives the spot intrusted to their 
keeping, and on which so much depended.” (Sykes.) 
Weed had been hit by a sharpshooter who was picking off our officers, 
and Hazlett was struck while leaning over his friend. 
The six rifle guns of Battery D took part, under Rittenhonse, in the can- 
nonade of July 3, enfilading Pickett’s lines, and by their steady and accurate 
fire caused the charge to “ drift ” in the opposite direction. 
Later, with the rest of the army, the batteries followed Lee back into 
Virginia where the opposing forces again faced each other near Culpeper. 
From here Lee dispatched Longstreet to assist Bragg in the impending 
battle of Chickamauga. Upon learning this the War Department de- 
tached the XI. and XII. Corps (Battery K)to reinforce Rosecrans, but the 
troops arrived too late for the fight. 
Battery K, Captain Bainbridge, was attached to Geary’s division, XII. 
Corps, Army of the Cumberland. 
It was relieved from duty with Geary’s division about the middle of 
March, 1864, and became part of the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Cum- 
berland. 
After minor services it was assigned, about the first of November, to 
the garrison artillery of Chattanooga, Tenn., where it remained till the end 
of the war. 
VIII. 
Battery H, after partial recruitment in Pennsylvania under direction of 
Captain William R. Terrill, was transferred to Carthage, near Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where three officers and 141 men reported present for duty the last 
day of October. In obedience to telegraphic instructions Terrill went to 
Munfordville, just north of Bowling Green, where the battery remained till 
the middle of February, 1862. 
During the campaign which opened the following spring, it was attached 
to Rousseau s brigade of the 2d Division, McCook’s, General Buell’s Army 
of the Ohio. 
When Fort Donelson fell, the battery marched to Nashville, and on April 
6, found itself at Savannah on the Tennessee River, not far from Pittsburg 
Landing, to which place General Grant had transferred his army. General 
Halleck, who now commanded the department, had ordered General Buell 
with about 37,000 men, across country, to join the army at Pittsburg Land- 
ing, and our battery had, of course, accompanied its brigade. 
After waiting in a drenching rain all night, Terrill’s battery embarked 
by daylight, and immediately after lanaing, “ hurried to the field, where it 
was ordered into action on the left with Nelson’s division, the advance one, 
against which the greater numbers of the enemy pressed heavily. 
“ I advanced the centre and left sections onto the skirmish line, where the fire 
was most galling,” writes Captain Terrill. “ I was compelled to this in order 386 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
to gain a crest of a ridge from which to fire upon batteries that had opened 
on our skirmishers. After silencing the enemy’s fire they seemed to receive 
fresh troops, for with vociferous cheers they now charged alongthe whole line. 
The infantry with us gave way before the storm of musket-balls, shot and 
shell, which was truly awful. Lieut. Ludlow’s section was immediately sent 
to the rear to protect the withdrawal of Lieut. Smyser’s. One of Lieut. 
Ludlow’s caissons had to be abandoned, all the horses having been killed, 
but we recovered it later in the day. 
“ I served one of Lieut. Smyser’s pieces, and he the other. We fixed 
prolonges and fired retiring. The enemy charged us, but were staggered by 
our discharges of canister, whilst Lieutenants Guenther and Ludlow on our 
left poured spherical case into them. We checked their advance three 
times, retiring as they charged upon us. For a time Lieut. Smyser and 
Corporal Roberson served the fifth piece alone.” 
By 3:30 P. M. all was quiet in front of Nelson’s division, but seeing 
McCook’s command sharply pressed, Terrill called for a detail of men from 
a neighboring regiment, and advancing his battery, opened upon the guns 
that were doing so much mischief to McCook’s force. “ Soon McCook’s 
whole line advanced with a cheer and drove the enemy before them, and 
the day was ours.” 
General Nelson writes:—“Captain Terrill’s battery was a host in itself. 
It consists of four 12-pdr. brass guns and two Parrott rifles. Its fire was 
terrific. It was handled superbly. Wherever Captain Terrill turned his 
battery silence followed on the part of the enemy. 
“Captain Terrill, his officers and soldiers, won for themselves this 7th 
of April both the admiration and thanks of the 4th Division.” 
He received a brigadier-generalcy for this action, and was mortally 
wounded at Perryville while at the head of his brigade, aged 29. 
Lieut. Guenther assumed command about the middle of June and 
soon marched with the brigade when Buell moved eastward to repair the 
railroad, protect Nashville and threaten Bragg. By a sudden manoeuvre 
the latter stole a march around Buell’s left and made straight for Louisville. 
Thoroughly alarmed, Buell swung his left in pursuit and finally came 
upon a portion of the Confederate force, under Hardee, at Perryville, Oct. 
8. Half of Buell’s army, including the 2d Division, had advanced beyond 
to Frankfort. Here parts of the battery went into action on the 6th, and 
again, three days later, at Chesser’s store, where “ a section of Guenther’s 
battery was handled with the usual vigor and skill of that accomplished of- 
ficer.” 
Bragg retreated to Chattanooga and Buell concentrated at Nashville, 
where he was relieved by General Rosecrans, the last of October. This 
general made many changes in his army, one of which resulted in transfer- 
ring our battery to the 3d Division, Rousseau’s, XIV. Corps, Thomas’. In 
the 3d Division it joined the regular brigade commanded by Lieut.-Col. 
Shepherd, 18th U. S. Infantry. 
Towards the middle of November, Bragg advanced to Murfreesboro, 
Tenn., and in the last days of the year Rosecrans moved against his posi- 
tion. After some skirmishing, the armies confronted each other north of 
the town at Stone River, Dec. 31. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
387 
Rosecrans planned to throw Crittenden across the river upon the oppos- 
ing right, but scarcely had he crossed the river and launched Crittenden’s 
columns, than he was forced to recall them to the assistance of his already 
routed right-wing. 
To counteract the enemy’s assault upon McCook, General Thomas 
ordered the regular brigade and one other to form in a cedar thicket, facing 
west, in support of Sheridan. The latter was compelled to fall back about 
11 A. M., and this forced Thomas out of the thicket into open ground. 
“ General Rousseau’s two batteries found it impossible to operate in the 
cedar thicket. This Lieut. Guenther pointed out to General Thomas, a 
veteran artillerist, and he directed the two to take position in an open field 
where they would be of service in case the line should be forced back. 
This had most important results for when the line did fall back shortly, these 
two batteries not only repulsed the enemy but formed a nucleus upon which 
other batteries and troops formed, until the line proved impregnable.” 
“ As the enemy emerged from the woods in great force, shouting and 
cheering, the batteries of Guenther and Loomis, double-shotted with can- 
ister, opened upon them. Four deliberate and fiercely sustained assaults 
were made upon our position and repulsed.” (Rousseau.) 
It was during one of these charges that the battery captured the flag of 
an Arkansas regiment advancing upon it. 
Guenther gives Lieutenants Ludlow and Fessenden “honorable mention 
for coolness, gallantry and judgment ” in this series of engagements. 
“ Of the batteries of Guenther and Loomis I cannot say too much,” re- 
ports General Rousseau. “ Both these men deserve to be promoted and 
ought to be at once. Without them we could not have held our position 
in the centre.” 
Bragg retreated from Murfreesboro as a consequence of this battle and 
it was occupied by our troops. Here the battery remained in camp until 
the last days of June, 1863, when it marched to Hoover’s Gap under Thomas 
and engaged the enemy in the manoeuvre which turned Bragg’s right and 
caused him to retire from his well-fortified position at Shelbyville. 
About two weeks later Lieut. Guenther received orders to join Bat- 
tery I, then reorganizing at Washington, and 1st Lieut. H. M. Burnham 
took charge. 
The position which Rosecrans finally assumed, in front of the town of 
Chattanooga, faced Chickamauga creek, and here on September 19-20, was 
fought one of the most severely contested battles of the war. 
The assault fell upon Thomas, who commanded this part of the line. 
The fighting was stubborn, and during the day he was thrust back, but by 
nightfall regained his old position. 
On the first day Baird’s division, which included the regular brigade and 
Battery H, took position at daylight facing towards Reed’s bridge over the 
creek. Here the battery went into position, but shortly advanced with 
King’s brigade and came upon the enemy in a dense wood. While hotly 
engaged, King was forced to change front to meet an attack from masses of 
the enemy suddenly approaching on his right. Only one regiment and the 
battery had time to get into the new position before the blow fell and scat- 
tered the entire brigade and the next one to the rear. 
Lieut. Fessenden, who, upon the fall of the other two officers, succeeded HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
to the command of the battery, says : “ During the morning, after an all 
night march, we were ordered forward by General King. The battery was 
hardly in position before the troops on the right gave way and it was ex- 
posed to a most terrific fire of musketry from front and flank. General 
King ordered us to limber to the rear, but it was impossible to execute the 
order, since many of the cannoneers were either killed or wounded, and the 
horses shot at the limbers. At the first fire, Lieut. Burnham fell mortally 
wounded; Lieut. Ludlow was also wounded and fell into the enemy’s 
hands, and myself slightly wounded in the side. The battery was taken by 
the enemy, after firing sixteen rounds of canister.” Our troops rallied and 
recaptured the battery and also took one gun of the Confederates. Lieut. 
Fessenden, though wounded, kept the field and brought off the pieces, 
without their caissons, however, as these had to be abandoned through lack 
of horses. 
“ I take this occasion to speak in the highest terms of the officers of 
Battery H, 5th Artillery, 1st Lieut. H. M. Burnham and 2d Lieutenants Is- 
rael Ludlow and J. A. Fessenden,” reports General King. “The officers 
of this battery, finding it impossible to retire, remained with their pieces, 
firing, until they were forcibly taken from them by the enemy.” 
The departments of the Ohio and the Cumberland were now united 
under Grant, General Thomas being in command of the Army of the Cum- 
berland. How to drive Bragg’s army from his front was the immediate 
problem before General Grant. 
Sherman’s part of the task was to capture the Ridge, Hooker’s to patrol 
Lookout Valley, while Thomas concentrated in Chattanooga Valley to hold 
the enemy there in force. (Nov. 23-24-25, 1863.) 
On the 25th, Thomas was ordered to attack all along his front. His 
troops assailed the field-works, and capturing them, advanced up the Ridge 
and overran the works at the summit. 
Having been supplied with horses from General Sherman’s artillery, 
the battery moved to the front the morning of November 24th under Cap- 
tain Guenther, who had rejoined at Chattanooga on October 31. 
“ During the day I was joined by Captain Guenther’s battery,” says Sher- 
idan, who commanded the 2d Division, IV. Corps, “which I placed on Bushy 
Knob. On the next morning I directed Colonel Harker to drive in the en- 
emy’s pickets from my front. Guenther’s battery was moved to a position 
,n front of Harker's centre. In the afternoon, the signal being given, the 
division advanced under a most terrible tornado of shot and shell, and 
passed over the first line of pits. Believing the Ridge could be carried, 
orders were given, and obeyed with a cheer.” 
“In my special mentions,” reports General Sheridan, “ must be included 
Captain Guenther, commanding a battery temporarily assigned to me, to 
whom I am indebted for valuable services rendered.” 
The battery encamped at Chattanooga until March 25, 1864, when it left 
for Nashville, where it remained till the last day of August. 
1st. Lieut. E. D. Spooner assumed command the latter part of September. 
On the 29th, the battery proceeded by rail to Tullahoma, Tenn., from 
whence it participated in the movements against the cavalry leader For- 
rest, during October, returning to its camp at Nashville the last day of the THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
389 
month. The next day the few horses remaining fit for duty were turned in 
at the depot. 
In April, 1865, Battery H was transferred to Fort Richmond, N. Y. H., 
and there remained till the close of the war. 
In November, 1863, Meade crossed the river and routed Lee from Rappa- 
hannock Station (Batteries D and F), and forced him to retire behind the 
Rapidan. Here the two armies remained until the opening of the Wilder- 
ness campaign the following spring. 
In accordance with the general plan of this campaign the Army of the 
Potomac (Batteries C-I, D, E, M) and the IX. Corps moved by the overland 
route on the east of Richmond ; the Army of the James (Battery A) moved 
up the James River; Sigel (Battery B), Crook (Battery B) and later Sheri- 
dan with both these forces, and the VI. Corps (Batteries B, L, M) operated 
by way of the Shenandoah Valley. 
So dense was the undergrowth over the country called the Wilderness 
that artillery became of far less than its normal value. To fire down a road 
or across a clearing was about all it could do—concert of action almost dis- 
appeared. 
It is impracticable, therefore, to give more than the barest mention of 
the services of our batteries from May 4 to June 16.. 
Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-9, 1864. 
Battery C-I was present in position on the 5th, but not engaged. On 
the 6th it was on the firing line at the time the 3d and 4th Divisions, II. 
Corps, were driven back into their entrenchments. 
Battery D was engaged at times during the afternoon of the 5th against 
bodies of the enemy passing near the Lacy House. Again on the 6th it was 
in position, but not engaged* 
Battery M was present but not engaged. 
Battle of Spottsylvania, May 8-21. 
Battery C-I was engaged during the attack of the V. Corps, May 10, and 
again in the afternoon. 
On May 12, it engaged the enemy during the attack of the VI. Corps— 
one of the bloodiest fights of this campaign. When Hancock had forced 
the salient, called Bloody Angle,—the key of Lee’s position—and had 
reached the second line, he met stern resistance. 
“ After the capture of the Confederate works,” relates Sergeant W. E. 
Lines, “ we were put in position near the small pine trees so much spoken of, 
and fired a few rounds of solid shot. While we were waiting, General 
Wright rode up to Lieut. Gillis and desired a section. Lieut. Metcalf came 
over to our section and gave the command, and away we went up the hill 
past our infantry, into position.” 
“ At this moment,” writes an eye-witness, “ and while the open ground in 
rear of the Confederate works was crowded with their troops, a section of 
Battery C, 5th U. S. Artillery, under Lieut. Richard Metcalf, was brought 
into action and increased the carnage by opening at short range with double 
canister. This staggered the apparently exultant enemy. In the maze of 
the moment these guns were run up by hand close to the famous Angle 
and fired again and again, and they were only abandoned when all the driv- 
IX. 390 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES V. S. ARMY. 
ers and cannoneers had fallen, In a few moments the two brass pieces of 
the 5th Artillery, cut and hacked by the bullets of both antagonists, lay un- 
worked with their muzzles projecting over the enemy’s works.” [“ Battles 
and Leaders.”] 
“ This is the only recorded instance in the history of the war of a bat- 
tery charging on breastworks.” 
Metcalf’s double-canister cleared his own front and undoubtedly con- 
tributed to the success gained. 
“This battery was gallantly served throughout the day.” (Hancock.) 
Battery D was in position near the Court House on the 9th, and engaged 
batteries of the enemy which had opened against the right of our line. On 
the 10th it opened on troops across the Po during the attack of the 
II. Corps. On the 14th it again took position beyond the bridge over the 
Ny, not far from the Beverly House, and on the 18th it formed one of a 
group of batteries pushed forward to the advanced works and which became 
engaged in a sharp artillery duel during the II. Corps advance, and con- 
tinued in action throughout day. 
Battery M went into position the morning of the 12th, opened fire and 
continued in action throughout the day, expending 910 rounds. It was 
again engaged the 21st upon the movement of the army from the Court 
House. 
Battle of North Anna, May 23-26. 
Battery C-I was in position during May 26, but was not engaged other 
than in covering the recrossing of the troops. 
Battery D took position on the north bank of the river and assisted in 
silencing the enemy’s guns during the attack of the V. Corps on the 23d. 
Battle of Cold Harbor, May 31-June 12. 
Battery C-I was engaged in General Mott’s brigade at Totopotomy 
Creek against works 300 yards in front, on the 31st. On June 3d and 4th it 
was in position but not in action. On the 8th it was engaged in Birney’s 
division at Barker’s Mill and again on the 12th. 
Battery D was engaged the 29th, and took part in a sharp contest near 
Bethesda Church on May 30th, and was again in position near the pike road 
and severely engaged under a heavy fire on June 1. During the night it 
advanced with the main line and took position in a group of four batteries 
near the pike road on the left of the V. Corps. Here it was “ exposed next 
day to the fire of a large portion of the enemy’s lines and to an ugly cross- 
fire from a detached work” within short range. The sharpshooters were 
able to work up to within 200 yards and subjected the battery to a trying 
ordeal, but it remained on the line hotly engaged throughout the day. The 
next morning, June 3d, during the assault of the II., VI. and XVIII. Corps, 
this group was pushed forward by battery with the line of battle, “gaining 
ground under a galling fire of artillery and musketry at considerable loss, 
the enemy’s batteries being posted under cover. 
On the 6th of May, Battery A disem’marked at Bermuda Hundred, south 
side of the James,and joined the 1st Division, XVIII. Corps. It participa- 
ted in the demonstration towards Richmond and was sharply engaged, under 
Lieut. Beecher, 4th Artillery, in the repulse of the enemy’s attack near 
Drewry’s Bluff. On the 27, the corps sailed via Fort Monroe to White THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
391 
House, Va. From this point it joined the Army of the Potomac in time for 
the battle of Cold Harbor, and took part in the fights both of the 1 stand 3d 
of June, under command of Lieut. Theodore K. Gibbs, 1st Artillery, who 
writes the following: “ On the 1st of June our corps was ordered to attack 
the enemy’s position, and Captain Elder, chief of artillery, directed the 
battery to move up to the head of column. The enemy was forming and 
throwing up works, and the battery opened fire which it kept up till our 
line, then forming in rear, was ready to charge. The corps passed us and 
we followed up the movement until a knoll was reached which had quite 
a depression in front. Here we halted and again opened fire over the heads 
of our men and continued it until they commenced to ascend the other side 
of the valley. On the morning of the 3d a section of the battery was ordered 
to a very exposed position near the IX. Corps under a heavy fire. We 
threw up a small earthwork and remained in action all day.” Here Lieut. 
Gibbs was severely wounded and was carried to the rear. 
Gradually moving successive corps from the right, Grant extended his 
left towards the James which the army reached and crossed about the 
middle of June. 
Battery F, Lieut. Martin, joined the XVIII. Corps early in July, and our 
guns were gradually moved up into earthworks, from which they frequently 
opened as the investing lines drew closer. 
Batteries A, C-I, D, E, F and M are credited with the siege of Peters- 
burg, June and July, 1864. 
X. 
General Hunter’s retreat from Lynchburg offered an excellent chance 
against Washington, which General Early quickly seized. The VI. Corps 
(Battery M) was hurried to the threatened point, leaving certain batteries 
behind in the trenches, among them E. 
The forces cooperating with the Army of the Potomac from the Valley, 
consisting of Crook’s Kanawha Army and Sigel’s troops, were under command 
of the latter officer. 
Sigel moved southward about May i, but suddenly met the Confed- 
erates at New Market, Va., where Battery B was engaged, and suffered a 
defeat which caused him to retire to the line of Cedar Creek, where he was 
superseded by General Hunter. This general again moved up the valley 
and defeated the enemy at Piedmont (Battery B again). Generals Crook 
and Averell now joined him, and the command, about 18,000 strong, 
reached Lynchburg a few days later, which place General Hunter assaulted, 
but unsuccessfully. Here the battery was busily occupied the entire day 
under Captain DuPont, Chief of Artillery. General Hunter retired, followed 
by Early, who forced his way into Maryland, resorting to the old game of 
threatening Washington, but the VI. and XIX. Corps interposed in time. 
General Early retired into the Shenandoah Valley, where, after some 
preliminary manoeuvring, the opposing armies met September 19, when 
Sheridan advanced against Early’s right at Winchester. 
The VI. Corps, Getty’s division leading, advanced through the Berry- 
ville gorge, and turning to the left, formed the left of the line. McKnight’s 
and Cowan’s batteries were posted just in rear of Getty’s right brigade, 392 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ and advancing and firing as the lines advanced, rendered most important 
service.” (Getty.) 
General Crook’s force arrived on the field some time past mid-day and 
formed on the right, but the blocking of the gorge road delayed DuPont 
and his batteries till 3 P. M., when they advanced on the right of the corps 
and took part in the attack on the Confederate left. 
Averell’s division with Battery L advanced along a converging line at 
the extreme right, driving the enemy before them. 
Sheridan pursued Early up the Valley to Mt. Jackson, where Averell 
attacked with Battery L and aided in driving him from this third position. 
The Federal army now returned and went into camp, echeloned on 
ground overlooking Cedar Creek, in the angle between it and the Shenan- 
doah River. 
In mid-October Early, reinforced, planned a surprise for our army in 
its new position. Under cover of a dark night and foggy dawn, Gordon 
suddenly attacked the left and drove it to the rear in confused retreat. 
Battery B and one other occupied a work to the left front of its corps, 
on a ridge overlooking Cedar Creek and near the point of first attack. 
While harnessing its teams, just at daybreak, amidst a heavy fire, the 
battery, under Lieut. Brewerton’s command, turned its guns on the enemy, 
and continued firing canister till they were within a few yards of the muz- 
zles. 
Abandoning his limbers, Brewerton ran his guns down the hill by hand 
to the caissons, unlimbered these, and limbering up his pieces he succeeded 
in saving five guns and his train, notwithstanding the utter confusion and 
loss of horses and men. While endeavoring to extricate his last gun, which 
had gotten jammed among some trees, Lieut. Brewerton was captured and 
Lieut. Southworth, 2d Artillery, the only other officer present, was killed. 
Fighting its way, Battery B rejoined the brigade, refitted, and after taking 
up certain positions in aid of efforts to reform the line, “ galloped forward 
to the firing line as this advanced and did most admirable execution till 
dark ” under Lieut. Holman, 5th Artillery, who was absent at the time of 
first attack. 
First Lieut. H. F. Brewerton and First Sergeant J. A. Webb were com- 
mended for coolness and gallantry, and Captain Du Pont, Chief of Artil- 
lery, received “ particular mention ” for “ conspicuous gallantry and valu- 
able services.” (Crook.) 
So rapidly did all this happen that Battery M (McKnight) first went into 
action just in front of its own camp. Lieut. H. M. Baldwin took charge of two 
guns and Sergeant Yoder a third, and endeavored to remove them. Only 
two horses each remained to the limbers, and the two belonging to the 
third gun being killed, that one went with the others to the enemy who 
now captured Lieut. Baldwin. The remaining guns were the last to leave 
the field. 
“ The guns under command of Captain McKnight were admirably han- 
dled and rapidly fired, although under heavy and close musketry fire of the 
enemy,” reports General J. W. Keifer. 
Moore’s cavalry brigade, with Battery L, guarded the Buckton Ford, some THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
393 
distance to the left, at early dawn, October 19. They reached the field about 
9 A. M. during the hottest part of the fight. 
Changing its position in the rapid phases of the battle, Battery L ren- 
dered gallant and effective service till the utter rout of the enemy late 
in the afternoon. The brigade and battery were attached to General Mer- 
ritt’s command. 
At a critical period the guns of the horse artillery brigade were the only 
ones on the field, the others having been captured or driven to the rear 
disabled. “The Horse Artillery, Batteries K-L, 1st Artillery; B-L, 2d 
Artillery; L, 5th Artillery, Lieut. Wier, and Martin’s battery, 6th New 
York, rendered invaluable services on this day, as for five or six hours the 
only artillery used was that of the cavalry, and nobly did they do their 
duty, having but about two rounds per piece left after the engagement.” 
(Torbert.) The VI. Corps, minus Battery M, returned to the Petersburg 
lines, and our batteries, B, L and M gradually withdrew; B to Cumberland, 
Md.; L to Fort Reno, D. C. and M to Fort Sumner, Md., where they re- 
mained till the latter part of 1865. 
XI. 
On the Petersburg line General Warren moved by a detour to the rear 
August 18, and struck the Weldon Railroad at Globe Tavern. On ad- 
vancing up the road towards Petersburg he was met by a considerable force 
which attacked him. As the line fell back Battery D, now under com- 
mand of Lieut. Van Reed, opened fire, with others of the V. Corps, and si- 
lenced the enemy’s guns after a sharp fight, aiding materially in repelling 
the assault. 
“Lieut. Van Reed served his battery with distinction on the 21st, the 
principal service being on that day.” (Ayres.) 
Before settling down to winter-quarters, General Grant desired to deal 
one more blow, in hope that some permanent gain might be made with 
which to close the year. 
The force consisted of the bulk of three corps. 
Parke assaulted in front, near Hatcher’s Run, while Warren, on his left, 
tried to turn the enemy’s right. Both failed of their purpose, upon which 
General Meade ordered Hancock to halt on the Boydton Road till Warren 
could cooperate with him. But before these two corps could join, Lee 
thrust Hill’s corps into the gap. The assault fell on Hancock’s flank and 
came near ending unpleasantly, when Egan’s division changed front, and 
after hard fighting, compelled Hill to withdraw. 
Lieut. Beck, commanding C-I, reported to General Egan and moved 
out westwardly with the 2d Division to where the Boydton Road crossed. 
General Egan having advanced his line to the north, up the Boydton 
Road, Lieut. Metcalf was ordered to a position on a ridge to the right, near 
Hatcher’s Run, where he opened on the enemy deploying to his front. Our 
line again advanced to the neighborhood of the Burgess Tavern, about 300 
yards to the left front of Metcalf’s position. Here General Egan ordered 
another section placed, and it went into action under a heavy fire from a 
battery on the left of the road. Soon another battery opened to the right, 
enfilading the section, which however kept up a vigorous fire. The centre 394 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
section now came up at a gallop and opened at right angles to the first. 
Two more guns immediately opened from the right and with the others en- 
veloped Beck’s two sections in a hail of flying fragments, much of which, how- 
ever, flew wild through poor practice. Lieut. Metcalf replied with his guns 
and a lively fight ensued, but the enemy could not drive Beck from his 
position. 
“ At about 3 P. M. the enemy commenced a furious assault on our right, 
which swept away Lieut. Metcalf’s section, after killing nearly all the horses 
and severely wounding the lieutenant, whom they captured. The charge 
of Egan’s division forced them to retire and our infantry hauled off the 
guns.” Beck’s guns had immediately advanced and opened upon the point 
of woods through which the enemy had broken, and aided in repulsing the 
attack. Here it remained till 8 P. M. 
During the afternoon the battery had expended about 700 rounds and 
had lost 1 officer killed, 1 captured, 14 men killed or wounded, and 4 missing, 
out of an effective of 77. 
“ Lieut. Beck is mentioned for the gallant manner in which he main- 
tained his position against a greatly superior force of the enemy’s artillery.” 
(Hancock.) 
XII. 
Battery G remained at Fort Hamilton, N. Y., after its organization till 
December 18, 1862, when it proceeded south by sea under sealed orders, 
which being opened while off Mobile, disclosed its destination to be New 
Orleans, La. The officers were Captain Richard Arnold, 1st Lieut. J. B. 
Rawles and 2d Lieut. E. R. Craft. 
Captain Arnold was made Chief of Artillery, Department of the Gulf, 
upon reaching New Orleans, and soon after, received a commission as 
brigadier general of volunteers. He did not again serve with the regiment 
till some time in 1866, when he assumed command of this same battery at 
Little Rock, Ark. 
The following March it moved to Baton Rouge, and from thence partici- 
pated in the campaign and siege of Port Hudson, the spring and summer 
of 1863, culminating in the surrender of that stronghold. 
After the first assault at Port Hudson a second was tried, both of which 
the artillery supported and in which our battery was hotly engaged. Regu- 
lar approaches were then resorted to ; Battery G moved up into an earth- 
work on the line of investment, where it was almost always under fire, and 
from which more or less firing continued till the surrender, July 8. It re- 
mained in camp at Port Hudson, assisting in rebuilding the fortifications 
and on other active duty, until the fall, when it returned to New Orleans and 
there wintered. 
It was now made a horse-battery, with four 12-pdr Napoleon guns and a 
strength of 156 men who elected to join the battery from various organiza- 
tions serving in the department. It became thoroughly re-equipped and 
drilled, ready for the campaign up the Red River. 
There was more or less skirmishing with the enemy’s horse and out- 
posts along the entire Red River route; and near Mansfield, at Sabine 
Cross Roads, the vanguard met the enemy in force. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
395 
Our battery had been assigned to General A. L. Lee’s cavalry division 
and was engaged, more or less, daily in skirmishing and fighting in the ad- 
vance guard, against the gathering forces of the enemy; until Lee’s cavalry, 
supported by a brigade of infantry, attacked the Confederates at St. Pat- 
rick’s Bayou, drove them from the position and pursued to Sabine Cross 
Roads. Here the enemy was found in large force. Soon they attacked 
and drove the Federals to Pleasant Grove, where they sustained a check. 
The next day they attacked General Banks' command at Pleasant Hill and 
were driven off with loss. 
The battery had been divided, Lieut. Rawles taking one section and 
Lieut. Homer Baldwin the other. 
The sections were constantly engaged at different parts of the field with 
the cavalry brigades to which they were attached. On the final retirement 
of the expedition they united, and again found themselves encamped near 
New Orleans, from which point our battery proceeded to the vicinity of 
Mobile, Ala., and took part in the siege of Fort Morgan, after turning in 
the light battery equipment at the depot. 
Battery G appeared upon the scene August 16, 1864, and was at once set 
to work laying platforms, building magazines, and preparing a battery for 
two 10-inch mortars. This battery occupied a site about 900 yards from 
Fort Morgan. Lieut. Rawles commenced firing at 5 o’clock A. M. the 22d, 
throwing a shell from each mortar every 15 minutes. This was kept up 
during the day and night with slight variations in rapidity. About 7:30 a. m. 
the 23d, a white flag appeared, the firing ceased, and at 2 p. M. our troops 
took possession. 
Shortly after this the battery returned to New Orleans and embarked for 
New York, where it remained at Fort Hamilton until November 1, when it 
took passage for City Point, Va. 
In the Army of the Potomac it was consolidated with Battery D and 
assigned to the V. Corps, Lieut. Rawles still in command. 
XIII. 
As the spring of ’65 opened General Lee accumulated a supply of rations 
at Amelia Court House, west of Richmond. In order to retire, as he de- 
sired, by the south side of the Appomattox River, Lee must drive Grant 
from his hold on the Boydton road. 
This led to a series of sharp encounters, one of which included the 
attack on Fort Stedman, near the centre, a movement undertaken by Gen- 
eral Lee as a cover for operations by his right. 
Battery No. 9 on the right of Fort Stedman was occupied by Battery 
C-I, which had been temporarily detached with the IX. Corps. Our men 
were at once at their posts on hearing the firing “ and when the advancing 
enemy were distinguishable in the dusk, opened upon them so hotly as to 
check and cause them to seek shelter in a depression of the ground, where 
they were held under canister fire till 7 a. m., when an officer escaping from 
this position informed Captain Stone that if he would not fire upon them, 
there were between 200 and 300 of the enemy who would come in. This 
arrangement was promptly effected.” 
Battery C-I remained in Forts No. 9 and McGilvery on the IX. Corps 396 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
line. At about midnight of April i, Stone opened fire in the bombard- 
ment ordered, and continued with varying rapidity till 3:30 A. M. of the 3d, 
when he requested of Colonel Ely, commanding the infantry brigade, that 
if he advanced he would at least take a section of the battery with him. 
This he promised to do. Soon the order came, and cutting through the 
parapet, the section advanced as rapidly as possible and arrived inside the 
city by 4:15 A. M. It was probably the first artillery unit to enter the town. 
Stone claims that no other artillery had entered the town when he arrived. 
The VI. Corps proceeded to Sailor’s Creek April 6. 
Battery E having been assigned to the 3d Division, VI. Corps, “accom- 
panied the division in all its marches and participated in all engagements.” 
In the afternoon of the 6th, the battery was ordered by General Seymour 
(5th Artillery) to a position commanding the enemy’s lines “and fired with 
all its guns till the works were carried.” The corps continued the pursuit 
till, on April 9, it halted at Clover Hill where Lee’s army surrendered. 
On March 30, the V. Corps pushed forward to the crossing of the Boydton 
and Quaker roads, Rawles’sand Vose’s batteries being placed at the junction. 
In the afternoon the enemy made an assault at this point, but met with 
repulse, “the two batteries doing efficient service.” The troops made 
a rapid march on the 9th and soon came in sight of our lines engaged with 
the enemy. 
In December, 1864, the X. and the XVIII. Corps were discontinued, and 
the XXIV. and XXV. Corps organized from the troops composing the Army 
of the James. The former of these two corps, the XXIV., included our 
batteries A and F. 
On March 27, two of its divisions withdrew from the north side of the 
James, and marching all night, took position behind the II. Corps on the 
left, leaving the 3d Division (Battery F) to keep the lines. Battery F, 
Lieut. Beecher, broke camp on the New Market road, April 3, and marched 
with its division directly to Richmond. 
Battery A joined Foster’s division, the first, and reaching Hatcher’s Run, 
March 29, took position in front of the interior lines of the Petersburg 
defenses, April 2, during the assault on Fort Gregg, “one of the most des- 
perate of the war.” 
“ While the Army of the Potomac followed in the track of the enemy, 
the Army of the James and the cavalry advanced on their left and endeavored 
to head them off. 
“ General Lee succeeded in crossing the Appomattox, but upon arriving 
at the Court House found Sheridan’s cavalry in his front, and the Army of 
the James on his left, while the Army of the Potomac followed hard upon 
his rear. 
“General Foster’s division entered the field and opened fire on the 
enemy who had gained the hill near Appomattox Court House. Lee, 
surprised at finding a division of infantry in front of him, at first gave ground 
but seeing only a division, he attacked with the evident intention of cutting 
it off.” The appearance of other troops fast coming up, however, soon 
proved the futility of such an attempt, and the white flag put an end to 
further hostilities. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. 
397 
Battery A had been assigned a position opposite the enemy’s extreme 
right, and there engaged, thus dividing with Battery B, 1st Artillery, the 
honor of being one of the last two batteries engaged against the Army of 
Northern Virginia. 
The II., V., VI. and IX. Corps, with batteries C-I, D-G and E, after vari- 
ous services of a minor character, proceeded to Washington and took part in 
the final review. 
The XXIV. Corps remained in Richmond and its vicinity. Battery A 
was to be found at Lynchburg, Va., in October, ’65, while F remained at 
Richmond three years later. 
If losses are any indication of hard fighting, the Fifth can claim a high 
place in such a category. Of all the regular regiments, infantry, cavalry, 
and artillery, the four having the greatest average loss per unit of organ- 
ization are the Thirteenth Infantry, 23.2 ; the Seventeenth Infantry, 20.6; 
the Twelfth Infantry, 20, and the Fifth Artillery, 20. The total loss of the 
Fifth is considerably larger than that of any other artillery regiment, and 
there are only five larger among all those of the Regular Army. 
Burnham’s battery, H, lost 44 at Chickamauga; Watson’s, I, 22 at 
Gettysburg; McKnight’s, M, 23 at Cedar Creek ; Griffin’s, D, 27 at Bull 
Run ; Metcalf’s section of C-I, 23 at the Salient, and DeHart’s, C, 19 at 
Gaines Mill. 
All the field officers originally commissioned in the regiment, besides 
most of the captains, became at one period or another either brigadier or 
major generals of volunteers. The fame of Generals Harvey Brown, T. W. 
Sherman, Barry, Getty, Griffin, Hunt, Hayes, Terrill, Ayres, Upton, Weed, 
Ames, Arnold and Williams, all officers of the same regiment, illumine the 
brilliant record which the Fifth Artillery earned during the War of the Re- 
bellion. 
XIV. 
After the war, the regimental headquarters removed from Fort Rich- 
mond, N. Y. H., to Fort Monroe, Va., Oct. 25, ’65, and there remained till 
June 10, ’67, when it proceeded to Columbia, S. C. On Feb. 8, 1868, it went 
to Richmond, Va., and on Nov. 7 to Fort Jefferson, Fla. 
Most of our batteries were withdrawn from the field the latter part of 
October, 1865, and occupied stations at Fort Macon, N. C.; Charleston, 
S. C.; Key West, Fort Jefferson and Barrancas, Fla. With the exception 
of Batteries F and G they turned in their horses and guns and became foot- 
batteries. 
The regiment turned northward early in 1869 and took stations along 
the New England coast, from Fort Trumbull, Ct., to Fort Sullivan, Me., 
with headquarters at Fort Adams, R. I., excepting Battery G, which 
went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and Battery X, which in October, ’73. abandoned 
Fort Sullivan for Madison Barracks, N. Y. 
Bvt. Major General Henry J. Hunt, who had been promoted from major 
of the Fifth to lieut.-col. of the 3d Artillery, returned to the regiment as 
colonel, April 4, 1869, and assumed command about the middle of May. 
During May, 1870, the Fenians made their attempted invasion of Can- 
ada, and A, B, E, H, I, G, L, M, left their stations and proceeded to the 398 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
scene of disturbance in northern New York and Vermont, returning early 
in June. 
In the fall of 1875 the Fifth visited its old stations in the South, the 
headquarters going to Charleston, S. C., and later to McPherson Barracks, 
Ga. The batteries took post at Charleston, S. C., St. Augustine, Key West 
and Barrancas, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. When the headquarters moved to 
Atlanta, certain batteries that had garrisoned Savannah and Charleston took 
station at McPherson Barracks. 
The railroad and coal strikes of 1877 took Batteries B, C, D, E, I and M 
to various towns in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland to aid in 
suppressing violence and protecting property. 
During November, 1881, the regiment turned northward again and gar- 
risoned the forts in New York Harbor with headquarters at Fort Hamilton. 
General Hunt, who has left such a brilliant and enduring record as Chief 
of Artillery, Army of the Potomac, retired September 14, 1883, after being 
colonel for a little over fourteen years. He was succeeded by Colonel John 
Hamilton, the father of the present system of sea-coast target practice 
which was originated and developed to a certain point by the officers of the 
Fifth Artillery, under his direction. 
Battery D, Captain Rawles, became a light-battery August 15, 1882, with 
station at Fort Omaha, Neb., from September 11, and later, Fort Douglas. 
As the spring of 1890 approached, it became evident that another move- 
ment lay in store for the Fifth, and soon it could be found on “ our western- 
most frontier ” garrisoning the posts in San Francisco Harbor, and Fort 
Canby, Wash., with headquarters at the Presidio of San Francisco. 
Colonel Alexander Piper had assumed command of the regiment, Au- 
gust 10, 1887, but did not accompany it to the West, and retired not long 
after parting with it. 
The railroad disturbances of 1894 took Battery B from Fort Canby for a 
time and it was engaged in guarding railroad property and in furnishing 
escorts for trains from Hope, Idaho, to Missoula, Montana and Sprague, 
Washington. 
General Graham and staff with Batteries A, E, H, K and L proceeded to 
Sacramento, Cal., July 10, under orders from department headquarters, for 
the purpose of removing obstructions to the mails and to execute any or- 
ders of the U. S. Courts for the protection of property and to prevent in 
terference of inter-state commerce. 
Order having been satisfactorily restored, the batteries returned to their 
stations, Sept. 3, 1894. Here they now remain doing the round of garrison 
work under the orders of Bvt. Brigadier General William M. Graham, Col- 
onel 5th Artillery, the intrepid commander of Battery K, 1st Artillery, at 
Antietam and of Horse-Battery K at Gettysburg. Che Infantry GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN 
Major-General 
Commanding the Army, 1861-1862. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Compiled in the Office of the Military Service Institution. 
THE original First Infantry was first organized under Resolve of Con- 
gress of date June 3, 1784, to serve twelve months, and was con- 
tinued by subsequent Resolves until it was recognized by the Act of 
September 29, 1789, as the "Regiment of Infantry ” in the service 
of the United States. The Act of April 30, 1790, more fully completed its 
organization and when a second regiment was formed under the Act of 
March 3, 1791, the older organization became the “First Regiment of 
Infantry.”* 
Brevet Brigadier General Josiah Harmar was the first "lieutenant colo- 
nel commandant” of the regiment and commanded it until his resignation 
in 1792. He was also " General in Chief of the Army,” and in that capa- 
city conducted the expedition against the Miami Indians in Ohio in Sep- 
tember and October, 1790. His regiment was with him, Captain John 
Armstrong and a detachment of 30 men taking part in the engagement on 
the Miami River, October 19; and a detachment of 60 men under Major 
Wyllys being engaged, October 22, near the same place. In this action 
Major Wyllys was killed. 
Arthur St. CJair, who had been a major general in the Revolutionary 
Army was appointed "General in Chief” in March, 1791, superseding 
Harmar. 
St. Clair in his turn proceeded against the Miamis, and was even more 
thoroughly defeated than Harmar had been, suffering a loss in killed and 
wounded of nearly 900 out of his total strength of 1400. The battle took 
place near the sources of the Maumee of the Lakes, and the fugitive army 
did not halt until safely within the palisades of Fort Jefferson, 29 miles to 
the rear, where the First Infantry, about 300 strong, was found in garrison. 
The Act of March 5, 1792, gave the army a new organization, with the 
title of "Legion of the United States.” The Legion provided for a total 
strength of 5120 officers and men and was divided into four “ sub-legions,” 
each of which was composed of one troop of dragoons, one company of artil- 
lery, two battalions of infantry and one of riflemen, each battalion hav- 
ing four companies. The First Infantry was merged into the First Sub- 
legion. 
The Legion participated in the Battle of the Maumee Rapids under 
General Wayne, August 20, 1794, in which the Indians were utterly defeated 
and disheartened. The First Sub-legion was at this time commanded by 
Lieutenant Colonel J. F. Hamtranck, and among the officers mentioned 
by General Wayne in his report of the battle as deserving special mention, 
* See page 40 of the “Historical Register of the U. S. Army,” F. B. Heitman, Washington, 
1890. Also, Appendix—"First Infantry—A Correction.” 
401 402 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U S. ARMY. 
were Colonel Hamtranck, Captain Prior, and Lieutenant W. H. Harrison 
(afterwards President of the U. S.) all of the First Sub-legion. 
The Act of May 30, 1796, discontinued the Legion, and the line of the 
military establishment was made to consist of the “Artillerists and Engi- 
neers,” two companies of dragoons, and four regiments of infantry, the 
First Sub-legion resuming its old designation of the “ First Regiment of 
Infantry. ” Colonel Flamtranck was continued as the lieutenant-colonel 
commandant of the regiment until the reorganization of 1802, when he 
became its first full colonel. He died April n, 1803, while commandant 
of Detroit and its dependencies. 
Colonel Hamtranck had the faculty of inspiring men with confidence, 
and although he was a rigid disciplinarian, was beloved by his men, for 
he was kind hearted, generous and brave. The officers under his command 
placed a stone upon his grave, which is in the grounds attached to St. 
Anne’s Orphan Asylum at Detroit, as a “grateful tribute to his merit and 
his worth.” 
In the year 1803, the Government determined to explore the newly 
acquired territory, known as the Louisiana purchase, as far as the course and 
sources of the Missouri River are concerned, and to determine upon the 
feasible water communication to the Pacific Ocean. To accomplish these 
purposes, the Lewis and Clarke expedition was organized by the President. 
Captain Meriwether Lewis, the head of this expedition, was an officer of the 
regiment, and at the time secretary to the President, Thomas Jefferson. 
The party proceeded in boats from St. Louis, examining the country along 
the Missouri river to its sources, thence through the Rocky Mountains and 
down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition set out on 
May 14th, 1804, and reached St. Louis on its return, September 23, 1806. 
In 1807, Captain Lewis was appointed Governor of Louisiana, and by his 
firm but just conduct, soon harmonized the various factions which at one 
time threatened serious trouble in the territory. Captain Lewis inherited 
hypochondria, and whilst suffering under a temporary derangement of 
mind, he put an end to his life, while en route from St. Louis to Washing- 
ton, in September, 1809. 
For many years following General Wayne’s victory the Indians appear 
to have given little or no trouble, and the regiment remained in garrison at 
Detroit and vicinity until the outbreak of the War of 1812. 
On the 25th of July, 1812, the first blood of the War of 1812 was shed in 
a skirmish not far from Detroit, and in August General Hull sent an ex- 
pedition from that place to open communication with the River Raisin and 
to escort an expected supply train into Detroit. Among the troops so sent 
were two, detachments of the First Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant D. 
Stansbury and Ensign R. A. McCabe. The enemy was met at Maguaga, 
August 9, and defeated, yet the troops were recalled to Detroit without 
acomplishing anything farther, and on the 16th of the same month were 
included in Hull’s disgraceful surrender of the troops under his command. 
Heald’s Company of the First Infantry was at this time stationed at 
Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), and Captain Heald had received orders 
from General Hull to evacuate his station, distribute the government THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
403 
property among the Indians, and proceed to Detroit. He obeyed orders 
but had hardly begun his march (August 15) when he was attacked by ten 
times his force of Indians, and after two-thirds of his men had been killed 
or wounded was forced to surrender. 
Later in the year (September 5 to 8) the Indians attacked Fort Madison, 
a short distance from the present city of St. Louis. Lieutenants Hamilton 
and Vasques of the First Infantry with a small detachment of the regiment 
garrisoned the fort, and after a gallant defense drove the enemy away. 
A general “ Return of the Army” of date July 1, 1814, reports the First 
Infantry, 214 strong, as under orders to join the “Division of the Right,” 
which garrisoned the Lake frontier from Buffalo to Sacketts Harbor, and 
it is probable that the detachment of 99 men under Captain John Campbell, 
First Infantry, which was attacked by the Sac and Fox Indians while in 
boats near the mouth of Rock River on the Mississippi, was moving in 
obedience to these instructions. The detachment lost 36 in killed and 
wounded. 
The regiment joined General Brown’s army on the Niagara River on the 
day of the battle of Niagara, July 25, 1814, and during the action was not 
attached to either brigade. At this time it was commanded by Lieutenant- 
Colonel R. C. Nicholas, as its colonel — Jacob Kingsbury — was the in- 
spector general of the military department in which it was serving. The 
regiment took part also in the siege of Fort Erie,—August 1 to September 
17, 1814. 
The war had no sooner come to an end than the army was reduced (Act 
of March 3, 1815) to a total of 10,000 men, to consist of artillery, infantry 
and riflemen, in such proportions as the President should judge proper. He 
fixed the proportion by the order of May 17, 1815, at one regiment of light 
artillery, the Corps of Artillery (32 companies), 8 regiments of infantry and 
one of riflemen. Special pains appear to have been taken in this reorgan- 
ization to prevent any continuance in the new organizations of the regi- 
mental traditions of the old, for not a single regiment of infantry retained 
its original number. The First Infantry of the preceding pages became a 
part of the new Third Infantry, while the old Second, Third, Seventh and 
Forty-fourth, were united to form the new First Infantry. The old Fourth 
went into the new Fifth; the Fifth into the Eighth ; the Sixth into the 
Second, and the Eighth into the Seventh. 
The present First Regiment of Infantry was organized pursuant to Act 
of March 3, 1815, and General Orders of date May 17,1815, from the Second, 
Third, Seventh and Forty-fourth Regiments of Infantry, and was assigned 
to duty in the Division of the South with headquarters at Pass Christiana, 
La. Not one officer of the old First Infantry was assigned to it nor were 
any from the old Second or Seventh, although the reorganization order 
would seem to require it. Seventeen officers of the 3d and 44th Regiments 
which had so recently greatly distinguished themselves at the battle of New 
Orleans, were so assigned, and the remainder were apparently selected from 
the army at large. 
Brigadier General Daniel Bissell was retained in the army with reduced 404 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
rank, being made colonel of the First with the brevet of brigadier-general. 
Lieutenant Colonel George Croghan, who afterwards became the inspector 
general of the army, was made the lieutenant-colonel; and Brevet Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Thomas K. Jesup, who was afterwards quartermaster general 
was the major. 
The Act of March 2, 1821, again reduced the army, the ordnance and 
artillery being consolidated into four regiments, the number of infantry 
regiments reduced to seven, and the rifle regiment being disbanded. 
General Bissell left the service and was succeeded by Colonel Talbot 
Chambers. Lieutenant Colonel Croghan had resigned in 1817 and had had 
several successors; Lieutenant Colonel Z. Taylor was now assigned to the 
regiment. Major Jesup had been promoted in 1817 to the Third and had 
been succeeded by Major R. Whartenby, who now retained his place as major 
of the regiment. Many changes also took place in the lower grades. 
The headquarters of the First Infantry were established at Baton Rouge, 
La., and appear to have remained in Louisiana until 1828, when the regi- 
ment relieved the Fifth at Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien), Fort Snelling, 
and Fort Winnebago (Green Bay). In 1831 the garrison of Fort Winnebago 
was moved to Fort Armstrong (Rock Island, 111.). 
The Black Hawk War of 1832 took place in the region garrisoned by the 
First, and Companies A, B, G and K were with General Atkinson at the 
battle of the Bad Axe, August 2, 1832. In this action Major Bliss com- 
manded the battalion, and Colonel Taylor, who was now the colonel of the 
regiment, the brigade to which it was attached. 
In 1837 the regiment was transferred to Florida and, with the exception 
of Company C, was present at the battle of Okeechobee, December 25, 1837. 
On this occasion Colonel Taylor commanded the entire force engaged, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Davenport the regiment, which was held in reserve until 
the action was nearly over. In this report Colonel Taylor says: 
“To Lieutenant Colonel Davenport and the officers of the 1st Infantry I feel under 
many obligations for the manner in which they have under all occasions discharged 
their duty ; and although held in reserve and not brought into battle till near its close, 
yet their eagerness to engage and the promptness and good order in which they entered 
the hammock when the order was given for them to do so, is the best evidence that 
they would have sustained their own characters, as well as that of the regiment, had it 
been their fortune to have been placed in the hottest of the battle.” 
Colonel Taylor was brevetted brigadier general for this action, and on 
the 15th of May, 1838, succeeded General Jesup in the command of the 
army of Florida. The regiment now was kept almost continually on the 
move, until the arrival in Florida in May, 1839, of General Macomb, who 
held a great council with the Indians, and was led to believe that he had 
concluded a treaty of peace with them ; yet on the 23d day of July follow- 
ing they treacherously attacked Colonel Harney’s command of 28 men at 
Charlotte’s Harbor, killing more than half of them. Hostilities were 
resumed but the Indians avoided any direct conflict with the troops, and 
kept them, as formerly, constantly scouting, almost always without tangible 
result. 
Early in 1840 General Taylor requested to be relieved from duty in THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
405 
Florida, and his request was granted to take effect on the ist of May. The 
regiment was still in Florida in November of that year, but early in the 
summer of 1841 returned to its old stations,—Forts Winnebago, Snelling, 
Crawford and Atkinson,—in the northwest. General Taylor was given 
higher command from this time forward and his immediate connection 
with the regiment ceased, so that when Lieutenant Colonel Davenport 
was promoted to the Sixth in 1842 and was desirous of remaining with the 
First, a mutual transfer was arranged and Colonel Davenport became the 
colonel of the First in July, 1843. In regimental headquarters were 
moved to Jefferson Barracks, and the regiment garrisoned that station and 
Fort Scott, Mo. 
During the Mexican War a part of the regiment continued to garrison 
these stations and Fort Snelling, but Companies C, E, G and K, under 
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Wilson, joined General Taylor in Northern 
Mexico and did gallant service at the capture of Monterey. In this battle 
Colonel Wilson commanded a brigade and Captain Abercrombie the bat- 
talion, which suffered a loss of 43 officers and men killed or wounded. 
Lieutenant Territt was killed, Lieutenant Dilworth mortally wounded, and 
Captains Abercrombie and Lamotte were wounded. 
When General Taylor sent all his regulars to join General Scott early 
in the year 1847, this battalion went with them and was present at the siege 
of Vera Cruz (March 9 to 28, 1847), and was afterwards designated as the 
garrison of the City and Castle, where it remained until the end of the war. 
It was then stationed upon the line of the Rio Grande where it remained 
for many years. 
On the 31st of January, 1850, Colonel Davenport resigned from the 
army and was succeeded by Brevet Major General Bennett Riley, who 
was then commanding the military department of Upper California. Gen- 
eral Riley died June 9, 1853, and was succeeded by Colonel Joseph Plymp- 
ton. 
In January, 1850, the regiment garrisoned Forts Merrill, McIntosh, 
Duncan and Ringgold Barracks, and early in this year the Indians became 
very troublesome, murdering settlers and stealing stock, and many attempts 
were made to punish them. 
Captain King of the First, commanding at Fort McIntosh, sent Lieuten- 
ant Hudson, with a detachment of Company G in pursuit of Indian horse 
thieves, April 3, 1850. They encountered a party of Indians on the 7th and 
had a severe fight in which one soldier was killed and Lieutenant Hudson 
and three men were wounded. 
Captain Plummer of the First, commanding at Fort Merrill, sent out 
Lieutenant Underwood with a sergeant and 12 men June 8, 1850, to open a 
direct road between that post and Laredo. He met and exchanged shots 
with Indians on the 8th, and on the 12th had a fight with them in which he 
was wounded and seven of his men were killed or wounded. 
From this time until the year 1856 there appears to have been little of 
interest in the history of the regiment. 
In September, 1856, a scouting party from Fort Clark, which included 
Captain Gilbert and 18 men of Company B, surprised three parties of In- 406 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
dians near the junction of the Rio Grande and Pecos rivers, killing four 
and wounding four of them. 
In July, 1857, the Indians, numbering from 80 to 100, attacked a mail 
escort from the 8th Infantry, and a wood party consisting of a sergeant and 
six men of the 1st Infantry, at a place called the “ Ripples.” 
A detachment of 40 men of the 1st Infantry at Fort Lancaster under 
Lieutenants Haskell and Sherburne, with 40 men of the Eighth from Fort 
Davis, was sent out against them. The men were placed in the wagons and 
the column was given the appearance of a provision train. The ruse was 
successful and the Indians, supposed to be Mescalero Apaches, attacked the 
train, July 24, 1857, and were driven off with loss. 
Lieutenant J. E. Powell, 1st Infantry, left Fort Arbuckle February 23 
1859, with a detachment composed of men from Companies D and E, 1st 
Cavalry, and E, 1st Infantry, in pursuit of Comanche Indians. He met and 
defeated them the next day, killing five, with a loss of three men wounded, 
one mortally. 
On May 7, i860, Sergeant T. G. Dennin, Company K, 1st Infantry, in 
command of the escort to a train going to Fort Lancaster, was attacked by 
40 or 50 mounted Indians, who were repulsed. The sergeant and party were 
commended for their courage and cool judgment. 
Colonel Plympton died June 5, i860, and was succeeded by Colonel Carlos 
A. Waite, who, on the 1st of January, 1861, had his headquarters with a part 
of his regiment at Fort Chadbourne, Texas. The other companies were 
then at Fort Lancaster, Camp Cooper and Camp Verde, in Texas, and at 
Forts Cobb and Arbuckle in the Choctaw Nation. 
Texas seceded from the Union February 1, 1861, and appointed commis- 
sioners to confer with General Twiggs in regard to the surrender of all 
Government property and the removal of all U. S. troops from the State. 
General Twiggs was relieved from the command of the Department of 
Texas January 28, and was succeeded by Colonel Waite, who found every- 
thing military in a chaotic condition and devoted his whole energy to getting 
his troops safely out of the State and back into loyal territory. But five com- 
panies of his own regiment were in Texas,—A, G, H, I and K,—the remainder 
being in the Indian Territory. The Texas companies were ordered to ren- 
dezvous with other troops of the Department at Green Lake, 20 miles from 
Indianola, and succeeded in reaching that place. 
Companies A, H and I got safely away, but the non-commissioned staff 
and band, with Companies G and K, were captured April 25, on transports, 
at Saluria, Texas, by the Texan forces. They were immediately paroled, 
engaging not to serve against the Confederates until exchanged, and sailed 
on the schooner Horace, reaching New York May 31. 
The first transport that got safely away was ordered to leave two com- 
panies of the First at Key West, and probably did so, for a Return of the 
Department of Florida of date December, 1861, reports a part of the regi- 
ment at Fort Taylor. These companies were relieved early in 1862 and 
in April of that year Companies A, H and I, had joined the other compa- 
nies of the regiment in the West. 
Company G was reorganized in 1861, and in October of that year formed THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
407 
a part of the city guard of Washington, D. C. It was still in Washington 
in May, 1862, but for Pope’s campaign in Northern Virginia (August 16 to 
September 2, 1862) it was attached to the 6th Infantry battalion, and with 
it formed a part of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps. At the Second 
battle of Bull Run it was under the command of Captain Marston and lost 
eleven men killed and wounded. 
On the night of September 16-17 at Antietam the battalion was on 
picket duty, and on the 20th took part in the action near Shepherdstown. 
At the battle of Fredericksburg Company G was attached to the 2d In- 
fantry battalion and with it crossed the river December 13, and on the 14th 
was under fire all day within short range of the enemy’s line. It recrossed 
the river on the 16th. 
This company remained with the 2d Infantry in the Army of the Poto- 
mac until after January 31, 1863. 
The five companies of the regiment in the Indian Territory at the out- 
break of the war,—B, C, D, E and F,—marched to Fort Leavenworth, 
reaching that post May 31, 1861, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
W. H. Emory, who had been directed (April 17) to collect all the troops in 
the Indian Territory and take them to that station. 
On the 24th of July, 1861, the organization of General Nathaniel Lyon’s 
army at Springfield, Mo., was announced, and Captain Plummer’s battal- 
ion, consisting of Companies B, C and D, 1st Infantry, and a company of 
recruits for the Mounted Rifles (3d Cavalry), formed a part of its third 
brigade. 
This battalion was present at the battle of Wilson’s Creek, Mo., August 
10, 1861, losing 80 officers and men killed, wounded and missing. It was in 
the advance from the first, and in the battle was on the left of the line. 
The conflict lasted six hours almost without interruption and left the Union 
forces in full possession of the field. Captains Plummer, Gilbert and Hus- 
ton, and Lieutenant Wood were mentioned for gallantry, the two first being 
wounded. 
At the siege of New Madrid, March 3 to 14, 1862, Companies A, B, C, D, 
H and I, 1st Infantry, were present and were not assigned to any division, 
but were detailed, March 4, as a support to the artillery. Companies A and 
H, under Captain Mower, manned a siege battery, and the men of this com- 
mand were the first to enter the enemy’s works, March 14, 1862. 
Immediately after the capture of New Madrid the Union forces were 
pushed down the right bank of the Mississippi and batteries were con- 
structed, the lowest being on Ruddle’s Point nearly opposite Tiptonville, 
through which latter place all the enemy’s supplies for Island No. 10 
were received. On the 17th of March, five of the enemy’s gunboats 
“ advanced against the battery,—which consisted of two 24-pdr. siege-guns and two 
10-pdr. Parrotts, manned by a detachment of the 1st Infantry (Company I), under 
Lieutenant Kinzie Bates. * * * The gunboats ran up to within 300 yards and a 
furious cannonade was kept up for an hour and a half, when they were repulsed with 
the loss of one gunboat sunk, several badly damaged, and many men shot down at 
their guns by our sharpshooters from the rifle-pits. Our loss was one man killed. 408 
HIS TO RICA L SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
From that time no attempt was made against the battery and all communication from 
below with the forces near Island No. 10, was cut off.” 
Although their line of communication was cut the Confederates held 
their position until April 8, when they surrendered. The final attack by 
the Union forces on the 7th was supported by a battery of 32-pounders 
under Capt Williams, 1st Infantry, which had been erected a few days earlier 
opposite Watson’s Landing. 
Later in the same month Companies A, B, C, D, H and I were at Ham- 
burg, Miss., under Captain George A. Williams, and on the 24th the bat- 
talion was detailed to man the heavy siege artillery, consisting of two 20- 
pounder Parrotts, four 30-pounder Parrotts, and four 24-pounder siege guns. 
With the exception of the 20-pounders, which were attached to the reserve, 
the heavy batteries were directed to remain temporarily at Hamburg and 
to place the guns in position to protect the storehouses there. On the 
13th of May the battalion was before Corinth with its siege train, and on 
the 15th the 60th Illinois Volunteers were detailed to support its guns. 
On the 29th the 20-pounders and 30-pounders opened fire, doing consider- 
able execution, and on the 30th the enemy evacuated the place. The works 
were at once occupied by the Union forces and the First Infantry battalion 
with other troops took station there. 
When the five companies came in from the Indian Territory they were 
stationed at Fort Leavenworth and Brevet Major W. E. Prince, captain of 
Company E, 1st Infantry, commanded that post for many months. 
This company under Lieut. Offiey was sent with other troops, August 
12-14, on a reconnoissance to Independence, Mo., but did not come into 
contact with the enemy. 
It was also sent August 17-27, 1862, with an expedition to Kansas City, 
which place was reported in danger of an attack. The company manned 
a light battery on this occasion and was commanded by Lieutenant C. S. 
Bowman, 4th Cavalry. The expedition moved August 17 and after re- 
pairing the fortifications of Kansas City, moved on in search of the enemy, 
who was finally found in an almost impenetrable forest about fifteen miles 
from Independence, Mo. Colonel Burris, who commanded the column, 
reports: 
* ‘ I then moved with my command in a westerly direction toward the nearest point 
to where water could be obtained, when soon the enemy was seen emerging from the 
woods, marching south, and crossing our line of march at right angles, directly in our 
rear. We quickly took position on an eminence near the Hickory Grove with the bat- 
tery, supported by the infantry in the centre and a battalion of cavalry on either flank. 
The enemy (some 1000 or 1200 yards distant) formed line of battle, but after a few 
well directed shots from Bowman’s battery their line was broken, they were thrown 
into confusion, and their march to the south resumed. Following them up with small 
detachments of cavalry they were soon discovered to be in full retreat.” 
In October and November, 1862, Companies E and F were at Fort Scott, 
Kansas, very much reduced in numbers; and in February, 1863, Company 
E was at Fort Leavenworth. 
Companies A, B, C, D, H and I, at Corinth were still in charge of the 
heavy artillery in position for the defense of that place when the Confed- THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
409 
erates attacked it, October 3 and 4, 1862. Company C under Lieutenant 
Robinett manned Battery Robinett; Companies D and I, Battery Williams, 
and Companies A, B, and H, Battery Phillips. Captain G. A. Williams, 
was in command of all the siege artillery, and reports as follows: 
“ About 3.30 A. M. October 4, the enemy opened on our forts and their supports 
with artillery. Battery Robinett returned the fire immediately. * * * I opened 
with three 30-pounder Parrott guns, immediately followed by Battery Phillips with an 
8-inch howitzer which enfiladed the rebel battery. * * * The rebel artillery was 
silenced in less than thirty minutes, and they retired leaving one gun and a caisson 
on the field. About 9.30 or 10 A. M., the enemy were observed in the woods north of 
the town forming in line, and they soon made their appearance charging towards the 
town. As soon as our troops were out of the line of fire of my battery we opened 
upon them with two 30-pounder Parrott guns and one 8-inch howitzer which enfiladed 
their line * * * and continued our fire until the enemy were repulsed and had regained 
the woods. 
“ During the time the enemy were being repulsed from the town my attention was 
drawn to the left side of the battery by the firing from Battery Robinett, where I saw 
a column advancing to storm it. After advancing a short distance they were repulsed, 
but immediately reformed and, storming the work, gained the ditch. They then re- 
formed, and, restorming, carried the ditch and the outside of the work, the supports 
having fallen a short distance to the rear in slight disorder. 
“ The men of the First U. S. Infantry, after having been driven from their guns 
(They manned the siege guns) resorted to their muskets and were firing from the inside 
of their embrasures at the enemy on the outside, a distance of about ten feet interven- 
ing ; but the rebels having gained the top of the work, our men fell back into the 
angle of the fort as they had been directed to do in such an emergency. Two shells 
were thrown from Battery Williams into Battery Robinett, one bursting on top of it 
and the other near the right edge. In the meanwhile the nth Mo. Vols. (in reserve) 
changed front, and, aided by the 43d and 63d Ohio Vols. with the 27th Ohio Vols. on 
their right, gallantly stormed up to the right and left of the battery, driving the enemy 
before them. The battery could not open on the retreating enemy, for its commander, 
—Lieutenant Robinett,—was wounded, and 13 of the 26 men that manned it were 
either killed or wounded.” 
General Stanley says concerning this part of the conflict:— 
“At the same instant the nth Missouri and the 27th Ohio rushed upon the enemy 
at a run without firing, and the hill was cleared in an instant, the enemy leaving the 
ditch and grounds covered with his dead and wounded. Many threw down their arms 
and called for quarter. The old soldiers of the First Infantry quit their cannon and 
picked up their old trusty muskets and prevented the enemy crossing the parapet with 
the bayonet. The enemy was repulsed and the fight was over.” 
On the day after the battle—October 5—the battalion with other troops, 
was assigned as the garrison of Corinth and remained there until General 
Grant ordered it to Memphis, January 22, 1863. At this time Major 
Maurice Maloney was in command. 
During February, 1863, the battalion, still consisting of Companies A, B, 
C, D, H and I, under Major Maloney, moved from Corinth to Memphis and, 
later, to the vicinity of Vicksburg. It was nominally a part of the 1st Brig- 
de, 14th Division, 13th Corps, but was actually in charge of a siege train 
throughout the siege of Vicksburg and never served with its brigade. 410 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY 
On the 22d of March, General McClernand was directed to forward at 
once to the Yazoo Pass expedition four 30-pdr. Parrotts, with not less than 
80 men of the 1st Infantry, to be under the command of Captain G. A. 
Williams, 1st Infantry; but as General Grant wrote on the same day that 
“It is now clearly demonstrated that a further force, in by way of Yazoo 
Pass, can be of no service,” it is probable that this order did not go 
into effect. 
Captain E. D. Phillips of the First reports, under date of April 22, 
1863, from “ Camp at Millikens Bend, La.,” that on the 17th April he had 
opened fire upon the court-house and railroad depot in Vicksburg with two 
30-pdr. Parrotts placed in a casemate battery opposite the town, and had 
continued the firing with increasing accuracy until the night of the 20th, 
when, in obedience to instructions, he had embarked his detachment, guns, 
ammunition, etc., on a transport and had reached the camp of the First In- 
fantry on the date of the report. 
At the time of the first assault upon Vicksburg (May 22), Captain Offley 
with a detachment of the regiment was in charge of a sunken battery con- 
taining two 30-pdr. Parrotts, situated on that part of the line occupied by 
the 3d Division, 17th Corps, afterwards known as Battery Logan ; while 
Major Maloney, with the remainder, was opposite the point assaulted by 
the 2d Brigade, 14th Division, and the 2d Brigade, 10th Division. 
General McClernand reports concerning this assault that “ A portion of 
the 1st U. S. Infantry, under Major Maloney, serving as heavy artillery 
added to their previous renown. Neither officers nor men could have been 
more zealous and active. Being in the centre, they covered in considerable 
part the advance of Benton’s and Lawler’s brigades and materially promoted 
their partial success.” 
This battery was on an elevation about 600 yards distant from the salient 
of the enemy’s line which was assaulted, and commanded a fine view of all 
the movements in its front. General Grant afterwards frequently visited 
one of the batteries served by the battalion during the siege, to watch 
the effect of its fire and that of the other batteries in sight. His favorite 
seat was on a certain log which soon became known as his and was always 
reserved for him. 
On the 17th of June the 30-pdr. Parrotts were moved to a redoubt far 
advanced in the sap, where they were established under the command of 
Lieutenant Branagan, 1st Infantry, while Captain Offley was given two 9-in. 
Dahlgrens in Battery Logan. 
On the 25th of June, at 4.30 o’clock in the afternoon, a mine was sprung 
under one of the enemy’s works and the 45th Illinois Volunteers charged 
into the gap thus made. Hand grenades were freely used on both sides in 
this fight, Private William Lazarus of Company I, 1st Infantry, being de- 
tailed on the Union side to throw them. After throwing about twenty he 
was mortally wounded, when three men were detailed from the same com- 
mand to continue the work. 
The regiment added greatly to its reputation for gallantry and efficient 
service during the siege and, though always on duty at the front, met with 
little loss. THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
411 
With the successful termination of the siege (July 4,1863), the besieging 
army was at once made use of in other directions, and the First Infantry 
finally went to New Orleans where it became the provost guard and was 
quartered in Odd Fellows’ Hall, opposite Lafayette Park. Here it was 
joined by its colonel—R. C. Buchanan—who had been promoted to the 
regiment from the 4th Infantry, February 8, 1864, by the retirement of 
Colonel Waite. In December, 1865, however, Colonel Buchanan left the 
regiment on detached service and was succeeded in command by Lieutenant 
Colonel W. H. Wood. 
At the close of the war the regiment went to Jackson Barracks, where 
it remained till 1869, actively engaged in the stirring events of early recon- 
struction times, in which it rendered efficient service. 
In the early spring of 1869 it was transferred to the department of the 
Lakes, with headquarters and five companies at Fort Wayne, two companies 
at Fort Porter, two at Fort Brady and one at Fort Mackinac. 
In April of this year the regiment was consolidated with the 43d In- 
fantry, under the Act of March 3, 1869. The 43d was a Veteran Reserve 
regiment, and many of the officers received into the First by the consolida- 
tion had been disabled through wounds received or disease contracted dur- 
ing the war. One effect of the consolidation was that Lieutenant Colonel 
Pinkney Lugenbeel succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Wood. 
On the 15th of December, 1870, Colonel Buchanan was retired from ac- 
tive service and was succeeded by Colonel Thomas G. Pitcher (late 44th 
Infantry) from the unassigned list. 
In May, 1872, Companies I and K were sent to Houghton, Mich., to quell 
a riot which had developed among the miners of the Calumet and Hecla 
copper mine. The mere presence of the troops was sufficient to prevent 
the destruction of property of great value and the proposed flooding of the 
mine. 
The regiment served in the Department of the Lakes until July, 1874, 
when it was transferred to the Department of Dakota, exchanging stations 
with the 22d Infantry. The headquarters and six companies took station at 
Fort Randall; A and B companies were sent to Fort Hale ; while F and H 
garrisoned Fort Sully. 
On July 6, 1875, a detachmentof eleven men of CompanyG, 1st Infantry, 
under Sergeant Danvers, who had been sent to the Ponca Agency to pro- 
tect the Poncas against an anticipated raid of the Sioux, had a fight with 
the latter in which several Indians were killed or wounded. The detach- 
ment loaded an old cannon with pieces of iron, and with this improvised 
ammunition repulsed three assaults after which the attacking party with- 
drew. 
In consequence of the Custer Massacre (August, 1876), Companies G and 
K were sent to Standing Rock Agency, now Fort Yates. Here some of 
the officers and the few men remaining from the war period, renewed an 
experience gained during the war,—the building of log huts for occupancy 
during the winter. 
In May, 1877, Companies B, G, H and K, were sent to the cantonment 
on Tongue River, Montana, and during the summer these companies 412 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
thoroughly explored the country between the Yellowstone, Tongue, Powder, 
and Little Missouri rivers and the Black Hills, and formed a part of the 
command which drove the remnant of Lame Deer’s band into the agency, 
for which service it received the thanks of General Sheridan. It was owing 
to the long and continued marches made by these companies that General 
Miles did not take the battalion with him when he left Tongue River to 
head off the Nez Perces. Lieutenant Maus, ist Infantry, was, however, 
selected by General Miles to accompany him and was with the scouts when 
the Indian camp was discovered. He rendered most valuable service in 
the series of fights which resulted in the surrender of Chief Joseph and his 
band. 
Colonel Pitcher was retired from active service June 28, 1878. The Act 
of June 17, 1878, had prohibited all promotion above the grade of captain, 
and in consequence the First Infantry was without a colonel until the re- 
striction was removed in the spring of 1879, when Lieutenant Colonel W. 
R. Shafter of the 24th Infantry was promoted to the First to date trom 
March 4, 1879. 
Companies F and K formed a part of the garrison of Fort Meade, Da- 
kota, while that post was building in the fall and winter of 1878. Officers 
and their families, and the men, lived in tents until well into the winter, and 
whenever the thermometer dropped below — 30°, as it frequently did, the 
experience, to say the least, was not pleasing. 
In June, 1880, the regiment was sent to the Department of Texas, and, 
during the summer of that year, the companies, with the exception of C 
and F at Ringgold and B at San Antonio, were engaged in opening up a 
wagon road and the country between the mouth of the Pecos River and 
theChenati Mountains. Upon the completion of this duty the companies 
took station at Fort McKavett, and a few months later at Fort Davis and 
sub-posts. 
The Indian outbreak in Arizona in the spring of 1882 caused the regi- 
ment to be sent to that Department, where it remained until July, 1886, 
the companies garrisoning Forts Grant, McDowell, Bowie, Huachuca, 
Lowell, Verde, Thomas, Apache, and Whipple Barracks. During this period 
the companies did garrison duty, detachments being frequently sent out to 
guard water-holes. Several of the officers, notably Lieutenants Maus, Pettit 
and Faison, rendered valuable service in the field during the Geronimo 
campaign. 
In July, 1886, the regiment was transferred to the department of Cali- 
fornia, where it is at present (January, 1895) serving. The Indian troubles 
in Nebraska and South Dakota took the regiment to those States in Decem- 
ber, 1890. Companies A, B, C, D, E, G and H, formed a part of the com- 
mand which was employed in the field until the early spring in guarding 
the Pine Ridge Agency and aiding to avert what threatened to be one of 
the most serious conflicts in which the Sioux have at any time been con- 
cerned. The band of the regiment accompanied the command from Cali- 
fornia, and was the means of giving much pleasure to the officers and men 
of the different organizations located in its vicinity. It was the only band 
present at the review of all the troops under General Miles’ command,— THE FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
413 
some three thousand or more,—which was held before their departure from 
the agency. 
First Lieutenant John S. Mason, Jr., died in camp at Pine Ridge Agency, 
February 13, 1891. 
Upon being relieved from this duty the companies of the regiment re- 
turned to their stations in the Department of California early in March, 
1891. 
The regiment has had numerous summer camps of instruction, fre- 
quently joining with the National Guard of the State in this duty. The 
camps have been located at Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Monterey. 
The recent railroad strikes took the regiment into the field. Owing to 
the bitter feeling prevailing in California against the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road company, the strike in that State early developed a serious phase which 
was intensified by the failure of the National Guard to respond properly to 
the demands made upon it by the State authorities. Under these condi- 
tions the services of the regular troops were peculiarly valuable, and much 
useful information can be derived from a study of the arrangements made 
for the journey of the headquarters and five companies of the regiment 
from Oakland to Los Angeles when escorting the first train through after 
the inauguration of the strike. 
Companies of the regiment have been stationed at Alcatraz, the Presidio 
and Gaston, and they now form the garrisons of Angel Island and Benicia 
Barracks and San Diego. 
The following officers and enlisted men of the regiment have been men- 
tioned in orders from the War Department for distinguished service. 
Captain Marion P. Maus, General Orders No. 39, 1891, “ For gallantry in 
action against Geronimo’s band of hostile Apache Indians, near the Aros 
River, Mexico, January 10, 1886, and in the encounter with Chihuahua 
troops on the following day (nth) and for the marked skill and ability with 
which, after the death of its commanding officer, he conducted the expedi- 
tion back to the United States.” 
General Orders No. 41, 1891. “May, 1885, and eleven months follow- 
ing,” for services in the field in Arizona and Sonora. 
Captain Thomas H. Barry, Private George Klinhaus and George Wilken- 
sen, Company A, and Frank Hennessy (now out of service) Company B, 
General Orders No. 70, 1893, “ For meritorious conduct in saving a sailor 
from drowning in San Francisco Bay, California, October 2, 1892.” 
Lieutenant Samson L. Faison, General Orders No. 41, 1891, “ May, 1885, 
and eleven months following,” for services in the field in Arizona and 
Sonora. 
Lieutenants Lewis H. Strother and Sydney A. Cloman, General Orders 
No. 100, 1891, the former, for highly efficient services while conducting a 
band of Cheyenne Indians from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Fort Keogh, 
Montana; and the latter," For the excellent judgment and discretion with 
which he executed the instructions of Major General Miles in the arrest, at 
White Clay Creek, South Dakota, of the Indian Plenty Horses.” THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY* 
By Lieutenant W. M. WRIGHT, Adjutant 2d U. S. Infantry. 
THE history of the regiment covers such a long period and the records 
from 1791 to 1815 are so cloudy and incomplete that it is not deemed 
practicable to give a detailed account of the events of that time. 
Besides, there is grave doubt as to whether we have the right to 
claim the record of the original Second Infantry, that regiment having been 
consolidated with the First Infantry in the reorganization of March 3, 1815. 
This sketch will, therefore, be divided into two parts, the first extending 
from 1791 to 1815, and the second from 1815 to the present date. 
FIRST PART. 
The Act of March 3, 1791, added to the army the Second Regiment of 
Infantry, with the same organization as the regiment then in service, viz.:— 
a lieutenant-colonel commandant, two majors, eight captains, eight lieuten- 
ants, eight ensigns, one surgeon, two surgeon’s mates, and eight companies 
of about 100 men each. Colonel James Wilkinson of the Revolutionary 
Army, who afterwards became general-in-chief, accepted the position of 
colonel commandant. 
In the fall of this year the regiment was ordered to take the field against 
the Miami Indians and proceeded to Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, 
arriving there the middle of September. About the end of October the 
army under Governor St. Clair commenced a campaign against Little Tur- 
tle, chief of the Miamis. On the 4th of November, 1791, about 60 miles 
from Fort Washington, the Indians, 1500 strong, surprised the troops and 
put them to flight with great slaughter. The American army numbered 
2000, and of these 38 officers and 555 men were killed or missing, and 21 
officers and 224 men were wounded, many of whom died. It being impos- 
sible for the campaign to continue, the army returned to Fort Washington 
for the winter. 
In May, 1792, the “Legion” became the military organization of the 
United States and the Second Infantry was called the Second Sub-legion. 
Under this title it formed a part of General Anthony Wayne’s army till 
May, 1796, and in 1794 was with the command which defeated the Miami 
Indians so signally at the junction of the Au Glaize and Maumee rivers. 
On the 1st of November, 1796, pursuant to the act of May 30 of that 
year, the Legion was discontinued and the Second Sub-legion became again 
the Second Regiment of Infantry. For nine years the regiment remained 
in the Northwest, and in 1805, under Colonel Thomas Butler, was stationed 
in the South with headquarters at New Orleans. In September, 1814, the 
regiment was made famous by the gallant defense of Fort Bowyer (now 
Fort Morgan), Alabama, against overwhelming odds of British and Indians. 
* An abridgment of Lieut. W. M. Wright’s History of 2d U. S. Infantry. THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
415 
Major Lawrence, “as brave a spirit as ever stood in his country’s defense,’’ 
was in command of the post and of 120 of the Second Infantry. He was 
brevetted for gallantry in this action, and Captains Chamberlain, Brown- 
low and Bradley, with Lieutenants Villard, Sturgis, Conway, H. Saunders, 
T. R. Saunders, Brooks, Davis and C. Saunders, were all mentioned by 
General Jackson in dispatches. Captain John M. Davis of the regiment was 
made a brevet major for gallantry at the siege of New Orleans. 
The regiment went North in the spring of 1815 and was consolidated 
with the First Infantry by the Act of March 3d of that year, and here the 
chronicle of the original Second Infantry comes to an end. 
SECOND PART. 
A new Second Infantry was now formed in accordance with the Act 
quoted above, by the consolidation of the 6th, 16th, 22d, 23d, and 32d Regi- 
ments of Infantry, so it would appear that the date of organization of the 
present regiment would be that of the Sixth Infantry,—namely, April 3, 
1808. On the regimental roster for 1815 we find Hugh Brady as colonel, 
and Henry Leavenworth and Ninian Pinkney as major and lieutenant- 
colonel respectively. 
Colonel Brady entered the service as an ensign of infantry in 1792, was 
mustered out as captain in June, 1800, colonel 22d Infantry in July, 1812, 
transferred to the Second Infantry in May, 1815, and was from that time 
continuously in the service as colonel of the regiment until his death in 
1851, at which time he had been a colonel for 39 years, and the colonel of 
the Second Infantry for 36 years. 
Immediately after its organization the regiment was stationed at Sack- 
etts Harbor and Plattsburg, N. Y., and remained, with the exception of a 
few company moves, at these stations until January, 1822, when the entire 
regiment was concentrated at Sacketts Harbor. In June, 1822, Colonel 
Brady, with regimental headquarters and Companies A, B, D, I and K, em- 
barked at Buffalo on the steamboat Superior en route to Sault Ste. Marie, 
where they built a cantonment which was named after the colonel of the 
regiment which post is still known as Fort Brady. Late in the year regi- 
mental headquarters returned to Sacketts Harbor. 
From this time until the outbreak of the Black Hawk War in 1832, the 
record is almost uneventful. The regiment usually occupied two or more 
of the stations upon the Northern Frontier,—Forts Brady, Howard, Mack- 
inac, Gratiot or Niagara ; Madison Barracks, Detroit or Houlton (where a 
part of the regiment built Hancock Barracks), with frequent interchanges of 
stations among the companies. 
In June, 1832, Companies A, B, D, G, H and I formed a part of the force 
destined for General Scott’s command, then organizing at Chicago for the 
Black Hawk War, which had been going on for some time with a large bal- 
ance of killed and wounded against the government. Asiatic cholera broke 
out while the troops were at Detroit and their sufferings were terrible. As 
soon as the epidemic had somewhat abated the command moved and in 
August was at Rock River, in what is now the State of Illinois. 
In October, 1832, the battalion returned from the Black Hawk War, and 416 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the companies were at first stationed at Forts Dearborn, Mackinac and Ni- 
agara, but in May, 1834, Companies A, B, G and I, were at Fort Brady; C, 
E, F and K, at Hancock Barracks ; and D and H at Fort Gratiot. 
In the spring of 1836 the Creek Indians commenced to show signs of 
hostility, which resulted in sending Companies F and K in May to Fort 
Mitchell, Ala., near the Creek Agency. As soon as they arrived Captain 
Dearborn with his command was ordered to escort a party of emigrating 
Creek Indians to their destination at Irvington, Ala., and in September, 
General Jesup ordered these two companies to proceed to Lounds County, 
Ga., for the protection of that and adjoining counties against the depreda- 
tions of the Indians. 
Companies A, D, G and H were sent to Tampa Bay, Fla., from their 
northern stations the next year, arriving September 21 ; and in September 
1838, regimental headquarters and the four companies then at Hancock 
Barracks were also sent there. The entire regiment was now concentrated 
in Florida and all the companies were most actively engaged in this most 
arduous duty until the close of hostilities in the spring of 1842. It would be 
tedious to chronicle the different stations of the regiment, for it was on the 
move daily, fighting and building posts and roads. Some idea may be 
formed of the labors of the troops from the fact that over 90 forts and stock- 
ades, and 480 miles of road were built by the army in Florida. 
In March, 1839, Captain Russell was proceeding in an open boat on the 
Miami River to Fort Dallas with a portion of his company (I), while the 
other part was marching by land, when his boat was fired upon by the In- 
dians who were concealed on the shore. Not a man was touched by the 
first fire, and Captain Russell at once ordered the men to row for the 
shore and attack the enemy. Being in the bow of the boat he was the first 
to land and had given but a few brief orders when he was pierced by five 
Indian bullets, one of which passed through his brain killing him instantly. 
His subaltern, Lieutenant Woodruff, continued the fight and brought his 
captain’s body to Fort Dallas. Captain Russell was a most popular and 
efficient officer, and his death was mourned by the entire army. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Cummings, for many years in command of the regi- 
ment, was promoted to the 4th Infantry, December 1, 1839, and Major 
Bennett Riley, 4th Infantry, became lieutenant-colonel of the Second. At 
the end of the year regimental headquarters were at Picolata under Major 
Loomis, and the regiment was scattered from one end of the territory to the 
other. Lieutenant-Colonel Riley assumed command of the regiment in 
April, 1840, and headquarters were moved to Fort No. 12. 
In May, Lieutenant Martin, with three men of the regiment, en route 
from Wakahosta to Micanopy, was attacked by Indians, receiving three 
wounds. Two of his men were killed and the other brought the alarm to 
the post. Lieutenant Sanderson, 7th Infantry, started to the rescue but 
was ambushed and killed with five of his men. 
In 1841 Lieutenants Anderson, McKinstry, and Davidson, led an expe- 
dition to the St.Johns. For two days and nights they crept towards the 
Indian camp, which contained 57 of Aluck’s band. With a force of but 24 
men they routed the Indians and, but for the treachery of their guide, THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
417 
would have avenged in characters never to be effaced the monstrous cruel- 
ties practised upon the defenceless inhabitants of Florida. All of the 
above-named officers were mentioned in orders by Colonel Worth, com- 
manding in Florida, and in dispatches to the Major General commanding 
the Army. 
In March Lieutenant Alburtis was in command at Fort Russell, near 
Pilatka. His post was attacked and nearly captured by Halleck Tustenug- 
gee, but Alburtis made a brilliant counter-attack and drove him off with 
heavy loss. The Second lost half a dozen men killed and wounded. 
Early in 1842 the Seminole War began to show signs of coming to an 
end and the Second was engaged in keeping the enemy on the move and, 
in doing so had several fights, losing a few men. The troops engaged in 
this duty were under Major Plympton. On the 25th of January with 80 
men of the regiment he gallantly encountered Halleck Tustenuggee on 
the head of the Hawk River, which runs into Druin’s Lake east of St.Johns. 
A well contested fight ensued which lasted 45 minutes. The enemy re- 
treated, leaving two warriors wounded on the field, one of whom died. 
One soldier was killed and two wounded. The evidence of blood on 
several trails leading from the battle ground was a guarantee that some of 
the Indians had suffered from bullet or buckshot. 
In May of this year the regiment embarked on transports at Pilatka 
and reached New York early in June, en route to their old stations 
along the lakes. Headquarters, with Companies C, D, F and K, were 
stationed at Buffalo Barracks, now Fort Porter ; A at Fort Niagara ; B, E 
and I, at Madison Barracks; G at Fort Ontario, and H at Plattsburg. 
There was no change until 1845, when headquarters and F went to 
Detroit Barracks, and C, D, E and K, were moved from their Lake Erie 
stations to Mackinac, Gratiot, Brady and Wilkins, respectively. 
Texas was annexed in March, 1845, and in April of the next year 
diplomatic relations were broken off and war declared with Mexico. Gen- 
eral Zachary Taylor, of Florida fame, fought and won the battles of 
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma in May, and in July was on his way 
to Monterey, at which point the gallant Second was ordered to join him. 
Major G. W. Allen and Lieutenant J. S. Woods, 2d Infantry, were in 
both these fights. Lieutenant Woods was afterwards killed at the battle 
of Monterey while serving with the 4th Infantry. 
Headquarters, with Companies D, E, F and K, rendezvoused at New- 
port Barracks, Ky., August 12, 1846, and reached General Taylor’s base ot 
supplies at Camargo on the Rio Grande River, September 20. 
Companies A, B, G, H and I, met at Fort Columbus, N. Y. Harbor, em- 
barked September 2d, and reached Camargo October 13. 
The entire regiment, except C Company which had been left at Macki- 
nac for some unknown reason, was now concentrated at Camargo under 
Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett Riley, but arrived too late to take part in the 
gallant attack and capture of the city of Monterey. 
The regiment joined Twiggs’ Brigade at Montemorelos, December 17, 
which, with Patterson’s Brigade, was about to start for Victoria as a corps 
of observation. They were recalled to Monterey on account of an expected 418 
HIS TO RICA L SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
attack by Santa Anna at Saltillo, but this rumor proved unfounded, and on 
Christmas day, 1846, the regiment was again on the road to Victoria, ar- 
riving there after several skirmishes with the enemy along the road. 
The regimentleft Victoria January 14, 1847, and arrived at Tampico on 
the 25th, sailing for Lobos Island late in February. On March 2d the fleet 
of transports and vessels of war weighed anchor at Lobos Island and within 
a week the entire force landed, without the loss of a single man, on the 
beach of Sacrificios, a few miles south of Vera Cruz. 
The investment of Vera Cruz began at once. Twiggs’ Brigade occupied 
the extreme left of the American line. While it was moving into position, 
Lieutenant William Alburtis, a young officer of the regiment who served with 
great distinction during the Seminole War, was killed by a cannon ball from 
one of the Mexican batteries. Lieutenant D. Davidson was wounded at the 
same time. On the 13th of March the investment of the place was com- 
plete. This had not been accomplished except by the heaviest labor on the 
part of the troops. The Second Infantry, being on the extreme left, had to 
carry and haul all impedimenta and rations over the sand hills and through 
“ intervening forests and chapperal” as no transportation had yet arrived 
from the depot at Brazos. Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan d’Ulloa 
surrendered March 28th, after a siege of 15 days. The troops rested until 
April 8, when, all preparations for a forward movement having been made 
the army commenced its march to the City of Mexico, the Second being in 
the leading division under Twiggs. 
Santa Anna, with the remnants of his army which had been so thoroughly 
whipped by General Taylor at Buena Vista seven weeks before, was reported 
to be at Jalapa. After a most fatiguing march the regiment arrived at Plan 
del Rio on the nth, where it encamped to await the arrival of the rear 
troops. The pass of Cerro Gordo was at the far end of the valley, and here 
Santa Anna had taken up a very strong position to oppose the further ad- 
vance of the Americans. His line crossed the National Road, on which 
Scott must pass, some three or four miles from Plan del Rio. 
On the 17th Twiggs’ Division was ordered forward on the National Road, 
and after some heavy skirmishing captured a fortified hill called the Alataya. 
Lieutenant C. E. Jarvis, 2d Infantry, was wounded in this engagement and 
several men of the regiment killed and wounded. On the 18th Twiggs was 
ordered to move forward before daylight and take up his position across the 
National Road in the enemy’s rear so as to to cutoff a retreat to Jalapa. 
“ After the artillery had been engaged sometime, he ordered Riley’s Brigade 
[Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett Riley, commanding brigade and Second In 
fantry] to move forward through the valley passing to the right of the Tele- 
grafo Hill, turn to the left of the Mexican line and seize the Jalapa road in 
rear.” (Wilcox, p. 287.) 
During this movement the regiment advanced under heavy fire from the 
Telegrafo, and Captain G. W. Patten, 2d Infantry, was shot through the 
hand by a grape shot. The enemy appeared in force on the sides of the 
mountain along the base of which the brigade must pass, and opened an 
annoying fire on its left flank. Riley detached two companies of the Second, 
one under Captain J. W. Penrose and one under Lieutenant N. H. Davis, THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
419 
who engaged the enemy in greatly superior numbers, obliging the brigade 
to form line to the left to assist them. Riley was soon in the enemy’s left 
rear, and General Twiggs ordered the rest of his division to move forward 
from the crest of the Alataya and storm the position which was done in 
gallant style. 
“General Twiggs’ order to Harney to charge was well timed. Santa 
Anna had directed a part of his forces on the Telegrafo to oppose Riley, 
who (hard fighter that he was) met and drove them back just as Harney’s 
men carried the works on the crest.” (Wilcox, p. 289.) In this fight Lieu- 
tenant Nathaniel Lyon, 2d Infantry, with his company captured three guns. 
The Mexicans were defeated overwhelmingly all along the line, and Santa 
Anna and the Mexican army were not heard of again until Scott was 
within a few miles of Mexico. 
On the 19th of April the regiment entered Jalapa, remaining until the 
end of May, when it set out for Puebla. The marching was delightful, the 
road level, the country sterile with slight exceptions and the air crisp. The 
troops remained at Puebla some time, awaiting reinforcements and supplies 
which the War Department seemed utterly unable to furnish. Company C 
joined the regiment July 7, 1847. 
The army commenced its march from Puebla, August 7, and the Second 
was, as usual, with the advanced troops. They arrived and camped at 
Ayotla on the nth remaining, there until the 16th. On the 19th they moved 
to St. Augustin and immediately advanced to attack the enemy under 
General Valencia who had drawn up his division for battle at Contreras. 
In the two days’ battle of that name they had the same duty assigned 
them as at Cerro Gordo, viz.—that of turning the enemy’s position ; but 
this time the position was turned and the work carried without the assist- 
ance of a frontal attack. 
“ The brigade moved on until the advanced regiment reached a ravine on the right 
of San Geronimo. * * * Riley now passed through the village and Captain Wessells’ 
company was detached to cover a reconnoissance made by Captain Canby, A. A. G., 
and Lieutenant Tower in the direction of Valencia’s camp. Further to the right, 
Captain Silas Casey’s company engaged a body of lancers, supposed to be the Guana- 
huato Regiment, and repulsed them with a loss of both men and horses. Several of 
Casey’s men were wounded. A Mexican cavalry force threatening Wessells, he 
attacked, drove it off, and was then ordered to hold his position and observe and report 
any movement of the enemy from his intrenchments.” (Wilcox, p. 365.) 
The Second was now some distance in advance of the rest of the brigade 
and in danger of being cut off, so the 7th Infantry was ordered up to its 
support. While they were coming up the enemy threatened a charge on 
the Second, but the regiment was thrown into square to receive it and 
nothing more than a demonstration was made. The regiment returned to 
San Geronimo where it remained during the night. Early on the morning 
of the 20th they moved out of the village. Riley’s Brigade was in advance 
and led off by the flank. The night was so dark and the ground so difficult 
that it was not until near daylight that its rear cleared the village. At this 
time Riley’s Brigade consisted of the 2d Infantry, 7th Infantry, and the 4th 
Artillery acting as infantry. 420 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ The troops were moved to the attack in a deep ravine around the left and rear of 
the enemy. After moving several hundred yards to a slope leading to a high point of 
the ridge, they came up out of the ravine and found that the enemy had just dis- 
covered the movement and was turning his guns and disposing his infantry for resis- 
tance.” (Ripley.) 
The leading divisions of the brigade were deployed as skirmishers and 
the regiment soon became hotly engaged with the enemy who served two 
guns upon it with rapidity and received the shock with a noisy, rolling dis- 
charge of musketry. Their aim, however, was inaccurate and but little loss 
was sustained. The advance was not interrupted for an instant, for the 
troops, having delivered their fire, rushed down with loud shouts in a vigor- 
ous charge, and entered the intrenchments almost in a a body. 
The mass of Mexicans yielding before Riley’s vigorous charge, gave way 
and fled headlong down the road in the direction of San Angel. In this 
engagement Captain Wessells and Lieutenants Lovell, Tilden and Gardner 
were wounded, and several enlisted men were killed. “ The battle of Con- 
treras was fought and won a little after sunrise on the 20th of August, 
1847.” (Wilcox, p. 400.) 
The pursuit was taken up immediately through the village of San An- 
tonio and on to the village of Churubusco, where Santa Anna had taken 
up a strong position along the near bank of the stream. 
“ South of the stream, some hundred yards, lay the scattered houses of the village of 
Churubusco. One of the most westerly of these was a massive stone convent which 
had been prepared for defense. It was surrounded by a field work, having embrasures 
and platforms for many cannon, and was the right point of the Mexican line.” (Ripley.) 
Here for the second time, in this day of its greatest glory, the regiment 
stood gallantly to its work and did the heaviest fighting done by any troops 
that day. Under Captain Morris it attacked the right of the Mexicans on 
the west side of the convent, the 7th Infantry being ordered to its support. 
The regiment advanced through a cornfield, and as it passed out of this into 
an open space in front of the convent, a volley of musketry killed Lieutenant 
Thomas Easley, a company commander, and killed or wounded twelve men 
with him. Captain J. R. Smith, struggling forward under the severest fire, 
was twice badly wounded, and 14 men with him were struck down at the 
same time. The Mexicans, elated by the effects of their terrible fire, 
moved out of the convent for a counter-attack, but it was repulsed by the 
Second U. S. Infantry. An attempt was made to advance and carry the 
work, but it was not successful, and the battle raged with renewed fury. 
Captain Thompson Morris, commanding the 2d Infantry, states (referring 
to the sorties of the Mexicans) that a column of several hundred passed 
out of the front gate of the convent and, under cover of the standing corn, 
advanced towards the left of his regiment, but was driven back; that a 
second effort was made and checked, and that subsequent sallies met the 
same fate. (Wilcox, p. 389.) 
Finally the Mexican left was driven in, but still the convent held out 
and was not taken until the colors of the Second Infantry were planted in 
its rear. The battle of Churubusco was now won but the fighting had been 
very severe and the losses correspondingly heavy. Our regimental losses THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
421 
were as follows:—Captain J. W. Anderson, killed ; Captain J. R. Smith, 
twice wounded; Lieutenant Julius Hayden, severely wounded ; Lieutenant 
Christopher Lovell, twice wounded; Lieutenant Thomas Easley, killed; 
Lieutenant W. M. Gardner, wounded the second time in one day; and 
Lieutenant T. W. Sweeney, severely wounded. Seventeen officers of the 
regiment were present on August 20th, and before sunset seven were either 
killed or hors de combat, and about forty men either killed or wounded at 
Churubusco alone. 
The night of the 20th was spent in bivouac on the ground so dearly 
won, and on the 21st the regiment marched to Coyoacan, near the City of 
Mexico, where it remained during the armistice. It took post, September 
7, in the Hacienda Nalvarte.on the extreme right of the American line, and 
remained in this position with the rest of the brigade, threatening the 
enemy’s left during the fierce fight at Molino del Rey, but was ordered up 
in the afternoon to assist in the capture of the place, arriving too late to 
be of any assistance. The regiment advanced to Piedad on the 9th Sep- 
tember. 
A question now arose as to whether it would be most advantageous to 
cannonade and capture the Citadel of Chapultepec at the west of our line, 
or to operate on the line of the San Antonio gate on the east. The western 
or Chapultepec line having been chosen, the Second was left at Piedad to 
assist in the demonstration on the San Antonio gate. It remained in this 
position, skirmishing frequently with the enemy, until it entered the City 
of Mexico on the 14th of September, 1847. 
Although the Second was not engaged at Chapultepec on the 13th, the 
storming party from General Quitman’s position was largely composed of 
the regiment and was led by Captain Silas Casey, 2d Infantry. 
“ A detail from Twiggs’ Division consisting of 250 men and 13 officers, Captain 
Silas Casey, 2d Infantry, commanding, was ordered to report to General Quitman 
early on the morning of the 13th as the storming party of the right of the line.” 
At 8 o’clock a. M. on the 13th, Lieutenant C. M. Wilcox was ordered 
by General Quitman to go at once to Captain Casey and give the order to 
advance. 
“On reaching the storming party the order was given to Captain Casey who 
formed his line in a few seconds and gave the order ‘ forward.’ They moved down 
the road towards Chapultepec at a double-quick, and for 600 yards were exposed to a 
raking fire from the Castle, but were partially concealed from view and protected from 
the fire of the batteries near the road by several adobe houses to the left of it, and by 
rows of maguey growing along the edge of the ditch. Beyond the houses showers of 
grape came from the guns of the batteries on the left of the road, passing among and 
over the men, causing a few casualties, and the hostile musketry opened, knocking 
over a few men. * * * Two hundred yards beyond the adobe houses the road 
made a slight bend to the left; 200 yards beyond this were the two Mexican batteries ; 
and in advance of the bend a short distance was a ditch, eight or ten feet deep and 
nine or twelve feet wide. Here the stormers were brought to a halt, as the ditch could 
not be passed.” (Wilcox, pp. 459-60.) 
“ But the troops held their ground and pressed on, until, finally, the castle above 
having been taken, they entered the Mexican barricade with a portion of the Rifle 
Regiment.” (Ripley.) 422 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Captain Casey and Lieutenants Lyon and Steele were wounded in this 
action. After the march into the City of Mexico on the 14th, the regiment 
was engaged most of the day in street fighting. 
The war was now over but the regiment remained in the City until the 
17th of December, on which day it marched to Tacubaya and went into 
camp until March 27, 1848, when it left for home, reaching Fort Hamilton, 
N. Y. Harbor, in September. Three months later the entire regiment was 
on board transports bound for California via Rio Janeiro, Cape Horn and 
Valparaiso. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett Riley, 2d Infantry, was promoted colonel of 
the First Infantry in January, 1850. He was a most gallant officer and com- 
manded the Second throughout the Seminole and Mexican wars. In 1843 
he presented the regiment with a drum-major’s baton. On the silver knob 
is engraved the date of presentation with his name and the regimental 
motto “ Noli me tangere.” This baton has been carried ever since at the 
head of the regiment and is the most valuable regimental relic we have. 
Colonel Riley was brevetted colonel for Chakotta, Florida ; brigadier gen- 
eral for Cerro Gordo, and major general for Contreras. He died in 1853. 
The regiment remained in California until late in 1853, occupying sta- 
tions from Goose Lake, Oregon, on the north, to Yuma, Arizona, on the 
south, and scouting over the entire country as far as the eastern slope of the 
Sierra Nevadas. The companies were stationed but a few months in any 
one place and all their moves were made by marching, with the exception 
of a few trips on transports up and down the coast. After the return of the 
regiment to New York it moved west to Carlisle Barracks and thence down 
the Ohio and up the Missouri to Fort Leavenworth, where it arrived in June 
and July, 1854. 
For the next six years, or until the commencement of the war, the com- 
panies were stationed along the Missouri River and as far west as Forts 
Kearny and Laramie. Among the posts occupied were Ridgeley, Pierre, 
Abercrombie, Randall and Miller. 
In 1851 Colonel Brady was succeeded by Colonel E. A. Hitchcock, who 
resigned in 1855 and Colonel Francis Lee took command of the regiment. 
Colonel Lee died in January, 1859, and was in turn succeeded by Colonel 
D. S. Miles, who was killed at Harper’s Ferry. 
In January, 1861, the regiment was stationed as follows : Headquarters 
and Companies E and F at Fort Kearny; A, D and I, at Fort Abercrombie; 
C and K at Fort Ripley ; Gand H at Fort Riley; and B at Fort Scott. In 
February, Company B (Captain Lyon) was transferred to St. Louis Arsenal. 
It was engaged (June 17) in the action fought at Booneville, Mo. 
Headquarters and Companies C and K reached Washington from the 
west in July and were engaged at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, but suf- 
fered small loss. These companies were with Major Sykes’ regulars, who, 
“aided by Sherman’s Brigade, made a steady and handsome withdrawal, 
protecting the rear of the routed forces and enabling many to escape by the 
Stone Bridge.” Companies A, D and I, joined regimental headquarters at 
Georgetown in August. 
During July, Companies B and E were in the field in Missouri, and on THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
423 
August 2d were engaged with the enemy at Dry Springs, Mo. In this fight 
Company E was commanded by ist Sergeant G. H. McLoughlin, and B by 
i st Sergeant Griffin. Captain Steele, 2d Infantry, was in command and 
makes the following statement in his report: 
“ About 5 o’clock p. M., Sergeant McLoughlin’s line of skirmishers was attacked 
on the left and front by a large body of cavalry, some 200 or more of whom were on 
foot and about the same number mounted. Sergeant McLoughlin gallantly repulsed 
the first attack but was soon overwhelmed with numbers and obliged to retreat upon 
the reserve, and all fell back into the road, where I came to their support with the 
other two companies of my battalion. (W. R., Vol. III., page 49.) 
One man of E Company was wounded. The rebels were finally routed 
with heavy loss. In this action B Company was in support of the volunteer 
troops. 
At the battle of Wilson’s Creek, where 3700 men attacked 23,000 Con- 
federates after a fatiguing night march, and fought them successfully 
over six hours, the same companies of the Second played their usual r61e of 
brave and unflinching devotion to duty and the cause. 
The action commenced at daylight on the 10th August, 1861, General 
Lyon commanding the Union forces, with the battalion of the Second, a 
battery, and some volunteers in reserve. Early in this engagement, while 
General Lyon was leading his horse along the line in rear of Captain Tot- 
ten’s battery and endeavoring to rally our troops, which were at this time 
in considerable disorder, his horse was killed and he received a wound in 
the leg and one in the head. The General mounted another horse, and 
swinging his hat in the air, called to the troops nearest him to follow, but 
in a short time a fatal ball lodged in his breast and he was carried from the 
field a corpse. Thus gloriously fell as brave a soldier as ever drew sword, a 
man whose honesty of purpose was proverbial, a noble patriot, and one who 
held his life as nothing when his country demanded it of him. 
The Union forces were now all but beaten, but just at this time the ene- 
my was observed to be about to renew his efforts, and at once commenced 
along the entire line the fiercest and most bloody engagement of the day. 
Not the slightest disposition to give way was manifested at any point. Cap- 
tain Steele’s battalion was some yards in front of the line and in imminent 
danger of being overwhelmed with superior numbers, the contending lines 
being almost muzzle to muzzle. 
The volunteers rallied, and attacking the enemy’s right flank poured in 
a murderous fire. From this time a perfect rout took place throughout 
the rebel front, and it was evident that Totten’s battery and Steele’s little 
battalion were safe.* 
At 11.30 a. M. the Union forces withdrew unmolested to Springfield, 
about 12 miles distant. In this action the regiment lost Captain Nathaniel 
Lyon, killed, and 39 killed or wounded of the 98 men present for duty that 
morning. 
In December Companies B and E were sent to Washington where the 
regiment (except Company H, at Fort Lamed, Kansas) was concentrated 
under the command of Captain A. Sully. It remained there on provost 
* See report of Major S. D. Sturgis, W. R., Vol. I, page 64, et seq. 424 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
duty until it moved to Fortress Monroe in March, 1862, with Sykes’ Brigade 
of regulars at the opening of the Peninsular Campaign. From the time of 
its arrival at Fortress Monroe to June 27th, the regiment moved up the Pen- 
insula to the Chickahominy, skirmishing with the enemy and in reserve 
during the heavier engagements. 
The following are extracts from an account of the regiment at Gaines’ 
Mill, written by Major F. E. Lacey who was the first sergeant of Company I 
in this the first heavy fight of the regiment in the Civil War. 
Bright and early on the morning of the 26th camp was broken, everything packed 
up, and we moved to Mechanicsville to support McCall’s Pennsylvanians who were at 
that point. Early on the morning of the 27th our line is formed in a sunken road 
near the old mill which gives the battle its Union name. A grave, a fatal blunder is 
here made. All the entrenching tools are sent to the rear. We are here between 
three and four hours before the action commences,—ample time to construct works 
which would have cost the enemy dearly to approach. About 11 o’clock A. M., the Con- 
federate skirmishers come slowly and cautiously into view, followed by artillery. Dur- 
ing this time the infantry is taking position in a strip of timber immediately in our 
front. The first gun is fired by the rebels ; a little later a shot from the enemy kills 
four of our men. A shell from one of our guns blows up a caisson in a Confederate 
battery just opposite to us. Tne artillery duel lasts about half an hour. Soon after it 
ends the enemy’s infantry comes out of the woods to attack us. As they are forming 
line the Second opens fire on them and sends them reeling to the timber. A fresh 
regiment takes its place and meets the same fate. Two musicians of I Company— 
mere boys—go out under a heavy fire and bring in some wounded men, Their names 
are Robert Nelson and Bartly Scanlan. A body of Confederates now comes out of 
the timber ; the Second springs at them with cold steel and drives them back to the 
woods. 
Here Brinley was killed and Jordan severely wounded—shot through the knee— 
two gallant officers, a great loss to the regiment. The intrepid bearer of the 
National colors,—Sergeant Thomas Madigan of A Company, a veteran of the Mexi- 
can War,—received a wound from which he died a few days later. The brave 
old fellow had participated in every battle in which the regiment was engaged in the 
war with Mexico. The next to take his place,—Corporal Konsmiller, a fine young 
German,—was shot through the head and killed. 
We are now in a critical position, fighting in open ground, the foe in the woods. 
The enemy repeatedly tries to break our line, but fails ; the old Second never wavers 
but stands like an iron wall. The left wing of the corps having been driven back a 
considerable distance, we fall back and form in an old peach orchard. This position 
is held until nearly sunset. Resistance now seems to be in vain, our ranks are fear- 
fully thinned, so we fall back in line of battle with colors flying. We soon come to a 
bunch of timber and are halted ; the left wing does not hear the command and con- 
tinues its march through the woods. The reason for the halt is explained. A crip- 
pled battery is left behind us, the enemy is near at hand, the right wing is asked to 
save the battery and responds with a hearty cheer, and at the same time dashes to the 
front led by Lieutenant Parker, 2d Infantry, one of General Sykes’ aides. The bat- 
tery is passed, the wing halts within thirty yards of the advancing enemy, opens fire 
and brings them to a stand. Lieutenant Drum greatly distinguishes himself. Now 
the fearless Parker receives a volley : he sways in his saddle and falls from his horse 
dead. The guns are saved ; but at what a cost ! We lose more men in this last 
charge than at any time during the day. The remnant falls back and at dark is THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
425 
united with the left wing and the battle of Gaines’ Mill, after eight hours of hard 
fighting, is ended. 
We kept the enemy in check five hours against overwhelming odds, losing 138 
men in killed, wounded and missing. The strength of the battalion going into ac- 
tion was 446 aggregate. 
Sergeant Lacey was severely wounded in this fight and became an officer 
about a month later. 
In the change of base to Harrison’s Landing the regiment formed a por- 
tion of the rear guard and took part in the action at Malvern Hill, suffering 
no loss. It was in camp at Harrison’s Landing until August 14 when it left 
to join Pope’s army in front of Washington, arriving in time to take an 
important part in the second battle of Bull Run. 
The regiment left its camp on the Gainesville road early on the morning 
of August 30, and moved in the direction of Bull Run Creek, and was 
formed in line of battle on the left bank of the creek between 8 and 9 
o’clock A. M., remaining in that position until about 3.30 P. M., when orders 
were received to fall back and take position on the right bank of the creek 
in the timber, near the crest of the ridge. It remained here some fifteen or 
twenty minutes before the enemy opened his fire, which was intensely 
severe and continued so for about three-quarters of an hour, when it was 
ordered to fall back to the timber across the road. Both officers and men 
conducted themselves, without a single exception, in the coolest and most 
determined manner, although casualties were very numerous. (W. R., Vol. 
XII, Part 2, page 499.) 
In this engagement Lieutenant Wm. Kidd was killed and Lieutenants 
Ellinwood and Markley wounded. 71 men were killed, wounded or missing. 
The regiment left camp at Centerville September 2, and marched to 
Antietam Creek, near the village of Sharpsburg, Md., where it arrived 
September 15 and went into position, remaining there two days exposed to 
the enemy’s artillery and sharpshooters. On the 17th it crossed the creek 
and went into action in support of Tidball’s battery which was hard pressed 
by the enemy. Lieutenant J. S. Poland, who was in command of the regi- 
ment in this fight, makes the following statement in his report:— 
“Lieutenant McKee, commanding Companies I and A, 2d Infantry, while de- 
ploying to the front was severely wounded and compelled to leave the field. The 
command of these companies devolved upon 1st Sergeant F. E. Lacey, commanding 
Company I, 2d Infantry, who handled them well. In advancing to the fence at 
which our line was to rest, the skirmishers were obliged to pass over a ridge completely 
commanded by the enemy’s sharpshooters and battery posted to the left of the corn- 
field in front of the right of my line. When we appeared above the crest the enemy 
opened with a heavy fire of case shot and canister. The line did not waver but rapidly 
moved to the fence. The right advanced beyond, however, before I could convey 
the order to them to halt at the fence, and by a well directed fire compelled the enemy’s 
cannoneers to leave their guns. * * * Lieutenant McLoughlin and Sergeant 
Lacey commanded the companies on the right. Sergeant Lacey was soon after 
wounded and unwillingly compelled to leave the field. Our position was held until 
all the ammunition had been expended on the left and nearly all on the right.” 
In a very short time the regiment was relieved by the 17th Michigan 
and the 1st Battalion of the 14th U. S. Infantry. 426 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The regiment camped on the battle-field, and on the 29th crossed the 
Potomac at the ford below Shepherdstown, W. Va., in pursuit of the 
enemy, and moved about a mile beyond the river where they were discov- 
ered in force. The regiment skirmished all day, but had no casualties and 
recrossed the river that night. In this fight 1st Sergeant Daniel W. Burke, 
of B Company, distinguished himself by returning and spiking a piece of 
artillery in the face of the enemy’s sharpshooters. 
The colonel of the regiment, Dixon S. Miles, was mortally wounded by 
a piece of shell at Harper’s Ferry during September and died shortly after- 
wards. Sidney Burbank succeeded him as colonel of the Second. 
The regiment camped at Sharpsburg, obtaining a much needed rest and 
reequipment, until October 28, when it started for Fredericksburg, Va, 
arriving there about a month later. 
At 2.15 p. M., on the 13th of December, 1862, the regiment left its bivouac 
near Falmouth and formed under cover of the Phillips house and close to 
the ponton bridge. It crossed the river shortly after and went into position 
on the left of the road on the south side of the village. 
“ At 5 P. M., the battalion was ordered to move to the crest of the hill, 100 yards 
in advance of its former position, to protect the withdrawal of a battery. During this 
forward movement the battery was withdrawn and the battalion halted in rear of a 
ditch, the banks of which afforded good cover.” 
At 10 p. m., they advanced to within about 80 yards of the stone wall 
occupied by the enemy. 
“ On the morning of the 14th the enemy opened a murderous fire, driving in our 
pickets. The battalion was ordered to lie down behind a slight elevation of ground 
(about one foot), giving some protection, where it was obliged to remain until dark, 
under a terrific fire, the plane of which passed not more than a foot over the ground 
on which they lay.” 
“ To move even was sure to draw the fire of the enemy’s sharpshooters, who were 
posted in the adjacent houses and in tree tops, and whose fire we were unable to re- 
turn. Thus the troops remained twelve long hours unable to eat, drink or attend to 
the calls of nature, for so relentless was the enemy that not even a wounded man or 
our stretcher-carriers were exempted from their fire.” 
“Never did discipline shine more resplendently, never was the reputation of a 
regiment more nobly, more incontrovertably confirmed than that of the Second : never 
could a battalion more signally gain the title of brave and excellent soldiers than on 
that ever-to-be-remembered Sabbath of December 14, 1862.” (W. R., Vol. XXI., 
pages 426-27.) 
The regiment remained in Fredericksburg until the morning of the 16th, 
when it returned to its old camp near Potomac Creek. Sixteen men were 
wounded in this battle and three missing. 
The regiment spent the winter of 1862-63 its camp at Falmouth, and 
no movement of consequence was made until late in April when the Chan- 
cellorsville campaign commenced. The following are extracts from an 
account written by Patrick Breen, who was a corporal in the color guard of 
the regiment during this battle, and afterwards 1st sergeant of C Company 
and Ordnance sergeant, U. S. A. He is now retired and living at Vin 
cennes, Ind. 
On May 1st, advancing in open country in line of battle, Captain Salem S. Marsh THE SECOND REGIMENT OE INFANTRY. 
427 
commanding, the regiment halted on the right of the Sixth Infantry in the centre of a 
field. It was on the right of the entire 5th Corps. Not more than five minutes had 
elapsed after halting in line before a volley of musketry was poured into our ranks by 
the unseen enemy, who had been hidden from view by the heavy timber not more than 
200 yards in our front. After the first fire was delivered by the enemy we commenced 
to peg away at the rebels in the timber. In a few minutes the regiment, with the 
brigade, fell back about 25 yards and opened again on the enemy. The fire of the 
regiment had a telling effect on the rebels as they could be seen limping off the field 
every minute. The regiment remained in its new position but a short time when it 
was discovered that the rebels were moving around our flank. Captain Marsh, ever 
on the alert, was quick to discover the intentions of the enemy and immediately 
thwarted the move by changing front to the half-right, at the same time maintaining 
his position in line with the brigade. Shortly after this a rebel bullet struck him in 
the forehead, killing him instantly. The command now devolved on Captain S. A. 
McKee. During the short time that Captain Marsh was in command of the regiment, 
he endeared himself to the very hearts of his men by his bearing as a soldier and an 
officer, and his gentlemanly manner at all times, no matter what the occasion. 
After we attained the timber to the right of the turnpike and were supported by 
Hancock’s Division, the rebels gradually advanced, very cautiously, and we did not 
open fire on them until within short range, and then with such effect that they very 
soon retired from the contest, leaving their dead and badly wounded in our hands. 
Thus ended the day for the Second Infantry at the battle of Chancellorsville. We laid 
all the next day behind improvised breast works, rudely thrown up with whatever im- 
plements were at hand at the time ; even the bayonet was brought into use in this en- 
trenching business. The regiment remained in the entrenchments until the evening 
of the 3d, and the retreat of the army having commenced that evening in a drenching 
rain, the morning of the 4th found the 2d Division, 5th Corps, the last troops crossing 
the river, covering the retreat of the Army of the Potomac, and the 2d Infantry was 
with it. 
Company H from Fort Larned, Kansas, joined the regiment at Benson’s 
Mills, Va., June 13, 1863. 
The regiment left Frederick June 29, and made long, rapid and fatiguing 
marches to the field of Gettysburg, where it arrived about 8 A. M. July 2, 
and went into position on the right of the 5th Corps. Twenty men of the 
regiment were thrown forward as skirmishers into a body of woods, beyond 
which and to the right could be seen the enemy’s pickets. After a skirmish 
of nearly two hours, during which there was considerable firing and some 
casualties, the line was marched by a flank movement to the left and rear 
about two miles, where it rested until about 5 o’clock in the afternoon, at 
which time it moved in the direction of the heavy cannonading on the 
extreme left of the Union line of battle. As it advanced the rapidity of 
the firing increased and staff officers rode up rapidly to hurry the command 
to the front, which was done at a double-time. As soon as the brigade 
reached the vicinity of Round Top, it formed line to the right, with the 2d 
Infantrv on the right of the line, and advanced at a double-quick down a 
steep hill and across a marsh fifty yards wide and ankle deep with mire. 
During this movement the regiment suffered from a severe fire of sharp- 
shooters from the right, left, and front. The marsh being passed, the Second 
moved rapidly forward and drove a body of the enemy’s sharpshooters from 428 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
a rocky and exposed elevation, pursuing them into the woods beyond. Here 
it halted and took shelter behind a low stone wall and remained inactive 
while column after column of Union infantry moved across and perpen- 
dicular to its front. After these troops had passed, the regiment was 
ordered forward beyond the wall with instructions to wheel to the left in a 
rye field. The wheel was about half completed when the enemy was ob- 
served to be moving rapidly to outflank the right, so the Second halted and 
opened a rapid and continuous fire, which was sharply returned. 
Major A. T. Lee, 2d Infantry, commanding the regiment, was wounded 
at this time, but gallantly retained command until the loss of blood com- 
pelled him to retire just at the close of the battle, Captain McKee succeed- 
ing him. The enemy continued to grow stronger on the right flank and 
the regiment was ordered to retire. The word was scarcely given when 
three lines of the enemy, elevated one above another on a slope to the 
right, poured in a most destructive fire, almost decimating the regiment and 
cutting off the color staff, causing the colors to fall into the hands of the 
color bearer. Under a most withering fire from the sharpshooters on the 
left and a column of the enemy’s infantry on the right and rear, overwhelmed 
with a perfect storm of shot and shell, the regiment fell back slowly, re- 
crossed the stone wall, the rocky elevation and the marsh in as good order 
as the formation of the ground would admit, and returned to its original 
position on the crest of the hill. 
On June 30 the returns show 13 officers and 224 men present for duty. 
The regiment was only engaged from about 5.30 p. M. until about dark, and 
in this short time lost Lieutenant Goodrich and seven men killed, and 
Major Lee and Lieutenants McLoughlin, Burke and Lacey, with 53 men, 
wounded. On the third and last day of Gettysburg the regiment was in 
reserve, and although held in readiness was not engaged again during the 
battle. 
The regiment left the battle-field July 5, and having taken part inarecon- 
noissance near Manassas July 23, reached Warrenton on the 29th, having 
marched 320 miles since the 1st of June. 
In August and September the regiment went to New York for the draft 
riots, and after the return to Virginia in September took part in the Mine 
Run campaign, but without coming into contact with the enemy. 
The end of the year 1863 found the regiment encamped at Catlett’s 
Station, Va. The only event worthy of note which occurred during the 
next three months was the death of Captain McKee of the regiment, who 
was killed by guerrillas while riding from one camp to another. 
In the reorganization incident to the coming of General Grant in the 
spring of 1864, the Second was placed in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th 
Corps. It set out from Rappahannock Station for the Wilderness cam- 
paign at sunrise on May 1st, and encamped that night at Brandy Station. 
Crossing the Rapidan at Germannia Ford at noon on the following day, 
the regiment found itself on the road leading to Mine Run and was ordered 
forward to attack, driving the enemy some distance back on the pike. It 
was severely engaged all the afternoon and returned that night to its orig- 
inal position. Early on the morning of the next day it was placed on picket THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
429 
and remained on that duty until two o’clock on the morning of the 8th, 
when it rejoined the rest of the brigade at Laurel Hill and was engaged 
there all day. 
From this time until the end or the month it was one continuous round 
of marching, fighting, picket duty, and entrenchment building. On the ist 
of May there were io officers and 181 men present for duty, and during this 
campaign the loss out of this small number was five officers wounded and 
45 men killed, wounded and missing. 
June i, 1864, the day before the battle of Cold Harbor, the Second In- 
fantry practically ended its career in the Civil War. The commissioned 
and enlisted strength had reached such a low figure—less than 100 men— 
that in accordance with the request of the regimental commander the re- 
maining enlisted men were transferred to C Company, and that company 
was given a full complement of officers, non-commissioned officers and 
men. After the battle of Cold Harbor,—where this company lost 8 men 
killed and wounded, and two officers and 19 men captured,—it went on 
duty as provost guard of the 2d Division, 5th Corps. 
Regimental headquarters were established at Newport Barracks, Ky., 
late in June, and immediate steps were taken to recruit the regiment. In 
December, 1864, its total enlisted strength was 405. At this time Head- 
quarters and Companies A, B, , E, G, I and K, were at Newport Barracks 
Ky.; C at Elmira, N. Y.; F at Sandusky, Ohio ; and H at Trenton, N. }. 
In the fall of 1865 the entire regiment (except H Company, at Jefferson- 
ville, Ind.) was concentrated at Crittenden Barracks. In spite of the ex- 
traordinary efforts to bring the regiment up to a proper numerical strength 
it still lacked 314 men in January, 1866, but in July several detachments 
came out from Fort Columbus, so that at the end of the month only 13 
men were required. 
The regiment remained in Kentucky, with the exception that a few com- 
panies were temporarily stationed in West Virginia, until April, 1869, when 
it moved south to Georgia. 
In accordance with the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1869, the 
consolidation of the Second Infantry with the Sixteenth took place at At- 
lanta, Ga., in April and May of that year. By this consolidation Colonel 
Burbank was succeeded by Colonel S. W. Crawford. Two days after the 
consolidation the regiment left Atlanta and took station as follows: Head- 
quarters and Companies B, D and I at Huntsville, Ala.; A, F and K at 
Mobile, Ala.; C and E at Montgomery, Ala.; and G and H at Atlanta. 
Headquarters were moved from Huntsville to Mobile in January, 1872. 
In February, 1872, Colonel Crawford retired, promoting Colonel Wallen. 
During the same year regimental headquarters left Mobile on account of 
the prevalence of yellow fever and took station at Mount Vernon Barracks 
until December when they were transferred to McPherson Barracks. 
While at this station Colonel Wallen was retired and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Charles Woods, 5th Infantry, was promoted to the Second, only to be re- 
tired eight months later. He was succeeded in December, 1874, by Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Frank Wheaton, 21st Infantry, who joined the regiment at 
Atlanta and remained constantly in command until April 25, 1892, when he 430 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
was appointed a brigadier general and took command of the Department of 
Texas. 
In October, 1876, several companies were ordered to various points in 
the South during the excitement attending the presidential election of that 
year. This delicate duty having been satisfactorily performed the com- 
panies returned to their proper stations and for the first time since the 
Civil War the entire regiment was together at Atlanta in April, 1877. In 
February of this year Lieutenant McIntyre was brutally murdered in 
Gelnier County, Ga., while on duty with and guarding two U. S. deputy 
marshals and revenue officers engaged in arresting illicit distillers. The 
party, consisting of Lieutenant McIntyre, one corporal and two deputies, 
were in the house of one Jones, seated and talking quietly, when an armed 
mob of 25 or 30 supposed illicit distillers surrounded the house, burst open 
the front door, and with insults and imprecations commenced a rapid dis- 
charge of fire-arms at the four men and several women and children in the 
room. After a desperate fight of five or more minutes, Lieutenant McIn- 
tyre fell dead at the front door, shot through the heart. He was much 
beloved in the regiment and had served continuously and creditably in the 
field during the war. The regiment had now been in the South since leav- 
ing the field at Cold Harbor in June, 1864. During this time the companies 
had been constantly moving from point to point, sometimes by rail or boat 
and again by marching. Their duty was most arduous and disagreeable,— 
acting as posses for U. S. marshals, enforcing the election laws and the laws 
attendant on the reconstruction, breaking up illicit distilleries, etc., etc. 
The following were some of their stations:—Guyandotte, W. Va., Jackson- 
ville, Ala., Summerville, Ga., Columbia, S. C., Tuscaloosa, Spartanburg, 
Chattanooga, Asheville, Tallahassee, St. Augustine and Aiken. 
The Nez Perces Indians were on the warpath in the spring and summer 
of 1877, and the regiment was ordered to Idaho and Washington Territory 
to take part in the campaign. It left Atlanta July 13, and proceeded by 
rail and boat to Lewiston, Idaho, where it arrived after a journey of 16 days. 
Soon after arriving, the regiment marched to Spokane Falls to head off the 
Indians who were reported as moving in that direction. The troops were 
on the move all that summer and fall, but in December had settled down 
for the winter at the following stations :—Headquarters and Companies A, 
B, D, F and G, at Fort Lapwai, I. T.; E at Fort Colville, W. T.; C and K 
at Mount Idaho; and H and I at Spokane Falls, W. T. 
In March and April, 1878, Companies A, G, H and I, Lieutenant-Colonel 
H. C. Merriam commanding, established Camp Cceur d’Alene, I. T., at the 
source of the Spokane River on Cceur d’Alene Lake, and soon after com- 
menced the construction of the most beautifully situated post in the country 
—Fort Sherman. 
In the spring of this year the Bannock Indians left their reservation, 
and a portion of the regiment was out until late in the fall and aided 
materially in bringing them to terms. Company C did harder work in this 
campaign than any other organization in the regiment, marching over 1630 
miles. The following June saw this company in the field again. This time 
they were after a marauding band of Indians known as the “ Sheep-eaters.” THE SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
431 
While passing through a deep canon near Big Creek, I. T., on July 27, they 
were ambushed and had two men wounded. Two days later they struck 
the Indians again and had a slight skirmish but no casualties, and on 
August 29 they lost one man killed in action near the same place. 
Regimental Headquarters moved from Fort Lapwai to Fort Cceur 
d’Alene in August, and Companies D, E and F, marched to Lake Chelan, 
W. T., and established the camp since immortalized by the regimental 
ballad, “ When Camp Chelan was new.” 
January, 1880, found the regiment stationed as follows:—Headquarters 
and Companies A, B and G, at Fort Coeur d’Alene, I. T.; C and H at Fort 
Colville, W. T.; D, E and I, at Camp Chelan, W. T.; F at Fort Harney, 
Ore., and K at Camp Howard, I. T. 
In October the companies at Chelan, including Company F, which 
arrived there in August, moved to the junction of the Spokane and Columbia 
rivers and commenced the construction of the post now known as Fort 
Spokane. 
During the remainder of the regiment’s sojourn in the Northwest, little 
of note occurred to break the monotony of frontier garrison life. Boise 
Barracks, I. T., Fort Klamath, Ore., and Fort Townsend, W. T., were garri- 
soned by companies of the regiment before they came East in 1886 to Fort 
Omaha, Neb., where they are stationed at the present date (March, 1895). 
The regiment was engaged in the Sioux Campaign of 1890-91 at Pine 
Ridge, and was under fire at the defense of the agency at that place. The 
present colonel, John C. Bates, was promoted to the regiment from the 
20th Infantry in April, 1892, when General Wheaton was promoted brigadier 
general. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY* 
Lieutenant J. H. McRAE, 3D U. S. Infantry. 
THE Third United States Infantry first came into being under the Act 
of March 5, 1792, an act for making farther and more effectual pro- 
visions for the protection of the frontiers of the United States, and 
which, among other things, provided for the raising of three 
additional regiments of infantry, also for the completion of the battalion of 
artillery and two regiments of infantry already in the service. Under the 
provisions of Section 3 of the above named act, the Third Infantry was, by 
direction of President Washington, organized as the infantry of the Third 
Sub-legion. 
In the reorganization of the army, November 1, 1796, under the Act of 
May 30, 1796, the infantry of the Third Sub-legion became the Third Regi- 
ment of Infantry, with Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Gaither as its first 
commandant. 
From its organization till 1800 the regiment was stationed along the 
northwestern frontier. It accompanied General Anthony Wayne in his 
successful campaign against the Indians in 1794, during which the entire 
regiment was engaged in action against hostile Indians at Fort Recovery, 
Ohio, June 30, and again at the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, August 
20, Lieutenant Robert Craig being killed in the former engagement. In 
1800 the regiment was transferred to the Mississippi Territory with head- 
quarters at Fort Adams. 
Under the Act of March 16, 1802, the regiment was discharged on the 
first of the following June, and it remained out of service until its reorgan- 
ization under the act of April 12, 1808, with Edward Pasteur as its first 
colonel. Colonel Pasteur resigned January 1, 1810, and was succeeded by 
Colonel William Dent Beall, promoted from the 5th Infantry. On the 24th 
of April, 1812, Joseph Constant of the Fifth Infantry became colonel of the 
Third by transfer. He resigned August 15, 1813, and was succeeded by 
Colonel Gilbert C. Russell. 
From its reorganization till the War of 1812, the regiment was stationed 
at various posts throughout the southern Atlantic States, from which States 
it had been recruited. During the War of 1812 it was in the seventh Mili- 
tary District, the headquarters of which were at New Orleans. It partici- 
pated in the campaign against the Creek Indians, which commenced with 
the massacre at Fort Mimms, August 30, 1813, followed by a general uprising 
of the Indians along the southwestern frontier, and ended with the bloody 
battle of Emucfau, or Horse Shoe Bend, March 25, 1814, where Jackson 
first distinguished himself as a military commander, and where the power 
of the great Creek nation was broken forever. 
* An abridgment of Lieut. J. H. McRae’s History of the 3d Infantry.” THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
433 
A part of the regiment was with Jackson at the capture of Pensacola, 
Florida, November 7, 1814, and a part was with him later when the brilliant 
victory of New Orleans was won. 
In the reorganization of the army under the Act of March 3, 1815, the 
Third was consolidated with the 2d, 7th, and 44th, to form the First Regi- 
ment of Infantry; and a new Third was formed by the consolidation of 
the 1st, 17th, 24th, 28th, and 30th regiments. The Third Infantry, there- 
fore, includes the oldest organization in the United States Army,—the 
original First Infantry, which was organized under a resolve of Congress of 
June 3, 1784. Colonel John Miller of the 17th was retained as colonel of 
the Third, Colonel Russell being honorably discharged. Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Matthew Arbuckle, 3d Infantry, remained as lieutenant-colonel under 
the new organization, and Major Charles K. Gardner, the author of the 
designation of companies by the first letters of the alphabet, became major 
of the regiment. Major Gardner was succeeded the following year by 
Major Zachary Taylor, who was reinstated as major of the Third Infantry, 
having been honorably discharged at the time of the reorganization. He 
was promoted to the 4th Infantry April 20, 1819. 
For the next eleven years the regiment was stationed along the Great 
Lakes and vicinity, garrisoning at different times the posts of Detroit, 
Mackinac, Forts Howard, Dearborn, Knox, Harrison, Wayne, Crawford, 
etc. The headquarters were at Detroit from 1815 till 1821, when they were 
transferred to Fort Howard, remaining at the latter place until the summer 
of 1826. 
Upon the resignation of Colonel Miller, February 10, 1818, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Joseph Lee Smith, 3d Infantry, became colonel of the regiment, and 
remained in command until the reorganization of the army in June, 1821, 
when he was honorably discharged and Colonel Ninian Pinkney became 
colonel of the Third in his place. 
In 1826 the regiment was transferred to Missouri, and in September was 
at “ Camp Miller,” where it assisted in the construction of a new post which 
subsequently was named Jefferson Barracks. In the spring of 1827 Colonel 
Leavenworth (who had succeeded Colonel Pinkney upon the death of the 
latter in December, 1825), with Companies B, D, E and H, selected the 
present site of Fort Leavenworth, and in April of the following year the en- 
tire regiment, except Companies C and G at Fort Armstrong, was concen- 
trated at Cantonment Leavenworth, but in the spring of 1829 returned to 
Jefferson Barracks. 
Companies E and K, under Captain Lewis, left Jefferson Barracks No- 
vember 26, and arrived at camp on Black Creek, Choctaw Nation, Decem- 
ber 31. Companies A, C, G and I, forming the first battalion, under Major 
S. W. Kearny, left Jefferson Barracks, December 14, 1830, for service in the 
Choctaw Nation, and arrived at Natchitoches, on the Red River, where it 
went into camp, on the 31st. In November, 1831, this battalion took station 
at Cantonment Towson, Choctaw Nation, near the southeast corner of 
what is now the Indian Territory. In September of that year the field and 
staff, with Companies B, D, F and H, were transferred from Jefferson Bar- 
racks to Cantonment Jesup, La., where the headquarters of the regiment 434 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
were established and remained, except for a few short intervals, until or- 
dered to Florida in the fall of 1840. 
General Orders of February 12, 1834, placed Colonel Leavenworth in 
command of the Left Wing, Western Department, and while on an expedi- 
tion in what is now the Indian Territory, he died at “ Cross Timbers,” 120 
miles west of Fort Towson, on the 21st of July following. 
He was succeeded by Colonel James Many, who joined at Fort Jesup 
and assumed command of the regiment January 3, 1835. Colonel Many re- 
mained colonel of the regiment, though unqualified by age and physical dis- 
ability for active service, until his death, February 3, 1852, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Thomas Staniford, promoted from the Eighth. Colonel 
Staniford never joined, and upon his death just three years later, he was 
succeeded by Colonel Benjamin L. E. Bonneville, whose adventures are 
made famous by Irving, promoted from the Fourth Infantry. Colonel Bon- 
neville joined the following December and assumed command of the regi- 
ment, which he retained until his retirement, September 9, 1861. 
In the spring of 1837 Companies B and E, under Brevet Major Belknap, 
were detached from the garrison of Fort Jesup to the Sabine River for the 
purpose of opening it up to steamboat navigation from Cook’s Ferry to its 
mouth, a distance of about 300 miles. The two companies first formed a 
camp for the purpose of building boats by which means to descend and im- 
prove the course of the river, opposite Sabine Town, Texas. Starting on 
the downward course September 23, when the river was about at its lowest, 
the work of removing snags and overhanging trees was commenced and pro- 
gressed from day to day until the “ Raft,” or great jam of logs, was encoun- 
tered nearly half way from Cook’s Ferry to the head of Sabine Bay. This 
was an almost solid mass of surface and sunken timber completely blocking 
the river from bank to bank. The work of cutting out a practicable chan- 
nel through the obstructing mass was finally effected through the incessant 
labor of two weeks, and upon arriving at the mouth of the river the com- 
mand crossed Sabine Bay to a point on the Louisiana side, where it arrived 
and went into camp November 27. The companies remained there until 
the following summer when they returned to Fort Jesup. 
Having been ordered to join the army in Florida the entire regiment 
was, during the month of October, 1840, en route to Fort Brooke, Tampa 
Bay, via New Orleans, and by November 20 was concentrated at Fort 
Brooke, Major Wilson commanding, Colonel Many being on sick leave and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Vose on detached service as superintendent of the gen- 
eral recruiting service. 
For the next two and a half years the regiment bore its full share of the 
hardships and arduous duties incident to the Florida War. From Fort 
Brooke the companies were dispersed to numerous detached posts and 
camps throughout middle and west Florida and along the Georgia border, 
constantly engaged the year round, patrolling and scouting the surround- 
ing country and swamps in search of, and to protect settlers against, small 
bands of marauding Indians. Major Wilson commanded the regiment and 
the Western District until relieved by Colonel Vose, November 22, 1841, 
who continued in command until March 29 of the following year, when. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
435 
having been promoted to the 4th Infantry, he was in turn relieved by Major 
Wilson. The latter having been promoted to the First Infantry, was re- 
lieved in command July 25, 1842, by Captain Clark, the senior officer pres- 
ent. Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock joined and assumed command of Fort 
Stansbury and the Western District on the 12th, and of the regiment on 
the 29th of October, which command he retained during the remainder of 
the war. 
After the pacification of August 14, 1842, the troops remaining in 
Florida (the Third and Eighth Regiments of Infantry and six companiesof 
the Fourth) were concentrated, detached camps being drawn in and a num- 
ber of posts abandoned. The headquarters of the Third were at Fort 
Stansbury, 12 miles from Tallahassee. The aggregate strength of the regi- 
ment at this time was 690 men. Three companies were stationed at Can- 
tonment Morgan, Horse Key; and one company each at Forts Pleasants, 
Robert Gamble, Hamilton, Stansbury, Ocilla, and Brooke. 
Although General Worth’s order of August 14 announced that hostili- 
ties with the Indians had ceased, yet they were to be carefully watched by 
the military, and those who violated their treaty agreements to be secured 
if possible and removed to their new home in Arkansas. Tiger Tail, the 
most noted chief remaining in Florida, and who had been the principal in- 
strument in protracting the war three years, disregarding his promise to 
move south to the allotted reservation, was surprised and captured in his 
camp by Lieutenant T. Jordan, 3d Infantry, with a detachment of 20 men. 
A band of Creeks under the chief Pascoffer, on the Ocklockonnee 
River, was causing much apprehension along the border of West Florida. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, commanding Third Infantry, stationed at 
Fort Stansbury, was ordered to besiege the country by land and water, with 
boats, mounted men and footmen. These operations, characterized by great 
skill and energy on Colonel Hitchcock’s part, seconded by the zealous ex- 
ertions of the officers of the regiment, resulted in the surrender of Pascof- 
fer and his band of 51 souls (29 warriors) January 9, 1843. By this capture 
middle and west Florida were relieved entirely of Indians, and the whole 
territory of the most inveterate of her foes. 
Peace being at last restored to Florida, the regular force remaining in 
the Territory was reduced to one regiment—the Eighth Infantry, and the 
Third was sent to Jefferson Barracks, where it arrived and reestablished the 
regimental headquarters on the 22d of April, 1843. During the regiment’s 
service in Florida it had lost three men killed, and three officers and 65 
men who died of disease. 
In the summer of 1843 the eight companies of the regiment stationed at 
Jefferson Barracks (K and I having been detached to Fort Leavenworth 
shortly after the return of the regiment from Florida) and eight companies 
of the Fourth, were formed into a school for brigade drill under Colonel 
Kearny, and so thoroughly were they drilled and disciplined during the 
summer and fall of 1843, and the winter of 1843 44, that they gained a repu- 
tation throughout the service which placed them in the forefront of the 
army. 
In the spring of 1844 the entire regiment was transferred to Camp Wil- 436 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
kins, near Fort Jesup, and with the Fourth Infantry at Camp Salubrity and 
seven companies of the Second Dragoons at Fort Jesup, became the “ Army 
of Observation ” under General Zachary Taylor. During the summer of 
1845 the regiment was transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas, where it arrived 
in the early part of August, and with the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th Regiments 
of Infantry, seven companies of the Second Dragoons, four batteries of 
light artillery, and one regiment of heavy artillery serving as infantry,— 
about 3000 in all,—became the “ Army of Observation of Texas,” still under 
the command of General Taylor. 
The regiment remained in camp at Corpus Christi until March 11, 1846, 
when, as part of the Third Brigade, it took up the march for the Rio 
Grande with Captain Lewis N. Morris in command. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hitchcock was absent sick, and did not afterwards serve with the regiment 
during the war, but was on General Scott’s staff as inspector general of the 
army, during the campaign from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. Arriv- 
ing at the Rio Grande on the 29th at a point directly opposite the city of 
Matamoras, the regiment went into camp, where it furnished its daily quota 
of officers and men for duty in the construction of the field work after- 
wards called Fort Brown. 
On the 1st of May, the work being sufficiently advanced, the command- 
ing general made a movement towards the coast for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a base of supplies. The Third Infantry, forming a part of the com- 
mand, arrived at Point Isabel on the 2d, and remained there until the 
afternoon of the 7th, at which time the army commenced its march for its 
former position opposite Matamoras. The regiment was engaged in the 
actions of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma on the 8th and 9th of May, in 
the latter warmly, but it fortunately escaped with but little loss, the ser- 
geant major and one private being killed, and one officer and six enlisted 
men wounded. The regiment, with one company of the Second Dragoons 
and one battery of artillery, was ordered to pursue the enemy after Resaca 
de la Palma, which it did with vigor, halting only on the bank of the Rio 
Grande, where it bivouacked for the night and where it remained until the 
nth when it moved to the old camp opposite Matamoras. 
Major Lear joined from sick leave on the 16th and assumed command 
of the regiment. Crossing the river on the 18th the regiment remained in 
camp near Matamoras until the movement upon Monterey commenced in 
July. While in camp at Matamoras Companies A, B, E and G, having the 
smallest number of officers present, were temporarily broken up, the pri- 
vates being transferred toother companies and the officers, non-commis- 
sioned officers and musicians sent on recruiting service. Company A was 
afterwards reorganized at Vera Cruz, when D was broken up and the men 
transferred to A. Companies B, D and E, were reorganized and joined 
the headquarters of the regiment at Puebla in August, 1847. Company G 
was reorganized at Governor’s Island the following year and joined at 
Puebla on the regiment’s return march from the City of Mexico. 
In thelatter part of July the Third, brigaded with the Fourth with Colonel 
Garland as brigade commander, commenced the advance into the interior. 
Marching first to Camargo, thence to Monterey, it was warmly engaged in THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
437 
the actions which ensued on the 21st, 22d, and 23d of September. On the 
21st the regiment formed part of the assaulting column upon the eastern 
defenses of the city, which were gallantly carried, with a loss, however, to the 
regiment of six of its most gallant and valuable officers and 16 men killed ; 
and one officer (Captain Bainbridge) and 29 men wounded,—a total loss of 
52 out of an effective strength of 14 officers and 248 men. The following 
named officers were killed : Captains L. N. Morris, P. N. Barbour, and G. P. 
Field, and Lieutenants D. S. Irwin and Robert Hazlitt. The last named 
was killed while fearlessly exposing himself in attempting to place his mor- 
tally wounded commanding officer under cover. Major Lear died October 
31 of the wounds then received. Upon the death of Major Lear the com- 
mand of the regiment devolved upon Captain Bainbridge, who, upon his 
promotion to the 7th Infantry in the following February, was succeeded by 
Captain E. B. Alexander who retained the command until the close of the 
war. 
After the surrender of Monterey on the 24th September the regiment 
was encamped at Walnut Springs, about four miles from the city, where it 
remained until the 13th of December, when it, together with most of the 
regular troops under General Taylor, took up the line of march for Tampico, 
en route to Vera Cruz. At Tampico the troops embarked for the general 
rendezvous at Lobos Island, thence to Vera Cruz, where they landed March 
9, 1847, and the regiment took part in the siege of the place which followed. 
After the capture of Vera Cruz, General Scott’s army was detained a 
month awaiting transportation, and then began that brilliant and wonderful 
march to the City of Mexico, during which there was not even a skirmish in 
which our troops were not victorious, and always against greatly superior 
numbers (sometimes three to one) posted in strong works and natural de- 
fenses. The Third Infantry was still in Smith’s Brigade, Twiggs’Division, 
which was the first to leave VeraCruz, taking up the line of march April 
8, 1847. 
The enemy was first discovered strongly posted on the heights of Cerro 
Gordo, the first high spur of mountain met with on the national road from 
Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. In the battle of April 18, the regiment 
was commanded by Captain Alexander, and with the 7th Infantry and 1st 
Artillery, under Colonel Harney, 2d Dragoons (General Smith being sick), 
formed the assaulting column to carry the heights of Telegrafo, the key- 
point of the enemy’s position, which was crowned with artillery and 
strengthened with palisades and breastworks. This strong and important 
position was carried by a brilliant charge—the Seventh on the right, the 
Third on the left, and the First Artillery in rear as support. General 
Scott makes special mention of this charge in his report of the battle. After 
explaining the great importance of carrying the position and naming the 
troops detached for the purpose, he says : 
“ The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was most 
brilliant and decisive. The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of 
Cerro Gordo, without shelter and under tremendous fire of artillery and 
musketry, with the utmost steadiness, reaching the breastworks drove the 
enemy from them planted the colors of the First Artillery, Third and 438 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Seventh Infantry, the enemy’s flag still flying, and after some minutes of 
sharp firing finished the conquest with the bayonet. It is a most pleasing 
duty to say that the highest praise is due to Harney, Childs, Plympton, 
Loring, Alexander, their gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service, 
independent of the great results which followed.” 
The Telegrafo being captured there was but a feeble and brief resistance 
offered at other points. Our army gained a most complete and decisive 
victory. The Third formed part of the pursuing column, which so hotly 
pressed the retreating army that nearly the whole of it was dispersed and 
disorganized. The losses of the regiment in this battle were 9 men killed 
or mortally wounded; and two officers (Lieutenants Ward and Bee) and 24 
men wounded. 
The victorious army now moved on to Jalapa and from there to Puebla. 
As the time of about 4000 of General Scott’s volunteers had expired, the 
army was delayed here until August before sufficient reinforcements were 
received to warrant an advance. The onward movement from Puebla com- 
menced August 7, with Twiggs’ Division, to which the Third still belongeo, 
again in advance, it being a rule with General Scott that one of the two 
regular divisions should always be in front. 
From Puebla to the City of Mexico is about 160 miles, and the army, 
having crossed the Rio Frio Mountains without opposition, descended into 
the basin in which the city is situated and arrived at Ayotla August 11, at 
which place and along Lake Chaleo, the army was concentrated preparatory 
to an advance upon the City of Mexico. 
The Third Infantry, still under Captain Alexander and in Smith’s 
Brigade,—which was temporarily commanded by Major Dimick, 1st Artil- 
lery, General Smith being in command of all the forces which made the 
attack,—was warmly engaged and took a gallant and important part in the 
battle of August 19th and 20th, the first of those remarkable battles around 
and in view of the City of Mexico, and which resulted in the capture on 
the morning of the 20th of the important position of El Pedregal, or Con- 
treras. 
On the afternoon of the same day—August 20—the most severe of all 
the battles fought in the basin of Mexico took place at the hamlet of 
Churubusco, which contained a fortified convent and a strong field work at 
the head of the bridge over which the causeway to the capital passed. Im- 
mediately after the victory of Contreras General Scott moved his little 
army, confident of another victory, against these strong works held by at 
least three times his numbers, the whole remaining force of Mexico being 
assembled in or in supporting distance of them, with the determination to 
make a last desperate stand to save their beloved capital. To Twiggs’ 
Division was given the capture of the citadel of the works, the strongly 
fortified convent, and in the assault which followed the ever gallant “ Buff 
Sticks”* played the most conspicuous part. That part is best told in Gen- 
eral Scott’s own words. In his report of the battle he says : 
* A designation by which the regiment was universally known on account of its clean, sol- 
dierly appearance at all times. 
“ Finally, twenty minutes after the tete de pont had been carried by THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Worth and Pillow, and at the end of a desperate conflict of two hours and a 
half, the church or convent—the citadel of the strong line of defense along 
the rivulet of Churubusco—yielded to Twiggs’ Division and threw out on 
all sides signals of surrender. The white flags, however, were not exhibited 
until the moment when the Third Infantry, under Captain Alexander, had 
cleared the way by fire and bayonet and had entered the work. Captains 
J. M. Smith and O. L. Shepherd, both of that regiment, with their com- 
panies had the glory of leading the assault. The former received the sur- 
render and Captain Alexander instantly hung out from the balcony the 
colors of the gallant Third.” 
The following extract is from the report of the Mexican officer in 
command : 
“ The first to present himself upon the parapet was the valiant Captain 
James M. Smith of the Third Infantry, who gave an example of valor to 
many following him ; and no less magnanimous than daring, scarcely had 
he ascertained that now, on our part, no resistance was made, than he 
showed a white flag.” 
The losses of the regiment at Contreras and Churubusco were six men 
killed ; one missing; and three officers (Captains Craig and Chandler, and 
Lieutenant Buell) and 26 men wounded. 
After their defeats at Contreras and Churubusco, and after losing in 
killed and prisoners a number equal to our entire army, and treble as much 
ordnance as our army had in its siege train and field batteries, the enemy fell 
back to the very gates of the city. Pending negotiations for peace between 
the two governments an armistice was agreed upon, which went into effect 
August 23, and our army went into cantonment in the neighboring villages 
along the slopes of the mountains to the south of the city. The Mexicans 
were so enraged by the ultimatum given by our government on the 2d of 
September, that they immediately commenced to strengthen their defenses, 
in violation of the terms of truce, whereupon General Scott declared the 
armistice at an end and commenced preparations to enter the capital, result- 
ing in the battles of Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and Mexico, on the 8th, 
13th and 14th days of September, respectively. 
General Smith’s Brigade having been left at San Angel as a reserve and 
as a guard to the general depot, the Third did not participate in the capture 
of Molino del Rey, but was actively and gallantly engaged in the other 
battles. On the 12th Companies D and I were detached to support the 
battery engaged in bombarding the Mexican fortifications at the Garita 
Ninio, Perdido. On the same evening a selected party of three officers and 
57 men was detached to form a part of the storming party of regular troops 
against the fortress of Chapultepec. On the morning of the 13th the main 
body of the regiment (Companies D and I having not yet joined) moved 
forward to support the attack upon that strong fortress, Smith’s Brigade 
having reinforced Quitman’s Division and forming the right of the column. 
Chapultepec was carried about 9,30 A. M. on the 13th, and the regiment then 
pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating army, and participated in the 
taking of the different batteries along the Belen causeway leading into the 
city, particularly at the Garita de Belen, or southwest gate of the city, which 440 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
was taken with considerable loss, the troops being under both direct and 
flank fire from the strong fortress, called the Citadel, just within the gate, 
and from behind the stone pillarsand arches of the aqueduct along the road. 
Here the regiment, Companies D and I having joined late in the afternoon, 
remained during the night. Worth’s Division had pursued the enemy along 
the San Cosme causeway and had also entered the city by the San Cosme 
gate. These victories of the 13th of September closed the active operations 
of the war. Early on the morning of the 14th, the Third, which had so 
signally distinguished itself during this war, was among the first (Quitman’s 
Division) who marched into the grand plaza of the city and hoisted the 
Stars and Stripes over the “ Halls of the Montezumas.”* 
General Santa Anna had evacuated the city during the night, but before 
doing so had liberated some 2000 convicts, who, joined by about as many 
others—deserters and populace—caused considerable annoyance and casu- 
alty to the army when it entered the city, by firing upon it from housetops, 
etc. The Third was engaged during the greater part of the 14th in sup- 
pressing this outbreak, with severe loss to the regiment. 
The losses of the regiment on the 13th and 14th of September were 
12 killed or mortally wounded, and 48 wounded. During the whole 
war the regiment lost 52 (including six officers) killed, and 140 (including 
seven officers) wounded.! 
The war was now over, but following the excitement of the recent 
battles and the capture of the city, irregular diet, etc., many men of the 
regiment fell sick and died. The returns show that from April till Decem- 
ber, 1847, there were 120 deaths in the regiment from disease. 
The army remained in and around the City of Mexico until the follow- 
ing June, when the treaty of peace having been ratified by the United 
States Senate, the evacuation commenced. The Third Infantry left the 
city on the morning of the 5th, and arrived at Vera Cruz July 3. Left Vera 
Cruz on the 9th on the ship Masconomo, and arrived at Camp Jefferson 
Davis, East Pascagoula, Miss., July 21, 1848. 
In October and November Headquarters and Companies A, B, C, E, I 
and K, were transferred to Texas, taking station at Camp Salado, four miles 
from San Antonio; and Companies D, F, G and H, to Jefferson Barracks, 
where they remained until the following April when they were sent to Fort 
Leavenworth. 
During the winter of 1848-49, while the Texas battalion under Brevet 
Major Van Horne was encamped on the Salado River, at about 1 o’clock on 
a quiet starlit morning the sentinel over the storehouse suddenly found him- 
self walking in water. He gave the alarm and in an instant the hitherto 
peaceful camp was in a furore of excitement and terror, for as men, women 
and children tumbled out of bed, they found themselves in water. When 
* There is a drum-major’s baton now in possession of the regiment, presented to it by its old 
brigade commander, General Persifor F. Smith, the wooden portion of which is part of the 
flagstaff of the capitol building, or national palace, of Mexico, and the metal portion is made of 
Mexican silver. 
f Of the officers serving with the Third Infantry during the Mexican War, six afterwards be- 
came major generals of volunteers during the Civil War, and one a major general and one a 
brigadier general in the C. S. A. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
441 
the sun arose that morning the insignificant rill of the night before had be- 
come a sea of raging waters, in some places two or more miles in width. 
Every vestige of the camp was completely swept away by the force of the 
torrent, but such had been the promptness, efficiency and discipline of all 
concerned that only one life was lost, that of a non-commissioned officer of 
the regimental staff, supposed to have been drowned in his sleep. His 
body was never recovered. The regiment lost everything,—clothing, bag- 
gage, personal effects, private papers, etc., while the Government lost arms, 
ammunition, quartermaster and subsistence stores, everything except the 
horses and mules which had saved themselves and helped to save the 
women and children. The force of the flood was so great, that, with the ex- 
ception of one armchest full of muskets found lodged in a drift in the Cibolo 
River, some 50 miles below the camp, nothing was ever recovered. 
During the month of May, 1849, there were 35 deaths from cholera in 
the companies at Camp Salado and n in the battalion at Fort Leaven- 
worth. 
On the 1st of June, 1849, the six companies in Texas under Major Van 
Horne were sent to El Paso del Norte, arriving at camp five miles below El 
Paso September 8, a distance of about 670 miles. Companies D, F, G and 
H, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander (who was also commanding 
the regiment), left Fort Leavenworth about the middle of May for Santa 
Fe, where they arrived July 22. The entire regiment was now in New Mex- 
ico, headquarters and three companies being at Santa Fe ; two companies 
at the post opposite El Paso ; and the others scattered along the Rio Grande 
as far north as Taos, N. M. 
The regiment remained in New Mexico until i860, and the returns show 
the different companies to have been almost continuously on the march 
(while not engaged in building new posts) changing stations, escorting 
trains over hundreds of miles of trackless wilderness infested with hostile 
Indians, on exploring expeditions, scouts, and campaigns against Indians. 
The following is a list of the engagements with Indians, and some of the 
more important expeditions in which portions of the regiment took part 
during this time : 
August 16 to September 26; expedition against Navajo Indians; Compa- 
nies D, F, G and H. October 17 to November 12; expedition against 
Apache Indians ; Company E. 
1849. 
1852. 
February 6 ; engagement with Apaches near Fort Webster ; Company K ; 
three men killed. February 19 to March 31 ; expedition against Apaches on 
Gila River; Company B. June 6; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel L. S. Craig 
was shot and killed by two deserters from Fort Yuma, while in command of 
the International Boundary Line Survey escort, of which his company (A) 
formed part. 
1854. 
April 6 to June 15 ; expedition against the Jicarilla Apaches; Company 
G. April 14 to May 11 ; scout into the White Mountains against Mescalero 
Apaches ; Company C. June 18 to August 15 ; expedition against Mescalero 442 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Apaches near head of RioYula; Companies A, E and I. June 30, Lieu- 
tenant J. E. Maxwell killed in action with Jicarilla Apaches near Moro River, 
40 miles south of Fort Union, while in command of a detachment of the 
Second Dragoons. 
1856. 
March ; expedition against Gila and Mogollan Apaches; Companies B 
and I, which marched between 500 and 600 miles during the month and en- 
gaged the enemy at Sierra Almagre on the 21st, and near Rio Meimbris on 
the 29th. March 20 ; engagement with Apaches, Fort Thorn ; detachments 
of D, F and I. 
1857. 
January 31 to February 5 ; expedition to Canon Medera against Apaches; 
Company I. April to September; expedition against the Gila and Mogollon 
Apaches, under Colonel Bonneville; Companies B, C, I and K and detach- 
ment of E, with following engagements : 
May 24, Canon de los Muertos Carneros, B and detachment E ; June 2, 
Mogollon Mountains, C and detachment F; June 27, Gila River with 
Coyotero Apaches, C and detachments of F and K; one officer and three 
men wounded with arrows. 
1858. 
January 1 to February xi; scout against Kiowa Indians in neighborhood 
of Manzana ; Company F. March to September; Mormon expedition into 
Utah ; Companies A, E and F. May 30 ; engagement with Navajo Indians 
at Ewell’s hay camp near Fort Defiance; detachments of B and G. Sep- 
tember, October and November; campaign against Navajos; engagements: 
September 19 to 24, Canon de Chelly, Company G; September 25, 
Laguna Negra, Company B; October 1, Bear Springs, Company B; October 
10, Ranchos de los Anagones, Company G; November 9, near Fort De- 
fiance, Company F. 
1859. 
January 27 to February 5 ; scouts into the Pueblo Indian country near 
Zuni; Company B. July 18 to August 17; scout to Moqui villages and 
region south and west of Fort Defiance; Company K. August and Sep- 
tember ; scouts into the Navajo country; Companies C, D, E and K. No- 
vember I to 12; campaign against Tuni-Cha Navajos; Companies B, C and 
G. November 14; engagement with Tuni-Cha Navajo Indians near Fort 
Defiance ; detachments of B, C, E and G. 
i860. 
January 17 ; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; detachments 
of B, C, E and G. January 18 to 22 ; engagements with Navajos near Fort 
Defiance and Sixteen Mile Pond ; detachments of B, C, E, F and G. Feb- 
ruary 8; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; detachments of 
B, C, E and G. April 5; engagement with Navajos near Fort Defiance; 
detachment of B. April 30; attack on Fort Defiance by Navajos;* Com- 
panies B, C and E. 
* For full account see “ Reminiscences of Fort Defiance, N. M., i860,” published in No. 13, 
Vol. 4, Journal of the Military Service Institution. THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
443 
During the summer and fall of i860 the regiment was transferred from 
the Department of New Mexico to that of Texas, where the companies were 
distributed as follows:—Headquarters and Companies B, D, G, H and K, 
at Fort Clark, Colonel Bonneville commanding; Companies A, C and E, at 
Ringgold Barracks, Lieutenant-Colonel Electus Backus commanding; Com- 
panies F and I at Fort McIntosh, Major C. C. Sibley commanding. These 
were the stations of the different companies at the close of the year i860. 
As the mighty war clouds which hovered over the country were then 
fast lowering, the regular troops stationed in Texas were ordered to evacu- 
ate that State by way of the coast. Headquarters and Companies B, D, G, 
H and K, under Brevet Major O. L. Shepherd (Colonel Bonneville on 
leave), left Fort Clark March 19, 1861, and arrived at Indianola on the 7th 
of April. The line of march took them through the city of San Antonio, 
just before reaching which instructions were received from Colonel Waite 
(who had relieved General Twiggs of the command of the Department), 
that, as there was some excitement among the citizens of the place, it would 
be well if the command marched around the city. 
“ However, the old regiment was not in the habit of sneaking around by 
the by-ways when the main road was open, and Major Shepherd called a 
council of the officers ; the matter was laid before them, and without a dis- 
senting voice it was determined that the trunks and boxes should be opened 
and full dress uniform gotten out and put on, band instruments unpacked, 
and the regimental flags removed from their cases; and that we should 
march through San Antonio with everything that we possessed flying, 
blowing and beating; so that for awhile everything was in confusion, and 
the leeward side of every wagon in the train became an extemporized 
dressing-room.” 
Thus they entered and passed through the town with “ colors flying, band 
playing, and every man and officer as fine as brass and bullion could make 
him.” * 
At Indianola the command embarked for New York Harbor, where it 
arrived April 25. 
Companies C and E had embarked for Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Harbor, the 
month before. From there they were sent to Fort Pickens, Florida, where 
they arrived April 16, and participated in the following engagements before 
joining the headquarters of the regiment the ensuing year : Santa Rosa 
Island, October 9; bombardment of Fort Pickens, November 22 and 23; 
Fort Barrancas, January 1 ; and Fort Pickens, May 9 to 12. The companies 
lost two men killed and seven wounded. 
Companies A, F and I, less fortunate, were compelled to surrender to an 
overwhelming force of Confederates under Colonel Van Dorn, at Mata- 
gorda Bay, near Indianola, April 26, the men and officers being paroled 
until such time as they could be exchanged. They rejoined the headquar- 
ters of the regiment the following year, every enlisted man being reported 
“ present or accounted for,” although many had received tempting offers of 
commissions in the Confederate service. 
The headquarters and battalion of five companies left Fort Hamilton 
♦Major Bell on the evacuation of Texas by the Third Infantry. 444 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
for Washington May 9, and in the early part of June the battalion was or- 
dered to reinforce General Patterson’s command. It went by rail to Car- 
lisle, Pa., and marched to and forded the Potomac near Williamsport, 
making part of one day’s march toward the enemy, when it was recalled to 
Washington, making a forced march while returning which rivalled—at 
least in the amount of fatigue it imposed—the famous retreat from Bull 
Run, the command being on their feet and marching for twenty hours out 
of twenty-four. 
On the 4th of July the battalion was transferred from Washington to 
Arlington Heights where it remained until the 16th, when, with two com- 
panies of the Second and one of the Eighth Infantry, all formed into one 
battalion under Major George Sykes, it took its place in the column start- 
ing out on that short and memorable campaign ending in the disastrous 
battle of Bull Run. This “small but incomparable body of infantry,” the 
only regular infantry in the column, formed part of the First Brigade (Por- 
ter’s), Second Division (Hunter’s). 
It is impossible in the limits of this sketch to give more than the briefest 
outline of the part taken by the regiment in this campaign or in any of the 
campaigns and battles which followed, but it is not necessary to do more, 
as that part is a portion of the written history of our country. Its gallant 
conduct in this, the first great battle of the war, its unflinching steadfast- 
ness and perfect order in covering the flight of the panic stricken army, was 
but a presage of that which was to distinguish it throughout the war. The 
regiment lost in this battle five men killed, 26 missing, and four wounded ; 
also two officers wounded and taken prisoners. 
After the battle of Bull Run the battalion returned to Washington and 
there formed part of the Provost Guard. A few days after its return it was 
reviewed by President Lincoln accompanied by General McDowell. “In 
their passage down the line they drew rein in front of the colors, when the 
general, turning to Mr. Lincoln, said, * Mr. President, there are the men who 
saved your army at Bull Run.’ The President, looking up and down the 
line, replied, ‘ I’ve heard of them.’ ” 
During the winter of 1861-62 the battalion of the regiment, brigaded 
with the Tenth Infantry, remained encamped at Franklin Square. Two of 
the paroled companies (F and I) having been exchanged, joined during the 
winter from Fort Hamilton. Companies C and E joined from Florida the 
following June in time to participate in the seven day’s fight on the Penin- 
sula. Company A did not join until the following fall when the whole 
regiment was once more united. 
In March, 1862, the Third left Washington for Fortress Monroe to join 
McClellan’s army previous to its advance to Yorktown. It was commanded 
by Major N. B. Rossell (Colonel Charles F. Smith, who had succeeded 
Colonel Bonneville upon his retirement in September, 1861, being on 
detached service as major general of volunteers) and formed part of the 
Regular Brigade, commanded by General Sykes. The regiment participated 
in the siege of Yorktown and in the Seven Days’ Fight, taking a very con- 
spicuous and gallant part in the battle of Gaines’ Mill, June 27, when its 
commanding officer and six men were killed, 19 men wounded, and 19 miss- THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
445 
ing; and of Malvern Hill, June 30 and July 2, in which Lieutenant McGuire 
and four men were killed, 11 men wounded and 9 missing. 
Upon the death of Major Rossell the command of the regiment devolved 
upon Captain John D. Wilkins, who retained it until the following spring. 
Colonel Smith died April 25,1862, and Colonel William Hoffman, promoted 
from the Eighth Infantry, became colonel of the regiment and remained 
such until the consolidation in 1869. He did not serve with the regiment, 
however, during the war, being on detached service as commissary general 
of prisoners. 
From the Peninsula the regiment, with its division (now become Sykes’ 
Division of Regulars) was transferred to the Army of Virginia under General 
Pope—joining in time to participate in the second battle of Bull Run, in 
which no regiment played a more prominent role than the 3d Infantry. 
It arrived on the old battle-field about 7 o’clock on the morning of the 
30th. A short time afterwards its brigade was formed in line of battle in 
front of the Dogan House, and the regiment ordered forward, as skirmishers, 
to occupy the crest of the hill in their front, their left resting on the Alex- 
andria and Warrenton turnpike. It remained in this position about three 
hours when orders were received to advance the line. This was promptly 
and gallantly done, driving the enemy from some houses in front of their 
left—several men of the regiment being killed and wounded here. But it 
was later in the day that the regiment and brigade was to conspicuously dis- 
tinguish themselves—when the division to which they belonged was to make 
a charge and cover a retreat destined to become historical for the stead- 
fastness and intrepidity of the participants in it. It “ saved the army,” and 
drew, on the field of battle, from General MacDowell, the memorable excla- 
mation, “ God bless the regulars ! ” The regiment’s losses in this battle were 
two officers and fourteen men wounded and thirty-one men missing, total 
fifty-two. 
At Antietam the division was held in reserve at least most of the time, 
and did not, therefore, take as prominent a part as usual in the battle. It left 
Middletown on the morning of the 15th of September, crossed South Moun- 
tain, and reaching the east bank of Antietam River, took position behind 
some hills on the left of the turnpike leading direct to Sharpsburg. The 
Third Infantry was at once thrown out as skirmishers and occupied the 
crest of the river bank to the right and left of the bridge. It remained in 
this position all night and until relieved by the 4th Infantry, about 10 o’clock 
next morning. During the 16th and 17th, it remained in reserve, although 
exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery. On the 19th the regi- 
ment moved forward, with its division, in pursuit of the retreating enemy, 
passed through Sharpsburg, and on the 20th bivouacked near the Potoma:.. 
opposite Blackford’s Fort. Skirmishers were here thrown out in front of each 
brigade and a desultory fire maintained with those of the enemy on the 
Virginia side. 
At the battle of FrederiCKStmrg, wmcn came next, the division of regu- 
lars first acted as support to the attack on Marye’s Hill, it left its bivouac 
at Falmouth on the afternoon of the 13th, and moved towards the upper 
pontoon bridge, the 3d leading the advance. The moment the head of the 446 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
column showed itself, the enemy opened fire upon it with shot and shell, 
and, while awaiting an opportunity to cross, the regiment lost three 
men wounded—one mortally. After effecting a crossing, the regiment, de- 
positing their knapsacks in the street, moved hurriedly towards the scene 
of action, arriving at the southern edge of the city at the moment the attack 
on the enemy’s outworks was repulsed, and encountering part of the fire of 
the enemy, by which several men were wounded. The regiment was then 
ordered to the right and took position in the cemetery. About midnight it 
advanced out on the plank road, relieved a portion of Humphries’ Division, 
and with the 4th Infantry took position behind a tannery. Skirmishers were 
thrown out some three hundred yards to the right. At daybreak the enemy’s 
pickets and sharpshooters opened a brisk fire upon them, from their in- 
trenchments, but a stone’s throw away, when they were withdrawn, but not 
until some were killed and several wounded. They still remained under 
constant front and enfilading fire from the enemy, within one hundred 
yards, securely sheltered behind stone walls and rifle pits, and, as General 
Sykes said in his report of the battle, “ could offer no resistance only the 
moral effect of that hardihood and bravery which would not yield one foot 
of the line they were required to protect. No better test of the qualities of 
troops could be shown than that displayed by these brigades. Patience, 
endurance, discipline and courage were conspicuous.” 
About 11 A. M., the 3d and 4th effected an entrance into the tannery with 
their bayonets, through the brick walls. They soon after loopholed the 
walls and from these and the windows they succeeded in driving the enemy 
from the houses and rifle-pits on the right, relieving the brigade, in great 
measure, from the fire of the sharpshooters during the remainder of the day. 
At 12 o’clock that night the regiment was relieved, having held the position 
24 hours, and proceeded to the city and bivouacked near St. George’s Church. 
During the evening of the 15th it changed position three times. Toward 
morning it was placed in front and nearest the enemy, where it remained 
until the whole army had crossed safely to the northern banks of the Rap- 
pahannock, when it received orders to fallback, being the last to recross the 
river. The losses in this battle were three men killed and 12 wounded. 
Shortly after this, while in camp at Henry House, the regiment was re- 
organized. Its strength present having been reduced to 12 officers and 408 
enlisted men, Companies A, D, E and H were broken up, the men trans- 
ferred and the officers attached to other companies. It remained a six com- 
pany organization until the close of the war. 
The regiment took part in Burnside’s famous “ Mud March,” and, later, 
in the battles of Dowall’s Tavern and Chancellorsville. In the latter it 
moved with the attacking column and participated in the engagements of 
May 1st. On the 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th, it held its position in the line of bat- 
tle. It also assisted here in driving back to the field of battle some of the 
fugitives of the Eleventh Corps. The losses in this battle were four men 
wounded and four missing. 
Gettysburg came next. As part of the First Brigade of Regulars it ar- 
rived on the battle-field early in the morning of July 2, having on the three 
consecutive days previous marched over 62 miles. It first acted as reserve THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
447 
for the right and centre, but during the afternoon was hastily sent to the left, 
where it participated in the fierce fighting around the Round Tops and near 
Devil’s Den, where the slaughter of the regular infantry was so fearful. But 
they “once more justified their old reputation ; not a single man left the 
ranks, and they allowed themselves to be decimated without flinching. 
Eleven hundred combatants only out of an effective force of 2000 are left 
standing.” Captain Freedly, who commanded the regiment, was so seriously 
wounded in the knee that he never rejoined the regiment and was ul- 
timately retired. Lieutenants Butler, Parker and Morton were wounded, 8 
men were killed, 61 wounded, six mortally, and two were missing, making a 
total loss of 75 out of an effective strength of less than 300. 
The remnants of the regiment, now under Captain Lay, remained in line 
of battle all day during the 3d. On the 4th it was sent out on reconnois- 
sance and had a brisk skirmish with the enemy, after which it returned to 
its station below Little Round Top, but was immediately sent out again on 
the front line of pickets. It remained on picket that night and until the 
pursuit of the enemy commenced the next day. 
During the summer of 1863 the regiment was sent to New York, where 
it arrived August 21, to assist in suppressing the Draft Riots. Leaving 
New York September 14 it again took the field and participated in the op- 
erations which led up to, and was engaged in, the battle of Rappahan- 
nock Station, November 7, one man being wounded. 
It took part in the Mine Run campaign, November 26 to December 2, 
after which it was again sent to New York Harbor where it remained, 
stationed at Forts Richmond, Hamilton and Columbus, until October, 1864, 
when it was transferred to Washington and stationed at Camp Relief in the 
northern outskirts of the city. 
In February, 1865, the regiment, with a total strength present of only 11 
officers and 212 men, was again sent to the Army of the Potomac. It joined 
at Petersburg, and was stationed from that time until the end of the war at 
General Meade’s headquarters, participating in all the subsequent engage- 
ments of the Army of the Potomac until the final surrender of Lee’s army 
at Appomattox. Thus ended the war, the Third having borne a meritorious 
part in 21 battles and sieges, losing in killed, wounded and missing a total 
of 267 men,—a number equal to its average strength present during the war. 
In the celebrated race between Sherman and Meade after the surrender of 
the Confederate armies, when both strove to reach the city of Washington the 
first, the Third marched (by odometer) miles in three days, and this a 
greater part of the time in rain and mud. In the grand review of the armies 
before President Lincoln, the Third, as part of the Provost Guard, was the lead- 
ing infantry regiment of the column. On the 4th of J uly the regiment, with the 
10th Infantry, was ordered in haste to General Wright’s headquarters, a few 
miles away, to quell the threatened mutiny in the Provisional Corps, or 
proposed “Corps of Observation.” It remained on duty there until the 
27th, when it was transferred to the barracks at Washington Arsenal. 
In the fall the regiment was transferred by rail to St. Louis, where it ar- 
rived October 29. Here Companies A, D, E and H, were reorganized De- 
cember 19, 595 recruits having been received. 448 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
In the spring of 1866 the regiment, now commanded by Colonel (bvt. 
M. G.) Hoffman who had joined during the winter, left St. Louis for Kansas 
and the Indian Territory, where it remained for the next eight years. The 
following is a chronological list of engagements of portions of the regiment 
with hostile Indians during this time 
1867. 
May 23 ; Big Timbers, Kan.; detachment of E. June 11 ; near Big Tim- 
bers, Kan.; detachment of E. June 15 ; Big Timbers, Kan.; detachment of 
E. July 3; near Goose Creek, Colo.; detachment of E. September 22; 
Pawnee Fork Bluff, Kan.; detachment of A. 
1868. 
September 2 ; Little Coon Creek, Kan.; detachments of A, F and H, 
September 11 to 15 ; Sand Hills, I. T. ; Company F. September 30; Big 
Bend, Kan.; Company D. October 1 ; attack on Fort Zara, Kan.; Com- 
pany D. October 1 ; between Forts Larned and Dodge, Kan.; Company E. 
October 3 ; Crow Creek, Kan.; detachment of D. October 26 ; near Fort 
Dodge, Kan.; Company E. November 19 ; near Fort Dodge, Kan.; Com- 
panies A and H. 
May 31; Bear Creek, Kan.; detachments of B and F. June 11 ; Camp 
Supply, I. T. ; Companies B, E and F. 
1870. 
1871. 
July 2 ; Fort Larned, Kan.; Companies C and E. 
1874. 
June 19; Buffalo Creek, L T.; detachment of D, June 21; Buffalo 
Creek, I. T.; detachment of A. June 24; Lear Creek Redoubt, Kan.; de- 
tachment of A. 
In the reduction of the army in 1869, one-half of the 37th Infantry (Com- 
panies A, C, E, F and I) was consolidated with the Third, adding to the al- 
ready long list of battles on her colors, those of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, 
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw 
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. 
Colonel (bvt. M. G.) G. W. Getty and Lieutenant-Colonel (bvt. B. G.) 
John R. Brooke, both of the 37th, were transferred to the Third in place of 
Colonel (bvt. M. G.) Hoffman and Lieutenant-Colonel (bvt. B. G.) Alfred 
Sully, placed on the unassigned list. General Getty was transferred to the 
3d Artillery, December 31, 1870, never having joined the regiment, and 
Colonel Floyd-Jones was transierred to the Third from the unassigned list. 
He joined at Fort Dodge, Kansas, the following June and retained command 
of the regiment until his retirement in 1879. 
In the early part of the summer of 1874 the regiment was transferred 
from Kansas to Holly Springs, Miss., where it was concentrated by the 
middle of July. It remained there in camp until the following September, 
when the headquarters and four companies took station at Jackson Bar- 
racks, La. Other companies were quartered in the city of New Orleans, THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
449 
and the remainder distributed to various points throughout the State. The 
regiment remained in the Department of the Gulf on duty in connection 
with the enforcement of the Civil Rights bill until July, 1877, when it was 
ordered to Pennsylvania in connection with the riots of that year. Por- 
tions of it were on duty at Indianapolis, Ind.; Newport Barracks, Ky.; and 
at Pittsburg, Scranton, and Wilkesbarre, Pa. « 
By September 3, 1877, the entire regiment was concentrated at Wilkes- 
barre preparatory to a change of station to Montana. The headquarters 
and six companies were to go to Helena, and four companies with the lieu- 
tenant-colonel to Fort Missoula. The regiment left Wilkesbarre Septem- 
ber 21 and arrived at Corrinne, Utah, on the 28th. From Corrinne the 
commands marched to their new stations, arriving on the 7th and 14th of 
November, respectively, and immediately went to work building quarters. 
In the spring of 1878 the headquarters and six companies left Helena 
for the Milk River country, General Brooke,—who was in command of the 
regiment and also the District of Montana (Colonel Floyd-Jones on leave), 
—having been ordered to select a site for a new post in that region. The 
present site of Fort Assinniboine having been selected, the command 
camped at the Marias River July 23, and remained there until fall, when 
the headquarters went to Fort Shaw and took station, and the companies 
were distributed to various points in Montana. Company A took station 
at Fort Benton and Companies C and E at Fort Shaw. Companies F and 
G proceeded to Fort Belknap, thence 65 miles east following the course of 
the Milk River, where they captured 7 lodges of British half-breeds who 
had been causing trouble, and escorted them into Fort Belknap after hav- 
ing burnt their houses. The companies then took station at Fort Shaw. 
Company K was stationed at Fort Logan. 
During the summer of this year various scouting parties were sent out 
from the Missoula garrison to watch the different trails and mountain 
passes for bands of hostile Indians, but with one exception they did not 
come into contact with any. Lieutenant Wallace with a mounted detach- 
ment of 13 men of Companies B, H and I, one guide, and two other citi- 
zens, overtook a band of Nez Perces, July 14, on the Middle Fork of Clear- 
water River, attacking them and, in a battle of two hours, killing 6 and 
wounding 3 Indians, and capturing 31 and killing 23 of the animals in their 
possession. No casualties to detachment. 
In obedience to instructions from the district commander to “ scout the 
country thoroughly for lurking bands of hostile Indians and road agents,” 
a number of parties were sent out from the different posts garrisoned by 
the regiment during the spring of 1879, but, except in two cases, without 
noteworthy result. 
Sergeant A. Cecil of Company A, with seven men,—part of a mounted 
detachment on a scout from Fort Logan in the direction of the Mussel 
Shell,—had. a skirmish with a band of 8 hostile Sioux Indians, April 17, 
near Careless Creek, killing the entire party. 
Lieutenant Kraus with a detachment of 18 men of Company A, while 
returning from Fort Benton from patrolling the Missouri River, having 
with him 9 horses which had been recaptured from the River Crows, was 450 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
attacked while in camp on Eagle Creek, Mont., May 4, about 11 o’clock 
p. M. Twelve horses and one mule belonging to the Government and 8 of 
the recaptured horses were stampeded and lost. 
Various military telegraph lines, connecting the different posts in the 
territory, were constructed by the regiment during the year. 
The retirement of Colonel Floyd-Jones, March 20, 1879, promoted Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel (Bvt. B. G.) L. P. Bradley, 9th Infantry, to the Third, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke of the Third to the 13th. General Bradley never 
joined, and on June 14th transferred with General Brooke, who remained 
colonel of the regiment and commanded it until he was promoted brigadier 
general April 24,1888. 
In the spring of 1879, Company E left Fort Shaw and took station at 
Fort Ellis, where it was joined the following summer by Company C. These 
two companies remained at this post until its abandonment in the fall of 
1886, when they took station at Fort Custer. 
In the summer of 1880 Company K was sent to the new post of Fort 
Maginnis, and in 1881 Companies A and K were sent to Fort Shaw. Dur- 
ing the summer and fall of 1882-83 two or more companies from Fort 
Shaw were kept in the field observing the Indians at the Blackfeet 
Agency and protecting the settlements from the incursions of hostile 
Indians from the north. Three companies were also sent out from Fort 
Missoula in the summer of 1883, to assist in arresting renegade Indians on the 
Flathead reservation. 
At the time of the threatened outbreak of the Crow Indians under 
<s Sword Bearer,” in the fall of 1887, Companies Band F were transferred 
from Fort Missoula to Fort Custer. Companies B and E were in line with 
other troops during the skirmish at Crow Agency, November 5, but were 
not actively engaged though exposed to fire. After the trouble subsided, 
Sword Bearer having been killed, Companies B and F returned to Fort 
Missoula, C and E remaining at Fort Custer. 
Upon the promotion of General Brooke to be brigadier general U. S. A., 
April 24, 1888, Colonel (Bvt. B. G.) E. C. Mason was promoted to the regi- 
ment from lieutenant-colonel 4th Infantry, and has commanded it since 
that time. 
In the spring of 1888 the headquarters and Companies A, D, E, H and K 
were transferred to Fort Snelling, Minn., and Companies B, C, F and I to 
Fort Meade, Dak., Company G going to Fort Sisseton, Dak., where it re- 
mained until that post was abandoned the following June, when it was sent 
to Fort Snelling. 
In common with other infantry regiments, Companies I and K were 
skeletonized in August, 1890, and the enlisted men transferred to other 
companies. Company I was in the field at the time on the Cheyenne River 
watching hostile Indians. It was reorganized as an Indian company the 
following year at Fort Sully, S. D., where it remained until early in 1893, 
when it joined at Fort Snelling, where it was again skeletonized in October, 
1894, the Indians being discharged. 
Companies C and F participated in the Sioux campaign of the winter of 
1890-91, being in the field the entire winter as part of the battalion com- THE THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
451 
manded by Colonel E. V. Sumner. Company C made a forced march while 
joining the battalion on the Cheyenne, of 67 miles in 50 hours and twenty 
minutes. 
Early in January, 1891, Companies H and B were sent to Fort Sully, 
S. D., while Sitting Bull’s band of Indians were held there. In the follow- 
ing May they took station at Fort Snelling. Companies C and F were also 
sent to Fort Snelling this spring and the whole regiment (except the 
Indian company) was brought together there, where it has since remained. 
In the spring of 1892, Companies A and E proceeded to the Sissetonand 
Wahpeton reservation, where they remained about three weeks on duty in 
connection with the opening of that reservation to settlement. 
The regiment proceeded to Chicago, October 18, 1893, and participated 
in the military ceremonies connected with the dedication of the World’s 
Fair buildings. Companies C and F having been specially selected, returned 
to Jackson Park on the 8th of June and remained on duty there with the 
War Department exhibit until the close of the fair. 
The next tour of detached service for a portion of the regiment was to 
Leech Lake, Minn. The Indian agent there having accidentally shot an 
Indian, they became very much excited, threatening to kill him and closely 
besieging him in his house. Company D under Lieutenant McCoy left Fort 
Snelling and proceeded in haste to the point of trouble. After liberating 
the agent and quieting the Indians the company returned to its station 
June 28. 
The regiment, er a large part of it, encamped with the National Guard 
of Wisconsin in the summer of 1890 and 1891. In 1892 it took part in a 
practice march and field manoeuvres; and in 1893 and 1894 encamped with 
the Minnesota National Guard. 
During the year 1894 the regiment had considerable duty in connection 
with strikes. In April and May, Companies A, B, D and G, under Major 
Patterson, were on duty on the Great Northern R. R.; and in July, Com- 
panies C, E and H, were called upon for service on the line of the Northern 
Pacific R. R. 
The last detached service for which the regiment has been called upon,""' 
was one of humanity during the recent forest fires in northern Minnesota, 
when Company G, under Captain Hale, was sent to the desolated district 
with tents, etc., to assist in furnishing aid and shelter to the afflicted and 
homeless. 
Thus ends the chronicle of a century’s service. 
* Written in the fall of 1894. 
Note.—The writer is under obligations to General J. H. Eaton, Color el Daingerfield Parker, 
Colonel Richard I. Dodge, General O. L. Shepherd (who has since iied), and to Mr. F. W. 
Heitman, for much information used in the preparation of this sketch. THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Lieut. JAMES A. LEYDEN, Adjutant 4TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE Legion of the United States, by which title the regular army was 
known from 1792 to 1796, was a theoretically well balanced military 
organization of four divisions, each division or sub-legion contain- 
ing Dragoons, Rifles, Artillery and Infantry. Whatever merit this 
organization might have had against a civilized enemy in an open or civil- 
ized country, it was found to be poorly adapted to the various requirements 
of Indian warfare or ordinary frontier duties in a wooded country. That the 
important battle at Miami Rapids was fought and won under this organiza- 
tion was due, not to any particular merit in the organization, but to the 
admirable discipline instilled into the command by the Commander-in- 
Chief, General Anthony Wayne. “ Train and discipline them for the service 
they are meant for,” wrote Washington. These instructions were so faith- 
fully complied with that it was common remark that the “ mad commander ” 
had become a most thorough and painstaking disciplinarian. 
The cessation of active Indian warfare, and the occupation of many re- 
mote stations, called for a simpler administrative organization, and, pursuant 
to Act of Congress May 30, 1796, the Legion was disbanded in November 
1796, the President arranging and completing out of the infantry of the 
sub-legions, four regiments of infantry. The Fourth Infantry was in conse- 
quence organized from the infantry of the 4th sub-legion, with Thomas 
Butler, of distinguished lineage and revolutionary service, as lieutenant- 
colonel, commandant. 
The evacuation, in 1796, of the British military posts in the Northwest, 
under Jay’s treaty, and the occupation of the territory ceded by Spain to 
the United States, by the treaty of October 27, 1795, necessitated the dis- 
persion of the newly organized regiments to many widely separated stations, 
the Fourth Infantry going, in June, 1797, to Tennessee and Georgia. In the 
interval between 1796 and 1802 there were many changes in the regimental 
organizations, the personnel varying from 30 commissioned officers and 502 
enlisted men, in 1796, to 49 officers and 1036 enlisted men in 1799. 
Spain having become allied with France, and as strained relations exis- 
ted between France and the United States, it was for a time doubtful 
whether peaceable occupation of the lately ceded territory of Louisiana would 
occur. Emissaries and spies had been sent out from Louisiana to ascer- 
tain the temper of the people of the Mississippi Valley upon the subject of 
separation from the Union and the formation of an independent govern- 
ment under foreign protection. The reports of these agents is interesting 
452 Major-General 
HENRY WAGER HALLECK 
Commanding the Army, 1862-1864. FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
453 
reading. One of them, reporting upon the army, says ; “ There is a strict 
discipline observed in the army. The soldiers are almost all youths from 16 
to 26 years of age. They go through some military evolutions with suffi- 
cient precision. With respect to the officers from the lowest to the highest 
(excepting very few) they are deficient of those qualities that adorn a good 
soldier, excepting fierceness, and are overwhelmed in ignorance and in the 
most base vices.” In view of the fact that this very spy had been taken in 
hand by the military and escorted by an officer outside ofthe United States 
territory, his judgment may have been somewhat warped. 
Occupation ofthe newly acquired territory was not resisted, and Con- 
gress concluded in 1802 to reduce the military establishment. The new law 
provided for but two regiments of infantry and the Fourth Infantry was, 
June 1st of that year, disbanded. Some of the officers wrere retained in 
other organizations, some resigned and the remainder were honorably dis- 
charged. 
International affairs in 1808 were in such a condition that the Presi- 
dent asked Congress to increase the military strength of the regular 
army ; and by the unparalleled vote, on military matters, of 98 to 16, the 
House passed a bill providing for an increase of seven regiments of infantry. 
The Fourth Infantry under this Act was reorganized in the months of May 
and June, 1808. It was recruited in the Eastern States, and John P. Boyd, 
of East India fame, was named its first colonel. In the spring of 1809 the 
organization was completed and the companies were stationed at Bos- 
ton and various other points in the New England States. No important 
changes of station occurred until the spring of 1811, when the regiment was 
ordered to concentrate at Philadelphia, Pa. The companies having arrived 
at the Lazaretto, a short distance from the city of Philadelphia, orders were 
then received to proceed to Pittsburgh. In compliance with these orders the 
regiment started, June 3d, on the march across the State of Pennsylvania, 
arriving in Pittsburgh on the 28th of the same month. Four weeks had been 
pleasantly passed in the city when orders directed the regiment to proceed 
by river to Cincinnati. Arriving at Cincinnati camp was established on the 
present site of Newport Barracks until August 31st. War Department 
orders then directed that the regiment proceed to Vincennes, in the Indian 
Territory. The journey down the Ohio was resumed. The regiment hav- 
ing made the portage at the falls, continued down the river to the mouth 
of the Wabash, and thence up that stream to Vincennes, experiencing many 
hardships and difficulties owing to the size of the boats and the difficult 
current of the stream. At Vincennes the regiment was joined by a force of 
militia and volunteers, and August 27th the entire command left the trading 
post and marched up the river to a point near the present town of Terre 
Haute, where a post called Fort Harrison was built. The Prophet,—brother 
of Tecumseh and leader of the Indians then causing trouble,—refused all 
overtures, and November 6th found the command within three miles of his 
village. 
On the following morning, before dawn, the Indians made a furious at- 
tack upon all sides of the camp, and the desperate contest continued until day- 
light enabled the troops to discover their enemies ; vigorous bayonet charges 454 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
then drove the Indians from the field. The coolness and discipline of the 
regiment undoubtedly saved the command from annihilation. Out of 300 
present the regiment lost 77 in killed and wounded, including four officers, 
one of whom was mortally wounded by tomahawk. 
Owing to want of supplies and proper accommodation for the large num- 
ber of wounded, the little army returned to Fort Harrison, (where Captain 
Snelling’s company was left as a garrison) and thence to Vincennes for the 
winter. 
In the spring of 1812 the Indians to the north were causing much trouble 
and there were strong probabilities of a war with Great Britain, whose agents 
were identified with the Indian difficulties. General Hull, on account of his 
knowledge of the Indians and his former good record, had been given com- 
mand of all the forces in the Northwest, and the regiment was accordingly 
ordered to join other troops under his immediate command. 
In obedience to these orders the regiment walked from Vincennes to 
Cincinnati and thence to Urbana, arriving at the latter place July 3d, the 
day before the receipt of the declaration of war against England. General 
Hull’s command arrived at Detroit on July 6th, after a most arduous and 
trying march through the forests of Ohio. On the 12th it crossed the river 
for “an invasion and conquest of Upper Canada.” Camp was established 
at Sandwich, on the Canadian side of the river, and the troops remained 
there for nearly a month without making hostile demonstration, although 
the Canadians and Indians were known to be concentrating at Malden, but 
thirteen miles down the river. A mutinous spirit began to manifest itself 
on account of this inactivity. 
Governor Meigs had forwarded a considerable supply of provisions and 
clothing for the use of the army, and a small detachment of volunteers, sent 
to escort the supplies to Sandwich, was surprised and routed by a consider- 
able force of Canadians and Indians. General Hull was prevailed upon later 
to send an additional force to bring the supplies into camp, and the Fourth 
Infantry, under the command of the youthful and gallant Lieutenant-Colonel 
James Miller, was reluctantly ordered upon the duty. Colonel Miller, be- 
fore starting, briefly harangued his troops, saying: “And now, if there is 
any man in the ranks of this detachment who fears to meet the enemy, let 
him fall out and stay behind.” None fell out. About 4 o’clock p. M., August 
9th, the command reached the vicinity of Maguago, fourteen miles below 
Detroit. The advance guard, under the command of Captain Snelling, sud- 
denly received from ambush a fierce volley from a mixed force of British, 
Canadians and Indians, under command of Major Muir of the English army 
and Tecumseh, the Indian chief. Snelling held his ground with what re- 
mained of his little force until the main body formed for the attack. The 
line moved forward with fixed bayonets and, although receiving a terrific 
fire from behind breastworks of fallen trees, charged the British and Cana- 
dians. Before they had time to reload, the first work was carried and the 
white men broke and fled, closely pursued by the American troops; the 
enemy was unable to form behind his second line of breastworks, and, com- 
pletely routed, made the best of his way to the river and crossed to the 
other side. The Indians, thus deserted by their white allies, soon broke and FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
455 
fled in their turn, disappearing in the forest. Colonel Miller determined to 
march at once on Malden, but at sundown he was met with a peremptory 
order from General Hull to return to Detroit. The loss to the Fourth In- 
fantry was 58 killed and wounded. 
On August 16, 1812, one week from the battle of Maguago, and with 
troops flushed and enthused with the success of that battle, General Hull 
basely surrendered his entire command, without a show of resistance, to 
less than its own numbers of British, Canadians and Indians. As one of 
the results of this base surrender, the regiment lost a beautiful stand of 
colors, presented to it by the ladies of Boston when it was stationed in the 
Eastern States. 
The court-martial which tried General Hull found him guilty of “ cow- 
ardice and neglect of duty,” and sentenced him “ to be shot dead and to 
have his name stricken from the rolls of the army.” Clemency was recom- 
mended, and the President, mitigating the sentence, ordered that “the rolls 
of the army are no longer to be debased by having upon them the name of 
Brigadier-General Hull.” 
After the surrender the officers and men of the regiment were taken as 
prisoners of war to Montreal, Canada, suffering great hardships on the way 
from excessive ill-treatment and the want of even the plainest food. Arriv- 
ing at Montreal on the evening of September 27, 1812, the regiment was 
met by crowds of people who had collected, as they said, “ to have a peep 
at General Hull’s exterminating Yankees.” A band of music joined the 
escort and struck up the much admired ditty, “ Yankee Doodle,” in which it 
was joined by all the men who could whistle the tune. When they ceased 
to play, “Yankee Doodle” was loudly called for by the regiment. At last, 
mortified at their conduct, the band began “ Rule Britannia,” which was 
cheered by the multitude, but the men continued their favorite song, some 
singing and others whistling, till the barracks were reached. 
From Montreal the regiment was sent to Quebec, and the men confined 
on board transports in the river. Many men died during their imprison- 
ment from the ill-usage they had received. Finally the regiment was ex- 
changed and sent from Quebec on October 29th on an old schooner bound 
for Boston. On the Gulf of St. Lawrence a furious storm was encountered, 
and the old schooner became the prey of the waves for several days. Land 
was finally made at Shelburne, on the east side of the Bay of Fundy. On the 
voyage thus far no less than fifteen men died and were buried at sea. Two 
more died at Shelburne, and before Boston was reached, on November 
28th, thirty in all had been thrown overboard. Upon arriving in Boston 
General Boyd, the former colonel of the regiment, did everything in his 
power to make the men who had served under him at Tippecanoe com- 
fortable. 
Early in 1813 recruiting for the regiment began. The recruits were col- 
lected and the regiment assembled and organized, under the direction of 
Lieutenant-Colonel Darrington, at Greenbush, opposite Albany, New York. 
During the continuance of the war, the regiment served in the district in- 
cluding northern New York and Vermont. Such of the companies as had 
been organized participated in the battle of Chateaugay River, Lower 456 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Canada, on October 26, 1813. In the following year detachments were 
present at the battles of La Cole Mill and at the siege of Plattsburg. 
Upon the reduction of the army in 1815 many regiments were consoli- 
dated to give a smaller number of regimental organizations, and the Fourth 
Infantry was, with five other regiments, consolidated to form the Fifth In- 
fantry. In the same way three regiments, the Twelfth, Fourteenth and 
Twentieth, were consolidated and called the Fourth Infantry. The official 
army register has for many years announced other regiments as forming 
the Fourth Infantry, but careful investigation shows that the Army Register 
is partially in error in this respect. 
The War Department has ruled that by these consolidations, the distin- 
guished services of the regiment prior to May 15, 1815, are to be credited 
to the Fifth Infantry, and that the Fourth Infantry, in a similar way, in- 
herited the records of the regiments consolidated into its organization. The 
names Fort Niagara, Fort George, Beaver Dams, Chrystler’s Fields, Chip- 
peway and Cook’s Mill are therefore borne upon the regimental colors, 
although in none of these battles did the regiment or any portion of it 
p..i j spate. 
Alter the reorganization of the regiment it was ordered South, owing to 
difficulties with the Creek and Seminole Indians in Florida and Alabama. 
For several years its history was one of continual marching and counter- 
marching, building cantonments and opening military roads through the 
wilderness, the policy of the general government then being that the 
Infantry arm of the service should build its own barracks and open roads 
through the Indian country. 
In the spring of 1817 the regiment marched from South Carolina and 
Georgia to Alabama, and proceeded thence to Florida to operate under the 
command of Major-General Jackson, against the Spanish forces in Pensacola 
harbor. 
It would be tedious and uninteresting to detail the many changes of 
station that occurred in the southern country during the distressing Semi- 
nole wars. Troops were changing and moving about continually, and when 
not moving were occupied in building quarters for their protection. 
In 1831, the regimental headquarters were at Baton Rouge, La., and 
there seemed to be an intention to withdraw the regiment from its inter- 
mittent service in Florida. 
The Black Hawk War began in 1832 and two companies were sent up the 
Mississippi to reinforce General Atkinson’s command at Fort Crawford, 
Prairie du Chien, Wis. From Fort Crawford these companies returned to 
Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, 111., and while at the latter place the cholera 
made its appearance among the troops. General Scott’s characteristic order 
on the subject is still preserved among the records of the regiment, an ex- 
tract from it reading as follows : “ that every soldier or ranger who shall be 
found drunk or sensibly intoxicated, after the publication of this order, be 
compelled as soon as his strength will permit, to dig a grave at a suitable 
burying place, large enough for his own reception, as such graves cannot 
fail soon to be wanted, for the drunken man himself or some drunken 
companion. This order is given as well to serve as a punishment for drunk- FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
457 
enness, as to spare good and temperate men the labor of digging graves for 
their worthless companions.” 
Desertion from the army, as in more recent times, was not infrequent. 
Two years in the Leavenworth Military Prison, learning some useful trade, 
contrasts peculiarly with the following, not an isolated case: “ The Court 
found him guilty as Charged and Sentences him to be tied to a stack of 
arms and to receive ten lashes for Five Successive Mornings with a Cat o’ 
Nine Tails on his bare Back in presence of the command, to have his head 
and Eye Brows Shaved, to forfeit all pay and travelling expenses and to be 
Drumd out of Service.” 
The regiment made several changes of station to and from Florida, and 
finally returned to take part in the Seminole War of 1836. Rarely, if ever, 
have troops been called upon for service under such trying circumstances 
as in this war. The region in which the troops were compelled to operate 
consisted of swamps, overflowed thickets, and dense tropical forests of 
unknown extent. Poisonous insects and serpents under foot and an atmos- 
phere reeking with fevers and disease overhead. The enemy to be subdued 
was cunning and active as he was cruel and treacherous. For days at a 
time the troops waded in the swamps or patrolled the streams in search of 
an enemy who only showed himself when in sufficient numbers to massacre 
isolated detachments. Treachery and deceit resulted from every confer- 
ence with the Indians. The war was only temporarily brought to a close 
by the questionable seizure of Osceola under a flag of truce. 
In all this war, which lasted about seven years and cost the Government 
hundreds of lives and millions of treasure, the Fourth Infantry bore an 
honorable part. It participated in nearly all of the engagements and lost 
severely in killed and wounded, and, what in that region was worse, in miss- 
ing, the totals for the regiment being: Officers killed in action or died of 
disease, 6; men killed in action or died of disease, 128. December 20, 
1835, Captain and Brevet Major Dade volunteered to command a detach- 
ment, consisting of two companies of artillery and eleven of the men of his 
own company, that had been ordered to proceed from Fort Brooke to Fort 
King, the Seminole agency. When about 55 miles on its way the detach- 
ment was attacked by a large force of Indians in ambush. The fight lasted 
from eight o’clock in the morning until the middle of the afternoon, Decem- 
ber 28th. Three privates only escaped, and, though badly wounded, made 
their way back to Fort Brooke with the news of the massacre. On Feb- 
ruary 22, 1836, General Gaines, with a force including seven companies of 
the Fourth Infantry, arrived on the battle ground and buried the remains 
of Major Dade and his command. 
General Scott’s campaign which followed was not decisive and the next 
year there were great preparations for a campaign under General Thomas 
G. Jesup, Quartermaster General of the Army. Troops and supplies were 
gathered, and marching and countermarching began. The Fourth Infantry 
most of the time operated as an independent command. The move- 
ments during the winter resulted in bringing in the king, Micanopy, with 
a considerable number of his warriors. Campaigning then for a time 
ceased. 458 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
In 1837 there was “ marching up and down, to and fro, hither and yon,” 
and very little accomplished. On Christmas Day, however, one of the 
severest engagements in the war took place on the shores of Lake Okeecho- 
bee, Colonel Zachary Taylor, First Infantry, commanding. The six com- 
panies of the Fourth Infantry engaged lost an aggregate of 22 killed and 
wounded. 
In May, 1838, the regiment was en route to the Cherokee Nation in Ten- 
nessee, in connection with the removal of the Cherokee Indians by General 
Scott. Then followed several years of peace, marked principally by severe 
labor and sickness incident to building roads, through a region so unhealthy 
that civilians could not be engaged to perform the work. In 1841 the 
fourth return to Florida took place, and a portion of the regiment took part 
in the final campaign of the Seminole War. But little skirmishing and few 
casualties from fighting occurred. The clothing and food supplies of the 
Indians were captured, and finally the chief, Halleck Tustenuggee, was 
taken prisoner by an artifice justified only by necessity. Soon after his cap- 
ture the last of the warrior bands was removed from Florida. 
In September, 1842, the regiment was ordered to take station at Jeffer- 
son Barracks, Mo., where it remained until the proposed annexation of 
Texas, in 1844, led to rumblings of war with Mexico. As a part of the “ Army 
of Observation ” the regiment was moved to Grand Ecore, La., where it re- 
mained until July, 1845, being moved thence to Corpus Christi, Texas, as a 
part of the “ Army of Occupation.” The first act of war on the part of 
Mexico was the murder, on April 10th, of Colonel Cross, assistant quarter- 
master-general, a few miles from camp, by a roving party of banditti. Lieu- 
tenant Porter, Fourth Infantry, with a small party, was sent out to search 
for the body of Colonel Cross, and on the return of the party it was ambus- 
caded, Lieutenant Porter and one man being killed. Soon after the Gov- 
ernment recognized a state of war existing between the United States and 
Mexico, and preparations were made for an invasion of the territory of the 
latter. 
When General Taylor’s army reached the Rio Grande from Corpus 
Christi, General Mejia issued a pronunciamento: “The water of the Rio 
Grande is deep, and it shall be the sepulchre of these degenerate sons of 
Washington.” Operations did not cease on account of this proclamation. 
The Army of Occupation, about noon of May 8th, met and engaged the 
Mexican army under General Ampudia at Palo Alto. 
Early on the following morning the enemy retreated, and, about 3 o’clock 
in the afternoon, took up a position at Resaca de la Palma. The Fourth In- 
fantry was deployed on the right of the road leading to his position, and at 
various points became briskly engaged, and finally, keeping as good order as 
the close chapparal would permit, charged and captured the camp where 
the headquarters of the Mexican general-in-chief were established. All his 
official correspondence was captured at this place, together with a large 
amount of ammunition, some 400 mules, saddles and every variety of army 
equipage. 
At Monterey, the regiment consisted of but six reduced companies, four 
of which participated in the assault of the works in the lower part of the city FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
459 
the first day of the battle. The regifrient charged through a cross fire from 
the Black Fort and the batteries. A mistake in orders led to the charge, some- 
body had blundered, and about one-third of the men engaged in the charge 
were killed and wounded in the space of a few minutes. The regiment halted 
in a place of safety—what there was left of it. In a short time the advance 
began again and the troops reached the suburbs. A little battery covering 
the approaches to the lower end of the city was captured and turned upon 
another work of the enemy. An entrance into the east end of the city was 
now secured. An advance was made to within a square of the plaza, not 
without heavy loss, when the ammunition began to give out. Lieutenant 
Grant made a dashing and perilous ride back to ask that ammunition be 
forwarded. Before it could be collected the remnants of the two regiments, 
the Third and Fourth Infantry, returned. The following day the city 
capitulated. 
Early in 1847 the regiment was ordered, as a part of the force sent from 
General Taylor’s army, to proceed to Vera Cruz and join the army under 
General Scott. It arrived at Vera Cruz in March and participated in the 
siege of that place. By April 16th it had arrived at Plan del Rio, near Cerro 
Gordo, the battle of the latter place taking place on the 17th-18th. Previous 
to this battle General Santa Anna stated to his army: “ I am resolved to 
go out and encounter the enemy. * * * My duty is to sacrifice myself, 
and I will know how to fulfil it! Perhaps the American hosts may proudly 
tread the imperial capital of Azteca. I will never witness such an opprobrium, 
for I am decided first to die fighting.” The general encountered the Ameri- 
can army at Cerro Gordo, and lost a leg in the retreat from that battle. 
Perhaps it may not be improper to state that it was the general’s wooden 
leg that was lost in his hasty retreat. 
After Cerro Gordo, the march into the interior was resumed and on May 
14th the regiment arrived at Amasoque, 12 miles from Puebla. General 
Worth here ordered his command to clean up, to make a good appearance 
upon entering the city the next day. While the muskets were taken apart, 
and while the pipe-clay was drying upon the white belts, the long roll beat 
to arms. An immense column of Mexican cavalry was seen to be rapidly 
approaching. Duncan’s battery was run out to meet it, and the regiment 
was hurried to support the battery. A few rounds of shell emptied many 
saddles and caused the column to diverge from the road. After the column 
had passed, the Fourth Infantry was posted as a picket guard several miles 
beyond Amasoque, in the direction of Puebla. A terrific tropical storm came 
up during the night and in a short time the corn field where the regiment 
was lying became a sea of mud. The nice uniforms, the white belts and the 
men who wore them were covered with Mexican mud, and probably the 
shabbiest looking regiment ever seen in the regular army was the Fourth 
Infantry when it entered Puebla on May 15, 1847. The azoteas, the windows 
and the streets were filled with men and women to look upon these “ degen- 
erate sons of Washington.” 
After Cherubusco, where the regiment pursued the fleeing Mexican 
troops to within a mile and a half of the City of Mexico, came an armistice 
of two weeks, then operations were actively resumed ; Molino del Rey and 460 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Chapultepec followed in quick successon. At Molino a storming party was 
organized, the regiment furnishing two officers and ioo men. The mill was 
carried at the point of the bayonet, but not without the loss of n out of the 
14 officers who were in the storming party. Theretnnant of the detachment 
belonging to the Fourth Infantry joined the regiment in the final assault made 
in support of the storming party. A fierce and bloody hand-to-hand fight 
took place before the enemy was finally driven from his chosen position. 
The regiment lost during the day 67 in killed and wounded, including three 
officers. At Chapultepec, as at Molino, a storming party began the assault, to 
which the regiment furnished 50 men and 2 officers. Under a terrific storm of 
shot and shell the party reached the ditch and main wall of the great fortress, 
scaling ladders were brought up and amid hand-to-hand fighting a lodg- 
ment was secured, then, “long continued shouts and cheers carried dismay 
into the capital.” Vigorous resistance was made by the enemy to the rapid 
pursuit after the fall of the castle ; along the line of the great aqueduct and 
at the several garitas of the city the greatest resistance was encountered. 
Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of the troops, and by nightfall or- 
ganized resistance ceased. A detachment of the Fourth Infantry had penetra- 
ted half a mile into the city and captured the adjutant-general of the Mexican 
army. 
With the capture of the city active operations ceased. The remnant of 
the regiment remained for a time as part of the garrison of the city, remov- 
ing on the gradual withdrawal of the troops to points on the Camino Real 
until in June, 1848, it was assembled at Jalapa for the return to the United 
States. Leaving Vera Cruz, the voyage home was short, Camp “Jeff 
Davis,” Pascagoula, Miss., was reached July 23, 1848. 
Thus ended the Mexican War for the Fourth Infantry, there having been 
but one important battle from the Rio Grande to the City of Mexico in 
which it did not participate. 
It lost 8 officers and 59 men killed or mortally wounded ; 10 officers and 
140 men more or less severely wounded ; 4 officers in addition lost their 
lives by steamboat explosions. In the language of General Grant, “ the 
regiment lost more officers during the war than it ever had present in any 
one engagement,” for during the greater part of the war the regiment had 
present but six reduced companies. 
From Mississippi the regiment was ordered to proceed by sea to New 
York and there to take station at seven different points on the lakes, be- 
tween Mackinac and Plattsburg. 
Ordinary garrison duties were performed at the stations indicated until 
June, 1852, when the regiment was concentrated at Fort Columbus, N. Y. 
H., prior to a journey to the Pacific Coast. Between June 23d and July 
4th, 393 recruits were received and assigned to companies. A telegraphic 
order on July 2d directed the regiment to embark on the Steamship 
Ohio, a vessel already bearing a full passenger list. In compliance with 
the order eight companies, with headquarters and band, sailed on July 5th 
from New York for Aspinwall. The Ohio was commanded by Captain 
Schenck, afterwards Admiral Schenck, U. S. Navy, and had all told on this 
voyage 1100 people on board. Aspinwall was reached on July 16th without FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
461 
incident, save the extreme discomfort of an overcrowded ship. The rainy 
season was at that time at its height on the Isthmus, and, what was infini- 
tely worse, the cholera was raging. 
The railroad across the Isthmus was completed only to Barbacoas, on 
the Chagres River. The troops proceeded by rail to that point and by boat 
to Gorgona, the families and baggage, with one company as a guard, pro- 
ceeding to Cruces, the distance from the latter point to Panama being 
shorter than that to be followed by the troops. The roads were almost 
without bottom, and the contractor had failed to provide pack trains for 
tents and provisions, as well as for the heavy baggage from Cruces. The main 
body left Gorgona on July 18th at i P. M., struggling along through mud 
and rain until dark, when it halted and men and officers lay down on the 
water-soaked ground for the night. Many stragglers there were, and, as 
the vilest of liquor dens existed all along the route, the officers were kept 
busy in trying to prevent drunkenness and in gathering up stragglers. 
The first case of cholera occurred on that first day’s march. The second 
day was like the first, but it brought the column within eight miles of Pan- 
ama, and early on the third day the men were safely on board the P. S. S. 
Co.’s steamer Golden Gate, Captain C. P. Patterson, U. S. N., subse- 
quently Superintendent of Coast Survey, commander. The ladies had ar- 
rived earlier, but Brevet Captain Grant, R. Q. M., experienced the greatest 
difficulties in procuring the necessary transportation for the baggage and com- 
pany remaining as the guard. Finally, after five days’ waiting, he resolved 
to hire in open market, whatever the cost might be. Cholera appeared in 
the company acting as guard, men dying in six hours from the first symp- 
tom. Eight died before the company reached Panama. The disease ap- 
peared in an aggravated form among the troops on the Golden Gate. 
An old hulk was improvised as a hospital and the sick transferred to it. On 
Tuesday, the 27th, the disease began to subside. Upon the arrival of a 
small steamer in the evening of that day a dozen knapsacks, that had been 
left lying and moulding on the Isthmus, were received on board, and the 
men to whom they belonged seized and opened them to get a change of 
clothing. Some of these men were taken sick in the act; all were several 
hours thereafter taken violently with the cholera, and with only a few ex- 
ceptions died. It was now determined to land all the troops, and accord- 
ingly both the well and sick were put ashore on Flamingo Island, the sick 
being in huts and the well in a few tents and shelters made from sails. The 
Golden Gate sailed on August 4th, but would only take 450 well 
people. One company (Auger’s), the sick, and most of the women and 
children were left behind to be forwarded on the next steamer. The 
Chagres fever became epidemic on board the Golden Gate so that 
when the command arrived at Benicia, on August 17th, it was almost de 
cimated. August 8th the Steamer Northerner took on board all but 
four men of Augur’s company, who were left in the hospital, and sailed for 
San Francisco. The company arrived at Benicia August 26th. The total 
deaths from cholera, fever and allied diseases, from the time the regiment 
arrived on the Isthmus up to a few weeks after the arrival at Benicia, 
amounted to one officer and 106 enlisted men 462 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The two companies—A (Lieutenant D. A. Russell) and I (Haller’s)— 
that had been left in New York, sailed November 18th on a naval vessel 
for San Francisco, via Cape Horn. After touching at Montevideo and 
Robinson Crusoe Island for fresh fruits and vegetables to avoid scurvy, 
the companies arrived at San Francisco June 7, 1853, seven months from 
the date of sailing. 
After its arrival on the Pacific Coast the regiment was rapidly dispersed 
to many and widely distant stations, the headquarters going to Columbia 
Barracks, afterward Fort Vancouver, and now Vancouver Barracks, in 
September, 1852, where they with short absences remained until 1861. 
The following posts—Forts Vancouver, Reading, Humboldt, Dalles, 
Steilacoom, Jones, Boise, Lane, Yamhill, Orford, Townshend, Hoskins. 
Walla Walla, Crook, Terwaw, Cascade, Simcoe, Gaston, Chehalis, Yuma 
and Mojave,—extending from British Columbia on the north to Mexico on 
the south,—were all garrisoned, and the majority of them built, by com- 
panies of the Fourth Infantry, in the interval between 1852 and 1861. 
Three only of these posts are now occupied by United States troops ; 
the others are abandoned. 
Besides the numerous changes which the occupancy of so many posts 
necessitated, Indian campaigns were not infrequent. The most important 
campaign was that in Eastern Washington and Oregon in 1855-56 against 
Indians from many tribes under the able leadership of Chief Kamiarkin, a 
name now as unknown as the names Spotted Tail, Joseph and Geronimo 
will be a generation hence. 
The vigorous campaign of Colonel Wright, and the summary punish- 
ments meted out by the military to all Indian offenders, brought about a 
peace that has remained unbroken by the greater part of the Indians in the 
Pacific Northwest to the present day. Humanitarian temporizing and treaty 
making had little to do with the opening and settlement of the vast region 
between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast. The only power that 
an Indian recognizes—uncompromising and unyielding force—was brought 
home to those of this region in such a way that it is not forgotten to this 
day, and the result has not been a detriment of the Indians. 
In 1859, the movements of troops under the special and unusual instruc- 
tions of General Harney, the Department commander, gave rise to the San 
Juan imbroglio. Three companies of the regiment were sent to San Juan 
Island to reinforce Captain Pickett’s command and to secure exclusive ju- 
risdiction over the island by force if necessary. There were five British 
men-of-war, carrying 167 guns and manned by 2140 sailors and marines, in 
the harbor. So great a preponderance of force in favor of the British, con- 
sidered in connection with Captain Pickett's most positive assertions con- 
cerning his position, no doubt determined the British commander to await 
the coming of General Scott and the investigation he was ordered to make, 
as well as to wait for positive information from England upon the matter 
at issue. After General Scott’s arrival, the question at issue, in this early 
forerunner of the Civil War, so far as the military were concerned, was 
speedily determined, and the companies of the Fourth Infantry were quietly 
withdrawn. During the stay of the troops the most pleasant relations ex- FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
463 
isted between the officers of the English fleet and the American officers on 
shore. 
In the interval from 1852 to 1861 the Fourth Infantry contained as many 
distinguished and prominent officers as were ever associated together in one 
regiment. “ The regiment was a home and all were proud of it.” There is 
no need to comment on such names as Buchanan, Augur, Alden, Bliss, 
Grant, Sheridan, Judah, R. N. Scott, Hunt, Hodges, Wallen, D. A. Russell, 
Prince, Alvord, Kautz, Macfeeley, Crook and many others. 
All were tried in the balance and not found wanting in the patriotism, 
wisdom and valor reposed in them. The names of many Fourth Infantry 
officers are indelibly woven in the web of our country’s history, and so long 
as valor, honor and patriotism exist in our land, they will be among the 
names men most delight to honor. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the regiment was stationed at ten dif- 
ferent posts on the Pacific slope from Puget Sound to the Gulf of Califor- 
nia. Remote as these stations were from the stirring events occurring in 
the east they were not without grave consideration of the results likely to 
follow the secession of the States. Many of the officers were of southern birth 
or family connection and as the clouds darkened all recognized that the time 
had come when each must determine for himself the path of duty and 
honor. If anything was wanting to emphasize the necessity for decision it 
was the order concentrating most of the companies at Camp Sumner, San 
Francisco, and the subsequent departure of the regiment for service in the 
east. 
Of those officers on duty with the regiment or of recent service with it, 
five of junior rank resigned. They subsequently entered the Confederate 
service but none achieved distinction. The remainder of the officers, al- 
though some were of close southern affiliations and consequently under a 
considerable measure of suspicion, served faithfully and well, true to the 
flag and true to the regiment. If any served more honorably or more faith- 
fully than the officers of the Fourth Infantry, all honor to them. 
To a greater extent than other regiments, the Fourth Infantry suffered 
from the large number of officers detached for service with the Volunteers or 
duty in the staff departments. The enlisted strength also, due to the large 
bounties offered and the somewhat more agreeable service in the Volun- 
teers, soon became reduced by the ordinary attrition of the service. It was 
only partially renewed at irregular intervals, and from the ten strong compa- 
nies that crossed the Long Bridge on March 10, 1862, but five companies 
with 173 enlisted men were present at Gettysburg the next year. 
The limits of this paper preclude more than the briefest chronicle of the 
service of the regiment during the Civil War. The history of the Regular 
brigade of the Army of the Potomac is the history of the Fourth Infantry, 
except for a brief time in 1864 when the regiment was attached to the 1st 
Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps. 
From the trenches before Yorktown to Camp Lovell near Gaines’ Mill, 
thence upon a reconnoissance to find Stonewall Jackson’s corps and through 
the Seven Days’ battle which followed his discovery. In the movement 
across the Chickahominy the regiment was the last to cross the already 464 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
partly destroyed “ Grapevine Bridge.” At Savage Station the train con- 
veying the regimental records, baggage and supplies, was burned to prevent 
its falling into the hands of the enemy ; and for nearly a week, officers and 
men had to eat and shelter themselves what they could forage. Arriv- 
ing at Malvern the regiment was placed in the line of battle and sustained 
its position throughout the day and night. From Harrison’s Landing to 
Acquia Creek, thence to Warrenton and through the second Bull Run battie 
and retreat to Arlington Heights. Then to Antietam, through the battle 
and return to Falmouth; then the Fredericksburg battle; followed later by 
the famous “ Mud March ” and return to Falmouth. This in turn was fol- 
lowed by the Chancellorsville campaign, where a hasty cup of coffee after 
severe duty on the skirmish line was interrupted by the nth Corps in its 
hasty and unorganized retreat; then a return again to Falmouth and, after 
a brief time, on the march which terminated July 2d at Gettysburg. The 
remnant of the regiment participated in the battle about Round Top and 
shared in the losses of 50 officers and 920 men killed and wounded in the 
brigade having only 2500 men at the opening of the battle. After Gettys- 
burg the retreating enemy was followed until, July 17th, the regiment 
reached Fayetteville, Va.; from thence it returned to the Rappahannock 
and Alexandria, thence to be ordered August 15th to New York to assist in 
suppressing the Draft Riots. A pleasant camp of three weeks in Washing- 
ton Square was appreciated ; as also the subsequent station at Forts Tomp- 
kins and Wood until April 25, 1864. Then ordered to the front, the 
regiment joined the 9th Corps near Alexandria and participated in the 
battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy 
Creek and their connecting skirmishes. In one of these latter when a skir- 
mish line was falling back, the brigade commander gave the command, 
“ Rally on the Fourth Infantry,” a command not strictly according to the drill 
book but it answered its purpose. June 22, 1864, the regiment, now num- 
bering but 134 men for duty, was ordered to City Point as guard to General 
Grant’s headquarters. This duty it performed until the surrender of Appo- 
matox. Then followed a tour of provost duty in Richmond and, July 15, 
1865, a return to New York harbor. While stationed here a detachment 
with a number of officers was sent to West Point conveying the colors of 
the regiment, including some that had been carried in the Mexican War. 
The Corps of Cadets was paraded and joined the escort of the tattered and 
shot ripped flags to the Post Chapel where they were finally deposited. 
From the harbor stations the regiment was ordered to occupy the Lake 
posts from Plattsburg to Detroit. In 1866 several companies participated 
in suppressing the Fenian Raid, capturing several car loads of war- 
like munitions. From the Lakes in March, 1867, the regiment was 
ordered for service on the plains in the Department of the Platte. Then 
followed a period of long marches, building of posts and cantonments, fur- 
nishing guards for constructing the Pacific railroad, and minor Indian 
troubles. The consolidation with the 30th Infantry came in 1869 with the 
companies widely separated at remote stations. 
In 1871 orders directed the regiment to stations in Kentucky and the 
next year a change to Arkansas. A year and a half of civilization was fol- FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
465 
lowed by a return to frontier service in the Department of the Platte. 
Most of the posts from Omaha to Old Camp Brown were occupied at inter- 
vals until 1886. Every variety of service including the larger Indian cam- 
paigns of 1876 and 1879 was interspersed between the not always quiet 
and secure duties of garrison life. 
In July, 1886, the regiment after 17 years service in the Platte valley, 
was ordered to Idaho and Washington where it has since remained occupy- 
ing Fort Sherman, Fort Spokane and Boise Barracks. 
Thus ends the chronicle. Let him who may point to more honorable 
and distinguished service faithfully performed. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Compiled in the Office of the Military Service Institution. 
THE first Fifth Infantry formed in our service after the adoption of 
the Constitution was organized under the Act of July 16, 1798. At 
that time a war with France seemed inevitable, but the danger 
passed away and this regiment was discharged under the Act of 
May 14, 1800. 
The unfortunate affair of the Chesapeake and Leopard, followed by the 
decrees of the Emperor Napoleon in regard to neutral commerce, and the 
retaliatory measures adopted by the British government, caused a degree 
of excitement in the United States in 1807-1808, which bid fair to lead to war 
and did lead to. an increase in the strength of the army. As a part of this 
increase the second Fifth Infantry came into being under the Act of April 
12, 1808. Its first colonel was Alexander Parker, who had been a captain 
in the 2d Virginia Regiment of the Continental army; but he resigned after 
a service of a year and a half, and in the next five years had five successors. 
Evidently the commission of colonel in the regular army was valued at a 
much lower rate then than at the present time. 
This regiment took part in the action at Cook’s Mill on Lyon’s Creek, 
Upper Canada (Ontario), October 19, 1814. The successful sortie from 
Fort Erie which had caused the British to raise the siege and retreat to 
their old entrenchments on the Chippeway River, had taken place a month 
before, and the American army on the Niagara now numbered some 8000 
men. Hearing of a considerable quantity of grain belonging to the British 
at Cook’s Mill, a brigade was sent out October 18 to destroy it, which 
camped that night in the vicinity of the mill. The British attacked dur- 
ing the night but were repulsed. They renewed the attack in the morning, 
but the main body came up, “Colonel Pinkney with his Fifth Regiment 
was ordered to turn the right flank of the enemy and cut off his field-piece,” 
other dispositions were also promptly made, and after a sharp action the 
British fell back in confusion, retreating to Fort George and Burlington 
Heights. 
In May, 1815, this Fifth Infantry was consolidated with the 18th and 
35th regiments to form the Eighth Infantry, which regiment was discharged 
the service, June 1, r82i. 
A new Fifth Infantry was organized May 15, 1815, under the Act of 
March 3, 1815, by the consolidation of the 4th, 9th, 13th, 21st, 40th, and 46th 
regiments of infantry, and this regiment is now in service. 
Its first colonel was James Miller, the one who at Lundy’s Lane, when 
asked if he could take a certain work from the enemy, replied modestly, 
“ I’ll try, sir,” and proceeded to take it in the most gallant style. None 
stood higher than he. He was brevetted a brigadier general and was given 
a gold medal by Congress. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
467 
The other officers of the regiment, as given by the roster for May 17, 
1815, were Lieutenant Colonel J. L. Smith, Major J. McNeal, Jr. (colonel by 
brevet for Lundy's Lane), Captains J. H. Vose (brevet major for Mackinac), 
S. Burbank (brevet major for Lundy’s Lane), Geo. Bender, M. Marston 
(brevet major for Fort Erie), W. L. Foster, Peter Pelham, J. Fowle, E. Childs, 
David Perry, and James Pratt. 
First Lieutenants H. Whiting, E. Ripley, I. Plympton, D. Chandler, J. 
Cilley, J. Ingersoll, Otis Fisher, J. Gleason, J. W. Holding and B. F. Larned. 
Second Lieutenants N. Clark, S. Keeler, S. Robinson, J. Craig, G. H. 
Balding, I. K. Jacobs, G. W. Jacobs, A. D. Dake, P. R. Green, and C. Blake. 
Surgeon Sylvester Day, and Surgeon’s Mates E. L. Allen and J. P. 
Russell. 
Regimental Headquarters were established at Detroit, Michigan, in De- 
cember, 1815, and probably remained there until 1821, but in May of 1821 
seven companies of the regiment were at St. Peters, two at Prairie du Chien, 
and one at Fort Armstrong. 
In 1825 the headquarters were at Fort Snelling, and from that time until 
1845 the regiment occupied some three or four of the following named posts, 
all of which were within the limits of the present States of Michigan, Wis- 
consin, Illinois and Nebraska;—Forts Armstrong, Atkinson, Brady, Craw- 
ford, Dearborn, Gratiot, Howard, Mackinac, Wilkins and Winnebago, and 
Detroit Barracks. 
There was undoubtedly occasional field service during this long period, 
usually to overawe the Indians, but on one occasion the regiment and the 
Indians came into actual conflict. This was during the Black Hawk War 
of 1841-42. The Indians had been defeated on the 21st of July, 1842, by 
the volunteers, and were in full flight for the Mississippi. General Atkinson, 
with a force of regulars and volunteers numbering some 1400 men, came up 
with them August 2, 1842, near the junction of Bad Axe Creek with the 
Mississippi, attacked and completely routed them, thus ending the war. A 
part, if not all, of the regiment was engaged in this battle. 
General Miller resigned in 1819 to become governor of the Arkansas 
Territory and was succeeded by Josiah Snelling, a distinguished officer for 
whom Fort Snelling was named, who died in August, 1828. Lieutenant 
Colonel William Lawrence, of the Second Infantry, who had been brevetted 
in 1814 for his gallant defense of Fort Bowyer, Ala., became colonel of the 
Fifth in place of Snelling, but resigned in 1831 and was succeeded by 
Brevet Brigadier General G. M. Brooke, promoted from the Fourth, who 
commanded the regiment until his death twenty years later. 
Early in the year 1845 the Mexican minister at Washington had pro- 
tested against the annexation of Texas to the United States, but Congress 
finally assented to it, and while Texas was framing her constitution as a 
future State, the President ordered the concentration of a body of U. S. 
troops between the River Nueces and the Rio Grande for her protection 
should she be attacked by Mexico. The Fifth Infantry was among the 
regiments designated for this duty, and on the nth of October, 1845, five 
companies of the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh, reached 
Corpus Christi, Texas, and reported to General Z. Taylor, who had been 468 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
designated to command this “Army of Occupation.” On the 9th of 
March, 1846, the march to the Rio Grande began, and on the 28th the army 
reached that river opposite Matamoras and there went into camp. General 
Taylor had with him about 2300 men, including the 2d Dragoons, three 
light batteries, a battalion of foot artillery, and the 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 
8th regiments of infantry. 
General Taylor’s depot was at Point Isabel—27 miles distant—and the 
Mexicans were soon reported to be in force on his line of supply. Fortify- 
ing the position opposite Matamoras and leaving a small garrison there, he 
marched the main body of the army to Point Isabel, but met with no op- 
position by the way. Having fortified that post he started upon the return 
and encountered the Mexican army in force at Palo Alto on the 8th of May. 
The action began at 2 o’clock P. M., and for some time was conducted 
almost wholly by the artillery. About 3 o’clock “ a large body of the 
enemy’s red lancers charged the 5th Infantry with a view to cutting off our 
wagon train. They were met with the most perfect tranquility, and a dis- 
charge of musketry from the 5th told us their fate. They fled precipi- 
tately, leaving men, horses and guidons on the field.” The action lasted 
until about 7 P. M„ when the enemy retreated. 
General Taylor resumed the advance early on the 8th and encountered 
the Mexicans during the afternoon in position at a sort of ravine, called 
Resaca de la Palma, which ran obliquely to his line of advance. The 
Mexican artillery swept the road by which the American army must ad- 
vance, and their best troops were in support. The battle began at once. 
May made his famous charge, in which he captured the Mexican guns, but 
was unable to carry them off ; then the infantry,—chiefly the 5th and 8th, 
—charged the Mexican centre, breaking it and driving the Mexicans in 
utter rout before them. The American loss in these two battles was three 
officers and 35 men killed, and 13 officers and about 100 men wounded. 
The American army soon afterward occupied Matamoras, and in August 
and September moved up the Rio Grande to Camargo and thence to Mon- 
terey, before which city it arrived September 19, 1846, scarcely 7000 strong. 
The Fifth Infantry was in Worth’s Division and took part in the turning 
movement by which the enemy’s line of communication was cut, and he was 
shut up in the city and forced to surrender. It was in the second line and was 
not actively engaged until the first line attacked Federation Hill and was 
seen to be threatened by heavy Mexican reinforcements. 
“This induced General Worth to order Colonel P. F. Smith forward, with the 
Fifth Infantry under Major Martin Scott, to take part in the contest. Captain C. F. 
Smith (commanding a part of the first line) drove the enemy from the battery and 
breastworks nearest to us, but he then discovered another work called Fort Soldado, 
several hundred yards further on, and there was great emulation among the regiments 
to see which should reach it first. The Fifth Infantry won the race and went in over 
the parapet at one end as the Mexicans went out of the other.” 
Soon after daylight on the 23d, the suburbs of the city were occupied by 
the troops of the division and an advance from house to house continued 
all day. The enemy was now cooped in between Twiggs’ Division on one 
side, and Worth’s on the other, and on the 24th of September capitulated, THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
469 
surrendering the city but marching out with their arms and with colors fly- 
ing. 
This is the last action in which the regiment took part in Northern 
Mexico, for in January, 1847, it was ordered to the mouth of the Rio Grande 
preparatory to a transfer to General Scott’s line. At this time it numbered 
23 officers and 397 men. 
The Fifth Infantry did not take an active part in the siege of Vera Cruz, 
and Worth’s Division, of which it formed a part, did not reach the field of 
Cerro Gordo until the enemy had displayed the white flag. The Division 
then took the advance and occupied the City and Castle of Perote on the 
22d of April, capturing all the enemy’s material there. 
Eight companies of the regiment were in the thick of the fight at 
Churubusco, C and D at that time being away on escort duty. Company H 
also, although present, was detached from the regiment and formed part of 
Colonel C. F. Smith’s light infantry battalion. The regiment went into 
action with 14 officers and 370 men, losing two officers wounded and 49 men 
killed, wounded and missing. It was in the 2d Brigade, Worth’s Division, 
and took part in the turning movement which forced the evacuation of the 
enemy’s works at San Antonio, and then followed the fleeing enemy rapidly 
along the causeway to Churubusco. Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh, com- 
manding the Fifth, became the brigade commander in the midst of the 
action by the wounding of Colonel Clarke, and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 
M. Scott succeeded him in command of the regiment. Arriving before the 
tete depont at Churubusco the regiment moved around the enemy’s works 
to the right, and “ was among the first to storm them and drive the enemy’s 
troops towards the city.” 
On this date, August 20, 1847, the absent companies,—C and D,—had 
just finished a march of 14 days as part of the escort to a train from Vera 
Cruz to Jalapa, having had four engagements by the way,—at Paso Ovejas, 
The National Bridge, Cerro Gordo, and Las Animas,—with the Mexican 
guerillas, who believed that the train contained a large amount of specie. 
The battle of Molino del Rey gave an opportunity for the regiment to 
show its metal which was taken advantage of to the fullest extent. It was 
represented on the assaulting party by Captain Merrill and 100 men ; Com- 
pany H was still with the light battalion, and Companies C and D were still 
absent. 
Worth’s Division was under arms at 3 o’clock on the morning of the 8th 
September, 1847, and by four o’clock was in position and ready for the 
assault upon the enemy’s works. As soon as it was light enough to distinguish 
his position the assaulting column moved forward. 
“ At the distance of 200 yards the enemy opened on us with round and grape shot 
with considerable effect, the ground being perfectly level. I instantly ordered the 
double quick step ; the line advanced rapidly and immediately came within close musket 
range. I found the enemy securely and strongly posted within his fort, and lines on 
either flank extending beyond view. He had extended his artillery, which was placed 
a little in advance, and with his immense superiority in numbers, and comparatively 
secure, was enabled to concentrate all his fire upon our ranks, already very much re- 
duced in numbers. Myself struck down with a musket ball, I was unable to see the 470 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
state of the contest for a few moments, and was soon after obliged to leave the field, 
not, however, before witnessing the movement of the gallant light battalion to support 
the advance. The assaulting column continued the combat, in conjunction with the 
other corps of the Division, until the enemy’s positions were all carried and we remained 
in possession of the field ; after which there being but three officers left and the rank 
and file very much reduced, they joined their respective regiments.”* 
The position assigned the regiment was on the left of the Division line, 
near Duncan’s Battery, where it also charged the enemy’s fortified line, the 
great losses sustained testifying to the gallantry of the attack. 
“ Brevet Colonel McIntosh, temporarily in command of the brigade, was thrice 
wounded while gallantly engaged in urging on the command. He is happily still pre- 
served to us. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Scott, commanding the regiment, was very 
active, as he always was, in leading and urging on the regiment to the charge. When 
within about 20 yards of the enemy, he received a mortal wound and almost immedi- 
ately expired. He left no better or more gallant soldier to lament his fall, and met his 
fate with his face to the enemy at the head of his command. The conscientious, gallant 
and noble Merrill was detached with the storming party and fell early in the action 
while waving his sword above his head and urging on his men to the charge. ”f 
The regiment (exclusive of Companies C, D and H) numbered 13 officers 
and 342 men on the date of this battle, and its loss was 3 officers and 27 men 
killed ; 4 officers and 107 men wounded ; and 5 men missing,—a loss of 40 
per cent, of its entire strength. 
A storming party of 10 officers and 260 men, volunteers, was furnished 
by Worth’s Division for the storming of the Castle of Chapultepec, Septem- 
ber 13, and the remainder of the Division was ordered to support Pillow’s 
Division ; but the support was called upon early in the day, and the 2d 
Brigade, mingling with the advancing forces, entered with them into the 
Castle of Chapultepec. Meantime the 1st Brigade moved along the San 
Cosme road, followed very soon by the victorious 2d Brigade from the Cas- 
tle. Arriving at 250 yards from the Garita San Cosme, the 2d Brigade was 
ordered to take the buildings on the left of the road “ and, by the use of bars 
and picks, burrow through from house to house, to carry the right of the 
Garita.” At 5 o’clock a position was reached from which it was necessary 
to make a dash for the gate. General Worth says : 
“ The moment had now arrived for the final and combined attack upon the last 
stronghold of the enemy in my quarter ; it was made by our men springing as if by 
magic, to the tops of the houses into which they had patiently and quietly made their 
way with bar and pick, and to the utter surprise and consternation of the enemy, 
opening upon him, within easy range, a destructive fire of musketry. A single dis- 
charge, in which many of his gunners were killed at their pieces, was sufficient to drive 
him in confusion from his breastworks ; when a prolonged shout from our brave fel- 
lows announced that we were in possession of the Garita of San Cosme, and already in 
the City of Mexico.” 
The City of Mexico surrendered September 14, 1847, and the war was 
virtually over. 
Thirty officers of the regiment had served with it at different times 
* Report of Brevet Major George Wright, 8th Infantry, commanding assaulting column. 
+ Report of Captain Wm. Chapman, 5th Infantry, Commanding Regiment. THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
471 
during the war, and of these 7 were killed or mortally wounded, 8 were 
more or less severely wounded, 1 was murdered while carrying dispatches 
and 1 died of disease. 
Seven were twice brevetted and 11 received one brevet each, while 24 of 
the 30 are mentioned one or more times as “ distinguished in action.” Only 
eight officers of the regiment,—Major Martin Scott, Captains M. E. Merrill, 
and William Chapman, and Lieutenants S. H. Fowler, M. Rosecrans, E. B. 
Strong, J. P. Smith and P. A. Farrelly,—served in the field from the begin- 
ning to the end of the war, and of these Major Scott, Captain Merrill, and 
Lieutenant Strong were killed at Molino del Rey, and Lieutenant Smith at 
Chapultepec. 
Peace was declared in May, 1848, and on the 12th of June the last of the 
American troops left the City of Mexico. The Fifth was sent to the Arkan- 
sas and Indian Territories, and on January 1, 1849, its companies were 
occupying Forts Gibson, Smith, Washita and Towson. 
The veteran colonel of the regiment.—George M. Brooke,—was at this 
time commanding the 8th Military Department, with the brevet rank of 
major general which had been conferred upon him for services during the 
war. He died at his headquarters,—San Antonio, Texas,—March 9, 1851. 
Lieutenant Colonel Gustavus Loomis, 6th Infantry, was promoted to the 
Fifth in his stead, and continued to be its colonel until he was retired in 
1863. 
In 1851 the Fifth relieved the Seventh in Texas, and at first occupied 
posts on the Clear Fork and Red Fork of the Brazos River, finally concen- 
trating at Fort Belknap, on the Red Fork, eight miles above its junction 
with the Clear Fork,—which post was established June 13, 1851, and named 
for Lieutenant Colonel W. G. Belknap, then commanding the regiment. 
In January, 1854, the regiment was at Fort McIntosh, and later, a part 
of it occupied Fort Ringgold ; but in 1857 it was sent to Florida, with head- 
quarters at Fort Myers. General Scott’s G. O. No. 4, series of 1857, men- 
tions the following fight in which a small part of the regiment was en- 
gaged. 
Lieutenant Edmund Freeman, 5th Infantry, reconnoitring- with a small party in 
the Big Cypress Swamp, near Bowleg’s town, Florida, was attacked by the Seminoles, 
March 5, himself and three of his men severely wounded and one man killed. Cap- 
tain Carter L. Stevenson, 5th Infantry, called by express from Fort Keats 20 miles 
distant, came rapidly to the relief of Lieutenant Freeman’s party, attacked the enemy, 
and, after a gallant skirmish, put them to flight, with an evident loss to the Indians, 
the extent of which could not be ascertained, owing to the density of the hum- 
mock.” 
The tour of service of the regiment in Florida was very short, for in 
June, 1857, an expedition to Utah was organized, of which it formed a pait, 
and in September of that year it was at Fort Laramie. On the 4th of Oc- 
tober, under Lieutenant Colonel C. A. Waite, it reached Camp Winfield, 
U. T., about thirty miles northwest from Fort Bridger. Here it remained 
until July, 1858, when it entered the Valley of Salt Lake with the “Army 
of Utah.” taking position at Camp Floyd, afterwards called Fort Critten- 
den. Here or in this vicinity it remained without incident of note until 472 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the fall of i860, when it was transferred to New Mexico and stationed at 
Forts Defiance, Fontleroy, Stanton, and Hatch’s Ranch. 
The outbreak of the Rebellion found the regiment still in New Mexico, 
but in May and June, 1861, it was concentrating at Albuquerque and Fort 
Union with a view to a transfer East. The remonstrances of the depart- 
ment commander, however, caused a revocation of the order, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, the regiment was still in New Mexico, and five of its com- 
panies formed a part of the garrison of Fort Craig. Four of these com- 
panies, B, D, F and I, took part in the battle of Valverde, on the 21st of 
that month. 
At first this action promised to be a victory and the enemy was driven 
some distance, but he rallied and attacked the flank of the Union army, 
forcing it to retreat. The four companies of the Fifth performed the most 
valuable service of the day in covering the final retreat. General Canby 
says : 
“ The movement of Selden’s column (four companies of the Fifth Infantry), in the 
immediate presence and under the fire of the enemy, was admirably executed, the 
command moving with deliberation, halting occasionally to allow the wounded to keep 
up with it, and many of the men picking up and carrying with them the arms of their 
dead or wounded comrades.” 
Companies A and G, under Captain Lewis, took part in the action of 
March 28, 1862, at Apache Canon, N. M. They formed part of Major Chiv- 
ington's column, which was sent to attack the enemy’s rear. The attack 
was successful and the enemy’s train was captured and burned. To Cap- 
tain Lewis’ battalion was assigned the duty of capturing a field-piece, which 
it did effectually, “Captain Lewis capturing and spiking the gun after 
having five shots discharged at him. * * * Captain Lewis had the 
most dangerous duty assigned him, which he performed with unfaltering 
heroism.” 
The regiment took part in the action at Peralta, N. M., April 15, 1862. 
General Canby had concentrated his forces and on that date drove the 
Confederates out of their positions in front and in rear of the town. 
During the afternoon preparations were made for continuing the action, but 
that night the enemy evacuated the town and retreated towards Texas. A 
vigorous pursuit was made, and during the night of the 16th the enemy 
abandoned a large portion of his train and fled into the mountains. 
On the 10th of August, 1862, four companies of the regiment met General 
Carleton’s column from California at Las Cruses, and at the end of Sep- 
tember Companies D, E, F and G were at Peralta under Captain Bristol, 
and Companies A, B, I and K, at Fort Craig under Captain Archer. 
The regiment remained in New Mexico without further incident of note 
until the redistribution of the regular regiments in 1866. It was then 
assigned to the Department of the Missouri, comprising the States of 
Missouri, Kansas, and the territories of Colorado and New Mexico. 
Although the companies of the regiment were not called upon to take part 
in any of the great campaigns of the war, many of the officers who belonged 
or had belonged to it were found fighting on one side or the other. 
Generals David Hunter, H. P. Van Cleve, J. C. Robinson, C. S. Hamilton, THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
473 
J. J. Abercrombie, T. H. Neill, W. W. Burns, A. T. A. Torbert, and R. S. 
Granger, all held actual rank as general officers in the volunteer forces; and 
Generals Daniel Ruggles, C. L. Stevenson, W. N. R. Beall, A. Gracie, Jr., 
and B. M. Thomas were found upon the opposite side. On the 20th 
of October, 1868, regimental headquarters and two companies were at Fort 
Riley, and the other companies were at Forts Wallace, Hays, Lyon, 
Reynolds, and Camps Davidson and Cottonwood Creek, all in Kansas. 
On the 1st of June, 1863, Colonel Loomis retired from active service. 
He had not served with the regiment since July, 1857, after which time he 
was commanding the Department of Florida, or was absent with leave, until 
after the Fifth had left Utah. From August, 1861, until the date of his 
retirement, he had been the Superintendent of the General Recruiting 
Service for the regular army. 
John F. Reynolds, major general of volunteers and lieutenant colonel 
14th Infantry, succeeded Colonel Loomis, and just one month later was 
killed at Gettysburg, promoting Daniel Butterfield, lieutenant colonel of the 
12th and at that time major general of volunteers, who remained the colonel 
of the Fifth until he resigned, March 14, 1870, when Brevet Major General 
Nelson A. Miles, colonel of the 40th Infantry, was transferred to the Fifth 
to fill the vacancy. 
The service of the regiment in Kansas was far from being uneventful, 
yet few opportunities were offered for brilliant achievements. 
In September, 1868, Colonel G. A. Forsyth with 50 scouts followed the 
trail of an Indian party to the Arickaree Fork of the Republican Riverwhere 
he was attacked by about 700 Indians. After a very gallant fight he repulsed 
them, but they surrounded him and held him on the battle field for eight 
days, until the arrival of a hundred men from Fort Wallace, sent by Brevet 
Lieut. Col. Bankhead, 5th Infantry “with the most commendable energy” 
to his relief. 
General Sheridan in his report for 1868 says:—“ In addition there were 
a number of movements from posts, especially from Forts Wallace, Dodge, 
Lyon, and Hays, in which some Indians were killed.” 
Under the Act of March 3, 1869, the Fifth Infantry still retaining its 
own designation, was consolidated with one-half of the 37th Infantry, 
seven captains and fifteen lieutenants of the old regiment remaining with 
the new. The field officers were all changed, Brevet Major General Nelson 
A. Miles becoming the colonel; Brevet Major General C. R. Woods the 
lieutenant colonel; and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel George Gibson the 
major. 
The 37th Regiment of Infantry was originally authorized as the 3d 
Battalion of the 19th Infantry under the Act of July 29, 1861 ; but it was 
not fully organized as a battalion until 1866, its companies having been 
formed in 1865-66. It therefore saw no service in the Rebellion. In the re- 
organization of 1869 the 3d Battalion of the 19th Infantry became the 37th 
Regiment of Infantry. 
Early in May, 1870, the Indians raided the line of the Kansas Pacific 
R. R., and General Pope reports : 
“ As soon as the news of the raid reached me by telegraph I directed Lieutenant 474 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Colonel C. R. Woods, 5th Infantry, commanding Fort Wallace, to take charge of the 
region of country along the railroad from Wallace to Denver and to transfer his head- 
quarters to some convenient point between those places. I gave him general com- 
mand for this service of the troops at Wallace, Lyon and Reynolds. * * * Col- 
onel Woods promptly distributed his infantry force along the line of the roads and 
sent out four troops of cavalry under Major Reno, 7th Cavalry, in pursuit of the 
raiding party. The Indians, however, had too much the start and escaped across the 
Platte. * * * Another attack was attempted soon after, near River Bend, but the 
troops were at their stations and easily repulsed it.” 
For several years the Indians were unusually quiet in the region occu- 
pied by the Fifth, but in 1874 a band of hostile Comanches and Kiowas 
attacked the Wichita Agency, and General Miles was sent against them 
from Camp Supply, I. T., with 8 troops of the 6th Cavalry ; four companies 
of his own regiment, and a section of artillery. At the same time four 
companies of the regiment and a troop of the 6th Cavalry were sent to the 
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Agency, to capture all hostile Indians who had 
been raiding and might seek safety from General Miles movements against 
them. General Sheridan says : 
“ August 30th, the column of Colonel Miles encountered the Indians near the 
headwaters of the Washita and kept up a running fight for several days, the Indians 
steadily falling back until they reached the hills about 8 miles from Salt Fork of Red 
River, where they made a stand but were promptly attacked, routed and pursued in a 
southwesterly direction, across the main Red River and out into the Staked Plains, 
with a loss of 3 killed, besides animals and camp equipage captured.” 
The troops had one soldier and one civilian wounded. 
September 9th, Indians attacked Colonel Miles’ supply train, escorted by 
about 60 men, commanded by Captain Lyman, 5th Infantry, on the Washita 
River, Texas, keeping it corralled there for several days until relief arrived 
from Camp Supply, I. T. One enlisted man was killed, one soldier, a 
wagon-master, and Lieutenant G. Lewis, 5th Infantry, were wounded. 
“ November 8th, near McClellan’s Creek, Texas, Lieutenant F. D. Baldwin, 5th 
Infantry, with a detachment consisting of Troop D, 6th Cavalry, and Company D, 5th 
Infantry, attacked a large camp of Indians, routing them with the loss of much of their 
property. Two little white girls, Adelaide and Julia Germaine, aged five and seven 
years, were rescued from these Indians. The children stated that two older sisters 
were still held in captivity by the Indians. The story of their woe and suffering in 
captivity was pitiable in the extreme, not even their tender years sparing them from 
the most dreadful treatment. Their father, mother, brother and one sister were all 
murdered at the time the four sisters were captured. At the close of this campaign 
the other two sisters were rescued from the Indians and all four provided a comfortable 
home with the aimy at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. General Miles became their guar- 
dian and Congress authorized the stoppage of an amount for the support of the chil- 
dren from the annuities of their captors, the southern Cheyennes.” 
General Miles’ force, consisting of 8 troops of the 6th Cavalry, 4 of the 
8th Cavalry, and four companies of the 5th Infantry, was actively and inces- 
santly occupied from July 21, 1874, to February 12, 1875, 
“in scouting the entire section infested by the Indian Territory bands, keeping the 
Indians so constantly on the move that they were unable t© lay in any stock of pro- 
visions. This active work was continued by the troops upon the exposed and barren THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
475 
plains of that region during the whole of a winter of unprecedented severity, and as 
the season advanced the difficulty of supplying the necessary forage and subsistence in- 
creased so that no little hardship and privation resulted ; but the troops bore everything 
with fortitude and courage, and without complaint. By extraordinary efforts enough 
supplies reached the troops to keep them in the field until their work was done, and at 
length, early in March, 1875. the southern Cheyennes, completely broken down, gave up 
the contest, and under their principal chief, Stone Calf, the whole body of that tribe, 
with a trifling exception, surrendered themselves as prisoners of war.” 
The ringleaders among the Indians were selected to be sent to San 
Augustine, and on the 6th of April, while shackling “ Black Horse,” one of 
them, he broke away and ran towards the camp of his people. He was pur- 
sued and finally killed, and some of the shots fired at him passed over into 
the Indian camp, wounding several persons there. Upon this about one- 
half the Cheyenne tribe fled to the hills opposite the agency. Captain Ben- 
nett’s company of the Fifth, with three troops of cavalry, all under Colonel 
O’Neill, followed, 
“ but the Indians, well supplied with the firearms they had hidden in that vicinity, occu- 
pied a difficult hill and maintained themselves against the troops for several hours until 
nightfall. By night the troops had forced their way nearly to the crest of the hill 
occupied by the Indians, but at daylight it was found the enemy had fled during the 
night. Eleven Indians were found dead and 19 soldiers were wounded. Troops from 
other posts in the vicinity were ordered to assist in the pursuit, and eventually most of 
the escaped Cheyennes gave themselves up.” 
For over a year no event worthy of notice occurred, but in June, 1876, 
the news of the Custer Massacre aroused the whole country. Reinforce- 
ments were gathered at once from all directions to send to Generals Terry 
and Crook, and the Fifth left the Department of the Missouri in which it 
had served so many years, for the Department of the Dakota, where, after 
several long and harassing marches in pursuit of the hostiles, who however, 
succeeded in eluding pursuit, it was sent to establish a post at the mouth 
of Tongue River, Montana, which was afterwards named Fort Keogh. 
A train with supplies for this post left Glendive Creek, Montana, Octo- 
ber 10, 1876, and its escort had a running fight with Sitting Bull’s Indians 
until the 18th, when it was met by General Miles, who, alarmed for its 
safety, had come out with his whole regiment to meet it. Learning the im- 
mediate situation from Colonel Otis, commanding the escort, General Miles 
followed Sitting Bull, overtaking him near Cedar Creek, Montana, north of 
the Yellowstone. After several “ talks ” in which Sitting Bull manifested a 
strong desire for an “ old-fashioned peace ” but gave no indication of accept- 
ing the terms offered by General Miles, he was at last informed that he must 
accept or fight. General Sheridan says : 
“ The Indians took positions instantly for a fight and an engagement followed, the 
Indians being driven from every part of the field, through their camp ground, down 
Bad Route Creek and pursued 42 miles to the south side of the Yellowstone. In their 
retreat they abandoned tons of dried meat, quantities of lodge poles, camp equipage, 
ponies and broken down cavalry horses. Five dead warriors were left on the field, 
besides those they were seen to carry away. Their force was estimated at upwards of 
a thousand warriors. On October 27th, over 400 lodges of Indians, numbering about 476 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
2000 men, women and children, surrendered to Colonel Miles, five chiefs giving them- 
selves up as hostages for the delivery of men, women, children, ponies, arms and 
ammunition at the agencies. Sitting Bull himself escaped northward with his own 
small band, and was later joined by ‘ Gall ’ and other chiefs with their followers. 
Having returned to Tongue River Cantonment, Colonel Miles organized a force of 434 
rifles and moved north in pursuit of Sitting Bull, but the trail was obliterated by the 
snow in the vicinity of the Big Dry River. * * * 
“ On December 7, 1876, Lieutenant F. D. Baldwin, with Companies G, H and 
I, 5th Infantry, numbering 100 officers and men, overtook Sitting Bull’s camp of 190 
lodges, followed and drove it south of the Missouri near the mouth of Bark Creek. The 
Indians resisted Baldwin’s crossing of the river for a short time, and then retreated 
into the bad lands. 
“On December 18th, this same force under Lieutenant Baldwin surprised Sitting 
Bull’s band of 122 lodges near the head of the Red Water, a southern affluent of the 
Missouri, capturing the entire camp and its contents, together with about 60 horses, 
ponies and mules. The Indians escaped with little besides what they had upon their 
persons, and scattered southward across the Yellowstone. * * * 
“ On the 29th of December, Colonel Miles, with Companies A, C, D, E and K, 
5th Infantry, and Companies E and F, 22d Infantry, numbering 436 officers and men, 
with two pieces of artillery, moved out against the Sioux and Cheyennes under Crazy 
Horse, whose camp had been reported south of the Yellowstone, in the valley of the 
Tongue River. As the column moved up the Tongue, the Indians abandoned their 
winter camps, consisting of about 600 lodges, and the column had two sharp skirmishes 
on the 1st and 3d of January, 1877, driving the Indians up the valley of Tongue River 
until the night of the 7th, when the advance captured a young warrior and 7 Cheyenne 
women and children, who proved to be relatives of one of the head-men of the tribe. 
A determined attempt was made by the Indians to rescue the prisoners, and prepara- 
tions were made for the severe fight to be expected the next day. On the morning of 
January 8th, about 600 warriors appeared in front of the troops and an engagement 
followed, lasting about five hours. The fight took place in a canon, tbe Indians 
occupying a spur of the Wolf Mountain range, from which they were driven by repeated 
charges. The ground was covered with ice and snow to a depth of from one to three 
feet, and the latter portion of the engagement was fought in a blinding snow-storm, 
the troops stumbling and falling in scaling the ice and snow-covered cliffs from which 
the Indians were driven, with serious loss in killed and wounded, through the Wolf 
Mountains and in the direction of the Big Horn Range. The troops lost three men 
killed and eight wounded. The column then returned to the cantonment at the mouth 
of Tongue River. * * * 
“ The prisoners which Colonel Miles’ command captured from Crazy Horse’s village 
on the night of January 7th, proved a valuable acquisition in communicating with the 
hostiles and in arranging negotiations for their surrender.” 
A scout was sent out with two of the captives on February 1, to find the 
Indians and offer terms, and on the 19th returned with a party of chiefs and 
leading men. After several conferences 300 Indians surrendered uncon- 
ditionally to General Miles on April 22, and some 2000 more in May at the 
Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agencies. 
From those who had surrendered, Colonel Miles learned that a band of 
renegades, chiefly Minneconjous under Lame Deer, had broken off and gone 
to the westward. On the 1st of May he started in pursuit with four troops 
of the 2d Cavalry, four companies of the 22d Infantry, and Companies E and THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
477 
H of the 5th Infantry. After a very hard march, with scarcely a halt for 
two nights and a day, Lame Deer’s band was surprised May 7, the village 
charged in fine style, and the Indian herd cut off and secured. The leading 
Indians now appeared desirous of surrendering and the firing ceased, but, 
either meditating treachery or fearing it, they began firing again. 
“ This ended peace making and the fight was resumed, the hostiles being driven, in 
a running fight, 8 miles across the country to the Rosebud. Fourteen Indians were 
killed, including Lame Deer and Iron Star ; 450 horses, mules and ponies, and the entire 
Indian camp outfit were captured, including 51 lodges well stored with supplies. 
Lieutenant A. M. Fuller, 2d Cavalry, was slightly wounded ; four enlisted men were 
killed and six were wounded. The Indians who escaped subsequently moved east- 
ward to the Little Missouri, and the command returned to the cantonment, where four 
companies,—B, F, G and I, 5th Infantry,—were mounted with the Indian poniesand 
continued to serve as cavalry until after the Nez Perces campaign in the following 
autumn.” 
Companies A, H and I of the Fifth, mounted, made a long difficult march 
in July and August, 1877, without actual fighting, but with excellent effect 
in forcing the Indians into a surrender. 
In the latter part of July, 1877, the Nez Perces Indians, pursued by Gen- 
eral Howard with troops from the Department of the Columbia, were 
making their way via the Lo-Lo trail toward Montana. General Miles re- 
ceived information, September 17, of their movements and marched rapidly 
in a northwest direction to intercept them. His force consisted of 6 troops 
of cavalry; Companies B, F, G, I and K, 5th Infantry ; two pieces of light 
artillery, and detachments of white and Indian scouts. On the 25th he 
learned that the Indians had crossed the Missouri, and by very rapid forced 
marches the column reached the Deer Paw Range, September 29, where it 
struck the Indian village on the 30th. The battalions of the 7th Cavalry 
and 5th Infantry, mounted, charged directly upon the village. 
“ The attack was met by a desperate resistance and every advance was stubbornly 
contested by the Indians, but with a courageous persistence, fighting dismounted, 
the troops secured command of the whole Indian position, excepting the beds of 
the ravines in which some of the warriors were posted. A charge was made on 
foot, by a part of the 5th Infantry, down a slope and along the open valley of the 
creek into the village, but the fire of the Indians soon disabled thirty-five per 
cent, of the detachment which made the assault, and attempts to capture the village 
by such means had to be abandoned. * * * The Indian herd having been cap- 
tured, the eventual escape of the village became almost impossible. The casualties to 
the troops had amounted to twenty per cent, of the force engaged, there were many 
wounded to care for, and there were neither tents nor fuel, a cold wind and snow 
storm prevailing on the night of September 30th.” 
In the first charge and the hot fighting which followed 2 officers and 
22 men were killed, and 4 officers and 38 men wounded. Among the 
wounded were Lieutenants Baird and Romayne, of the Fifth. The Indians 
lost 17 killed and 40 wounded, and on October 4th the remainder of the 
band, numbering 87 warriors, 184 squaws, and 147 children, surrendered to 
General Miles. 
In February, 1878, a column of mounted men 800 strong left Fort Keogh 
to find a large force of Sitting Bull’s Indians, reported on the border; but 478 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
as they did not come south of the Missouri, and the War Department 
would not permit them to be attacked while they remained north of that 
river, the expedition was fruitless. 
In August, 1878, the hostile Bannocks from the Department of the 
Columbia attempted to follow the Nez Perces trail of 1877, and General 
Miles, with 100 men of the 5th Infantry and 35 Crow scouts, hastened to 
intercept them. Following up Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone he surprised 
their camp, September 4, killed 11 Indians and captured 31, together with 
200 horses and mules. Captain Bennett, 5th Infantry, was killed, also the 
interpreter and one Indian scout. One enlisted man was wounded. 
In July, 1879, General Miles, with 7 companies of the Fifth, 2 compa- 
nies of the 6th Infantry, 7 troops of cavalry, a detachment of artillery and 
some white and Indian scouts,—the entire command numbering 33 officers, 
643 enlisted men, and 143 scouts,—moved against a body of Indians re- 
ported to be 2000 strong, who were roaming upon U. S. territory south of 
the British Columbia boundary line. On the 17th the advance guard had 
a sharp fight with from 300 to 400 Indians who were driven 12 miles when 
the advance became surrounded, but the main body moved rapidly forward 
and the hostiles fled north of Milk River. By July 31st the hostiles had 
reached Wood Mountain, across the boundary. Attention was then turned 
to the half-breeds who had been furnishing the hostiles with the supplies 
of war, and by the 8th of August 829 of them had been arrested. On 
August 14, Lieutenant Colonel Whistler, with a part of this command, 
captured 57 Indians with 100 ponies who were on their way from the Rose- 
bud Agency to join Sitting Bull. 
On March 3, 1880, Companies I and K, 5th Infantry, left Fort Keogh 
in pursuit of hostile Indians north of the Yellowstone, and on March 8th, 
after a continuous gallop of 40 miles, Company K succeeded in surrounding 
the Indians, capturing 13 ponies and 16 mules. 
On the 5th of March Lieutenant Miller, 5th Infantry, with a small party 
attacked a band of hostiles, killing eight and destroying their camp. The 
remainder of the band was closely pursued and on March 9, Captain Bald- 
win overtook them, chased them for 30 miles and captured all their animals 
excepting those on which they escaped. 
In August, 1880, twenty lodges of hostile Sioux surrendered to Com- 
pany H, and on September 8th, 200 Sioux surrendered to the commanding 
officer of Fort Keogh. 
In December, 1880, as the Indians in the vicinity of Poplar River Agency 
were becoming turbulent and arrogant, the garrison there was reinforced by 
five mounted companies of the Fifth, under Major G. Ilges, numbering 180 
officers and men, who made the march of 200 miles from Fort Keogh 
through deep snow, with the thermometer ranging from 10 to 35 degrees 
below zero. On January 2, 1881, Major Ilges attacked a body of some 400 
Indians, located on the opposite side of the Missouri. They fled from their 
villages and took refuge in some timber, but soon surrendered, the troops 
meeting with no casualties. On the 12th of February Major Ilges arrested 
185 hostiles, 43 of whom were warriors, in the Yanktonnais camp at Red 
Water. On April 18, 47 men, 39 women, and 70 children surrendered at THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
479 
Fort Keogh. Many Indians surrendered at other posts, and on July 20, 
1881, Sitting Bull, with the last of his followers,—comprising 45 men, 67 
women, and 73 children,—surrendered at Fort Buford. 
In October Companies A, I and K, marched 175 miles to investigate an 
alleged interference by whites with friendly Indians. 
Hostilities having virtually ceased in Montana with the surrender of 
Sitting Bull, the regiment was dismounted on the 31st of October, 1881. 
On the 15th of December, 1880, Colonel Miles became a brigadier gen- 
eral, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel P. Lugenbeel of the First, 
who never joined the regiment but was retired February 6, 1882. His re- 
tirement promoted Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Huston of the Sixth, who 
also never joined, but was retired June 22, 1882. Lieutenant Colonel J. D. 
Wilkins of the Eighth was promoted to fill the vacancy, and served with his 
regiment until his retirement, August 2, 1886. 
Colonel George Gibson, who succeeded him, retired August 5, 1888, and 
was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel N. W. Osborne of the Sixth, who is 
now commanding the regiment. 
There is very little to record concerning the service of the regiment in 
the years following 1881. 
The Crows having become turbulent and defiant in 1887, Companies D, 
E, G and I were sent into the field in October, and were present at the 
skirmish at the Crow Agency, November 5. They were not engaged and 
returned to their stations November 25. 
On the 1st of June, 1888, after 12 years of service in Montana, the regi- 
ment, under Colonel Gibson, left the Department of Dakota for Texas ; 
Headquarters, with Companies B and E going to Fort Bliss ; I and K to 
Fort Davis ; C and F to Fort McIntosh ; A and G to Fort Ringgold ; D to 
Fort Brown, and H to Fort Hancock. 
Here it remained with few changes until May, 1891, when Headquarters 
with Companies D and E were sent to St. Augustine, Fla.; B and FI to 
Jackson Barracks, La., and C and G to Mount Vernon Barracks, Ala. 
Later in the year Company F was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and 
Company A to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. These are now (September, 
1894) the stations occupied by the regiment. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY* 
By Lieutenant CHARLES BYRNE, Adj. 6th U. S. Infantry. 
THE first mention of the Sixth Infantry is found in the Acts of Con- 
gress of July 16, 1798, and March 3, 1799. 
Of the thirty officers constituting the commissioned strength 
Aug. 1, 1799, twenty-seven were appointed from North Carolina 
and three from Tennessee, and orders from the War Department of Jan. 5, 
1800, direct that this regiment be recruited in North Carolina; but on 
June 15 following we find it disbanded under the Act of May 14, 1800. 
April 12, 1808, should be considered the birthday of the present Sixth 
Infantry. For under the Act of Congress of that date the regiment was 
organized, and it has since then been continuously in service. 
Its first colonel was Jonas Simonds, appointed from Pennsylvania on 
July 8, 1808, and his name, with those of Joseph Constant (lieutenant-col- 
onel) from New York, and Zebulon M. Pike (major) from New Jersey, and 
the names of ten captains, ten first lieutenants, ten second lieutenants, nine 
ensigns, one surgeon, and one surgeon’s mate, appear in the commissioned 
roster of the regiment for January, 1809. 
During the War of 1812-15 the Sixth Infantry took part in the battles of 
Heights of Queenstown, U. C., Oct. 13, 1812; York, U. C., April 27, 
1813; Fort George, U. C., May 27, 1813; and the siege of Plattsburg, N. 
Y., September 6 to 11, 1814. 
March 1, 1815, found Colonel Jonas Simonds still at the head of the 
regiment; but, in the reduction of the army of that year under the Act of 
March 3, 1815, the Sixth was re-organized, and consolidated with the nth, 
25th, 27th, 29th and 37th Regiments of Infantry, and Colonel Henry Atkin- 
son of the 37th was retained as its colonel. 
In regimental orders dated Fort Lewis, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1815, Colonel 
Atkinson “assumes the command of the Sixth Regiment of Infantry,” and 
on the 4th of September the regiment embarked at Fort Lewis for Gover- 
nor’s Island, N. Y., where it arrived the following day and remained until 
April 16, 1816, when it left on transports for Troy en route to Plattsburg, 
N. Y., where it arrived on the 30th and remained until the spring of 1819. 
The regiment left Plattsburg for St. Louis, Mo., on March 19, 1819, and 
reached Pittsburgh early in May, where orders were issued at camp near 
Pittsburgh, May 8, for the embarkation of the regiment on transport boats 
for St. Louis. 
The boats were numbered from 1 to 10, and followed each other in that 
order. They were propelled by oars and sails, and there was a regular 
system of signals provided in orders for their government. 
* An abridgment of Lieut Byrne’s “ Sixth U. S. Infantry.” Regimental Press 6th Inf. 
Fort Thomas, Ky. 1893. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
481 
This fleet of boats with the Sixth Infantry on board was off Cincinnati, 
May 15, 1819. So that more than seventy-three years ago the regiment 
passed down the Ohio under the shadow of the Kentucky hills where Fort 
Thomas, its present station, is now so beautifully situated. 
On June 8, it left the transports and went into camp at Belle Fontaine, 
Missouri. 
Here the regiment awaited supplies and transportation until July 4, 
when it embarked for Council Bluffs, and reached Camp Missouri, near 
Council Bluffs, in September. Colonel Atkinson in a private letter says: 
“ Here from the vicinity of several powerful tribes of Indians it became necessary 
to establish a post. The troops were landed and put to work to cover themselves for 
the winter and erect the necessary defenses, all of which were completed in season, 
and we remained contented with the prospect of sending one of the regiments to the 
mouth of the Yellowstone early in the spring. The rifle regiment, which was stationed 
at a point four hundred and fifty miles up the Missouri, was joined to my command.” 
This was known as the Yellowstone Expedition of 1819 ; but as Congress 
the following winter declared against the expediency of its further progress, 
the expedition terminated at Council Bluffs. 
On May 13, 1820, Colonel Atkinson was promoted to the grade of brig- 
adier general, and was succeeded by Colonel Ninian Pinkney, promoted 
from the 2d Infantry. 
The following session of Congress the army was reduced, and under the 
Act of March 2, the Sixth was again re-organized by consolidation with the 
Rifle Regiment at Fort Atkinson (Council Bluffs), May 4,1821 ; and General 
Henry Atkinson was retained as colonel of the Sixth Infantry with the 
brevet of brigadier general, filling the vacancy made by the transfer of 
Colonel Pinkney to the 3d Infantry, August 16, 1821. 
The buildings constructed (at Fort Atkinson) by the troops consisted of 
four blocks of hewed log barracks comprehending eighty-eight rooms, with 
shingle roof, plank floor, and a brick chimney to each; with a strong maga- 
zine, and the best kind of wooden store-houses, of ample size, for the quar- 
termaster’s and subsistence departments; a saw mill, capable of sawing 
fifteen hundred feet of plank per day; and a grist mill that would grind 
one hundred and fifty bushels per day. 
The land under cultivation was estimated at 506 acres. 
The Sixth Infantry thus built the first United States fort west of the 
Missouri River, and started the earliest settlement in Nebraska. Fort 
Atkinson was afterwards known as Fort Calhoun, in honor of John C. Cal- 
houn, Secretary of War. It was situated on the original Council Bluffs, 
about twenty miles distant from the present city of that name and about six- 
teen miles from the site of Omaha. The nearest settlements were St. Louis 
on the south, Prairie du Chien on the east, and the fort of the Hudson 
Bay Company at Vancouver, in the northwest. 
While the Sixth was at Fort Atkinson in June, 1823, it was led by its 
lieutenant colonel, Henry Leavenworth, to the relief of General Ashley’s 
party, which had been attacked by and was in imminent danger from the 
Arikara Indians. 482 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The expedition resulted in the defeat of the Indians and the destruction 
of their villages, and the Adjutant-General in acknowledging to the Depart- 
ment Commander the receipt of the detailed report of the operations of 
Colonel Leavenworth’s command says : “ These papers have been submit- 
ted to the General-in-chief, who directs me to express to you his high satis- 
faction with the success of the expedition and his approbation of the 
conduct of Colonel Leavenworth and his officers, to whom he desires you 
to convey his thanks for the zeal and activity which they have displayed 
upon this occasion.” 
The regiment remained at Fort Atkinson until April, 1827, when it was 
transferred to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where it was established with part of 
the 3d Infantry, and the post was regarded as the Infantry School of Prac- 
tice of that day. The famous old Regimental Mess originated about this 
time and lasted for more than twenty years, until after the return from 
Mexico in 1848. 
General Atkinson, the colonel of the Sixth Infantry, was the first com- 
mandant of Jefferson Barracks. 
In May, 1829, Companies A, B, F and H, under Brevet Major Bennet 
Riley, were detached from the regiment to escort the overland traders to 
Santa Fe, and on their return in the fall they took post at Fort Leavenworth. 
These companies returned to headquarters in December, 1831, and the 
regiment was again concentrated at Jefferson Barracks, preparatory to 
taking the field against the Sac and Fox Indians in the Black Hawk War. 
By June, 1832, it had reached Dixon’s Ferry and was actively engaged in 
the campaign conducted by its colonel as commander of the frontier forces 
of the northwest. 
On August 2d, General Atkinson’s army, of which the Sixth under Lieut. 
Col. Daniel Baker formed a large part of the regular brigade, came up with 
Black Hawk at the junction of the Bad Axe and Mississippi rivers, and im- 
mediately attacked him. The battle lasted about three hours. The Indians 
fought with desperation, but were defeated and dispersed, suffering a loss of 
about two hundred killed and wounded. 
This action was the finishing stroke of the war, and Black Hawk, deser- 
ted by his followers, soon after surrendered to the agent at Prairie du Chien. 
General Atkinson, in orders, expressed his approbation of the brave conduct 
of the troops engaged, referring to the fact that the regular troops among 
others were, from their position in order of battle, more immediately in con- 
flict with the enemy. The orders in this case were signed, as A. D. C. and 
A. A. A. G., by Albert Sidney Johnston, then adjutant of the regiment. 
Regimental orders of September 7, 1832, appoint as adjutant Lieut. 
Philip St. George Cooke, who afterwards entered the dragoons and in 1861 
became a brigadier general. 
On October 2d the regiment arrived at Jefferson Barracks. 
From December 1832 until August 1834. Companies A, B, F and H, 
were stationed at Fort Leavenworth, the headquarters and six companies 
remaining at Jefferson Barracks, where the entire regiment was concentra- 
ted in September 1834. 
The regiment left Jefferson Barracks on February 29, 1836, en route to THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
483 
Louisiana, and by April 17th, was concentrated at Camp Sabine, Louisiana, 
with the exception of Company G which joined on June 5th. By Novem- 
ber 30th Companies C, D and E, were at Fort Worth, La.; I and K at Camp 
Sabine ; and the remainder, with headquarters, at Fort Jessup. 
The Sixth Infantry was now under orders for Florida, destined to be the 
field of its greatest glory. 
Companies C, D and E were sent to take station at Camp Sabine, La., 
where they arrived December 27. The headquarters, with Companies A, 
B. F, G, H, I and K, left Fort Jesup, December 19; arrived at New Orleans 
Barracks the 22d; embarked the 29th for Tampa Bay, and on February 
28th were at Fort Dade, East Florida. By November 14th, with Lieut. Col. 
A. R. Thompson in command, they had arrived at Fort Taylor. 
The Sixth ("excepting Companies C, D and E) under its lieutenant 
colonel was now part of a separate column commanded by Colonel Zachary 
Taylor of the 1st Infantry, who on December 19th received orders to pro- 
ceed with the least possible delay against any portion of the enemy he might 
hear of within striking distance, and to destroy or capture him. 
After leaving an adequate force for the protection of his depot, he started 
with Captain Munroe’s company of the Fourth Artillery, thirty-five men ; 
the First Infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. Foster, two hundred 
and seventy-four; the Sixth Infantry under Lieut. Col. Thompson, two 
hundred and twenty-one ; the Missouri Volunteers, one hundred and eighty; 
Morgan’s spies, forty-seven ; pioneers, thirty; pontoneers, thirteen ; and 
seventy Delaware Indians; making a force, exclusive of officers, of 870 men. 
On December 25, 1837, Colonel’s Taylor’s army came upon the enemy 
strongly posted in a dense hummock, perfectly concealed and confident of 
victory. Their number has been variously estimated up to seven hundred. 
The engagement was brought on by Morgan’s spies and the volunteers under 
Gentry. These troops moved gallantly forward, exposed to a heavy fire, 
which, accompanied by infernal yells, was poured in upon them from the 
tree tops and from every thicket and concealment. 
Colonel Gentry fell mortally wounded ; his men began to stagger, and 
finally, seized with a panic, broke and fled in wild disorder. 
After referring to the repulse of the volunteers, and the failure of re- 
peated efforts to bring them again into action, Colonel Taylor, in his de- 
tailed report of the battle of Okee-cho-bee, says : 
“ The enemy, however, were promptly checked and driven back by the 4th and 
6th Infantry, which in truth might be said to be a moving battery. 
“Iam not sufficient master of words to express my admiration of the gallantry 
and steadiness of the officers and soldiers of the Sixth Regiment of Infantry. It was 
their fortune to bear the brunt of the battle. The report of the killed and wounded, 
which accompanies this, is more conclusive evidence of their merits than anything I 
can say. After five companies of this regiment, against which the enemy directed the 
most deadly fire, were nearly cut up, there being only four men left uninjured in one 
of them ; and every officer and orderly sergeant of those companies, with one excep- 
tion, were either killed or wounded ; Captain Noel, with the remaining two companies, 
his own company, ‘ K,’ and Crossman’s, * B,’ commanded by Second Lieutenant 
Woods, which was the left of the regiment, formed on the right of the Fourth In- 484 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
fantry, entered the hummock with that regiment and continued the fight and the pur- 
suit until its termination. 
It is due to Captain Andrews and Lieutenant Walker, to say they commanded 
two of the five companies mentioned above, and they continued to direct them, until 
they were both severely wounded and carried from the field ; the latter received three 
separate balls.” 
He speaks in complimentary terms of Lieut. George H. Griffin, 6th In- 
fantry, on his personal staff and an aide-de-camp to Major-General Gaines 
and a volunteer from his staff in Florida. 
Colonel Taylor continues : 
“ It is due to his rank and talents, as well as to his long and important services, 
that I particularly mention Lieut. Col. A. R. Thompson, of the Sixth Infantry, who 
fell in the discharge of his duty, at the head of his regiment. He was in feeble 
health, brought on by exposure to this climate during the past summer, refusing to 
leave the country while his regiment continued in it. Although he received two balls 
from the fire of the enemy early in the action, which wounded him severely, yet he ap- 
peared to disregard them and continued to give his orders with the same coolness that 
he would have done had his regiment been under review or on any parade duty. Ad- 
vancing, he received a third ball, which at once deprived him of life. His last words 
were : ‘ Keep steady, men, charge the hummock—remember the regiment to which you 
belong. ’ 
“Captain Van Swearingen, Lieutenant Brooke, and Lieutenant and Adjutant 
Center, of the same regiment, who fell on that day, had no superiors of their years in 
service, and in point of chivalry ranked among the first in the army or nation.” 
As has been said by Colonel Taylor, the most conclusive evidence of the 
glorious record of the gallant Sixth on that bloody Christmas of 1837, is 
the official list of those who fell killed and wounded in the action. 
RETURN OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF 
OKEE-CHO-BEE. 
Regiments and Corps. 
Commanded by. 
Killed. 
Wounded. 
Offi- 
cers. 
Men. 
Offi- 
cers. 
Men. 
Regulars. 
ist Infantry 
Lieut. Col. Davenport 
4th Infantry 
Lieut. Col. Foster 
3 
I 
18 
6th Infantry 
Lieut. Col. Thompson 
4 
16 
2 
53 
Mounted 4th Infantry 
Captain Allen 
Volunteers. 
Missouri Volunteers 
Colonel Gentry 
I 
1 
a 
22 
Spies 
Lieut. Col. Morgan 
2 
j 
Indians 
Captain Parks 
Total 
5 
22 
9 
102 
Of the Sixth Infantry, Lieut. Col. A. R. Thompson was wounded in 
three places before he fell. The first ball passed through the abdomen to 
the left, the second in the right breast, and the last through the chin and 
neck, evidently shot from a tree. He fell in a sitting posture, uttering as he 
died the memorable words quoted in Colonel Taylor’s report. 
Captain J. Van Swearingen was shot in advance of his company, in the THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
485 
lower part of the neck. When passing to the rear he raised both hands to 
his head, fell flat on his face, and expired instantly. Lieutenant and Adju- 
tant J. P. Center was shot through the head from a tree, and expired on the 
spot. First Lieut. E. J. Brooke was shot through the heart. Sergt. Major 
Henry Sleephack was mortally wounded, and died December 27. 
The thanks of the President of the United States was tendered Colonel 
Taylor and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and troops of the regu- 
lar army, for the discipline and bravery displayed by them on the occasion 
of this battle. 
In May, 1838, Companies C, D and E, which had remained until this 
time at Camp Sabine, La., joined the forces serving in East Florida, and by 
November the whole of the regiment was in middle Florida under the com- 
mand of Captain William Hoffman. 
On May 2, 1839, Lieut. Wm. Hulbert and several men were waylaid 
and killed by Indians near Fort Frank Brooke. Company I, under Lieuts. 
Samuel Woods and L. A. Armistead, had an engagement with the Indians 
at Fort Andrews on August 29, 1839, in which one sergeant and one private 
were killed. On July 13, 1840, two men of Company D were killed by In- 
dians near Fort Pleasant. 
The Sixth Infantry remained in Florida until after the restoration of 
peace, when it was sent north on transports via New Orleans, and by March 
20, 1842, the entire regiment was again at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. It had 
left behind,—killed in action, or dead from wounds and diseases,—ten offi- 
cers and one hundred and twenty-nine enlisted men. 
On April 16th the regiment left Jefferson Barracks for Fort Towson, 
C. N., where the last company arrived May 14. 
In July news was received of the death of Gen. Atkinson at Jefferson 
Barracks, Mo., on June 14, 1842. This distinguished officer had been the 
colonel of the regiment for more than twenty-six years. He was succeeded 
by Col. William Davenport, promoted from the First Infantry. 
On July 7, 1843, Colonel Davenport effected a transfer of regiments with 
Colonel and Brevet Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor. The former returned to 
the First, and the latter, afterwards the hero of Buena Vista and Monterey 
and President of the United States, became colonel of the Sixth. 
Taylor was then at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in command of the 2d Military- 
Department. 
On the regimental return for July, 1844, Brevet 2d Lieut. Winfield S. 
Hancock is reported as “gained by appointment from the Military Acad- 
emy.” 
The declaration of war with Mexico, May 13, 1846, found the head- 
quarters of the Sixth Infantry, Lieut. Col. Loomis commanding, and Com- 
panies A, E, G and H, at Fort Gibson ; Companies B and C at Fort Tow- 
son ; I and K at Fort Washita ; and D and F at Fort Smith. 
General Zachary Taylor, the colonel of the regiment, ceased to be an 
officer of the Sixth Infantry on June 29, 1846, by his promotion to the grade 
of major general. He was succeeded by Colonel Newman S. Clarke, pro- 
moted from the 8th Infantry. 
By July, 1847, the entire regiment, with the exception of Company G 486 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
(leftat Fort Gibson) and Company I (left at Fort Washita), was at Puebla, 
Mexico, with the army under General Scott. 
Companies G and I remained in the United States during the Mexican 
War, and should be understood as not included in the strength of the regi- 
ment when reference is made thereto in connection with the battles and 
incidents of this campaign. 
The Sixth Infantry left Puebla with General Worth’s Division, August 
9, and, taking part at Contreras, was before the enemy’s works at San 
Antonio on the 19th, turned his three batteries and was warmly engaged in 
the battle of Churubusco on the 20th. 
To quote from Ripley’s History of the Mexican War: 
“ The Sixth and Fifth Regiments had pushed on along the road in pursuit of the 
retreating enemy, the Sixth being in advance, as it had formed on the left of the Fifth 
when the latter had engaged the Mexican flank. Worth moved on with the greater 
portion of his troops, and overtook the Fifth before it came under fire ; but the Sixth, 
having passed rapidly forward beyond supporting distance, had become warmly en- 
gaged, and the battle of Churubusco had commenced 
“ The army which Santa Anna had led back from San Angel was forming along 
the river Churubusco, and in the cornfields to its north. * * * Of the guns which 
Bravo had sent from San Antonio, three had arrived at the tete du pont. One thirty- 
two pounder broke down on the road, and was seized by the Sixth Infantry in its ad- 
vance. The whole train of ammunition wagons being exceedingly heavy and unwieldy, 
had stalled on coming to the entrance of the fortification, blocking up the road for a 
considerable distance in its front, and partially obstructing the fire from the em- 
brasures. * * * 
“ Santa Anna, assisted by a crowd of general officers, strove to form his line, and 
with some success ; but, while things were in this state the small battalion of the Sixth 
Infantry came boldly forward, though irregularly and in confusion. The leading com- 
panies being gallantly led, from very rashness would, in all probability, have entered 
the tete du pont, had not Rincon’s troops opened a terrific fire of cannon and musketry 
from the convent. 
“ The distance was great for musketry, being over three hundred and fifty yards ; 
but the Mexican position was elevated, and, with the enormous cartridges furnished to 
Mexican soldiers, the bullets were easily sent to the road ; without accurate aim, it is 
true, but in heavy rolling volleys, and with deadly force. * * * 
“The artillery soon opened, raking the causeway, and, being without support or 
definite orders, the Sixth staggered for a time, the rear became separated from the 
front, and the regiment was finally ordered by its major to break, fall back, and re- 
form behind the houses of the village which it had passed in its advance. 
“ With the exception of a party under Captain Walker, which had extended to the 
right and remained in the vicinity of the enemy, the regiment obeyed the order ; but 
its advance had a most beneficial effect upon the after events of the action. 
“ While these events were taking place, a battalion of the Sixth Infantry had re- 
formed, and soon after was ordered to assault the tete du pont directly along the road. 
Captain Hoffman led it forward with gallant bravery, and officers and men followed 
nobly. 
“ But the Mexicans in the work, whose attention had been given to the troops ad- 
vancing through the corn on either flank, seeing this direct assault, turned all their 
guns upon it, which, enfilading the road, made dreadful havoc. Some of the men re- THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
487 
coiled under the stern stroke of the artillery, but the general officers were by their side, 
and a few words of reproof and encouragement sent them back to their places. With 
a shout they again followed their officers in the advance, but the direct assault was im- 
practicable and Worth shouted to Hoffman to incline to the right into the corn, to 
operate with the main body of the division in that quarter. There, next the cause- 
way, the Fifth and Eighth had become engaged. They had advanced on the right of 
the rood, and had been saved much of the loss which had befallen the Sixth. * * 
“ The battle had raged for more than two hours from the time it was first opened by 
the Sixth Infantry, when the Mexicans first gave way in front of the American right, 
and fled through the cornfields in their rear toward the city. 
“ A party of American troops of different regiments, principally of the Second Ar- 
tillery and Sixth Infantry, was led on by its officers past the left of the tete du pont, 
crossed the river Churubusco, and presented itself in threatening position in rear of 
the work. 
“ The other troops came up, those on the right closed in, and, rushing through 
wet ditches, waist deep, over the parapets and into the work, the American troops car- 
ried it in a crowd.” 
Captains Wm. Hoffman and W. H. T. Walker and ist Lieut. L. A. Armi- 
stead, of the Sixth Infantry, with the colors of the regiment, were among 
those who rushed forward in the advance and finally carried the tite du 
pont. 
General Clarke, the colonel of the Sixth, was wounded in this 
action while in command of the brigade. After Churubusco the Sixth was 
concentrated at Tacubaya. 
On Sept. 8 the brilliant battle of Molino del Rey was fought. The storm- 
ing party at the Mills was divided into five companies each of one hundred 
men, the Sixth Infantry under Captain A. Cady, with 2d Lieutenant M. 
Maloney, 4th Infantry, forming one of them. In describing the attack 
Ripley says: 
“ Wright promptly advanced his party in line in the direction indicated. 
“ Upon nearing the enemy’s position, all doubts as to the resistance to be en- 
countered were dispelled at once. The battery whose location had been changed dur- 
ing the night, opened heavily upon the flank of the party with round-shot and grape, 
cutting down officers and men in frightful rapidity. 
“ The charge was ordered, and the noble soldiers, bringing down their muskets, 
rushed straight at the battery. 
‘ ‘ Of the fourteen officers who went into action with the command, eleven soon fell 
dead or disabled and with them a large number of the rank and file. In scattered par- 
ties those unhurt kept up the fire, but the command as a body was broken and fell 
away from the battery. 
“ The Mexican infantry soldiers rushed forward and reoccupied it. They mur- 
dered every wounded man left on the ground except Captain Walker of the Sixth In- 
fantry and one private, both desperately wounded, and both doubtless believed to be 
dead.” 
In after years Captain Walker, as a major general in the Confederate 
army, was killed near Atlanta, July 22, 1864. 
To quote from Wilcox’s History of the Mexican War: 
“ The Sixth and Eighth Regiments of Infantry were ordered by General Worth 
over to the right, and reached the intersection of the roads at the north end of Molino 
del Rey as the flour mill was being taken. * * * Supported by the 4th, they 488 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
formed at the junction of the two roads, and as the enemy again advanced opened an 
artillery and infantry fire, and repulsed and followed him in the direction of Chapul- 
tepec.” 
The battle of Chapultepec followed on Sept. 13th. To quote from Rip- 
ley : 
“ Worth ordered Colonel Clarke’s brigade to advance, and that corps came rapidly 
forward. Pillow ordered them to be posted on the slope of the hill for shelter. The 
8th and 5th and a party of the Sixth went up the ascent. The Sixth was, however, 
ordered around the northern base of the rock, to cut up the fugitives from the castle ; 
for the Mexican garrison was already shaken by the near approach and many were at- 
tempting to make good their escape. The Mexican artillery fire having been silenced, 
the troops most in advance had only been awaiting the ladders to make the last attack. 
When they were brought up, parties from different corps, moving quickly forward over 
the rugged though short space between the crest of the hill and the ditch, leaped in, and 
at once planted ladders. Lieutenant Armistead, of the storming party, led the way, 
and as the ladders were raised, Lieutenant Selden first mounted to scale the walk. 
Chapultepec was captured, and the next day Scott’s army entered the City of Mexico.” 
Lieutenant Armistead of the Sixth Infantry, the first to leap into the 
ditch, is the same ho as a brigadier general in the Confederate army 
commanded one of the three brigades of Pickett’s division in the immortal 
charge at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and led his men through that terrific 
storm of battle until he fell mortally wounded within the Federal lines. 
Of the officers of the Sixth Infantry who took part in the campaign, 
General Clarke, Major Bonneville, Captain Hoffman, and Lieutenants Bacon, 
Hendrickson and Buckner, were wounded at Churubusco ; Captains Cady 
and Walker, and Lieut. Ernst were wounded at Molino del Rey; and Lieut. 
Armistead was wounded at Chapultepec. Lieutenant Ernst died of his 
wounds in the City of Mexico, on Sept. 22, 1847. Lieutenant Bacon died of 
his wounds on Oct. 12, 1847. Of the rank and file the regiment lost in 
killed and wounded at Churubusco ninety-one, at Molino del Rey and 
Chapultepec seventy-two. 
Among the many officers of the Sixth who received brevets for their con- 
duct in this war was 2d Lieut. Winfield S. Hancock, brevetted 1st lieuten- 
ant for Contreras and Churubusco. 2d Lieut. Simon B. Buckner, afterwards 
a lieutenant general in the Confederate service and later Governor of Ken- 
tucky, was given the brevets of 1st lieutenant and captain. 
After the occupation of the City of Mexico in September, the regiment 
remained quartered there until January, 1848, when it was moved to Toluca. 
The month of June found it concentrated at Jalapa, Mexico, preparatory to 
leaving for the United States, and by July 31, the Sixth, with the exception 
of Companies G and I at Gibson and Washita where they had remained 
during the war, was concentrated at Jefferson Barracks awaiting distribu- 
tion. 
December 31 found the headquarters at St. Louis, Mo.; Company D at 
Jefferson Barracks; Companies A, E and K, at Fort Snelling; B and F 
at Fort Crawford ; C at Fort Atkinson ; G and I at Fort Leavenworth, and 
H at Fort Scott. 
On Oct. 1, 1849, Lieut. Winfield S. Hancock was appointed adjutant of 
the regiment. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRYt 
489 
The headquarters in October were at Fort Snelling, but returned to St. 
Louis by Dec. 31, and on May 1, 1851, moved to Jefferson Barracks. 
The companies, scattered over the frontier in garrison and in the field 
and changing from post to post, were stationed during the period from 1851 
to 1858, from time to time, at Jefferson Barracks, Forts Gaines, Scott, Snel- 
ling, Kearney, Laramie, Atkinson, Dodge, Leavenworth, Riley, Ridgely and 
Pierre. 
On Aug. 29, 1854, Brevet 2d Lieut. J. L. Grattan, 6th Infantry, and thirty 
men of Company G were killed by Indians near Fort Laramie. The affair 
is known as the “ Grattan Massacre.” A party of Mormons en route to Salt 
Lake City having officially reported to the commanding officer of Fort 
Laramie that the Sioux had stolen one of their cows and refused to give it 
up, Lieutenant Grattan was sent with thirty men of Company G and a 
mountain howitzer to demand restoration of the stolen property. This was 
the last seen of Grattan and his men alive, and the facts of the massacre as 
related have been gathered from statements of the Indians. Having reached 
his destination Lieutenant Grattan made his demand upon the Indians, 
and then despite their warning trained his howitzer upon them and prepared 
to fire. The Indians, watching the pulling of the lanyard, avoided the shot 
by falling to the ground as the piece was discharged, and rushing upon the 
troops overpowered them and killed every man. 
On July 20, 1855, the headquarters were moved from Jefferson Barracks 
to St. Louis. 
On Sept. 3 a battalion of the regiment composed of Companies A, E, H, 
I and K, under the command of Major Albemarle Cady, took part in the 
affair with the Sioux on the Blue Water, known as the battle of Ash Hollow. 
Writing to the Adjutant-General from his camp on Blue Water Creek, 
N. T., under date of September, 1855, General Harney says: 
“At half past four o’clock, A. M., I left my camp with Companies A, E, H, I 
and K, 6th Infantry, under the immediate command of Major Cady of that regiment, 
and proceeded toward the principal village of the Brules with a view to attacking it 
openly, in concert with a surprise contemplated through the cavalry. 
“ The results of the affair were eighty-six killed, five wounded, about seventy 
women and children captured, fifty mules and ponies taken, besides an indefinite num- 
ber killed and disabled. The amount of provisions and camp equipage must have com- 
prised nearly all the enemy possessed, for teams have been constantly engaged in bring- 
ing into camp everything of value to the troops, and much has been destroyed on the 
ground. 
“ The casualties of the command amount to four killed, four severely wounded, 
and one missing, supposed to be killed or captured by the enemy. 
“ With regard to the officers and troops of my command I have never seen a finer 
military spirit displayed generally ; and if there has been any material difference in the 
services they have rendered, it must be measured chiefly by the opportunity they had 
for distinction. 
“ Lieutenant Colonel Cook and Major Cady, commanders of the mounted and foot 
forces, respectively, carried out my instructions to them with signal alacrity, zeal, and 
intelligence. 
“ The company commanders whose position, either in the engagement or in the 
pursuit, brought them in closest contact with the enemy, were Captain Todd of the 490 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
6thlnfantry, Captain Steele and Lieutenant Robertson of the 2d Dragoons, and Cap- 
tain Heath, ioth Infantry. * * * 
“Brevet Major Woods, Captain Wharton, and Lieutenant Patterson, of the 6th 
Infantry, with their companies, rendered effective service as reserves and supports, 
taking an active share in the combat when circumstances would permit.” * * * 
Thus Grattan and his men were avenged by their comrades of the 
Sixth. 
General Clarke was relieved from the command of the Department of 
the West July i, 1856, and the headquarters of the regiment moved to Jef- 
ferson Barracks. They were at Fort Leavenworth Oct. nth, and on the 
14th were at Lecompton, K. T., but by Nov. 25 were again at Fort Leaven- 
worth. 
During July and August, 1857, Companies C, D and G, Captain William 
S. Ketchum commanding, took an active part in the expedition against the 
Cheyennes commanded by Colonel Sumner, 1st Cavalry, experiencing un- 
usual hardships. On July 6, with six companies of cavalry and four moun- 
tain howitzers, with pack mules for transportation, they crossed the Platte 
River, and proceeded in the direction of the Republican and South Fork. 
On the 29th the cavalry in advance met a body of some four hundred In- 
dians, and an engagement occurred in which the mounted troops had one 
killed and seven wounded. 
After this affair Company C (Captain R. W. Foote and Lieut. John 
McCleary) remained with the wounded, sick and disabled, and threw up a 
breast-work called Fort Floyd. 
Companies D and G, Captain William S. Ketchum, 1st Lieutenant Wil- 
liam P. Carlin, and 2d Lieutenant Orlando H. Moore, marched with the 
command in pursuit of the Indians. 
The duty required of the companies of the regiment on this campaign, 
in keeping up and cooperating with the cavalry, was especially trying in 
its forced marches and deprivations. Companies C and D in returning suf- 
fered particularly. The former left Fort Floyd on August 8, after having 
been constantly harassed by the Indians, and finally reached Fort Kearney 
about the 21st, much wearied and broken down, having been out of rations 
some eighteen days. From August 2d to the 19th Company D had nothings 
but fresh beef for food, the rations with this exception having become ex- 
hausted. The men suffered much, and many were bare-footed, and other- 
wise destitute of clothing. 
In January, 1858, the headquarters, with Companies A, D, E, G, H and 
K, were at Camp Bateman near Fort Leavenworth, Companies B and C 
were at Fort Laramie, F at Fort Riley, and I at Fort Kearney. 
The Sixth was now preparing for its grand march across the continent 
from Fort Leavenworth to the Pacific Ocean. 
The movement began on March 18, when Companies E and H left Camp 
Bateman as part of the escort to the supply train for the army in Utah, and 
the headquarters with Companies A, D, F, G, I and K, arrived at Fort 
Bridger August 6, where they were joined on the 15th by B and C from 
Fort Floyd. Companies E and II were relieved from garrison duty at Fort 
Bridger on the 16th and encamped in the vicinity of the post. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
491 
The regiment left camp near Fort Bridger August 2i, and arrived at 
camp near Benicia Barracks, Cal., on November 15, the total distance 
marched from Fort Bridger to Benicia Barracks having been 1017 miles. 
The regiment during this march was under the command of Lieut. 
Col. George Andrews, with Major Wm. Hoffman, second in command. 
From Benicia Barracks the Sixth was distributed among different posts 
and stations in the Department of the Pacific. 
By January, 1859, the headquarters and Companies F and H were at 
the Presidio, A at Benicia Barracks, B at Fort Humboldt, C and I at 
Benicia Depot, D at Fort Weller, Cal., E and K at Camp Banning near 
San Bernardino, Cal., and G at New San Diego, Cal. 
On August 5 Captain Lewis A. Armistead with a command consisting of 
twenty-five men of his own company, F, and twenty-five men of Company 
I under 1st Lieutenant Elisha G. Marshall, attacked and defeated the Mo- 
have Indians in an engagement near a lagoon twelve miles below Fort 
Mohave. Over two hundred Indians are supposed to have taken part in 
the affair and twenty-three were found dead on the field. The onlycasual- 
ties among the troops were three privates of Company I slightly wounded. 
In January, i860, the headquarters and Companies A and H were at 
Benicia Barracks, B at Fort Humboldt, C, E and F, at Fort Yuma, D at 
Fort Bragg, and G, I and K, at New San Diego. 
Company A, Captain Franklin F. Flint commanding, left Benicia Bar- 
racks May 14 and arrived at Truckee River, U. T., three hundred miles dis- 
tant, on the 31st, and on June 2 had an engagement with the Indians in 
which one private was severely wounded. 
On October 17, i860, the colonel of the regiment, Brevet Brig. Gen. 
Newman S. Clarke, died at San Francisco while in command of the depart- 
ment of California. He was succeeded by Colonel Washington Seawell, 
promoted from the 8th Infantry, who joined the regiment at Benicia Bar- 
racks on March 8, 1861. 
On April 2, a detachment of thirty enlisted men of Company B, 6th 
Infantry, under the command of 1st Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, 4th Infantry, 
left Fort Humboldt, on a scout in the Bald Hills, Cal. They were engaged 
with the “hostiles” on the 14th and 15th near Mad River, about fifty miles 
from the post. 
The Indians lost on the first day between fifteen and twenty killed, and 
on the second day five killed and three wounded. The only casualty among 
the troops was one man wounded. 
The great War of the Rebellion was now in progress, and the summons 
had crossed the continent for the Sixth to hurry eastward. Several of its 
best and bravest officers, honest in a mistaken construction of the Consti- 
tution and true to their convictions as to duty under it, had tendered their 
resignations and given themselves to the fatal cause. But the rank and 
file with unhesitating fealty stood by the old flag, and remained, to a man, 
on the side of the North. 
The movement began October 31, 1861, and by January 31, 1862, the 
entire regiment was concentrated at Washington under the command of its 
colonel. 492 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Colonel Seawell retired from active service February 20, 1862, and was 
succeeded by Colonel Electus Backus, promoted from the 3d Infantry, who 
died at Detroit, Mich., on June 7, 1862, and was in turn succeeded by Col. 
Hannibal Day, promoted from the 2d Infantry. 
The regiment left Washington City on March 10, 1862, for service in 
the field, as part of Sykes’ Brigade of Regulars, and participated in the 
siege and the operations which preceded the evacuation of Yorktown by 
the enemy on May 4. 
The regiment was mainly employed on picket duty along the Chicka- 
hominy until June 26, when it was sent to reinforce a portion of McCall’s 
Division of Fitz John Porter’s Corps which was engaged with the enemy at 
Mechanicsville. It arrived close to the scene of conflict late in the even- 
ing, but took no part in the action, and the next morning was ordered to 
fall back towards Gaines’ Mill and await the attack of the enemy, who was 
advancing in force. The battle commenced about noon on the 27th. 
During the earlier stages the 5th New York and a South Carolina regi- 
ment had repeatedly attacked each other to no purpose. Colonel Warren 
about 3 o’clock in the afternoon asked the division commander for the 
Sixth Infantry, and formed it in frontof and perpendicular to the line of the 
5th New York and 17th Infantry, facing the open space over which the 
former and the South Carolina regiment had been charging and counter- 
charging. The arrangement was that the 5th New York should repeat its 
charge, and on being countercharged the Sixth was to take the Confederate 
regiment in flank. The Sixth Infantry had hardly taken position when 
those in command saw the uselessness of such work, which, according to 
Warren’s graphic words, was “ only covering the ground with dead men,” 
and the regiment received orders simply to hold its position in the woods, 
which it did until about sunset, when the Federal lines, flanked at both ex- 
tremities, gave way. 
As the regiment’s position was in advance of the first line and in the 
woods, the status of affairs was not at once apparent, but a few moments 
under heavy canister fire sufficed to clear up matters, and, crossing a small 
bridge, the Sixth in disarray passed to the rear between two of the enemy’s 
skirmish lines, and reformed on the ridge occupied by Generals French and 
Meagher. 
Later in the evening the regiment moved into the valley of the Chicka- 
hominy, and early on the morning of the 28th crossed that stream. The 
bridge was destroyed after the passage of the Sixth Infantry, the last troops 
to leave the field. 
In this action Captain R. W. Foote was killed, and Lieutenants H. A. F. 
Worth and D. D. Lynn were wounded. Captain Thomas Hendrickson, 
commanding the regiment, had his horse killed under him. Of the en- 
listed men five were killed and sixty-one wounded. 
During the day 2d Lieutenant Jeremiah P. Schindel, while separated 
from the regiment with a few men, exhibited personal bravery and coolness 
under fire to a marked degree. 
The regiment arrived at Manasses via Warrenton Junction August 20th, 
and participated in the second battle of Bull Run on the 30th. It occu- THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
493 
pied a position about the centre of the line, near the Warrenton Turnpike, 
from early in the forenoon until near five oclock, P. M., and falling back 
with the army bivouacked that night at Centerville. 
Six enlisted men of the regiment were killed in this battle; and Lieu- 
tenants C. M. Pyne, A. W. Bickley, and J. P. Schindel, and twenty-five 
enlisted men, were wounded. 
During the battle of Antietam, September 17, the Sixth was on picket 
duty, and on the 19th the regiment proceeded to Nolan’s Ford on the Potomac 
near Sharpsburg, crossed into Virginia, and had a skirmish with the enemy 
on the 20th, and, finding him in force, re-crossed in obedience to orders 
and encamped at Sharpsburg, Md. 
The regiment took part in several reconnoissances in October, November 
and December, and on December 1 x bivouacked on a ridge on the north bank 
of the Rappahannock, overlooking the valley and city of Fredericksburg. 
Crossing with Hooker’s division on the 13th, the regiment was moved 
forward to within a few hundred yards of the famous stone wall for the 
purpose of attacking on the morning of the 14th. The plan being changed, 
the Sixth held its position in the line on the same ground during the whole 
of the 14th, Sunday, under a most galling fire without having a chance to 
make an appreciable return. Between 11 and 12 o’clock P. M. the line was 
withdrawn into the town, and occupied the main street during the 15th 
exposed to some artillery fire. About 9 o’clock P. m. the division of which 
the Sixth formed a part was moved nearer the outskirts of the town, where 
it remained till next morning, when in a fog and rain the regiment re- 
crossed the Rappahannock, following the First Brigade. The ground in 
front of Company E was so flat that in the course of the day 1st Sergeant 
Thetard — afterwards mortally wounded at Gettysburg—was struck, and 
Corporal Kelley and five other men were picked off in succession. Having 
re-crossed the river the regiment during the day and night reoccupied 
with its division the bivouac on the ridge north of and overlooking the 
city, and on the 17th returned to camp near Potomac Creek. 
At Fredericksburg five enlisted men were killed, and 2d Lieutenant 
James McKim and twenty enlisted men were wounded. 
The regiment left camp near Potomac Creek April 27, 1863, and pro- 
ceeded to Harwood Church, on the Fredericksburg-Warrenton road, 
crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford on the 29th, and after dark on 
the same day waded the Rapidan at Ely’s Ford and bivouacked on its right 
bank. On the 30th the Sixth marched with its division to Chancellorsville, 
and after a short halt moved out on the Fredericksburg road for about 
three-quarters of a mile and bivouacked for the night. 
In the forenoon of May 1 the Second Brigade was formed on the edge 
of the Wilderness, with the 2d and 6th Infantry on the right of the road. 
The line, only part of the time covered by skirmishers, rapidly advanced, 
brushing away the Confederate force in front, which precipitately retreated, 
but re-formed while the Federals halted, and opened a fire from which the 
2d and 6th Infantry particularly suffered. Being finally outflanked, the 
line was withdrawn, and on reaching the ground where it had formed in 
the morning, the Sixth was detached to cover the exposed flank until re- 494 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
lieved. General Hancock’s skirmishers soon coming up, the regiment re- 
joined the brigade, which had reached the ground of the previous night’s 
bivouac. 
The casualties to the regiment in this action were confined to the 
enlisted men, one being killed and twenty-three wounded. 
On the 3d, while on picket in the vicinity of Chancellorsville, the 
regiment captured four of the enemy, and while engaged in a skirmish two 
enlisted men were wounded. 
On the morning of the 6th the regiment retreated with the army 
towards the Rappahannock, re-crossed at the U. S. Ford, and arrived after 
a hard march of sixteen miles at the old camp on Potomac Creek, near 
Falmouth. 
The regiment left camp on Potomac Creek, June 4, for Benson’s Mills 
where it remained until the 13th, when it took up the march for Aldie, Va., 
arriving at that point on the 22d. It left Aldie on the 27th, crossed the 
Potomac at Edwards’ Ferry on the same day, and marching with but 
little intermission until the 30th, arrived at Unionville, Md. 
At Frederick the Sixth Infantry was transferred from the Second to the 
First Regular Brigade of Sykes’ Division, under its colonel, Hannibal Day, 
as brigade commander. 
Moving into Pennsylvania, the regiment by dawn of July 2 was in 
position on the extreme right of the Union line, not far from the Baltimore 
and Gettysburg Turnpike. 
About the middle of the forenoon it was placed as reserve near the 
centre of the line, and during the afternoon was moved in haste to the left 
and down the rugged slopes with the regular brigades. The Second pene- 
trated the woods and wheat field in front, while the First, to which the 
Sixth Infantry belonged, held the open ground immediately in its rear. The 
left being in the air and the troops on the right having given way the division 
was ordered to fall back. 
The regular infantry, which included the Sixth, was then formed in the 
woods back of Little Round Top and remained there during the 3d, exposed 
to the fire of artillery and to that of sharpshooters who were hidden among 
the rocks in and around the “ Devil’s Den.” 
On the morning of the 4th the First Regular Brigade was ordered towards 
the Emmetsburg Turnpike, to “feel” the enemy. It advanced with the 
3d, 4th and 6th Infantry in line, the Sixth on the left, to the edge of Durfee’s 
peach orchard, which was entered by the skirmishers. The brigade then 
moved back to Little Round Top, but was immediately faced about with 
orders to picket the “ Devil’s Den ” and outer edge of the woods in front 
of the line. The Confederate outposts were in close proximity, and the 
picket firing which soon began was continued until dark. 
On the morning of the 5th, part of the picket line, including Company 
I, 6th Infantry, was advanced beyond the Emmetsburg road. In the 
afternoon the brigade returned to its position in the woods in front of Round 
Top, and by 5 o’clock was with the division in pursuit of the enemy, bivouack- 
ing that night about four miles from Emmetsburg. 
The casualties to the regiment at Gettysburg were 1st Sergeant I. THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
495 
Thetard, Company E, and seven privates killed ; 2d Lieutenant Thomas 
Britton, eight non-commissioned officers and thirty privates wounded, 
Lieutenant Britton’s wound was received under circumstances which 
especially distinguished him for bravery. 
The regiment was lying down exposed to a telling fire from Confederate 
sharpshooters, when, to steady the growing uneasiness of his men, he 
deliberately rose in the line of file closers, stretched and yawned as though 
waking from a nap, and coolly walked back and forth the length of the 
company. 
On the 1st of August 1863 Colonel Day was retired'from active service 
and was succeeded by Col. E. A. King, promoted from the 19th Infantry; 
but on the 20th of September,—less than two months later,—Colonel King 
was killed at the battle of Chickamauga while in command of a brigade of 
Thomas’ Corps. He was succeeded by Colonel J. D. Greene, promoted 
from the 17th Infantry. 
On August 16, 1863, the regiment, under the command of Captain 
Montgomery Bryant, embarked for New York City, where it arrived on the 
21 st and camped in Washington Park. It had been sent there on account 
of the draft riots, and remained doing provost duty until the nth, when it 
was transferred to Fort Hamilton, N. Y. H. 
While at Fort Hamilton the regiment was consolidated into two com- 
panies,—H and I,—and drilled as heavy artillery, to form part of the de- 
fenses of New York City. On May 17, 1865, the regiment embarked on the 
steamer Star of the South for Savannah, Ga., where it arrived on the 21st 
and was assigned to duty as part of the forces of the District of Savannah 
with headquarters at Hilton Head. 
The regiment,—with the exception of Companies B and I on detached 
service at Lawtonville, S. C., since September,—arrived at Charleston, S. C., 
from Hilton Head on December 9, 1865, and took quarters in the “ Citadel.” 
During February skeleton Companies A, C, E and F, were recruited 
from the depot, completing the original organization of the regiment. 
While the headquarters remained at Charleston the companies were 
moved from place to place in South Carolina, being stationed from time to 
time at Charleston, Georgetown, Aiken, Beaufort, Darlington, Orangeburg, 
Lawtonville, Columbia, Strawberry Station, and other points. 
On June 25, 1867, Col. Greene resigned from the Army, and was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel De L. Floyd-Jones, promoted from the 19th Infantry. 
In the same year regimental headquarters, with Companies C, D, E and F, 
were transferred to the Indian Territorv. 
In the reduction of the army under the act of Congress approved March 
3, 1869, the Sixth was reorganized by consolidation with the 42d Regiment 
of Infantry, and on March 15, 1869, Colonel Floyd-Jones was transferred 
to the unassigned list and Bvt. Maj. Gen. Wm. B. Hazen became colonel of 
the regiment by transfer from the 38th Infantry. 
Companies A, B, G, H, I and K, which had continued on duty in the 
South, arrived at Fort Gibson March 17th, where they were joined in May 
by headquarters from Fort Arbuckle. 
January, 1872, found the headquarters and Companies A, G and I, at 496 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Fort Hays, Companies B, C, H and K, at Camp Supply, D at Fort Larned, 
and E and F, at Fort Dodge. 
Since leaving the South the companies of the regiment had been em- 
ployed in marching from place to place, and performing the duties incident 
to service on the frontier in those days, and had taken part in the settlement 
of the “ Neutral Lands” trouble in Kansas. General Hazen, the colonel of 
the regiment, commanded the District of the lower Arkansas, which in- 
cluded the disturbed section, from August to December, 1869. 
Company I wasat Chicago from October 13 to 24, 1871, sent there for ser- 
vice during the great fire. 
In May and June, 1872, the regiment was transferred to the Department 
of the Dakota, the last company reaching its station June 21. 
Companies B and C were present during the skirmishing between the 
“ hostiles ” and the garrison of Fort A. Lincoln on the 2d and 18th of Oc- 
tober, 1872. 
The limited space allowed this sketch will not admit following the com- 
panies of the regiment in detail through their arduous and varied service in 
the Department of Dakota. 
The Sixth furnished troops to escort the engineers of the Northern Pa- 
cific Railway from time to time, for duty in connection with the Yellow- 
stone expedition of 1873, as escort for the commission surveying the 
northern boundary in 1874, and for the exploration of the Yellowstone River 
in 1875 ; and took an active part in the Sioux campaign of 1876. In the last 
case a battalion of the regiment consisting of Companies B, C, D and I, 
under Major Orlando H. Moore, formed a part of General Terry’s column 
operating against the “ hostiles,” during May, June, July, August, and Sep- 
tember. 
On August 21, 1876, Company G, 1st Lieutenant Nelson Bronson com- 
manding, left Fort Buford as guard for the steamers Josephine and Yellow- 
stone. While running about fifty yards from the bank at a point on the Yellow- 
stone some forty miles below Glendive Creek, the boat carrying Lieutenant 
Bronson and his men was suddenly fired upon by Indians concealed in the 
timber and dense undergrowth. Private Dennis Shields was shot through 
the left breast and instantly killed. The fire was promptly returned, but on 
account of the retreat of the Indians and the nature of the country nothing 
more could be done, and the steamer continued on her way. 
In June, 1880, the Sixth Infantry was relieved from duty in the Depart- 
partment of Dakota, and ordered to proceed to White River, Col., and at 
the muster of June 30 in camp on Snake River, Wyo., the colonel, lieuten- 
ant-colonel, major, and all the companies were present. 
Major Orlando H. Moore and Companies D and I were left at Snake 
River, while the remainder of the regiment continued the march, arriving 
at camp on White River July 7. 
On December 15, 1880, General Hazen was appointed chief signal officer of 
the army and was succeeded by Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. McD. McCook, promoted 
from the 9th Infantry. 
On May 13, 1881, Companies D, F, Gand H, under Capt. H. S. Hawkins, 
formed the infantry battalion with General Mackenzie’s Expedition in south THE SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
497 
western Colorado. The battalion marched to the junction of the Grand 
and Gunnison rivers via Cantonment Uncompahgre, and returning to Gun- 
nison City, Col., was sent by rail via Cheyenne, Wyo., to Park City, Utah, en 
route tothe junction of the Greeneand Duchesne rivers in eastern Utah, where 
it arrived September 17 and commenced building a post called Fort Thorn- 
burgh. 
The entire regiment had in the meantime been ordered to the Depart- 
ment of the Platte. 
In May, 1883, the entire regiment was concentrated at Fort Douglas, 
Utah. 
In May, 1886, General McCook was made Commandant of the U. S. In- 
fantry and Cavalry School, and the headquarters were sent to Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kans., where they arrived on the 15th. 
Companies H and I left Fort Douglas on July 1 and joined the head- 
quarters at Fort Leavenworth on the 4th. 
Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G and K remained under the command of 
Lieut.-Col. Nathan W. Osborne, 6th Infantry. 
On November 5, Companies F and K left Fort Douglas for the site of 
the new post near Chicago, 111., and, under the command of Major and 
Brevet Lieut.-Col. William J. Lyster, established a camp on the military res- 
ervation in the Highlands where Fort Sheridan is now situated. 
On July 11, 1890, General McCook was appointed brigadier-general, and 
was succeeded by Col. Melville A. Cochran, promoted from the 5th Infantry. 
On July 21, orders were issued from the War Department skeletonizing 
Companies I and K by transferring the enlisted men to other companies of 
the regiment. 
On August 19, the headquarters and Company G left Fort Leavenworth 
for the new post near Newport, Kentucky, now known as Fort Thomas, 
where they arrived on the 20th and joined Company F from Fort Sheridan. 
Colonel Cochran assumed command of the regiment at Fort Thomas on 
the 22d. 
November 1, 1892, the date of this sketch, finds the Sixth Infantry in its 
eighty-fifth year, under the command of Col. Melville A. Cochran, with 
headquarters, skeleton Companies I and K, and Companies B, C, D, F, G 
and H, at Fort Thomas, Ky,; Company A at Fort Wood, N. Y. H.; and 
Company Eat Newport Barracks, Kentucky. 
Note.—The writer is under obligations to Lieut.-Col. Robert H. Hall, 6th Infantry, 
for much information as tothe original organization of the regiment ; to Capt. Jeremiah 
P. Schindel, 6th Infantry, for a great deal concerning the late war ; to 1st Lieut. Ben- 
jamin W. Atkinson, 6th Infantry, for the use of his private scrap books containing 
autograph letters of his grandfather,'Gen. Henry Atkinson, and interesting memo- 
randa ; and to Sergt.-Maj. Charles H. Devereaux, 6th Infantry, for his excellent, 
painstaking work in collecting and extracting valuable matter from the regimental 
records, of which in his present position he has been immediate custodian for more 
than eighteen years. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
By Lieutenant A. B. JOHNSON, 7TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE Seventh U. S. Infantry was organized under the act of Congress 
approved July 16, 1798, with William Bently as Lieutenant Col- 
onel Commandant. After an existence of less than two years, the 
regiment was honorably mustered out of the service on the 15th 
of June, 1800, under the provisions of an Act approved May 4, 1800. 
The regiment was again organized on the 3d of May, 1808, under the 
act of Congress approved April 12, 1808, with William Russell as colonel. 
The first engagement in which any part of the regiment participated, 
and which is the first battle inscribed on its colors, was at Fort Harrison, 
Ohio, on September 4th and 5th, 1812. On the 3d of September the fort 
was attacked by a large band of Indians, who set fire to one of the block 
houses on the 4th, and followed it up with a resolute attack on the fort, 
which was then commanded by Captain Zachary Taylor, 7th Infantry, con- 
tinuing the assault the following day, when the little garrison was relieved 
from its perilous position by the timely arrival of Colonel Russell, 7th In- 
fantry, with a force of 1100 men. 
This engagement was followed by one at Viller’s Plantation on the 23d 
of December, 1814, in which the regiment was conspicuous for its bravery 
and was highly complimented for its action under fire. This action was 
followed by the battle of New Orleans, La., on the 1st, 8th and 9th of Janu- 
ary, 1815, in which the British lost 293 killed and 1267 wounded, while the 
American loss was comparatively small. 
In the year 1815 the practice of assigning particular states as recruiting 
districts for the infantry, was discontinued, Kentucky having previously 
been the district for the Seventh Infantry, as Colorado now is. In the same 
year the regiment was ordered to Georgia, and its headquarters established 
at Fort Hawkins, where in accordance with the act of Congress of March 
3, 1815, it was consolidated with the 2d, 3d and 44th regiments of infantry to 
form the present First Infantry ; and the 8th, 19th, 36th and 38th were consol- 
idated to form the present Seventh Infantry, its station being changed to Fort 
Gibson, Arkansas, where it remained for many years. From the Arkansas 
frontier the regiment was ordered to Florida where it took part in the battle 
of Fort King, E. Fla., on April 28, 1840; Fort Drane, E. Fla., May 19, 
1840 ; Martin’s Point Hammock, E. Fla., December 28, 1840, and Wahoo 
Swamp, E. Fla., May 17, 1842. 
It was not until 1846, when difficulties with the Republic of Mexico as- 
sumed a serious aspect, that the Seventh Infantry was concentrated for duty 
and ordered to Corpus Christi, Texas, and in March of that year was 
moved to the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras. General Taylor, conscious 
of the approaching war, began the erection of a large fort defended by ex- 
tensive works. This was called Fort Taylor. On the 1st of May, 1846, the 
49 i> THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
499 
larger part of the American forces under General Taylor left for Point Isa- 
bel, and the Seventh Infantry, under command of Major Brown, was left 
to garrison the new fort. 
No sooner had the main body of the army disappeared than the Mexi- 
cans commenced a spirited bombardment of the earthwork, which was gal- 
lantly and successfully defended by the regiment. In this engagement 
Major Brown received a severe wound, from the effects of which he died on 
the 9th of May, and in honor of his memory and for the gallant manner in 
which he and the regiment had acted, the name of the earthwork was 
changed to Fort Brown, which name it still retains. 
The regiment was now much reduced in numbers, and immediately 
after the siege ten companies were consolidated into six, and placed under 
the command of Captain D. S. Miles, 7th Infantry, and with this organ- 
ization it proceeded to Monterey. Here, though under fire, and in the 
position assigned it, the regiment did not become actively engaged until 
the action at the Bishop’s Palace, when Captain C. F. Smith, of the artil- 
lery, was ordered to storm the heights, and Captain Miles, with the 7th In- 
fantry, was ordered to support him. Captain Miles sent Lieutenant Gar- 
nett, 7th Infantry, with a detachment of men up the hillside to divert the 
enemy’s attention from Captain Smith’s command. Lieutenant Garnett’s 
detachment was met by a vigorous attack of the enemy, but continued to 
move up, driving the Mexicans before it until the party was recalled. Col. 
Percifor F. Smith, commanding the 5th, 7th, and the Louisiana Volunteers, 
gave orders for these commands to pass around on each side and storm the 
fort which was on the same ridge and about a half mile back, and which 
commanded the Bishop’s Palace. Here a natural rivalry took place between 
the three organizations, each endeavoring to outstrip and arrive before the 
other. The three commands entered the gates almost at the same moment, 
the 5th a little in advance, but followed very closely by the 7th. 
The regiment left Monterey December 13, 1846, and arrived at Tampico 
February 3, 1847, where it embarked for Vera Cruz, landing after a voyage 
of thirteen days, and joined in the siege of the city and of the castle of San 
Juan. After a spirited contest the Mexicans capitulated on the 24th of 
March, 1847. 
The Seventh Infantry then, with other troops, took up the line of march 
toward the interior, frequently skirmishing with the enemy at various points, 
and on the 15th of April arrived at Cerro Gordo, where the Mexicans were 
found to be strongly intrenched. The regiment, under the command of 
Lieutenant Colonel Plympton, and three companies of the 3d Infantry, were 
detailed to storm the heights of Cerro Gordo, which feat was performed 
with brilliant success, both colors of the regiment being planted on the 
enemy’s works. Sergeant Henry, 7th Infantry, with his own hands hauled 
down the national standard of Mexico from the fort, and was recommended 
for a commission by General Scott for this and his well-known intrepidity 
on former occasions. General Scott in his official report said, “ The highest 
praise is due to Colonel Plympton, 7th Infantry, and the gallant officers and 
men of the regiment for their brilliant service.” After this victory the 
troops continued the onward march to Jalapa, where they went into camp. 500 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
On the 19th of August, at Contreras, the brigade of which the 7th In- 
fantry formed a part commenced the movement at sunrise, and after a 
tedious march reached an elevation in rear of the enemy, stormed the in- 
trenchments, carried their works and planted their colors upon them, cap- 
turing a large number of prisoners and ammunition. At this juncture re- 
lief was required for the troops in front of Cherubusco, and the 7th Infantry 
being detached for their relief, moved rapidly, joined in the assault and 
participated in the handsome action at that place on August 20, 1847. 
On the 12th of September a call was made for a captain, a lieutenant 
and a detachment of enlisted men from the 7th Infantry, to join with simi- 
lar details from other troops, in forming a storming party for the attack of 
the works of Chapultepec. Captain Gabriel R. Paul and Lieutenant Levi 
Garnett, 7th Infantry, with a detachment of enlisted men, volunteered their 
services. The party formed at once and marched to Tacubaya, under the 
command of Captain Silas Casey, 2d Infantry. At nine o’clock in the even- 
ing Captain Paul moved out near the enemy’s works, when a brisk engage- 
ment took place, resulting in the defeat and retreat of the Mexican pickets. 
At daylight on the 13th the entire party moved forward under command of 
Captain Paul, 7th Infantry (Captain Casey having been wounded), who led 
the attack and carried the works, capturing five pieces of artillery and 450 
prisoners. Lieutenant Garnett was killed in the assault. On the 14th of 
September the regiment with colors proudly flying marched into the City 
of Mexico, where it remained until the ratification of the treaty of peace. 
After the treaty of peace with Mexico, the regiment was ordered to 
Florida, where it remained until June, 1850, when it was ordered to Jeffer- 
son Barracks, arriving there in July. After a short stay of a few weeks, it 
was ordered on the 13th of August to New Mexico, embarking the following 
day and arriving at Fort Leavenworth on the 18th. Here it remained fitting 
out and mounting Companies C, D, F and H, in accordance with orders 
from the War Department, until September 15th, when the entire regiment 
took up the line of march for New Mexico. On the 1st of October the com- 
mand had reached the crossing of the Little Arkansas, 210 miles from Fort 
Leavenworth, when orders were received by courier countermanding the 
order and directing the return of the regiment to Jefferson Barracks, where 
it arrived on the 21st, and remained until the following spring. It was then 
ordered to relieve the 5th Infantry in its several stations on the Arkansas 
frontier, arriving there several weeks later, and remaining on this frontier 
building posts, making roads and protecting the few white settlers from the 
Indians, until 1858, when it was ordered to rendezvous at Jefferson Bar- 
racks for service in Utah against the Mormons. 
The troops composing the Utah expedition were formed into six separate 
columns, the 7th Infantry being posted in the 4th, 5th, and 6th. After a 
long and tedious march of 1200 miles over an uninteresting and monotonous 
country, the several columns took position by regiments at Camp Floyd, 
Utah, in September, the last column arriving September 25th. Here the 
regiment remained until April, i860, when it was ordered to take station in 
New Mexico, arriving at Santa Fe in August, from which point it was sent 
to various posts in the Territory. THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
501 
Early in the spring of 1861, orders were issued to break up Fort Buchanan, 
join the troops of the post (Companies C and H, 7th Infantry) with the 
companies at Fort Breckenridge, and march the command to reinforce the 
troops on the Rio Grande. During this period many important events were 
taking place. Actual warfare had already begun between the North and 
the South. The attack upon Fort Sumter, several skirmishes, and the 
battle of Rull Run, had already occurred, although the forces in Texas and 
New Mexico had received but partial intelligence of these events. The 
Seventh Infantry, with a view to a change of station to the States, had been 
ordered to concentrate at Fort Fillmore, then commanded by Major Isaac 
Lynde, 7th Infantry. Here all was doubt and anxiety. No authentic infor- 
mation of the intended policy of the Government had been received, and the 
mail and couriers brought only the sad news of the continued secession of 
the States, and the general inertness and doubtful course of the Government. 
In July, the Headquarters and Companies A, B, D, E, G, I and K, had 
assembled at Fort Fillmore awaiting the arrival of Companies C, F and H 
from Forts Craig and Buchanan. Scouting parties from Fort Bliss, where 
the Confederates were concentrating troops, had ventured within twenty 
miles of Fort Fillmore, and on one occasion Major Lynde had sent several 
companies of the regiment to drive back these parties, but none were ever 
found. On the 18th of July Companies E andGofthe regiment, under com- 
mand of Captain Joseph H. Potter, were sent to occupy the town of San 
Thomas, on the opposite side of the river and about two and a half miles 
from the post, for the purpose of guarding the ford. On the evening of the 
23d, Major Lynde, hearing that the enemy was about to advance upon the 
fort, immediately ordered Captain Potter to abandon San Thomas with his 
two companies and hasten back. 
The Confederates, meeting with no resistance at the ford, crossed on 
the morning of the 25th into San Thomas, and then leisurely marched into 
the town of Mesilla, about two miles from the post. On the night of the 
24th, when all the garrison were sleeping peacefully, with no more than 
the customary number of sentinels, no pickets out in any direction, no 
precaution whatever taken to prevent surprise from an approaching enemy, 
a body of Texas troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Baylor, C. S. A., 
to the number of about 250, were quietly encamped within six hundred 
yards of the fort, intending to surprise it at daybreak on the morning of 
the 25th, kill or capture the officers in their quarters, and then take the 
men prisoners in their barracks. Fortunately for the command, one of 
the Confederate pickets,—an old discharged soldier,—deserted from his 
post, came in and alarmed the garrison, otherwise their success would 
have been complete. The troops were at once put in readiness to with- 
stand an attack, but the Texans drew off, returning to Mesilla. 
The troops of the garrison were finally (about 4 o’clock p. M.) ordered 
out for the purpose of marching into Mesilla, the force consisting of Com- 
panies B, D, E, G, I and K, 7th Infantry, and two companies of the mounted 
rifles. When within 500 yards of the town, Lieutenant E. J. Brooks, the 
regimental adjutant, and Assistant Surgeon McKee, rode forward with a 
flag of truce toward the enemy’s lines, and as they did so, two mounted men 502 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
advanced to meet them, each having a double-barrelled shot-gun on his 
saddle. Lieutenant Brooks in the name of his commander demanded “an 
unconditional surrender of the forces and town,” to which one of the men 
replied, “ If you want the town come and take it.” Orders were at once 
given by Major Lynde to advance and attack the enemy. Lieutenant Crilly, 
7th Infantry, in charge of the two field pieces, was ordered to shell the 
town, which was full of women and children. Dr. McKee says that he 
heard Major Lynde order Lieut. Crilly to fire a shell at a group of women 
and children, and so, without having, in accordance with the humane rule 
of civilized warfare, given notice to remove the women and children to a 
place of safety, shells were thrown into different parts of the town, fortu- 
nately injuring no one. Night coming on, the command was withdrawn, 
returning to the post about iop. M., having lost three men killed and twelve 
wounded. 
The next day Major Lynde ordered the post abandoned and the public 
property destroyed, and at i A. M. on the morning of the 27th of July took 
up the line of march for Fort Stanton. By daylight the command was eight 
or ten miles on the road to San Augustine Springs. The day being ex- 
tremely hot and there being no water, many of the men dropped out almost 
dead from fatigue and thirst. The Texans pursued the troops as soon as 
possible, the only temporary security and intervening guard being the com- 
pany of Rifles under Captain Gibbs, which was deployed as skirmishers, 
covering the retreat. Dr. McKee says, “ About noon I drove into camp 
at San Augustine Springs, found the troops in camp, and Lynde enjoying a 
comfortable lunch, as if nothing was going on. It was the sublimity of 
majestic indifference, his gray hair and beard forming a fitting frame for 
his pale face and cowardly soul.” In a short time the Texans were seen 
advancing in line of battle to the number of some 300, Lynde’s command 
numbering nearly 500 well trained and disciplined troops and forming a 
striking contrast to the badly armed and irregular command of the Texans. 
The enemy advanced within 300 yards, when Major Lynde sent out a flag 
of truce, and at once commenced negotiations for surrendering his com- 
mand, wrhich was accomplished in a very short time. When the officers 
heard of it they waited upon Major Lynde, and each in turn gave in his pro- 
test, but it was of no avail. Was ever such a blemish and stigma attached 
to a regiment whose record had hitherto been full of glory wherever it had 
been placed ? The colors of the regiment were cut from the staff, torn into 
pieces, and distributed to those who had fought under them in years gone 
by and who loved them as they loved life. To any unprejudiced mind this 
action on the part of Major Lynde must seem hasty and unjust towards the 
command, and unwarranted when it is considered that no opportunity was 
afforded the men to prove their courage. No matter what the ultimate 
consequences might have been, it certainly would have been more soldier- 
like and vastly more loyal to have tried to have beaten the enemy, and 
then, if overpowered, to have surrendered, than to have surrendered with- 
out a shot to a force inferior in numbers, in discipline, in espru-ae-corps, 
and indeed vastly more poorly armed. 
On the 29th of July the troops left San Augustine Springs as prisoners THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
503 
of war, arriving at Las Cruses, N. M., the same night, where on the 30th 
and 31st, they were paroled. The Headquarters, Band and Companies A, 
B, D, E, G, I and K, left Las Cruses on the 3d of August, en route to Fort 
Union, arriving at Fort Craig on the 10th. Upon their arrival there, Com- 
pany F, together with the rest of the garrison, turned out and presented 
arms to the prisoners of war as they marched into the post. So great was 
the feeling toward Major Lynde, that he was not allowed to enter the gar- 
rison. This disastrous and disgraceful affair occurred July 20, 1861, and 
after due consideration Major Lynde was summarily dismissed from the 
service by order of President Lincoln, and ceased to be an officer of the 
army November 25, 1861. Five years later (November 27, 1866), President 
Johnson revoked the order of President Lincoln, and thus restored Major 
Lynde to duty to date July 28, 1866 ; and on the same date placed him on 
the retired list. 
Companies C, F and H escaped capture by returning at once to their 
respective posts. The seven surrendered companies remained at Fort 
Union until the 18th of August, when they were ordered to Jefferson Bar- 
racks, arriving there early in November. Here they remained until Decem- 
ber, when they were sent to posts along the northern lakes. 
Having escaped the unfortunate fate of the remainder of the regiment, 
Companies C, F and H, were concentrated at Fort Craig. On the 21st of 
February the severe battle of Valverde was fought in which Companies C, 
F and H participated. Company F was decimated and both the others lost 
heavily. Captain Bascom, 16th Infantry, recently promoted from the 7th, 
was killed in the action while commanding Company C. The three com- 
panies lost one officer, two sergeants and sixteen privates killed ; three ser- 
geants, two corporals and thirty-four privates wounded, and four privates 
taken prisoners; making an aggregate loss of sixty-two. 
On the 30th of September, 1862, the companies that had been surren- 
dered were declared released from parole, and in October were ordered to 
join the regular brigade in the Army of the Potomac, arriving at camp near 
Sandy Hook, Md„ on the 31st. Leaving on the 1st of November, they 
crossed the Potomac River at Harper's Ferry, went into camp at Snicker’s 
Gap on the second, and formed part of the reconnoisance on the 3d. On 
the 6th they went into camp near Middlebury, Va., and on the 23d encamped 
near Potomac Creek. 
The brigade of which the 7th Infantry was a part, left camp on Potomac 
Creek at daylight on the nth of December and marched to a point near Fal- 
mouth, Va., where it bivouacked under cover of some ravines. It remained 
in this position until about 4 P. M. on the 13th, when the march was resumed, 
the brigade crossing the Rappahannock River on the upper bridge, passed 
through Fredericksburg and was placed in position on the south side of the 
city and on the east side of Hanover Street. This took place at about 5.15 
p. M. under a heavy fire of musketry, and in taking up this position, eight 
men were killed. About 11 P. M. the brigade advanced about a third of a 
mile, and relieved a part of the advanced guard of the army. The position 
proved to be a most trying one, and eventually put the nerve and endurance 
of the oldest and most courageous of the officers and men to the severest 504 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
test. The line was now about eighty yards in front of a stone wall, behind 
which the enemy was posted in great numbers, while the slope occupied by 
the troops was so slight as to compel the men to remain flat on their faces 
from earliest dawn until darkness again veiled them from sight. Thus the 
troops remained for twelve long hours, unable to eat or drink, for so relent- 
less was the enemy that not even a wounded man nor a litter-bearer was 
exempted from their fire. At n P. M. on the 14th, the command withdrew 
and marched back into the city, bivouacking in the streets during the night, 
crossing the Rappahannock River on the 16th, and returning to camp near 
Falmouth on the 17th. In this fight the 7th Infantry lost two men killed, 
twenty-six wounded, and nine missing, this being the heaviest loss of any 
regiment in the brigade. 
On the arrival of the regiment in New York in November, 1861, the 
regimental commander applied to the War Department for a set of colors 
to replace those destroyed at the surrender, but another set was refused 
until the regiment had won them by deeds of valor on the field of battle. 
Accordingly, in January, 1863, a set of colors was sent to the regiment for 
its gallantry in the battle of Fredericksburg, and the presentation was made 
with suitable honors. 
The brigade of which the 7th Infantry formed a part left its encamp- 
ment near Chancellorsville on the morning of May 1st, advancing on the 
Fredericksburg road. Having advanced a couple of miles, the enemy was 
discovered in front, and orders were at once given to deploy the brigade in 
line, with a regiment as skirmishers in front, and await instructions. The 
troops were at once deployed, the 7th Infantry being on the left of the road. 
Finding the position much exposed to the shells from the enemy’s batteries, 
the line was advanced to the bottom of the hill to a fence bordering a small 
stream which ran along the front of the line on the left of the road. Orders 
were soon received to advance to the crest of the hill. This was stubbornly 
opposed by the enemy, but the advance of the line was irresistible. The 
enemy fled or were captured, and in a few minutes the brigade occupied the 
crest of the hill. Having gained this position, orders were received to hold 
it at all hazards and a disposition of the troops most favorable for the pur- 
pose was made accordingly. After holding this position for an hour with- 
out any serious molestation, orders were received to retire. The troops 
were accordingly withdrawn slowly in line of battle and in good order, 
occasionally facing about and fronting the enemy, the wounded at the same 
time being carefully removed to the rear. In this fight at Chancellorsville, 
the regiment lost two enlisted men killed, nine wounded and five missing. 
The regiment left camp on the 4th of June and proceeded to Benson’s 
Mills near the Rappahannock River, leaving there on the 13th, and reach- 
ing camp near Union Mills on the 30th. After leaving the Rappahannock 
and making the usual marches incident to following an advancing army, 
some of them being unusually severe, the regiment arrived in front of the 
enemy at Gettysburg, and at once was formed in line on Round Top, at 
about 5.30 p. M. and immediately advanced down the hill and across an open 
field. Shortly after, that portion of the brigade that the 7th Infantry was 
in was ordered to cross the stone fence near them, wheel to the left, form in THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
505 
a line perpendicular to the original direction, and advance into the woods. 
This was immediately done, relieving time a brigade already there. 
After remaining faced in this new direction for a few minutes, the 
enemy became visible upon the right. At this juncture the regiment was 
ordered to retire slowly, which order was obeyed with great reluctance by 
the men. While they were retiring, the fire of the enemy became very 
destructive, and after recrossing the stone fence into the open field, it be- 
came frightful, the regiment receiving a fire from three different directions. 
After reaching the hill, the regiment was halted and remained in that posi- 
tion, being engaged no more during the operations. Although the loss 
during the engagement was heavy, the regiment fell back in good order and 
could account for every man. Of the 116 officers and men who went into 
action, the regiment lost one officer and eleven men killed ; three officers 
and forty-two men wounded, and two men missing; being a loss of 50.86 
per cent., far in excess of that of the famous Light Brigade at Balaklava. 
The regiment left Gettysburg on the 6th of July in pursuit of the enemy, 
crossing the Potomac River near Berlin, Md., on the 17th, and was present 
and engaged in the fight at Wapping Heights, Va., on the 27th of July. It 
resumed the march on the 27th, and arrived at camp near Beverly Ford on 
the 6th of August, where it remained until the 14th, when orders were re- 
ceived to proceed to New York City, to assist in quelling the draft riots, 
where it remained until May, 1865, when it was ordered to Florida. 
Here the regiment remained during the reconstruction period, until 
April, 1869, when it was ordered to the Department of the Platte, and con- 
solidated with the 36th Infantry, under its old designation. In this Depart- 
ment the regiment remained until the following spring, when it was ordered 
to Montana, with headquarters at Fort Shaw. 
On the 20th of October, 1871, Companies B and H, under the command 
of Captain H. B. Freeman, 7th Infantry, left Fort Shaw en route to old Fort 
Belknap, M. T., for the purpose of breaking up the camp, and driving out 
of the country, a party of half-breeds from Canada, who were engaged in 
illicit traffic in whiskey and ammunition with the Indians. The command 
struck the half-breed camp on the 2d of November, capturing and burning 
their supplies and ordering them out of the country. Here it remained 
until the 16th, when it broke camp en route to Fort Shaw. On the 24th, 
about noon, the command was overtaken while on the march, by a most 
terrific storm. The weather, which had hitherto not been unusually cold, 
suddenly changed to many degrees colder,— a violent northwest wind 
accompanied with snow coming on before the command could get into 
camp, and nearly one-half of the men had their hands and feet frozen, some 
of them very severely, ten of whom were compelled to have amputations 
performed. 
On the 13th of July, 1872, Companies C, E, G and I, under the command 
of Captain C. C. Rawn, left Fort Shaw as part of the force organized for 
the protection of the engineers of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in their 
surveying expedition down the Yellowstone River. On the 1st of August 
the command broke camp, continuing its march without incident until the 
12th, when it arrived about twelve miles below the terminus of the survey 50 6 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
of the previous year. On the 13th the command remained in camp near 
Pryor’s Fork. At about 2.45 A. M. on the morning of the 14th the camp 
was attacked by a war party of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. The troops 
were immediately deployed and then advanced steadily, driving the Indians 
out of the timber and occupying it. The fire was kept up from this time 
until 7.30 a. M., when the Indians withdrew. From the darkness of the 
morning it was impossible to estimate correctly the number of Indians en- 
gaged, but it has been estimated at from 400 to 800. Only two bodies were 
found, the gloom enabling the Indians to carry off their wounded and 
slain. The companies lost two killed and ten wounded. After the Indians 
had retreated, the march was continued down the Yellowstone, but no fur- 
ther trouble was made that year by the Indians. 
On the 2d of June, 1874, Companies G and K, under Captain G. L. 
Browning, were ordered to old Fort Lewis, Montana, for the purpose of pro- 
tecting travellers and wagon trains over the Carroll road, between Camp 
Baker and Carroll, arriving on the 25th. On the 7th of July a war party 
of from fifty to eighty hostile Sioux made their appearance within a mile 
of Camp Lewis, firing upon a fatigue party procuring wood for the camp, 
and also upon a small number of recruits who were fishing in the creek 
near the wood party. A detachment of mounted men from the two com- 
panies, under Lieutenant Wright, 7th Infantry, proceeded at once to the 
scene of the attack, followed by the companies under Captain Browning. 
The Indians being mounted on fleet ponies and the companies on foot, they 
were unable to intercept them. The mounted men however followed on 
the trail and overtook them in a ravine about fifteen miles from camp, im- 
mediately opening fire upon them, which was returned by the Indians. 
After a sharp skirmish of a few minutes, the Indians fled. The detachment 
recaptured eight head of stock which had been run off from a ranch near 
camp. The horses of the detachment being too much jaded to follow the 
Indians any further, the command returned to camp. Three unassigned 
recruits were killed in this affair, one of whom was scalped. Private Davis, 
Company G, was severely wounded in the right hand, while bravely defend- 
ing himself with his fishing pole, that being his only means of defense. 
On the 17th of March, 1876, Companies A, B, E, H, I and K, 7th Infantry, 
were ordered to concentrate at Fort Ellis, as a part of a column to operate 
against the hostile Sioux Indians, reaching that post on the 28th. Here the 
command was augmented by four troops of cavalry, and left Fort Ellis on 
the 30th, under command of Colonel John Gibbon, 7th Infantry, whose in- 
structions were to guard the left bank of the Yellowstone River, and if 
possible prevent the Indians from crossing the river, in case they should 
attempt to do so, either in pursuance of their habit of following the buffalo 
to the north, or in case they should seek to avoid the troops coming against 
them from the south and east. After marching and counter-marching up 
and down the Yellowstone. Colonel Gibbon, in accordance with orders from 
General Terry, put his command across the Yellowstone and went into 
camp on the 24th of June, this being part of a plan to surround the Indian 
village on the Little Big Horn River, while General Custer with the 7th 
Cavalry was to march up the Rosebud River until he struck the Indian THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
507 
trail, and the two columns were to attack the village at the same time and 
from opposite directions. 
On the morning of the 25th, Gibbon's command (General Terry being 
with it) broke camp, making a march of twenty-eight miles, over heavy 
mountain trails without any water, the day being very hot, and the men 
suffering greatly with thirst. In order that scouts might be sent out into 
the valley of the Little Big Horn, the cavalry, with the battery and a mounted 
detachment of the 7th Infantry commanded by Lieutenant Bradley, was 
pushed on thirteen miles further, not getting into camp until midnight. 
Scouts were sent out at half-past four in the morning of the 26th, who 
shortly afterwards brought in news that they had encountered some Indians, 
and had run them across the river. They proved to be Crow scouts which 
had been sent with Custer’s command, and when they discovered that their 
pursuers were soldiers, they called across the river that Custer’s command 
had been entirely destroyed by the Sioux, who were chasing the soldiers all 
over the country and killing them. The column now pushed up the valley 
of the Little Big Horn, as rapidly as the men could march, halting and 
bivouacking on the open prairie about dark, having marched thirty-three 
miles since morning. 
Very early the following morning the advance was resumed, and after 
proceeding about three miles, a large deserted Indian camp appeared. Many 
lodge poles were still standing, and the quantity of property scattered about 
testified to the hasty departure of the Indians. While passing through the 
Indian camp, Lieutenant Bradley rode up to General Terry and reported 
that he had counted 194 dead soldiers in the foot hills to the left. Com- 
munication was soon opened up with Major Reno, whose command was 
found intrenched upon the tops of several small ridges with fifty-eight 
wounded lying on the hot dusty hill tops, where, until about 6 o’clock on 
the evening before, they had been unable to obtain any water except at the 
imminent risk of life. Colonel Gibbon’s command was at once put into 
camp and arrangements made to bring down and properly care for the 
wounded, which was effected by night-fall. 
The next day was occupied in burying the dead and in constructing litters 
for transporting the wounded. With these litters carried on the shoulders 
of the men of Companies H and I, 7th Infantry, the command left camp at 
sunset, but the march was exceedingly slow and tedious, and it was long 
after midnight when camp was reached, having marched only about four 
and a half miles. Progress with the hand-litters having proved so exceed- 
ingly slow and tedious, it was thought best to discard them and try some 
mule litters, which worked so admirably that the command was enabled to 
start that evening about six o’clock. After proceeding a few miles, informa- 
tion was received that the steamer Far West was at the mouth of the 
Little Big Horn, waiting for the command, and accordingly General Terry 
directed the command to push on with a view to placing the wounded on 
the boat, where they could have comfort and the best attention. This was 
safely accomplished about two o’clock on the morning of the 30th. 
Soon after the disaster to Custer’s command, General Terry made at- 
tempts to communicate with General Crook’s column, which was somewhere 508 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
in that vicinity, in order that concert of action might be established between 
the two columns. A reward of $250 was offered to any citizen who would 
carry a dispatch through to him. A scout started out but was driven back 
by the Indians. A reward of $500 was then offered with a like result. At 
last the General called for volunteers, and twelve enlisted men came for- 
ward volunteering to go. From these twelve men three were selected, who 
left camp on the 9th of July, reaching General Crook's camp on the 12th, 
and returned safely on the 25th. General Terry published the following 
order to the command : 
“ The Department Commander has recently had urgent occasion to com- 
municate from this camp with Brigadier General Crook, commanding a 
force on the headwaters of Powder River. The duty of carrying dispatches 
between these points, through a country occupied by a large force of hostile 
Sioux, was one of the most arduous and perilous nature. A scout, inspired 
by the promise of a large reward, made the attempt, but soon abandoned it 
as hopeless. As a last resort a call was made upon the troops of this com- 
mand for volunteers, in response to which not less than twelve enlisted 
men promptly offered their services. From among them the following 
named soldiers were selected,—Privates James Bell, Benjamin H. Stuart, 
and William Evans, of Company E, 7th Infantry. On the 9th day of July 
they set out for General Crook’s camp, which they reached on the 12th, 
deliveied the dispatches, and returned, arriving in campon the 25th. In 
making this public acknowledgment of the important service voluntarily 
rendered by these soldiers at the imminent risk of their lives, the Depart- 
ment Commander desires to express his deep regret that at present it is not 
in his power to bestow the substantial reward which has been so well earned, 
but he is confident that an achievement undertaken in so soldierlike a spirit 
and carried so gallantly to a successful issue, will not be permitted to pass 
unrewarded. The exploit is one calculated to establish in the public mind 
a higher and more just estimate of the character of the United States soldier. 
The Department Commander, on his own behalf, and on behalf of the 
officers of this command, desired thus publicly to thank Privates James 
Bell, Benjamin H. Stuart, and William Evans, Company E, 7th Infantry, 
for a deed which reflects so much credit on the service.” These men were 
eventually granted medals by Congress. 
After consolidating with General Crook’s command, and making many 
long and hard marches, orders were issued on the 5th of September for the 
troops to return to their several stations, which they hailed with delight. 
During the period from March 17 to October 7, the companies of the 7th 
Infantry marched nearly 1700 miles and were in the field six months and 
nineteen days. 
In July, 1877, word was received at Fort Missoula, Montana, that a large 
party of hostile Nez Perce Indians under Chief Joseph were coming over 
the “ Lo Lo ” trail in their efforts to escape from General Howard’s troops 
who were pursuing them. Captain C. C. Rawn, 7th Infantry, then in com- 
mand, at once took steps to head them off, but the wily savages eluded 
him and escaped around his position taken in their front. 
Upon the receipt of a dispatch from General Howard that the hostiles THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
509 
had started over the “ Lo Lo ” trail, Colonel Gibbon, 7th Infantry* concen- 
trated four additional companies of the regiment at Fort Missoula, and on 
August 4, left that post with Companies A, D, F, G, I and K, in pursuit of 
the Indians, making 25 miles the first day. The following day a march of 
30 miles was made, during which quite a number of citizens joined the 
command, who volunteered to act as scouts and who desired to assist in 
case of a fight. After following the hostiles for three or four days longer, 
they were discovered on August 8 camped in the Big Hole Basin, and the 
troops took position, all lying down to await daylight. Here they remained 
for several hours, in plain hearing of the barking of dogs, the crying of 
babies, and other noises of camp. The Indian camp was pitched on the 
south bank of the Big Hole River, in an open meadow partially surrounded 
by dense thickets of willows. There were 89 lodges, pitched in the form of 
a V, with the apex up stream. 
It was now nearing daylight, and the men suffered with cold, as they 
had neither blankets nor overcoats, having left them with the wagon train 
in the rear. The smouldering camp-fires flickered fitfully in the pale star- 
light, and the smoky lodges of the savages presented a most fantastic pic- 
ture as the dying lights blazed with ever-changing weirdness upon them. 
Finally the night ended, and as the day approached from behind the 
eastern hills, the troops were again astir, but their movements were as 
silent as the grave. Under whispered orders and with stealthy tread the 
companies took position. As the light increased and the men were ad- 
vancing cautiously, an Indian rode out of the willows directly in front of 
Lieutenant Bradley’s position, en route to the pony herd on the hillside, 
and was instantly shot. The entire line at once advanced on the village ; 
volleys were fired into the tepees, and with an eager yell the whole line 
swept wildly into the midst of the slumbering camp. The Indians, com- 
pletely surprised, rushed from their lodges panic stricken by the sudden- 
ness of the attack, running for the river banks and thickets; squaws yell- 
ing, children screaming, dogs barking, horses neighing, many breaking their 
lariats and stampeding. For a few minutes no effective fire was returned, 
but as soon as the Indians recovered from their surprise, they opened fire 
upon the troops with terrible effect. In less than twenty minutes the 
troops had possession of the camp and orders were given to set fire to it. 
The Indians, however, had not given up the fight, and while a portion of 
the command was setting fire to the tepees, the other portion was occupied 
in replying to the shots, which now came upon them from every direction. 
At almost every crack of the rifle from the distant hills, some member of 
the command was sure to fall. The troops were now formed into two 
lines, back to back, and the order was given to charge through the brush 
in opposite directions, for the purpose of driving out the Indians who re- 
mained there, but they simply retreated further into the woods. In this 
part of the action Lieutenant Coolidge (now Captain) while gallantly lead- 
ing his company, was shot through both thighs, and was carried to a place 
of safety by 1st Sergt. Patrick Rogan, to whom Congress awarded a medal 
for bravery in this engagement. 
It soon became evident that it was not prudent to attempt to hold the 510 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
position in the river bottom any longer, and the order was given to fall 
back to the hills, which was done, with all the wounded. Here they re- 
plied with good effect to the sharpshooters who were gathering around 
them, and here Lieutenant English received his death, and Captain Wil- 
liams a severe but not fatal wound. The Indians crawled up as closely as 
they dared, and with yells of encouragement urged each other on, but the 
troops met them with a bold and determined front, their fire being very 
destructive to the enemy. While in this position the Indians attempted to 
fire the grass, and smoke the troops out, but fortunately it was too green, 
and would not burn. 
At ten o’clock on the following morning General Howard arrived with 
part of his command, and thus saved from entire annihilation the remainder 
of the regiment, which surely would have been wiped out had it not been 
for this timely reinforcement. In this fight the regiment lost 22 killed 
and 35 wounded while the enemy acknowledged to have lost 208. Among 
those killed was Captain Logan and Lieutenant Bradley, and among the 
wounded were Colonel Gibbon and Lieutenant Woodruff. 
On the morning of the 13th, the command started for Deer Lodge, 
reaching it on the 15th. Here the greatest care was given the wounded by 
the citizens, and everything done for their comfort. From here the com- 
panies went to their respective stations, taking with them such of their 
wonded as were able to travel. 
The regiment remained in Montana until September, 1888, when the 
Headquarters, Band and Companies B, C, E, F, H and K, left for Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota, and took station there and were followed by Compa- 
nies A, D, G and I, in October of the following year. 
Companies B, C, E, F, H and K, under the command of Lieut. Colonel 
Charles C. Gilbert, 7th Infantry, left Fort Snelling on October 1, 1889, for 
service against the hostile Utes on White River. Colorado, who on the 29th 
of September had ambushed Major Thornburg’s command, killing him and 
many of his men. The companies left the post within two hours after 
receiving the order, and arrived at the camp on White River, October 14th. 
Here they remained until June 11, 1880, when they were ordered back to 
Fort Snelling, from which point they were distributed to several posts in 
the Department. 
Here the regiment remained until November, 1882, when it was ordered 
to the Department of the Platte, with its headquarters at Fort Laramie, 
Wyoming, remaining until October, 1889, when it was ordered to Fort 
Logan, Colorado, at which are at present eight companies of the regiment. 
The regiment participated in the Sioux War of 1890-91, returning to Fort 
Logan in January, 1891. 
This regiment has the unusual distinction of having had a colonel,— 
Matthew Arbuckle,—longer than any regiment in the world, viz., from 
March 16, 1820, to June 11, 1851,—over thirty-one years, It has had many 
men of note and mark on its rolls, such as Zachary Taylor, U. S. Grant, B. 
L. E. Bonneville, the explorer, Joseph H. Potter, Gabriel R. Paul, Cadmus 
M. Wilcox, Gabriel I. Raines, John Gibbon and others; and for the past 
few vears has stood at the head of the army in marksmanship. General 
ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 
Commanding the Army, 1864-1869. THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY* 
By Lieutenant RICHARD H. WILSON, Adjutant 8th U. S. Infantry. 
THE Eighth Regiment of Infantry was organized under the immediate 
supervision of its colonel—William J. Worth—who established the 
first regimental headquarters at West Troy, N. Y., in July, 1838. 
On the 31st they were removed to Madison Barracks, N. Y., at 
which place all the companies of the regiment were concentrated by the 31st 
of October. 
The regiment was raised under Act of July 5, 1838, and the U. S. Army 
Register of date September 1, 1838, gives its commissioned roster as follows: 
Colonel Wm. J. Worth, Lieutenant-Colonel N. S. Clarke, and Major E. 
A. Hitchcock. 
Captains Thomas Staniford, T. P. Gwynne, J. A. Phillips, St. Clair 
Denny, George Wright, J. S. Worth, E. B. Birdsall, Joseph Bonnell, W. R. 
Montgomery, and R. B. Screven. 
First Lieutenants Wm. O. Kello, E. A. Ogden, J. M. Hill, C. C. Daveiss, 
Henry McKavett, J. V. Bomford, Thomas Johns, C. R. Gates, Larkin Smith 
and J. H. Whipple. 
Second Lieutenants J. M. Harvie, J.T. Sprague, Lucius O’Brien, George 
Lincoln, Wm. C. Browne, J. A. Riell, A. L. Sheppard, Wm. B. Hayward, 
Joseph Selden, and T. S. J. Johnson. 
During the years 1837-38 a very unsettled state of affairs existed in Canada, 
caused by the efforts of an insurrectionary party known as the “ Patriots ” 
to establish there a constitutional government which should be responsible 
to the people. This movement found many friends on our side of the border, 
who were so open in their efforts to give aid and comfort to the “ Patriots,” 
that a serious rupture between the United States and Great Britain seemed 
imminent. During this disturbed condition of affairs, to prevent aggressions 
from our side and to protect our vessels navigating the St. Lawrence, de- 
tachments of the regiment were carried on all passenger steamers. This 
duty and the constant patrol service called for by its position as international 
peacemaker along the inhospitable Canadian border, kept the regiment on 
the northern border of New York State until 1840 (April 13) when it was 
ordered to report to General Atkinson at Fort Winnebago, Wisconsin Ter- 
ritory, to take part in the operations against the Winnebago Indians, who 
had left their reservations and were committing depredations to an alarm- 
ing extent. At this time Companies E and H had been broken up and 
consequently did not accompany the regiment. 
Starting from Sacket’s Harbor, May 2, the trip to Fort Howard at the 
head of Green Bay, Mich., was made by steamer through Lakes Ontario, 
* An abridgment of Lieut. Wilson’s “ History of rhe Eighth U. S. Infantry.” 
511 512 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY,. 
Erie, Huron and Michigan, except the short march from Lewiston, N. Y., 
to Buffalo, N. Y. Fort Howard was reached May io, and by May 28 the 
regiment was occupying Camp McKeown near Fort Winnebago. While 
here the negotiations relative to the removal of the Winnebagoes west of 
the Mississippi were satisfactorily concluded, and the entire nation em- 
barked in canoes about the middle of June for their new homes. 
The Winnebago enterprise having been satisfactorily settled, the regi- 
ment was sent to Jefferson Barracks, where it remained but a short time, 
leaving for Florida, September 24, 1840, where it was to spend the next four 
years in most arduous service. The transfer of the eight companies was 
made under Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, by steamer down the Mississippi, 
and to Tampa Bay by sailing vessels, thence by marching to Fort King 
(November 5th) to which station Colonel Worth had brought the reorgani- 
zed Companies E and H, October 31st. After a short stay at Fort King 
the regiment (December 2, 1840), took station at Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay. 
During the year 1841 the various companies of the regiment made many 
marches and scouts, traversing the entire theatre of operations in every 
direction. Colonel Worth, although commanding the “ Army of Florida ” 
from May 31, 1841, to July 15, 1842, and subsequently “ Military Department 
No. 3,” retained command of his regiment during his entire stay in 
Florida. 
Companies A, E and G were at Camp Hospitarke near Fort Deynaud in 
September when the officer in command, Captain Gwynne, received word 
that the artful old Seminole chief Hospitarke, who had outwitted every 
commanding general from Gaines to Armistead, was in the vicinity and 
desirous of having a talk. This information was sent to Colonel Worth who 
at once came over from Tampa bringing with him another noted chief, Coa- 
cooche (who had been captured some time before), to assist in the enter- 
prise of capturing Hospitarke. The outlaw and 17 of his young men fell 
into an ambush skilfully devised, surrendered at discretion, and in a short 
time was on his way to his new home in Arkansas. 
At the end of September, 1841, A, C, E and G were at Punta Rassa 
where, owing to the fact that at certain periods during great storms the land 
was subject to overflow from the waters of the Gulf, platforms were erected 
sufficiently high it was supposed for protection, on which were pitched the 
tents of officers and men. On the night of October 10th a terrific storm 
arose which soon grew to a tornado, and at dawn of the next day all that 
could be seen of the cheerful, busy camp of the day before were the up- 
rights and roofs of the hospital. In the branches of two large, moss-man- 
tled live-oaks which stood in the centre of what was once Camp Caloosa- 
hatchie were clustered, close as spines upon the prickly pear, all the men 
of the command,—some 200,—who, true to their teachings, had clung 
to their arms through all these trying hours, and not one had perished. 
The Big Cypress expedition of the winter of 1841-42 kept the regiment 
continually upon the move from November, 1841, till February, 1842. This 
expedition, though not sanguinary, produced good results. Villages and 
corn fields were given to the flames. Bands of men, women and children 
were driven from swamp to swamp and from island to island, until, in the THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
513 
words of one of their chiefs, they could find no safe place in which to rest 
their weary heads; so in broken and scattered bands they fled their 
native wilds ; delivered themselves up at Fort Brooke, until only Billy Bow- 
legs and Sam Jones with a handful of warriors and their families were left 
to represent what, but a few years before, had been an Indian nation. 
The activity of the scouting parties was not diminished, however, until 
the 14th of August, 1842, when Colonel Worth, from his headquarters at 
Cedar Keys, announced the termination of the war with the Seminole 
Indians which is estimated to have cost the United States 2000 lives and 
$20,000,000. Colonel Worth assigned certain lands to the remaining Indians 
for hunting and planting purposes, and immediately set about redistributing 
the troops of his command in more healthful and accessible stations. 
Although the war had ended the companies of the regiment appear to 
have been ever on the move from station to station during the year 1843 
though more quietly at their posts in 1844 and 1845. 
In the latter year it became apparent that peaceful relations with the 
Republic of Mexico could not be maintained much longer, and the 8th In- 
fantry received orders in the early fall to join General Taylor’s “ Army of 
Occupation ” in Texas. 
From the mouth of the Nueces, a tributary of Corpus Christi Bay, 
stretches a bleak sandy plain for two miles to the southeast, dotted here 
and there with scrub live-oaks and dwarf mesquite, terminating at a bare 
bluff or ridge under which in those days slept the village, hamlet, town, or 
ranch, of Corpus Christi, the most murderous, thieving, gambling, cut- 
throat, God-forsaken hole in the "Lone Star State” or out of it. This 
stretch of plain was the camping ground of the Army of Occupation from 
August, 1845, until March, 1846. Here the regiment joined the army, then 
consisting of five regiments of infantry, one regiment of dragoons, and 
Ringgold’s " Flying Artillery,”—the largest force of troops of the regular 
army that had been assembled up to that time, amounting to nearly 5000 
men. 
By the middle of October, 1845, all the companies were again united and 
the regiment was ready for the Mexican War, in which it was second to 
none in the performance of distinguished services. It was placed in the 
First (Worth’s) Brigade, and was under the command of Major Belknap, and 
at the beginning of the campaign in Northern Mexico it numbered 20 offi- 
cers and 394 men. 
Early in 1846 the news of the annexation of Texas to the United States 
was received, and on the 9th of March General Taylor took up his march 
to the Rio Grande, reaching that river opposite Matamoras March 28th. 
The army immediately set about strengthening its camp, and during this 
time an event occurred which threw a gloom over the whole army. Colonel 
Worth had had a controversy with Colonel Twiggs several months before 
as to their respective rights to command,—Colonel Worth claiming seni- 
ority by virtue of his rank in the line, and Colonel Twiggs by virtue of his 
brevet rank. The claim of the latter having been sustained by President 
Polk, Colonel Worth at once, in disregard of the earnest appeals of General 
Taylor, Major Belknap, and his host of friends, tendered his resignation HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
and, by the advice of General Taylor, accompanied it to Washington. The 
regiment was paraded April 23 to bid farewell to its colonel. Major Bel- 
knap succeeded him in the command of the First Brigade, and Captain 
W. R. Montgomery took command of the regiment. 
Fearing for the safety of his depot at Point Isabel, General Taylor moved 
his army there, except a small force under Major Brown in the field-work 
opposite Matamoras, and spent several days in completing its defenses, 
during which time the Mexicans cannonaded the troops left behind. On 
the 7th, at 3 P. M., he began the return, having in his front an army of 8000 
men, his own force numbering less than 2500. The two armies came in 
contact at about 2 p. M., May 8, 1846, and the battle of Palo Alto ensued, 
the first battle in which the Eighth Infantry was engaged as a regi- 
ment. 
The regiment occupied its several positions during the day without 
firing a shot, although it lost four killed and 14 wounded, about one-third 
of all the casualties. The action in fact was a defensive one on the part of 
the Americans, and was fought mainly by artillery against Mexican artillery 
and cavalry, supported by infantry. To the American infantry it was most 
trying and unsatisfactory, subjected as they were to the artillery fire for 
hours without the possibility of replying to it. At daybreak on the 9th the 
two armies were in sight of each other, but before daylight the enemy could 
be seen moving. He fell back to the Resaca de la Palma, which was a ra- 
vine six or eight feet deep and 50 yards wide, with thick woods bordering 
its margin. The Mexican line formed a crescent along it for a mile on the 
right and left of the road leading to Matamoras. 
The American army began its pursuit at an early hour, moving from the 
right and thus bringing the Eighth in the rear of the column, and at the 
beginning of the battle it was held in reserve, but later, as the regiment in 
its advance came near General Taylor, Captain May reported that he had 
run around the Mexican battery in the centre of their line but could not 
hold the guns. General Taylor immediately turned to Major Belknap and 
gave him the following memorable order, “ Charge in there, Colonel Belk- 
nap, and take those guns and keep them.” 
The regiment was quickly deployed in an open space on the left of 
the road, and, accompanied by a part of the 5th Infantry, charged into 
the ravine and up on the other side of it. The Mexican regiments at this 
point were the Lapadores and the Tampico Guards, two of the best in 
their army. These troops defended their guns with special determination, 
and a hand-to-hand bayonet conflict followed, in which most of the Mex- 
ican force was either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. All seven of 
the guns were taken. The total loss of the regiment was one officer and 
nine men killed, and seven officers and 26 men wounded. After this sec- 
ond defeat the Mexicans abandoned all hope of defending the line of the 
Rio Grande, and General Taylor occupied Matamoras on May 18th. 
While here, owing to the depletion of Companies C, F, G and K, they 
were broken up, and the enlisted men, except the 1st sergeants, assigned to 
the remaining companies of the regiment. 
The President having declined to accept the resignation of Colonel THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
515 
Worth, he returned to the army and assumed command of the First Brigade,' 
May 29th. 
During the advance upon Monterey, divisional organization of the army 
was effected, the Eighth being placed in the Second Division, still under 
Colonel Worth. Lieutenant-Colonel Staniford assumed command of the 
regiment, August 30, at Cerralvo, and on September 14, the division left 
that place, encamping at Walnut Springs, three miles northeast of Monterey, 
on the 19th. 
The 2d Division left its camp at 2 p. m., September 20, to cut the 
enemy’s line of retreat by the Saltillo road. No opposition was offered on 
the 20th, but on the morning of the 21st, Companies A and B under Captain 
Screven being among the skirmishers covering the front of the division, a 
body of cavalry about 450 strong charged upon the advance and were hotly 
engaged near three-fourths of an hour, when they were driven back and 
entirely dispersed, the Eighth meeting with no loss. The Saltillo road was 
reached and held, but in taking up a position for the night Captain Mc- 
Kavett and one man were wounded. The report of Colonel Staniford as to 
the succeeding operations is as follows : 
“ Early on the morning of the 22d, Companies A, B and D, of the regiment, com- 
manded by Captain Screven, were detached and ordered to join three companies of the 
Artillery Battalion, all under the command of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel T. Childs, for 
the assault of the fortified height on the left of the Saltillo road, commanding at once 
this road, the strongly fortified Bishop’s Palace, and the entire city of Monterey. 
“ Soon after, an engagement commenced between this command and the enemy on 
the height, when I was ordered with the remaining companies of the Eighth, com- 
manded by Captain Bomford, Lieutenants Shepherd and Selden, to hasten to the sup- 
port of Colonel Childs. On reaching the height, I found the enemy driven from it, 
and Company A, commanded by Lieutenant Longstreet, Company B by Lieutenant 
Holloway, with two companies of the Artillery Battalion and a part of Colonel Hays’ 
regiment of Texas rangers under command of Captain Vinton, composing the advance 
of Colonel Childs’ command, still engaged with the enemy, driving them towards the 
Bishop’s Palace. A while after reaching the summit of the height, Company H, com- 
manded by Captain Bomford, was thrown in advance to relieve Company A, and the 
action was kept up by the companies of the Eighth named, companies of the Artillery 
Battalion, companies of the 5th Infantry, a party of Texas Rangers, and a howitzer com- 
manded by Lieutenant Roland, which was brought on the height, until about 3 o’clock, 
when the enemy appeared in force in front of Captain Vinton’s command ; they were 
met by him, repulsed and driven in confusion from the Palace, which resulted in the 
capture of three pieces of artillery,—one 12-pdr. one 6-pdr and one howitzer. 
“ During this engagement the regiment lost in killed one private ; one officer (Lieu- 
tenant Wainright) and two non-commissioned officers wounded ; and it is but justice 
to add that the conduct of both officers and men was worthy of the highest praise, 
more particularly that of Captain Vinton, Lieutenants Roland, Longstreet and Wain- 
wright, for the zeal and ability with which they discharged their duties. 
“About 12 m. on the 23d, Captain Screven, with three companies of the regiment, 
commanded by Captain Bomford, Lieutenants Selden and Holloway, was detached 
and ordered to advance by one of the streets leading into the city, in which movement 
the companies shortly after passing its exterior limits, were deployed as skirmishers and 
in this order advanced as well as possible over and around numerous high stone en- 
closures and took undisputed possession of a cemetery, the walls of which were pierced 516 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
with numerous loop-holes and otherwise prepared for defense, but was vacated when our 
forces came in possession of the palace, it being in range of the guns of that position. 
“ Immediately succeeding the departure of Captain Screven, Companies A and E 
were detached and directed to follow, leaving Company D with the headquarters of 
the regiment at the palace. Company E joined Captain Screven at the cemetery and 
was then ordered to support a piece of artillery under the command of Lieutenant J. 
G. Martin, 1st Artillery. 
“ Companies H and B being left as a reserve on the plaza, he then proceeded in 
column up the street with the remaining companies and a piece of artillery supported 
as above stated. After advancing a short distance the enemy was reported in front, 
the piece was placed in battery and immediately received a galling fire from the enemy 
which was promptly returned ; the piece was soon ordered off and the action was con- 
tinued some distance up the street, by Company H on the right and E on the left; 
when Captain Bomford with a party was detached and employed with mattocks in 
making openings through the walls, and thus the troops were enabled to proceed from 
point to point until the extremity of the square was gained, and they might have entered 
the next street. Night, however, closing in, the firing ceased, and the command hav- 
ing been joined by Company A, which up to this time was engaged in another part of 
the town, with the command of Captain Miles, 7th Infantry, in similar operations, the 
whole depth of the square was taken possession of and retained during the night. 
“The next morning, when operations were about being recommenced, a cessation 
of hostilities was announced. During the action of the 23d three privates of the regi- 
ment were wounded. 
“ In closing this report, it is in justice to the officers and men of the regiment added, 
that their conduct was marked by a high order of zeal and gallantry in the discharge of 
their duties.” 
At the battle of Monterey the strength of the 8th Infantry was 16 offi- 
cers and 321 men. 
The movement from Monterey to join General Scott at Vera Cruz be- 
gan January 10, 1847, and the six companies of the regiment, now under 
Captain George Wright, embarked at Brazos February 6, and landed on the 
Island of Sacrificios, three miles from the Castle of San Juan de Uloa 
March 9th. 
The siege of Vera Cruz was almost wholly a bombardment and the duty 
of the infantry mainly that of guarding the trenches. The city and castle 
surrendered March 28th, and Colonel Worth was made commandant and 
governor of the city. 
Company C was reorganized, mainly with recruits, March 18th, and 
placed on duty with the regiment. 
Headquarters with Companies A, B, C, D, E, H and I, left the encamp- 
ment near Vera Cruz April 13th, for the advance upon the City of Mexico. 
The regiment was not directly engaged with the enemy at Cerro Gordo, but, 
after the surrender, was ordered from the position which it had gained on 
the National Road in rear of Cerro Gordo, to take charge of and guard the 
prisoners. They were paroled April 18th, and the regiment, resuming the 
march, reached Puebla May 15th. 
Here the reorganized companies—F, G and K—reported August 6th, but 
on the 7th Company G was again broken up and its men transferred to the 
other companies. THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
517 
In the general advance upon the City of Mexico after a long halt at 
Puebla, the nine companies of the Eighth left that city on the 9th of 
August. Although they were the first troops to enter the Valley of Mexico, 
they were not actually engaged with the* enemy at the battle of Contreras, 
August 19th. 
The next day the enemy made a stand at Churubusco, six miles from 
the capital. The storming of Churubusco was perhaps the most brilliant 
exploit in a war abounding in splendid feats of arms, and the Eighth In- 
fantry was a conspicuous participant in it. The attack was begun by the 
6th Infantry without a reconnoissance and with only partial information of 
the enemy’s position. The Fifth and Eighth were brought up to reinforce 
the advance, and the forward movement was made as rapidly as possible, 
but being over ditches filled with water and fields of full-grown corn, was 
attended with some confusion. Reaching a point about 150 yards from the 
tete-du-pont the fire became so severe that the line was staggered and for a 
moment absolutely halted. Seeing this, Captain Bomford urged his com- 
pany (H) with the colors from the regimental line. This company, led by 
himself and Lieutenant Longstreet, hurried forward and when near the 
ditch the color-bearer fell. Captain Bomford now took the colors and car- 
ried them to the ditch, where he left them with Lieutenant Longstreet, and 
worked his way through the moat. When on the side next the wall the 
adjutant threw the colors to the captain and hurriedly crossed the ditch 
followed by Lieutenants Pickett and Snelling and Company H, immediately 
behind which came the rest of the regiment. Several attempts were now 
made to get into the fort, and in so doing the flag was passed from one to 
another as the chances for an entrance seemed good, until at last Captain 
Bomford, by placing his feet on the shoulders of some of his men, climbed 
into the work through the embrasure, dragging the colors with him, and in 
the shortest space of time the other officers above mentioned, with the bal- 
ance of the regiment and other troops followed. Thus the Eighth Infantry 
was the first of the army to occupy the work, and its regimental colors the 
first American flag on the fortress. The loss of the regiment in this assault 
was seven enlisted men killed and Lieutenant Holloway and 33 men 
wounded. 
Notwithstanding the hard service already performed by the regiment 
and its depleted condition, it gallantly pushed forward at the head of the 
1st Division, reaching Tacubaya on the day following the battle of Churu- 
busco, and was among the first in the engagement of Molino del Rey on the 
8th of September. 
Here the regiment,—under Major Waite, succeeded by Captain Mont- 
gomery,—performed very conspicuous and meritorious service during the 
entire battle. At daylight September 8, it was formed >n line of battle 
on the extreme left, opposed to the enemy’s right which was strongly in- 
trenched. The enemy was driven from his works but made a gallant 
though unsuccessful attempt to recover his lost position, approaching within 
50 paces of the American line but then breaking and taking refuge under 
the walls of Chapultepec. 
The regiment then took a secure position in rear of Chapultepec where 518 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
it remained until the killed and wounded were collected, when it was 
ordered to assist in their conveyance from the field. This being done the 
regiment marched to and resumed its quarters, but more than one-third of 
the gallant men who had participated in the action were missing. Three 
color-bearers were killed in quick succession and the fourth wounded ; the 
fifth bore them gallantly through the action. The regiment went into 
action with 425 muskets and came out with 284, having had 27 men killed 
on the field, and ten officers and hi men wounded. 
The assaulting column in another part of the field was drawn from all 
the regiments of the 1st Division, and the contingent of the 8th Infantry 
formed the fifth company and was commanded by Captain Bomford with 
Lieutenant Snelling. All the enemy’s positions in front of this column were 
finally carried and the party remained in possession of the field for a short 
time, after which the survivors rejoined their respective regiments. The 
loss of this command was four-fifths of its officers and nearly one-half of 
the enlisted men. 
The regiment was left out of the attacking party on the 12th of Septem- 
ber on account of its severe losses and fatiguing duties, but on the 13th it 
marched with its division to assault the fortress of Chapultepec. It charged 
up the hill at double time to the enemy’s walls, and then forward with other 
forces into the works, driving the garrison over the walls or taking them 
prisoners. Lieutenant Pickett took charge of the regimental colors after 
Lieutenant Longstreet was wounded, had them carried to the top of the 
castle, lowered the enemy’s standard and replaced it with that of the 8th 
Infantry and the national colors while the battle was yet raging beneath. 
The regiment took part in the advance of the 1st Division along the San 
Cosme causeway and finally reached the Garita de San Cosme by cutting 
through walls and advancing on the tops of houses. The loss of the regi- 
ment at Chapultepec and the San Cosme gate was six men killed, and 
Lieutenants Longstreet and Selden and 14 men wounded. 
The affair at the San Cosme gate was the last action in Mexico in which 
the regiment was engaged. Seventy-one enlisted men of the regiment re- 
ceived certificates of merit for brave and meritorious service during the 
war. 
The march towards the coast for home began June 12, 1848, and the 
regiment embarked at Vera Cruz July 16, on the transport Alexandria, the 
bark John Davis, and the brig Apalachicola, arriving at New Orleans July 
24 and 25, 1848. 
From New Orleans the regiment was transferred to Jefferson Barracks 
by steamer Missouri, arriving August 1, 1848, but in November was ordered 
to Texas via New Orleans, reaching Port Lavacca December 18, where 
camp was established about one mile from town. 
Companies A, E, G, I and K,—the right wing,—left camp ©n the 21st 
December, and by easy marches reached a camp on the Guadalupe River, 
near Victoria, on the 29th. On the night of the 21st, cholera attacked the 
left wing,—Companies B, C, D, F and H,—and in the course of a few hours 
became epidemic, so much so as to prevent the troops moving from the 
camp to join the right wing. The disease attacked the right wing also, but THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
519 
not with such virulence as it did the left. It attained its height on the 24th, 
and had almost disappeared on the 27th. 
Major Morrison’s report, dated January 5, 1849, gives a concise account 
of this disaster. 
“ The cholera broke out as an epidemic in the regiment on the 21st De- 
cember, and has nearly destroyed it, one-third of the men falling victims to 
it. Such has been its virulence that one-half of the cases terminated 
fatally in the course of a few hours. 
“ The disease has been one of those mysterious visitations that cannot 
be accounted for, as the regiment on its landing at Lavacca was in apparent 
good health, cheerful, comfortably clothed, subsistence of the best kind, 
with new tents and everything that could put it in first rate condition for 
the field.” 
Early in January, 1849, the regiments were distributed among the forts 
and camps of Texas which it was to occupy for twelve years. There were 
many movements of companies in this interval, a number of Indian skir- 
mishes, several collisions with Cortina’s outlaws, and many long marches 
on escort duty or scouting, but no occurrence of general interest. 
Brevet Major-General Wm. J. Worth, the colonel of the regiment, died 
of Asiatic cholera at San Antonio, May 7, 1849, and was succeeded by 
Colonel John Garland, promoted from the Fourth. 
The only movements of the different companies in the early part of the 
year 1861 (except a change of station of Company K), were made in com- 
pliance with an order issued by General Twiggs, the Department com- 
mander, for the troops to leave the State by way of the coast. The attempt 
to comply with this order resulted in the capture of all the regiment by the 
newly organized military forces of the Confederate States. 
Company C, on entering the plaza at San Antonio April 22, was sur- 
rounded by an overwhelming force and obliged to surrender. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Hoffman, commanding the regiment, and the regimental staff and 
band, were taken prisoners about 10 o’clock the same day at San Antonio. 
The regimental colors were not captured, and the manner in which they 
were saved is narrated by Corporal John C. Hesse, Company A, as 
follows : 
“ A few days subsequent to the surrender, upon going to the former office 
of the regimental headquarters, the building being then in possession and 
under the control of the rebels, I met there Lieutenant Hartz, the regi- 
mental adjutant, and Sergeant-Major Joseph K. Wilson, 8th Infantry. Our 
regimental colors being in the office, Lieutenant Hartz proposed to us to 
take the colors from the staffs, conceal them beneath our clothing and try to 
carry them off. We did so. I took the torn color which the regiment had 
carried through the Mexican War, put it around my body under my shirt 
and blouse, and passed out of the building, which was strongly guarded by 
rebels. Fortunately the rebels did not suspect what a precious load we 
concealed with us, for if they had our lives would not have been worth 
much. We put the colors in one of Lieutenant Hartz’s trunks, and next 
day left San Antonio for the North. On the route we guarded the colors 
with our lives, always fearing that the rebels might find out what we had 520 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
taken away and come after us; but they did not, and we arrived safe with 
our colors on the 26th of May, 1861, in Washington City, and turned them 
over to the regiment.” 
For this act Sergeant Wilson and Corporal Hesse each received a medal 
of honor. 
Companies A and D were captured at Indianola, April 24, and Compan- 
ies B, E, F, H, I and K, under Captain I. V. D. Reeve, near San Lucas 
Springs, about 22 miles west of San Antonio, May 9th. Company G had 
been broken up. 
The officers of Captain Reeve’s battalion were not paroled as the others 
had been, but were, with one or two exceptions, held prisoners at San An- 
tonio for about nine months, when they were exchanged. The enlisted men 
were held until February 25, 1863, during which time they were divided into 
squads and removed to different posts on the frontiers of Texas, deprived 
of pay for more than two years, supplied with scanty food and clothing, and 
made to suffer severe military punishments. Recruiting officers visited 
them daily, offering them commissions and large bounties to desert their 
flag. With few exceptions, however, they repelled the bribes and avoided 
the treason. Those who chose a different course did it to escape their 
prison. 
The officers of the regiment who took commissions in the Confederate 
service were: Major Theophilus Holmes, Captains Larkin Smith, E. B. 
Holloway, Joseph Selden and E. D. Blake; First Lieutenants T. K. Jack- 
son, T. M. Jones, R. G. Cole and Lafayette Peck, and Second Lieutenants 
J. R. Cooke and J. G. Taylor. The opening of the Civil War thus found 
the Eighth Infantry with its officers and men either prisoners of war, or 
debarred by their paroles from serving against the enemy; and it was not 
until October, 1863, that a body which can be considered fairly representa- 
tive of the regiment could be assembled. 
The reorganization of the regiment began May 1, 1861, at Fort Wood, 
N. Y. Harbor, where Company G was recruited. Company F was reorgan- 
ized at Newport Barracks, Ky., in July, 1861. Company A at Fort Hamil- 
ton February 17, 1862, and D at the same station May 7th. B at Fort 
Columbus July 29; Cat Fort Columbus April 15, 1863; E and I at Fort 
Columbus, May 22 ; K on the 9th, and H on the 12th of March, 1865. 
Company G took part in the battle of Bull Run, and then, with Com- 
pany F, was placed on duty in Washington as provost guard. 
Companies A and D joined the Army of Virginia under General Banks 
and on August 9,1862, were engaged in the action with the Confederate army 
at Cedar Mountain. On this day the battalion was in the advance, and on 
the appearance of the enemy Captain Pitcher was directed to throw his 
command forward as skirmishers. Companies A and D formed the right of the 
line and advanced towards the enemy’s line of battle across an open field 
with a steadiness and precision which were commented upon by Generals 
Fitzhugh Lee and Stuart. The line continued to advance until confronted 
by the main body of the enemy, when, not being supported, it fell back to 
its second line. How well the companies fought is shown by their losses, 
which were 8 killed, 8 wounded, and 3 missing,—nearly one-third of the THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
521 
effective strength. Of the five officers present, three were wounded and two 
taken prisoners. 
Both companies took part in the battle of Antietam and then joined 
Companies F and G for duty as provost guard at the headquarters of the 
Army of the Potomac. 
While Companies A and D were serving in northern Virginia, Companies 
F and G had taken part in the Peninsula Campaign as provost guard at Gen- 
eral McClellan’s headquarters. 
Company B arrived at Sharpsburg, October 3, 1862, and the five com- 
panies,—A, B, D, F and G,—were now united for the first time since their 
reorganization. The battalion accompanied the headquarters in all the 
marches preceding Fredericksburg, in which battle it was engaged December 
13, 1862. Company C joined the battalion at Falmouth, Va., April 18, 1863, 
where the regiment remained during the Chancellorsville campaign. It 
marched with the army to Gettysburg, but was not actually engaged 
in the battle, its duties as provost guard keeping it employed in other 
ways. 
A few days after the battle of Gettysburg the regiment was ordered to 
New York City to suppress the draft riots, and encamped in the City Hall 
Park from July 17 to 30,1863, and on the Battery from July 30 to August 22. 
It remained in New York Harbor until April 23, 1864, being stationed on 
Governor’s Island until March 22, and after that date at Hart’s Island. 
During this interval the various companies performed much detached ser- 
vice, being apparently available for any object which presented itself. The 
most important of these duties was the suppression of a mutiny on Novem- 
ber 7, among certain N. Y. volunteer regiments. Companies B and I put 
down the mutiny and brought the ringleaders to Fort Columbus. 
The regiment left Hart’s Island April 21, 1864, and proceeded to Warren- 
ton, Va., where it became the provost guard of the 9th Army Corps. It 
took part in all the movements of that corps, its detail as provost guard 
preventing it from engaging actively in any of the battles in which the corps 
were engaged. 
On the 2d of November, 1864, the regiment was sent to Buffalo 
N. Y., to preserve order during the elections, and thence (November 12) 
to Baltimore, Md. After several movements of companies in Delaware 
and Maryland, the regiment was united at Hancock Barracks, Baltimore, 
Md., August 31, 1865, where it remained during the remainder of the 
year. 
On the 5th of June, 1861, Colonel John Garland, the colonel of the 
regiment, died at New York, and was succeeded by Colonel Pitcairn 
Morrison, who retired October 20, 1863, and was succeeded by Colonel 
Albemarle Cady. Colonel Cady retired May 18, 1864, and was succeeded 
by Colonel James V. Bomford. 
In April, 1866, Companies A, B, D, F, H and K were sent to stations 
in North Carolina, and Companies E, G and I to Charleston, S. C. 
Company C went to Winchester, Va., in January, but in September it, 
too, went to South Carolina. During the reconstruction period in the 
South the companies changed station very often. The regiment occupied 522 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
stations in the Carolinas until May, 1868, after which the whole regiment 
was in South Carolina. 
In 1869, at the time of the reduction of the army, the 8th Infantry was 
consolidated with the 23d, the order taking effect in May of that year. 
The numerous movements of the different companies while the regiment 
was in the South were due to the inability of the civil authorities to enforce 
the laws of reconstruction, and the necessity for a military force to support 
and maintain them. In the execution of their peculiar and unpleasant 
duties the most prudent and judicious measures were adopted by the 
officers of the regiment in order to accomplish the ends of justice and pre- 
vent bloodshed. 
In 1870 the regiment was transferred to David’s Island, N. Y. Harbor, 
in order that it might be in readiness to proceed at any time to the Island 
of San Domingo to protect the interests of the United States there. With 
this expectation, the regiment recruited to a “ strength present ” greater 
than at any other period of its existence, the regimental return for Novem- 
ber, 1870, showing 29 officers and 810 men. 
The Chicago fire in October, 1871, was the cause of a part of the regi- 
ment (Companies D, E, G and I) being sent to that city for the protec- 
tion of the property belonging to the sufferers by the fire. The battalion 
remained in Chicago until May 3, 1872, when it was sent to Utah, where it 
established and built the post of Fort Cameron. These companies re- 
mained continuously at this post until the regiment was moved to Arizona 
in 1874. 
The rest of the regiment remained at David’s Island until July, 1872, when 
it was transferred to the Department of the Platte, arriving at Fort Rice 
July 21. Here the battalion was attached to the command of Colonel D. 
S. Stanley, 22d Infantry, designed to accompany and protect the surveyors 
of the Northern Pacific Railroad. While on this duty the battalion 
marched about 600 miles and had several collisions with the Indians, 
but without loss. A similar march was made by Companies B, C, F and 
H, in 1873, and after its termination in September the battalion was sta- 
tioned at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. 
In February, 1874, the garrison of Fort D. A. Russell was called upon 
to furnish troops for the purpose of keeping the Ogallalla Sioux on their 
reservation, and Companies B, C, H, F and K were ordered upon this duty. 
Fort Laramie was reached February 28, and on the 3d of March the bat- 
talion began the march for Red Cloud Agency,—80 miles distant, and the 
site of the present Fort Robinson, —which was reached on the 8th. Here 
Company F was left with a battalion of the 13th and 14th, under Captain 
Van Horn, and Companies B, C, H and K, commanded by Captain Lazelle, 
continued the march to the Spotted Tail Agency, 41 miles further down 
White River, where they arrived on the nth. 
For the next four months the little garrison led a very monotonous and 
circumscribed existence, since “ Two Strikes’ ” band of Sioux and a party of 
Minneconjous were encamped close by, and the main body under Spotted 
Tail was only eight miles away. 
During this year the regiment was designated for service in Arizona, and THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
523 
as Colonel Bomford had sustained a paralytic stroke in November, 1873, 
and was entirely incapacitated for such service, the President retired him 
from active service on June 8th. 
This distinguished officer, who had spent almost a lifetime in the Eighth, 
was one of the best known and most esteemed of the officers of the old 
army. To a bravery in battle never surpassed by any one, he united a pecu- 
liar kindness and urbanity towards all those, of whatever rank, with whom 
he came in contact. With his high reputation in the old army and his 
estimable personal qualities, his failure to attain distinguished prominence 
in the War of the Rebellion has always been a matter of surprise and a sub- 
ject for comment among those who knew and admired him. An explana- 
tion of this may, however, be found in the fact that, having surrendered in 
Texas in 1861 as major of the 6th Infantry, his loyalty was for a time un- 
reasonably suspected by the authorities ; and still more to the other fact 
that, at the battle of Perryville, while acting as chief of staff to General 
McCook and conducting himself with his usual gallantry, he was very 
severely wounded and virtually incapacitated for further service during the 
war. 
He was succeeded by Colonel August V. Kautz. 
The movement to Arizona was begun in July, 1874, and by the end of 
October the companies were at their new stations,—Headquarters and Com- 
pany F at Whipple Barracks; A and B at Camp Verde; Cat Fort Mc- 
Dowell ; D and G at Camp Lowell; E and K at Camp Apache ; H at Fort 
Yuma; and I at Camp Grant. 
The 8th Infantry remained in Arizona for four years, during all of which 
time most of the companies remained at their posts performing the ordinary 
garrison duties, and in most cases were employed in constructing or enlarg- 
ing posts, building roads, telegraph lines, etc. The Indians were generally 
quiet, and no one of the companies was sent into the field as an organiza- 
tion. Many of the officers, however, performed arduous and important 
service in command of scouting parties, composed of Indian scouts and de- 
tachments of the regiment. The only approach to an engagement with the 
Indians in which the regiment took part, occurred at Camp Apache on July 
9, 1876, when Diablo’s band of White Mountain Apaches fired into the post 
from a neighboring hill. Company E, which was the only company of the 
regiment at that post at the time, turned out at once with the rest of the 
garrison and attacked the Indians, soon forcing them to retreat up the 
mountains. 
When the Nez Perce war broke out in 1877, Company H joined the 
column which General Howard had organized against Chief Joseph. It 
began its march July 30, and during the next three months was engaged 
in all the marches and other operations of that famous pursuit. Joseph 
having surrendered, the company was sent back to California, having trav- 
elled, by steamer, rail and marching, 7244 miles during the campaign. 
In 1878 the regiment was transferred to California, but the transfer was 
complicated by the Bannock Indian war which broke out while it was in 
progress. All the companies except E and G were involved in this and were 
kept constantly in motion while it lasted. At its close the regiment was as- HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
524 
signed to stations at Benicia Barracks, Angel Island, San Diego, Fort Mc- 
Dermitt, Fort Bidwell, Camp Halleck, and Camp Gaston, with headquarters 
first at Angel Island, then at Benicia, and finally (March 2, 1880) at Angel 
Island. 
In September, 1881, the Apache Indians broke out again, and after the 
encounter at Cibicu in which the Indians had the advantage, seven com- 
panies of the regiment (A, B, C, D, F, I and K) were selected for field ser- 
vice in Arizona. They were not engaged with the Indians though con- 
stantly on the move seeking for them, and by December 20 had all returned 
to their stations except Company A. This company rejoined at San Diego 
in March, 1882, only to be sent out again a month later, to return finally 
May 10, 1882. 
The next three years passed without incident, but in the last days of 1885 
the Geronimo campaign began and was the cause of the regiment’s being 
sent to Arizona for the third and last time. There was the usual escort and 
scouting duty to perform and Company E, among its other duties, escorted 
Indian prisoners in April, 1886, to Fort Marion, Florida, thus finding itself 
at the station it had occupied 41 years before. In going and returning this 
company travelled a distance of 4414 miles. 
In May Company D was engaged in the pursuit of the Indians under 
Natchez and Geronimo. The men on this march were reported as com- 
pletely worn out, barefoot and almost destitute of clothing, and 8 men were 
sent to Fort Huachuca for medical treatment. 
During the month of June, 1886, the intention of keeping the regiment 
in Arizona seems to have been formed and the companies were assigned to 
stations. 
In July Company I joined Captain Lawton’s command in the field and 
marched rapidly to the Fronteras River in Sonora, remaining in the field 
until September 10. Detachments from Companies D and K were also on 
duty with Captain Lawton at this time and were 70 days in pursuit of the 
Indians, marching a distance of nearly 700 miles through a mountainous and 
almost inaccessible country. 
The campaign against Geronimo having ended, the regiment was trans- 
ferred in November, 1886, to the Department of the Platte, the head- 
quarters, and Companies A, B, E, F, G and H going to Fort Niobrara, C 
and I to Fort Robinson, D and K to Fort Bridger. 
In August, 1888, the regiment was concentrated in a camp of instruction 
near Bordeaux, Nebraska, and in 1889 another camp was organized at Fort 
Robinson. Other troops of all arms were sent to this camp from the various 
posts in the Department, the whole forming the largest body of regular 
troops assembled since the war. On September 9th the regiment took part 
in a practice march conducted in accordance with the conditions of actual 
warfare and lasting until the 14th, when it returned to camp having marched 
70 miles. 
Companies I and K were skeletonized in September, 1890. 
Although Companies A, B, C and H were called out for service at the 
Pine Ridge and Rosebud Agencies, they were not actually engaged in the 
campaign. Company A was the first to reach the battle-field of Wounded THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
525 
Knee after the battle, and at once began the work of searching out the dead 
from under the snow by which they were covered, and in caring for the 
wounded who had survived the intense cold of the previous nights. The 
campaign having terminated, headquarters and Companies A and H were 
ordered to Fort McKinney, and at 8.15 P. M., January 31, reached the ter- 
minus of the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, where preparations were at 
once begun for the march to Fort McKinney, 135 miles distant. 
The weather was intensely cold and the departure was delayed several 
days in the hope that it might moderate. On February 3d, there being no 
prospect of the weather becoming more favorable, the command began its 
march westward to Fort McKinney. This march, of a week’s duration, was 
probably as severe a test of the endurance of officers and men as the army 
has ever been called upon to undergo. The extremely low temperature 
continued to the very end, and was combined with frequent snow storms 
and blizzards. On several occasions camp was made with little or no wood, 
and no water other than that obtained by melting snow. At Powder River, 
when half the route had been traversed, a halt of one day was made to 
enable the exhausted command to obtain rest and warmth. The command 
reached Fort McKinney February 10th, where it has since remained. 
During the month of March, 1891, Company I was reorganized as a 
company of Indians, recruited from the Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes of 
the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, taking station at Fort Wa- 
shakie. 
On April 20, 1891, Colonel Kautz was promoted brigadier-general, and 
was succeeded by Colonel J. J. Van Horn, the present colonel. THE NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Captain E. B. ROBERTSON, 9TH U. S. Infantry. 
UNDER the authority granted the President by the Act of July 16, 
1798, to raise twelve additional regiments of infantry, the 9th 
Infantry first came into existence in the Army of the United 
States in January, 1799, with Josiah Carville Hall, of Maryland, as 
Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. All of the officers were appointed from 
Maryland, and an order of the War Department of January 5, 1800. 
directed that the regiment be recruited in that State. All of the officers 
were appointed and confirmed by the Senate, but it is probable that but 
few enlistments were made, as the Act of February 20, 1800, suspended 
enlistments for the new regiments. The Act of May 14, 1800, authorized 
the President to discharge them, and under this authority the 9th Infantry 
was disbanded June 15, 1800. 
Under the Act of January 11, 1812, the 9th Infantry was again organized 
in March, 1812, with Simon Learned, of Massachusetts, as colonel. The 
regiment was raised in Massachusetts, and though a part of the regular 
army, was accredited to that State. It took an active part in the War of 
18 r 2, on the northern border, being present at the battle of Niagara Falls, 
Lundy’s Lane, and other actions in that vicinity. 
In the reorganization of the army under the act of March 3, 1815, this 
regiment was disbanded and no regiment bearing the designation existed 
until April, 1847, when the 9th Infantry was again organized, it being one 
of the few regiments authorized by the Act of February 11, 1847. The first 
colonel was Trueman B. Ransom, of Vermont, who was killed in the 
assault upon Chapultepec. He was succeeded by Col. Jones M. Withers, 
who resigned May 23, 1848, and he, by Col. Henry L. Webb. The regi- 
ment rendered efficient service in the series of actions in the immediate 
vicinity of and ending with the capture of the City of Mexico. At Con- 
treras, Churubusco, San Antonio, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec it took 
a distinguished part. At Chapultepec it was in support of the storming 
force, but joined with it and became part of it in the assault on the citadel. 
Sixteen officers and eleven enlisted men of the regiment were mentioned by 
name in the report of Major-General Pillow for meritorious conduct in 
this battle, among the former being General R. C. Drum, then a second 
lieutenant. In August, 1848, the regiment was again disbanded. 
Under authority of the Act of March 3, 1855, the 9th Infantry was again 
organized. Lieutenant-Colonel George Wright, 4th Infantry, was appointed 
colonel; Captain Silas Casey, 2d Infantry, lieutenant-colonel; and Captains 
Edward J. Steptoe, 3d Artillery, and Robert S. Garnett, 1st Cavalry, 
majors. The headquarters of the regiment were established at Fortress 
Monroe, Va., March 26, 1855, and recruiting rendezvous were opened by 
526 THE NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
527 
officers of the regiment in Maine, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee. Companies A, F 
and G, were organized in May. B, H and I in June, D and K in August, 
E in September, and C in November, 1855. In the following month the 
regiment was ordered to the Pacific Coast, via Panama, arriving in the latter 
part of January, 1856. The headquarters and Companies A, B, C, E, F, G, 
I and K, took station at Fort Vancouver, W. T., Lieutenant-Colonel Casey 
with Companies D and H going to Fort Steilacoom, W. T., and thence in a 
few days into the field in active operations against the Indians of that 
locality. 
In March, 1856, Colonel Wright with Companies A, E, F and I left Fort 
Vancouver on an expedition to Fort Walla Walla, W. T., then an aban- 
doned Hudson Bay Company’s post. After leaving Fort Dalles, Oregon, 
on the 26th, information was received of an attack by Indians on the set- 
tlers at the Cascades, and the command returned to that point by forced 
march and dispersed the Indians, the ringleaders being made prisoners. 
The command remained at the Cascades until the latter part of the follow- 
ing month, when the colonel with companies A and C left on an expedition 
to the Yakima River, being joined in May by Companies B, F, G, I and K. 
This expedition remained in the field until August and brought about the 
surrender of five hundred hostile Indians on the Weuache River in the lat- 
ter part of July. Companies D and H remained in the field nearly all of 
the year and had several engagements with Indians. 
From the close of field operations in 1856 until the spring of 1858, the 
regiment was principally engaged in building posts and making roads. In 
August, 1857, Company F was detailed as escort to the Northern Boundary 
Commission and remained in the field on that duty nearly three years. In 
May, 1858, Company E formed part of a force of one hundred and fifty- 
nine men sent to make a reconnaissance of the country to the north of Fort 
Walla Walla. On May 17th the command was attacked by over one thou- 
sand Indians and after fighting till dark and nearly exhausting their ammu- 
nition was compelled to retire. A forced march was begun that night and 
a distance of seventy-five miles covered by ten o’clock the following morn- 
ing without the loss of a man or horse. 
In August, 1858, an expedition was organized under command of 
Colonel Wright to proceed against the Spokane Indians and their allies. 
Companies B and C formed part of this expedition, and after two engage- 
ments at Four Lakes and on Spokane Plains, W. T., it was successful in 
bringing about a lasting peace with the Indians of that section. 
Companies C, G and I were in the field in August and September of 
this year with an expedition under Major Garnett, against Indians to the 
north of Fort Lincoln, Oregon. 
In October, i860, Company B, with a detachment of Company E, under 
command of Captain T. F. Dent, left Fort Walla Walla, W. T., to the 
rescue of emigrants who had escaped from the massacre of September 9th 
and 10th, i860, on Snake River. 
In May, 1861, two officers and one hundred men of the regiment were 528 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
detailed as escort to the Fort Benton wagon road expedition, and 
remained absent on this duty nearly fifteen months. 
In the autumn of 1861, after nearly six years of arduous service in Oregon 
and Washington Territories, the regiment, with the exception of Compa- 
nies A and C, was ordered to San Francisco, Cal., preliminary to its 
transfer to the East. The latter order was, however, revoked, and but one 
company, E, left the Pacific Coast. In January, 1862, the enlisted men of 
this company, with the exception of the non-commissioned officers, were 
transferred to the 4th Infantry. The regiment remained on duty at the 
posts near San Francisco, and performed provost guard duty in that city 
until late in 1865, when it was distributed to posts in California and Nevada. 
On the 30th of July, 1865, the regiment lost its colonel, George Wright,— 
Brigadier-General, U. S. V., and Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. A.,—who 
was drowned at sea by the wreck of the steamer Brother Jonathan, while 
en route to assume command of the Department of the Columbia. General 
Wright’s service had been long and varied. He graduated at the Military 
Academy in 1822, and had served with distinction in many parts of the 
country. He had received the brevet of major for meritorious conduct in the 
Florida War and the brevets of lieutenant colonel and colonel for gallant 
conduct in battle in the Mexican War. In 1858, in Washington Territory, 
he subdued the Indians and brought about a peace that it is believed has 
never been broken. Not the least valuable of his services was rendered on 
the Pacific Coast during the War of the Rebellion, where by his conduct of 
affairs he was largely instrumental in preserving California to the Union, 
The regimental orders, announcing his death, after reciting his military, 
record, continue as folllows : “ Placed in command of the immense De- 
partment of the Pacific shortly after the outbreak of the recent rebellion, 
he, by his wisdom, so managed the great interests under his control that 
the burden of the war was scarcely felt within its borders. Deaf alike to 
the goadings of rebellious spirits and the frenzied appeals of timid loyalists 
he pursued his course with firmness and moderation to the glorious result. 
Without bloodshed he accomplished the work of the statesman and soldier, 
protected the honor of his country’s flag and preserved the peace. 
General Wright was succeeded by Colonel John H. King, Bvt. Major- 
General, U. S. A., who assumed command of the regiment in December, 
1866. During the period from 1866 to 1869, portions of the regiment were 
at different times in conflict with Indians in Northern California and 
Oregon and in Southern California. In June, 1869, after more than thirteen 
years of service on the Pacific Coast, during which time it had taken an 
active part in all the Indian troubles and had garrisoned nearly every post in 
that territory, from Sitka, Alaska, to Fort Mohave, Arizona, the regiment 
was ordered to the Department of the Platte, where upon arrival in July, 
the 27th Infantry was consolidated with it. The regiment performed garri- 
son duty at various posts and guard duty on the line of the Union Pacific 
Railroad until May, 1873, when six companies, A, D, E, F, H and I, were 
sent to the Department of Dakota for duty with the Yellowstone Expedi- 
tion, which formed the escort to the engineers locating the Northern Pacific 
R. R. in that year, returning to the Department of the Platte after an THE NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
529 
absence of over four months. From the summer of 1874 to May, 1876, the 
regiment was stationed at posts on or near the Sioux reservation in Nebraska 
and Wyoming and was almost constantly employed in escort duty to wagon 
trains. In the summer of 1875 Companies C, E and H, were in the Black 
Hills, Dakota, as part of the escort to the Jenney exploring party, Company 
E remaining in the field until November assisting in the ejectment of 
intruders who had entered this territory prior to the extinguishment of the 
Indian title. 
In May, 1876, Companies C, G and H became a part of the Big Horn 
and Yellowstone Expedition under command of Brig.-General Crook and 
were in the field until late in October taking part in the engagement with 
the Indians at Tongue River, Montana, June 9th, Rosebud River, Montana, 
June 17th, and Slim Buttes, Dakota, September 9th. Companies G and H 
also assisted in repelling a night attack by Indians on the infantry camp 
on Goose Creek, Wyoming, July 9, 1876. In the early part of September 
the entire command was without rations for a number of days, and subsisted 
on horse flesh and a small quantity of dried meat and fruit captured at 
Slim Buttes. In October, 1876, the Powder River Expedition was organized 
and Companies A, B, D, F, I and K formed a part of it. This command 
remained in the field until January, 1877, during the most severe part of the 
winter, and practically brought to a termination the warfare against the 
whites, that had been carried on for many years by the Sioux Indians and 
their allies. In July 1877, Companies B, D, F, H, I and K were a part of 
the force sent to Chicago, Illinois, at the time of the railroad riots. They 
remained a month performing guard duty over various public and private 
institutions. 
During the summer and fall of 1878 Companies B, C, H and I were in the 
field for nearly six months as a part of a force of observation under com- 
mand of Lieut.-Col. L. P. Bradley, 9th Infantry, on the Little Missouri 
River, and in the northwestern part of theBlack Hills. In October of this 
year Companies G and K were part of the force in the field in connection 
with the pursuit of the Cheyenne Indians, who raided across the country 
from Indian Territory to Red Cloud Agency, Dak. Company G remained 
in camp at Sidney, Neb., and Company K was mounted and took active 
part in the pursuit, being at one time over thirty-six hours without water. 
In October, 1879, Companies E and K went into the field in the Ute coun- 
try in northwestern Colorado shortly after the massacre at White River 
Agency, remaining until July, 1880. In February, 1882, the colonel of the 
regiment, Brevet Maj.-Gen. John H. King, U. S. A., was retired and suc- 
ceeded by Col. James Van Voast, formerly a first lieutenant in the regiment. 
Col. Van Voast never joined, he being retired in April, 1883. He was suc- 
ceeded by Col. John S. Mason, Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. A. In July, 
1885, Companies A, D, E, F and I were part of the force sent to Crisfield, 
Kas., at the time of the threatened uprising of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes 
in Indian Territory. After remaining in camp at that point about three 
weeks they returned to their station in Wyoming. In July, 1886, after 
serving over seventeen years in the Department of the Platte, the regiment 
went to the Department of Arizona. Four companies, C, E, H and I, were 530 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
in the field in New Mexico for about a month during the Apache campaign 
of that year. During the service of the regiment in this department por- 
tions of it were in garrison at every post in Arizona and at some posts in 
New Mexico. In August, 1888, Col. Mason was retired and was succeeded 
by Col. Alfred L. Hough, who retained command until April, 1890, when 
he was retired. He was succeeded by Col. Charles G. Bartlett—who now 
commands the regiment. In October, 1891, the headquarters and Com- 
panies A, D, F and G, were transferred to the Department of the East. 
Companies B, C, E and H following in May, 1892. THE.TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
By LIEUT. S. Y. SEYBURN, U. S. A., 
Adjutant Tenth Infantry. 
IN submitting this sketch the author disclaims any attempt to narrate 
events in what is termed a popular style, but has endeavored to give 
to those interested a concise history of the Tenth Infantry, accurate in 
details so far as painstaking work and careful revision can make it. 
It will be noticed that it does not include the history of the organizations 
designated as Tenth Infantry which existed for short periods of time in the 
military history of the country prior to 1855. It would be very gratifying, 
no doubt, to be able to add to our records the gallant names and deeds of 
those regiments, but it is a question if their history should properly be in- 
cluded in that of the present organization. 
The Tenth Infantry of to-day has a record of which its members may 
feel sufficiently proud, and it is hoped that some able pen may yet describe 
in an attractive manner the deeds of heroism, privations and sufferings of 
its members. 
The regiment was organized by Act of Congress approved March 3, 
1855, which also established the 9th Infantry, and 1st and 2d (now 4th and 
5th) regiments of cavalry, and the following named officers were appointed 
to the original organization : 
Colonel Edmund B. Alexander. 
Lieut.-Colonel Charles F. Smith. 
Majors: William H. T. Walker and Edward R. S. Canby. 
Captains: Henry F. Clarke,* Franklin Gardner,* James G. S. Snelling,* 
Barnard E. Bee,* John C. Symmes,* Matthew S. Pitcher (N.Y.), Nathaniel 
S. Webb (Conn.), Albert Tracy (Me.), Jesse A. Gove (N. H.), and John 
Dunovant (S. C.). 
First Lieutenants: Joseph L. Tidball,* Alfred Cumming,* Cuvier 
Grover,* Louis H. Marshall,* Henry E. Maynadier,* Henry B. Kelly (La.), 
James Findlay Harrison (Ohio), William Clinton (Penn.), John McNab 
(Vt.), Nathan A. M. Dudley (Mass.). 
Second Lieutenants: Peter T. Swaine,* John H. Forney,* Lyman M. 
Kellogg,* Lawrence A. Williams,* James Deshler,* William H. Rossell 
(N. J.), Alexander Murry (Penn.), Malcolm H. Nicholls (La.), William 
Kearny (Mo.), and Curtis Dunham (Kan.). 
Captains Clarke and Symmes declined, and 1st Lieutenants A. D. Nelson* 
and Henry Heth,* 6th Infantry, were appointed to fill their vacancies. 
John Dunovant was the only captain who had seen no previous service. 
The 9th and 10th Regiments of Infantry (riflemen) were uniformed as 
* Graduates of the U. S. Military Academy. 532 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
other regiments of infantry, with the exception of the knapsack straps and 
waist belts, which were like those of the French Chasseur s-a-pied. They 
were also furnished with bugles instead of drums. 
The headquarters of the regiment were stationed at Carlisle Barracks, 
Pa., recruiting being conducted under the superintendence of the regimental 
commander, to whom all officers appointed to the regiment were directed 
to report by letter, giving their addresses, and suggesting places in their 
respective neighborhoods where recruiting rendezvous could be opened. 
For the first few months a field officer other than the colonel was in com- 
mand of the regiment. 
Recruiting rendezvous were established at various points throughout 
the Middle and New England States, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and the 
junior major was designated as “ inspector of regimental rendezvous and 
stations” in April, 1855; Lieutenants McNab and Maynadier being an- 
nounced at the same time as adjutant and quartermaster respectively. 
Colonel Alexander joined and assumed command of the regiment 
August 25, 1855, relieving Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and continuing the 
regimental staff in their positions. 
To facilitate the necessary military instruction, Companies A, B, D, G 
and K were, in August, placed under the supervision of Lieut.-Col. Smith, 
and C, F, H and I, under that of Major Canby. Hardie’s Rifle and Light 
Infantry Tactics were first used for instruction in the regiment. In Sep- 
tember, 1855, preparations were commenced for the transfer of the regiment 
to its first regular station. 
In October Lieutenant McNab was detailed on recruiting service and 
Lieutenant Maynadier was made regimental adjutant in his place, Lieuten- 
ant Swaine, later, being appointed regimental quartermaster in Maynadier’s 
place. 
The Field, Staff, and A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I and K, left Carlisle Barracks 
October 13th, and arrived at Galena October 17th. Headquarters and 
A, C, D, I and K, travelled thence by steamboat to Fort Snelling, arriving 
October 20th. Companies B, F, G and H, under Major Canby, left Galena 
on the 18th and arrived at Fort Crawford, Wis., October 19th. Company 
C took station at Fort Ripley October 31st. 
Of the first five hundred men enlisted for the regiment, sixty-six were 
born in the New England States, one hundred and forty-nine in the Middle 
and Western States, and two hundred and eighty-five were foreign born. 
From this total enlisted, two hundred and seventy-five deserted before 
completing their enlistment. 
Company E during this year was serving in the field under General 
Harney, a portion of the time being mounted. The seventy men carried 
on its return for July had all been selected by Captain Heth from the gen- 
eral service recruits at Governor’s Island, N. Y. The company, under 
Lieutenant Dudley, arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the 25th of July. It 
left that post on the 4th of August, and on the 3d of September was en- 
gaged in the battle of Blue Water. 
The only changes in the list of officers of the regiment for the year 1855 
were due to the death of Captain Snelling and the resignations of Lieuten- TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
533 
ants Harrison and Kellogg. Aside from the regular promotions so caused, 
three brevet second lieutenants—Hill of the ioth, Bennett of the 3d, and 
Bryan of the 9th—were promoted and joined the regiment at the foot of 
the list of second lieutenants. 
In March, 1856, a system of regimental instruction was instituted. Ex- 
ercise in drill, target practice and marching was zealously kept up. It was 
impressed on the soldiers that their duties as “ Light Infantrymen ” required 
of them a complete knowledge of the use of the rifle, and especially delib- 
eration and calmness in firing, that each shot might be effective. The 
ranges for target practice were two, three, four, five, six and seven hundred 
yards. Five shots were allowed at 200 yards, seven at 300, nine at 400, nine 
at 500, and ten each at 600 and 700 yards. The target used was a piece of 
white cotton, seven feet long and four feet wide, stretched on an iron frame. 
The bull’s-eye was a circle eight inches in diameter, four feet from the 
ground and equidistant from the sides, painted black, with the exception 
of a small spot in the centre left unpainted to determine the centre accu- 
rately. Outside the bull’s-eye were two black rings concentric with it, with 
radii of six and nine inches respectively. All shots were recorded and the 
men classified according to ability. Squads and individuals were practised, 
and the percentage of hits to misses governed the score, record in the cases 
of individuals being kept of bull’s-eye hits. 
Regimental headquarters and four companies, under Colonel Alexander, 
left Fort Snelling June 24th of this year, and arrived at Fort Ridgely June 
30th, taking station there; B, F, G and H left Fort Crawford, Wis., June 
9th, and arrived at Fort Snelling June nth, where H was assigned to duty. 
On the 23d of July, B (Gardner) and F (Pitcher) left Camp Alexander, 
near Fort Snelling, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Smith, on the Red 
River expedition. They were absent until November 27th of the same 
year, when the command returned to Fort Snelling, having marched in that 
time a distance of nearly a thousand miles. Colonel Smith assumed com- 
mand of Fort Snelling on his return to that post. 
On the 19th of March, 1857, it was reported to the commanding officer 
of Fort Ridgely, that a war party of Sioux had raided a settlement at Spirit 
Lake on the southern border of Minnesota, killing settlers and burning 
their homes. The call for assistance came from Des Moines City, described 
at that time as a settlement on the Des Moines River, some fifteen miles 
north of Spirit Lake. Captain B. E. Bee with “D,” numbering forty-eight 
rank and file, left the post at noon of the same day and proceeded down 
the valley of the Minnesota River to South Bend. 
The season of the year was most unfavorable for such an expedition. 
The snow lay deep on the trail, and had thawed to such an extent that it 
would not bear the weight of the men or the heavy sleds used for transpor- 
tation. Their progress was necessarily slow and wearisome. 
Extricating the mules and sleds from the deep drifts of snow by digging 
with spade and shovel, and pulling them out of the sloughs, more trouble- 
some than the snow-banks, and more dangerous, occupied the men from 
early daylight until darkness set in, and greatly delayed the progress of 
the command. For several days the game difficulties were encountered. 534 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
By marching the command in column of fours and relieving the men at 
the head of the column, at short intervals, they were able to break a road 
through the deep and heavy snow. They would then stack arms, and the 
soldiers would fall back to the assistance of the sleds. In spite of these 
difficulties the command marched fifteen or eighteen miles a day. In ad- 
dition to the severe strain this labor imposed upon the men, they were, 
after reaching camp, drilled in skirmishing, as many of them were recruits 
who had never been instructed in this drill. In spite of their hardships and 
sufferings the soldiers behaved gallantly, evincing patience, determination 
and pluck, and maintained a cheerfulness really remarkable. 
On the afternoon of March 28th, after a weary march of twenty miles, 
the command arrived in sight of the Indian village, which was situated 
in a thick grove of timber and apparently consisted of about thirty lodges. 
At once all was made ready for action. The sick and weary rejoined the 
ranks from the sleighs. The advance was made and the old story repeated. 
The Indians had fled, and only their deserted village and a half-breed Sioux 
settler, well known to the whites by the name of Caboo, remained to com- 
pensate the troops for their gallant effort. From Caboo it was learned that 
the hostiles were a portion of Ink-pah-du-tah’s band. They had wiped out 
the settlement, and had gone to Heron Lake, some twenty-five miles dis- 
tant in the direction of the Yankton Country. 
Caboo was confident that the Indians were there, although he asserted 
that they intended to join the Yanktons, who were then at war, and against 
whom troops were then operating on the Missouri River. 
At retreat, Captain Bee, having decided to continue the pursuit, called 
for volunteers, desiring to select for that purpose the strongest and most 
ardent of the men, but every man of the company stepped to the front and 
desit ed to be permitted to accompany the expedition. Selecting one 
officer,—Lieutenant Murry,—two non-commissioned officers, and twenty 
privates, rationed for three days, Captain Bee pushed on to Heron Lake. 
Caboo, who had joined the command as a guide, by intercepting the trail 
shortened the distance marched to about fourteen or sixteen miles. The 
camp was found, but the Indians had become alarmed and fled in haste from 
their village, leaving behind traces of their plunder in the shape of books, 
scissors, articles of female apparel, furs, traps, etc., scattered about all parts 
of the village. They had been gone some hours. About four miles beyond, 
at another small lake and grove, a small camp of hostiles had also been es- 
tablished, but was deserted when Lieutenant Murry and his men, detached 
for that purpose, reached it. Fearing that other bands were still about the 
settlement, and being destitute of provisions, with a rapidly rising stream— 
the Des Moines—between him and his supplies, and his men being foot-sore 
and weary from a march of one hundred and forty miles under difficulties 
not easily portrayed, Captain Bee was obliged to return disappointed to his 
main camp. The command then marched to the settlements, and an inves- 
tigation entered into by Captain Bee disclosed the cause of the outbreak to 
be as follows: 
In the early winter Ink-pah-du-tah’s band, numbering about thirteen 
men, had been hunting on the Little Sioux River. A dog belonging to one TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
535 
of the settlers attacked and severely bit one of these Indians, and was 
promptly killed by the Indian. The owner of the dog punished the Indian, 
and the other settlers, fearing trouble from the settler’s rash act, made mat- 
ters still worse, in fact, precipitated upon themselves an Indian war in short 
order. They disarmed the whole band of Indians, thus leaving them with- 
out means of procuring sustenance. The Indians became highly incensed 
at this act of the whites. The captured arms were left unguarded, a fact the 
Indians soon discovered. They immediately recovered them, and then 
turned with true savage fury upon the defenseless settlers of the valley, 
murdering, burning and carrying into captivity women and children. 
These Indians procured through the unscrupulousness of a pair of white 
wretches by the name of Wood, who were brothers, living on the opposite 
side of the river to the settlement destroyed by the Indians, arms and am- 
munition. They are said to have carried on a profitable traffic with the hos- 
tiles. There appears no record of a subsequent hanging match either. 
During April of this year the headquarters of the regiment were tem- 
porarily established at Fort Snelling, in consequence of the Indian excite- 
ment, and upon the strong recommendation of General Alexander, who 
earnestly set forth the advantages possessed by that post in having a daily 
mail in summer, and a tri-weekly mail in winter. 
In May one of the white women, captured by Ink-pah-du-tah’s band of 
Sioux at the Spirit Lake massacre, was surrendered to Agent Flandreauand 
taken to Fort Ridgeley. While negotiating the surrender of two others 
held by the band, it was decided to suspend military operations planned, 
and which were to have been carried on mainly by the Tenth Infantry, under 
the command of Lieut.-Colonel Smith and Major Canby, until that object 
had been accomplished. Yellow Medicine Agency was the point from which 
the negotiations were being conducted. 
Following closely upon the Indian troubles which most of the regiment 
had been employed, since early spring, in suppressing, came the necessity 
to send to Utah a large military force to protect the Federal officers there, 
and to compel obedience to the laws. Brigham Young, who had been 
running things successfully with a high hand for some years, finally an- 
nounced himself as follows : 
“ I am, and will be Governor, and no power can hinder it until the Lord 
Almighty says, ‘ Brigham, you need not be Governor any longer.’ ” 
This seems to have settled it. The Government ordered an expedition, 
consisting of two thousand five hundred men under Colonel A. S. Johnston, 
to Utah Territory for protection of the newly appointed Governor, Alfred 
Cumming, and other federal officials in the discharge of their duties. 
The Tenth Infantry formed a part of the expedition, and by the 30th of 
June, 1857, the regiment, excepting A and D, was at Camp Walbach, near 
Fort Leavenworth. General Alexander, Colonel Smith, and Major Canby 
were present for duty; A was at that time at Fort Ripley, and D at Fort 
Ridgeley. 
The regiment took up the march July 18 and reached Fort Kearney 
August 7 where it remained until the nth, and on August 31 encamped 
eight miles below Fort Laramie, on the scene of Lieutenant Grattan’s 536 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY\ 
massacre.* A left Fort Ripley July 8, and D Fort Ridgeley July 21, and at 
the end of August both companies were in camp near Fort Kearney, Neb., 
en route to Utah. 
The march of the regiment from Fort Laramie was not resumed until 
Sept. 5, the time since its arrival having been occupied in refitting, replen- 
ishing supplies, and resting the weary. On the night of the 24th the Mor- 
mons made an attempt to stampede the mules of the baggage train, a small 
party of them dashing through the herd, firing and yelling. Only eleven of 
the mules were driven off, and they were recovered the next day by a party 
of teamsters sent in pursuit under Lieutenants Maynadier and Swayne. The 
regiment reached Green River on the 27th, left there at midnight the same 
night, and after a march of 23 miles reached Ham’s Fork. Company C 
formed a part of the command of Captain R. B. Marcy during October. It 
returned to Ham’s Fork October 31. A and D joined the command on the 
6th of November. 
The regiment arrived at Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger, on the 20th, 
where a winter camp was formed. The health of the regiment was reported 
remarkably good, but many cases of frost-bite occurred during the month. 
Theoretical and practical instruction was maintained as regularly as was 
permitted by inclement weather, and the absence of large details for detached 
guard and outpost duty, and the necessity of hauling all the fuel by hand 
four or five miles. These laborious duties were performed too, upon a 
restricted and indifferent allowance of food. The ration of flour was re- 
stricted at one time to ten ounces, and the beef cattle furnished were of the 
poorest quality, some of them unable to stand up. 
The regiment moved from Camp Scott to Fort Bridger March 18, 1858, 
in one of the most terrible snowstorms ever encountered in that valley. It 
remained at this post until June 15, when it marched to Salt Lake City, ar- 
riving June 26, and at the temporary site of Camp Floyd, U. T., July 7, 
Major Canby, with E and K left Camp Floyd August 6 to proceed to Fort 
Bridger and there to assume command. Lieut.-Colonel Smith assumed 
command of the regiment August 6, Colonel Alexander going on leave, and 
the regiment moved from temporary to permanent site of Camp Floyd 
September 7, and at once commenced erecting adobe quarters into which it 
moved October 16, 1858. 
It was during the year 1858 that the “double quick” was established as 
the habitual marching time of the regiment in the formation of line. 
The duties which devolved upon the officers and men of the regiment at 
this period were extremely disagreeable, and demanded the utmost caution, 
determination, firmness and good judgment. The troops were employed in 
arresting and guarding civil prisoners, upon the requisitions of U. S. Mar- 
shals, and supporting officers at the U. S. Courts; Captain Heth, particu- 
larly, rendering efficient service in these duties. Company B, under Lieu- 
tenant Cunningham, was employed in protecting immigrants against 
ndians in the northern part of the territory, going as far north as Fort 
Hall. 
Sergeant Ralph Pike, 10th Infantry, died at Camp Floyd, U. T., August 
* Brevet 2d Lieut. John L. Grattan, 6th Infantry, killed in action with Indians Aug. 19, 1854. TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
537 
14, 1859, and was buried with military honors on the 15th. He was a victim 
to Mormon hatred, having been assassinated in revenge for the proper dis- 
charge of his duty. It is of interest to know that the murderer of Sergeant 
Pike was arrested. The arrest, however, was not made until about twenty- 
eight years had elapsed, and it is not known what punishment, if any, the 
murderer received. 
On March 21, i860, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major 
Canby, Lieutenant-Colonel Smith having been directed to assume command 
of the department of Utah. Indian troubles in New Mexico occupied the 
attention of the military authorities early in this year (i860), the powerful 
Navajo tribe furnishing the greatest number of malcontents. Major Canby 
who stood high as an efficient and successful officer in the field, was directed 
by the War Department to proceed to Fort Garland, N. M., and on May 20 
he, with A, F and H, left Camp Floyd en route for that post, which was 
reached after a long and arduous march of more than 640 miles, extending 
over a period of two months. The route selected was by way of Summit 
Camp on Salt Creek, Utah, where the command arrived May 31, and the 
Blue River, on which it encamped from June 28 until July 6, i860, finally 
arriving at its new station, Fort Garland, July 28. 
Regimental Headquarters, and B,C and G, under Captain Cumming, left 
Camp Floyd May 10 en route to Forts Bridger and Laramie, and reached 
Fort Bridger May 20. Headquarters, and C, D and K, under Captain 
Dunovant, left Bridger May 26, and arrived at Fort Laramie June 19, i860, 
having marched a total distance of 550 miles. 
Colonel Alexander rejoined from leave and took command of the regi- 
ment July 16, i860, and on the same date appointed Lieutenant J. H. Hill, 
adjutant and Lieutenant L. H. Marshall, R. Q. M. Lieut.-Colonel Smith 
was relieved of the command of the department of Utah and assumed com- 
mand of Camp Floyd August 20, i860.' 
During the month of August, i860, A left Fort Garland on an expedi- 
tion against Navajo Indians and, on the 3d of October, had a sharp skirmish 
with a superior force of them in the Tunica Mountains, near the Sierra de 
las Estrellas, killing ten Indians, capturing five prisoners, taking 16 horses 
and destroying the village. First Sergeant Boyce was wounded in the 
affair by an arrow shot through his breast. The company then proceeded to 
Fort Defiance, A. T., arriving October 4, and leaving on the nth as part of 
the first column of the Navajo expedition. On the last day of the month 
the company was in camp at Mesa de las Bacas, Lieutenant Rossell in com- 
mand, having marched a distance during the month of over 300 miles. 
During the first half of the month of November, A was employed in 
scouting the country between Canon de Chele and Canon de las Simitas. 
Major Walker and Captain Dunovant, who were both from the South, 
resigned in December of this year. 
Company A, with G, 5th Infantry, under command of Lieutenant Lewis, 
5th Infantry, left Fort Fauntleroy January 5, 1861, on a scouting expedition. 
About thirty miles north of Fort Fauntleroy, on the morning of the 7th, a 
village was located, surprised by the troops, four Indians killed, seventeen 
taken prisoners, twelve animals captured, and the village destroyed. At 538 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the commencement of the year 1862 the regiment was stationed as follows: 
Headquarters and Companies D and K at Fort Laramie, Neb.; A and F 
at Socorro, N. M.; B, E, G and I in Washington, D. C.; C at Fort Wise,. 
Col.; and H in camp at Pinos Ranch, near Santa Fe, N. M. 
In January and early in February, A, F and H concentrated at Fort 
Craig, N. M., and on the 21st of February were engaged in the battle of Val 
Verde, near Fort Craig, with the rebel forces, F serving a battery of howit- 
zers. The battalion commander, Capt. W. H. Rossell, 10th Infantry, was 
taken prisoner, ten enlisted men were killed and sixteen wounded in 
this engagement. The killed were Privates Collins, Hoggant, Miller, 
Reichling, Schweer and Washburne of Company A, and Corporals Crotty 
and Christianson, and Privates Brown and Schweep of Company H. This 
was the regiment’s first sacrifice to the Civil War, made on the dreary plains 
of New Mexico, nearly two thousand miles from the principal theatre of 
operations. 
Companies B, E, G and I, serving with the Army of the Potomac, left 
Washington, March, 1862,—encamped near Fort Monroe from March 26 till 
April 4,—and at Yorktown, Va., on the 12th. In May B was broken up and 
the men absorbed by E, G and I. The same course was adopted during the 
same month with A in New Mexico, the privates being transferred and the 
non-commissioned officers attached to F and H. During the previous 
month A, F and H had formed part of Colonel Canby’s command, which 
left camp at Val Verde, N. M., on April 1, 1862, F serving as artillery. They 
took part in the affairs at Albuquerque on the 8th, and Peralto on the 15th 
of April. In September and October, 1862, C, F and H, marched to Leav- 
enworth, arriving November 7. On the 24th they were in Washington, and 
four days later had reported for duty with the 2d Brig., 2d Div., 5th Corps* 
General Sykes commanding, at Aquia Creek, Va., where E, G and I were 
also serving. These six companies were engaged in the battle of Freder- 
icksburg, Dec. 13, 14 and 15. E, G and I, while forming part of Sykes’ Bri- 
gade, were engaged in the battle of Chickahominy, with a loss in killed and 
wounded of thirty enlisted men, and were engaged at Malvern Hill and Bull 
Run, 2d, with a loss in those two engagements of thirteen enlisted men. 
They were also engaged in the battle of Antietam, and in the action near 
Shepardstown, Va., with a loss in these two engagements of fifteen enlisted 
men. 
The year 1863 proved to be a most eventful one for the regiment. At its 
commencement Headquarters and D and K were at Fort Kearney, having 
been transferred to that post from Fort Laramie in the preceding June. C, E, 
F, G, H and I were with the Army of the Potomac. Early in March, 1863* 
C, E, F and I were broken up, and the enlisted men, numbering 81, were 
transferred and attached to Companies G and H. Regimental Headquar- 
ters and D and K, commanded by Lieut. Bush, left Fort Kearney April 7* 
and joined the regiment in the field near Chancellorsville on the night of 
the 30th. When Lieut. Bush and his command, numbering three officers 
and fifty men, direct from the plains of Nebraska, joined the regiment, its 
total strength then amounted to but eight officers and 100 enlisted men. 
At about noon of the following day, while moving toward Fredericks- TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
539 
burg, the enemy made his appearance, and was attacked and driven back by 
the 2d Brigade, which on that morning led the division. When the enemy 
was first encountered the 2d Brigade was deployed with the 2d and 6th In- 
fantry on the right of the road, the 7th, 10th, and nth on the left. The 17th 
was deployed as skirmishers. The 10th, with some assistance from the nth, 
captured in this advance 27 of the enemy, including one officer. Lieut. Bush 
commanded the regiment in this battle, and in his report recommends Ser- 
geant-Major William Stanley for promotion to a second-lieutenancy for gal- 
lant conduct in the field. He also mentions national color bearer, Lance 
Sergeant J. A. Crotty for soldierly conduct and for capturing one of the 
enemy; and mentions Sergeant Michael Finaughty regimental color bearer, 
for his coolness under fire. 
The brigade commander in his report of the battle mentions Lieutenants 
Bush, Sellers, Kellogg and Boyce, 10th Infantry. Lieut. Sellers was at this 
time A.A.A.G. of the 2d Brigade,—Lieut. Kellogg, A.D.C.,—and Lieut. 
Boyce, A.A.D.C. to the brigade commander. Lieut. Hampson is also men- 
tioned by the regimental commander for having distinguished himself in 
this action. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was 12 enlisted 
men wounded. On the 6th of May the regiment recrossed the Rappahan- 
nock and encamped near Falmouth, Va. In this month K was broken up 
and its 25 enlisted men were transferred and attached to D. The regiment, 
still forming a part of the 2d Brig., 2d Div., 5th Corps, left camp near Fal- 
mouth, Va., June 4, reached the vicinity of Gettysburg July 2d, and fought 
the enemy the same day, losing one officer—Lieut. W. J. Fisher—and 16 en- 
listed men killed ; five officers and 27 men wounded, and three men missing. 
Captain William Clinton commanded the regiment at this time. The regi- 
ment lay in position, supporting a battery during the night of the 2d, and 
took part in the fighting on the 3d, 4th and 5th. The loss inflicted in these 
engagements upon what remained of the regiment at this time was fearful. 
Sixty per cent, of the officers, and over fifty-four per cent, of the enlisted 
men engaged were killed or wounded. The regiment occupied at one time 
an exposed position, with a greatly superior force in front and on both 
flanks. A terrific fire was directed against it by the enemy, and the roar of 
musketry was so great that the commands given it to fall back were not 
heard. Fortunately another portion of the Corps came to the rescue, and 
compelled the enemy to retreat. The wounded officers were Captains 
Clinton and Bush, and Lieuts. Welles, Boyce and Hamilton. Lieut. Boyce 
died shortly after from wounds received in this battle. 
On the 8th of July the regiment was encamped near Middleton, Md. It 
crossed the South Mountain on the 9th, and arrived in camp near Williams- 
port on the 14th. On the 15th it crossed the Potomac at Berlin, and on the 
night of the 23d formed a part of the line of battle at Manassas. 
The losses of the regiment had been so heavy, and it had become so 
reduced in point of numbers, that it had become necessary for the authori- 
ties to withdraw it from the field and send it North for recuperation. On 
the 17th of August what remained of it left Alexandria by steamer, arriving 
in New York City on the 20th, where it remained until the 14th of Septem- 
ber, when it was transferred to Fort Lafayette, N. Y. H. At the end of the HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
year all that was left of the regiment consisted of the band and Company D, 
with a total strength, present and absent, of 128. 
Capt. William G. Jones, 10th Infantry, while absent commanding, as 
colonel, the 36th Ohio Volunteers, was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, 
Ga., Sept. 19, 1863. 
The regiment left Fort Lafayette on the 23d of April, 1864, and joined 
the 1st Brig., 1st Div., 9th Corps, near Bealton Station, Va., on the 29th of 
the same month. On the 6th of May it took part in the battle of the Wil- 
derness, with a loss of eight enlisted men killed, one officer—Major Hayman 
—and 48 enlisted men wounded, and five men missing. On the 12th of May 
the regiment was engaged in the battle of Spottsylvania C. H., Va., losing 
but two men wounded. 
From this time on until the battle of North Anna River, May 24, there 
was a total loss in killed, wounded and missing of 17 men. Casualties fre- 
quently occurred while employed in reconnoissances, picket duty and skir- 
mishing. While making a reconnoissance near Spottsylvania C. H. on the 
16th, one man was killed ; and two days later, while on the same duty, two 
men were killed and one officer—Lieut. Reed—and one man were wounded. 
On the 3d of June the regiment was engaged in the battle of Cold Harbor, 
losing one officer—Lieut. Stanley, adjutant—and one man wounded. The 
regiment was transfered June 11 to the 1st Brig., 2d Div., 5th Corps, and 
took partin the battle of Petersburg, June 18, losing in killed and wounded 
three men. One man was killed on the 19th, and another on the 21st. On 
this date also Lieut. Skinner was wounded, from the effects of which he 
died June 26. 
The regiment also took part in the assault following the explosion of the 
mine at Petersburg, July 30. It was also engaged in the battle of Weldon 
Railroad, August 18, 19 and 21, 1864, losing six men killed, one officer— 
Captain R. H. Hall— and nine men wounded, and one officer—Lieut. J. C. 
White—and sixteen men missing. The movement of the regiment to its 
position of the first day at Weldon Railroad began at daylight on the 18th. 
The march was a most fatiguing one, the heat intense. Lieutenant Luning, 
commanding, was prostrated about noon from its effects, and the command 
then devolved upon 2d Lieut. T. H. French. Fully one-third of the men had 
fallen out of ranks before this time from sheer exhaustion, although they 
bravely endeavored to keep up. In the first advance, which was made 
through a dense wood east of the railroad, and half a mile beyond, the regi- 
ment was engaged, outflanked, and subjected to a heavy cross-fire, which 
caused it to fall back to a position in the rear of the woods. Captain Hall joined 
the regiment on the morning of the 19th. At about 3 o’clock on the afternoon 
of that day the enemy again attacked the line of which the regiment formed 
a part, again outflanked it, and caused it to withdraw. It subsequently re- 
gained its first line after a gallant charge against the enemy. Captain R. H. 
Hall, commanding the regiment, was hit by a musket ball in the head a few 
hours after taking command. 
On the 20th there was no fighting for the regiment, but on the 21st it 
occupied a position greatly exposed to an artillery cross-fire. The fire was 
so well directed that our men had to seek safety on the outside of their breast- TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
541 
works, ist Sergeant Pealock received special mention for his gallant con- 
duct, coolness and bravery, during these engagements of the 18th, 19th and 
21 st of August. 
On the ist of October the regiment, still forming a part of the ist Brig., 
2d Div., 5th Corps, was engaged in battle on the Squirrel Level Road, Va., 
losing three men, killed, and one officer—Lieut. T. H, French— and five 
men wounded, and 18 men missing. The regiment was commanded in 
this battle by 2d Lieut. Theodore Schwan, who, in his report, mentions 
Lieutenants French and Hunter as having behaved with gallantry seldom 
surpassed, ist Sergeant Pealock is again mentioned for coolness and 
bravery. Corporal H. Marshall, ist Sergeant Marpool, and Privates 
Stephens, Steward, Landan and Mahony are also noticed for noticeable 
coolness under fire. 
On the 12th of October the regiment was detailed as provost guard at 
Headquarters 2d Div., 5th Corps, and on the 25th was ordered to Fort 
Hamilton, N. Y. H., where it arrived on the 29th. It was transferred to 
Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., November 3d, and to Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y., 
December 2d, where it was stationed at the end of the year. It was much 
depleted in numbers, mustering, present and absent, but 189, a large por- 
tion of the absent sick being permanently disabled. 
In March, 1865, 245 recruits were sent to the regiment, certain compa- 
nies were reorganized, and were all filled to the maximum strength. In April 
170 recruits were received and Company G was reorganized. 
The regiment was again ordered into the field in April, 1865, and 
reached Headquarters Army of the Potomac April 23d, at Burksville, Va. 
It marched with that army, via Richmond, May 6th, and encamped at Ar- 
lington Heights May 12th. It participated in the review of the Army of 
the Potomac May 23d, at Washington. 
On the 20th of October the regiment moved by rail to St. Louis, Mo., 
arriving October 27th, and on the 31st Companies A, B, D, F, G and H 
moved by steamer up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, Minn., and were 
stationed as follows: Companies D and F at Fort Snelling; Band H at 
Fort Ridgeley, and A and G at Fort Ripley, Minn.; Regimental Headquar- 
ters were established at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In December, 1865, C, E, I 
and K were reorganized at the General Recruiting Depot, Fort Columbus, 
N. Y. H., and in April, 1866, together with Regimental Headquarters, 
joined the regiment at Fort Snelling. 
A redistribution to posts took place, and early in June, 1866, the regi- 
ment was stationed as follows : Headquarters and Company B at Fort 
Snelling; H at Fort Ridgely; A and I at Fort Ripley; D and F at Fort 
Abercrombie, D. T.; C, E, G and K at Fort Wadsworth, D. T. 
After the arrival of the regiment in Minnesota, it was employed in re- 
pairing and rebuilding, and in procuring fuel, so that but little work was 
possible toward instructing and drilling the new men. 
In June, 1867, Company C, with detachments from D and F, acted as 
mounted escort to the department commander, and while encamped near 
Fort Stevenson a party of hostile Indians stampeded the horses belonging 
to the escort, and succeeded in running off several. The Indians were im- 542 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
mediately pursued, soon overtaken, and in the skirmish which ensued Pri- 
vate Wallace was wounded. During the summer G and H were busily 
employed in building the post of Fort Ransom. 
In 1869 the regiment was transferred to the Department of Texas, and by 
the end of July the assignments to stations had been completed. By the 
end of August, 1869, the consolidation of the regiment with the 26th In- 
fantry had also been effected, at which time the regiment was stationed as 
follows : Headquarters and A, H and K, at Fort Brown, Texas ; E and I at 
Ringgold Barracks ; B at Corpus Christi; C at Fort McIntosh ; D at Gal- 
veston ; F at San Antonio, and G at Helena, Texas. 
During its stay of ten years in the Department of Texas the regiment was 
engaged in a constant series of scouting and Indian fighting expeditions of 
more or less importance, some of them extending even into Old Mexico. 
The causes which combined to bring about the frequent expeditions or- 
ganized for field service during the years 1866-67-68 had their origin mainly 
in the comfort, aid and security extended the Indians by the Mexicans 
on their side of the river. The Lipans, a tribe small in numbers but active 
as monkeys, and as bold and cunning as Comanches, had established them- 
selves near the towns of Zaragoza and Remilina, in the State of Coahuila, 
from which points they usually started on their destructive raids into Texas. 
In 1876 Colonel Shafter with a large command crossed the Rio Grande, 
hunted up the hostile villages, wiped two or three of them from the face of 
the earth and killed a number of their most active warriors. This had the 
effect of keeping the survivors of the tribe quiet for a few months, by which 
time they had effected something in the way of a combination with the 
Mescalero Apaches, when they again became troublesome, but the troops 
followed them up so closely that their raids to our side of the river soon 
practically ceased and the redoubtable little band of Lipans rather mysteri- 
ously disappeared from view. But it is not at all unlikely that many of them 
can now be found among their old allies the Mescalero Apaches on their 
reservation near Fort Stanton, N. M. 
In 1878 raids by the Indians from Coahuila had become a thing of the 
past, but early in that year a large expedition was organized, commanded by 
General Mackenzie, and Mexico was again invaded by our troops. This time 
however, the Mexican military authorities made a pretence of opposing the 
American forces and established themselves in a strongly defensive position 
on the crest of the eastern slope of the Remilina Creek, a rapid stream, 
which was about four feet deep opposite their lines. 
The 10th Infantry battalion, under the command of Capt. W. C. Kellogg, 
was directed to advance against the enemy which was done in double time, 
the creek was reached and the crossing found very difficult owing to the 
swiftness of the current, but when the battalion had emerged from the creek 
and had ascended the opposite slope, not a white coated Mexican soldier 
could be seen. The rapidity of their flight could only be equalled by that 
of a flock of mallards. Not a shot was fired by either side. The other 
battalions, which where composed of troops from the 20th, 24th and 25th 
Infantry, 2d Artillery, 4th, 8th and 10th Cavalry, in all about 1000 men, stood 
silently by in column, apparently wondering what it all meant and what the TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
543 
trick was anyhow. In the Department of Texas this affair was frequently 
mentioned and never without exciting derisive remarks and much amuse- 
ment. It has been termed the battle of Remilina. 
The field operations of the ioth Infantry for the years from 1872 to 1879 
involved no small amount of extremely severe labor. The young officers of 
the regiment were almost constantly in the field serving with the scouts or 
cavalry when their own companies were in garrison. This was occasioned 
mainly by a scarcity of officers throughout the Department. Many were 
disabled, awaiting retirement, and others were on detached service. 
Good fortune was in store for the regiment, however, for in May, 1879, it 
was transferred to the Department of the East, arriving in Detroit, May 27. 
1879. It was stationed as follows: Headquarters and A, E, H and K at 
Fort Wayne ; B and I at Fort Brady ; C and D at Fort Mackinac, and F and 
G at Fort Porter, N. Y. 
During its stay of five years in this Department nothing of general inter- 
est occurred except perhaps the participation of Regimental Headquarters 
and A, D, F and H, in the centennial celebration at Yorktown, Va., in Octo- 
ber, 1881. 
In June, 1884, the regiment was transferred to the Department of the 
Missouri, taking stations as follows: Headquarters and B, C, F and I, at 
Fort Union, N. M.; D. and H at Fort Bliss, Texas; A and E at Fort 
Lyon, Colorado; and G and K at Fort Crawford, Colorado. 
On the 16th of March, 1885, Captain Kirkman, Lieutenant Seyburn 
and twenty enlisted men proceeded from their station, Fort Union, to 
Springer, the county seat of Colfax County, N. M., to prevent, if possible, a 
collision between the civil authorities and outlaws. The command arrived 
in the town at night, raised the siege of the court-house which was being 
conducted by the excited outlaws and cowboys, and rescued the civil offi- 
cers who had taken refuge in the building. In this affair the celebrated 
Dick Rogers lost his life, as did one of the Currys and “ Red River Tom,” 
all presumably at the hands of one man, a deputy sheriff by the name of 
Jesse Lee. The soldiers escorted the officials to Las Vegas for safe keeping 
and then returned to Fort Union. 
Companies C, D, F, H and I, took part in the campaign against the 
hostile Chiricahua Apaches under Geronimo, in 1885-86, F and I being 
out from July, 1885, until the end of August, 1886. 
On the 19th of April, 1889, an expedition commanded by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Simon Snyder, ioth Infantry, consisting of G and K, ioth Infantry, 
and K and G, 18th Infantry, left Fort Lyon, Col., for Oklahoma, I. T. The 
object of this expedition was to aid in preserving the peace among the peo- 
ple upon the opening of Oklahoma Territory. The President’s proclama- 
tion opening it to settlement went into effect at noon on the 22d of April, 
at which time great numbers of people poured in from all directions. 
There was entire absence of law. Extreme disorder prevailed, and the 
duties of the troops in preventing bloodshed were difficult and demanded 
good judgment, patience and skill. 
The regiment is stationed at the present time ( January, 1891) as follows : 
Headquarters and Company D at Fort Marcy, N. M.; C and H at Fort 544 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Union, N. M.; B at Fort Stanton. N. M.; A and F at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas ; E at Fort Lewis, Col. ; and C at Oklahoma, I. T. I and K, skele- 
tonized. 
It is noticeable how frequently the regiment has occupied the same sta- 
tions. In 1855 a portion of it garrisoned Fort Snelling, Minn., and again 
in 1866. In 1861 portions of the regiment were stationed at Forts Union, 
Marcy and Lyon, and again, twenty-nine years later, these posts were occu- 
pied by a part of the 10th Infantry. In 1865 it was at Fort Porter, N. Y. 
In 1879 and until May, 1884, Companies F and G composed the regular 
garrison of that post. General 
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN 
Commanding the Army, 1869-1883. THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
I. 
CAPT. J. H. PATTERSON, U. S. A., 
Twentieth Infantry 
1 PURPOSE in a brief and concise way to write something of the Old 
Eleventh Infantry. There have been several infantry regiments of 
that numerical designation in our Army. What I have to tell will refer 
to the first, in numerical order, of the three battalion regiments added 
to the Army in 1861, to the time when, by Act of Congress, dated July 28, 
1866, the three battalion regiments were discontinued. 
I have no intention of writing a formal history. I have not the neces- 
sary data even if I had the inclination. I claim the privilege of wandering 
here and there over the broad field of my experience as a subaltern officer 
of the Old Eleventh, and noting such historical, statistical, and anecdotal 
items, as I may remember after all these years. 
On the 14th day of May, 1861, President Lincoln issued an executive 
order, directing an increase of the regimental organizations of the Regular 
Army. Nine infantry regiments, of three battalions of eight companies each, 
were of the increase authorized. In G. O. No. 33, A. G. O., series of 1861, 
can be found the names, of the officers appointed to the new regiments, the 
greater number from civil life. The order directing the formation of the 
nth Infantry, designated Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, Mass., as 
regimental headquarters, where all appointees were directed to report, 
either in person or by letter, to the regimental commander. Fort Independ- 
ence remained our headquarters during the War. 
Edmund Schriver of New York, formerly an officer of the 3d Artillery, 
accepted the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment and had charge of its 
organization, the colonel,—Brig-Gen. E. D. Keyes, U. S. Volunteers, ap- 
pointed to the regiment from major 1st Artillery,—being on detached service 
with his volunteer command. The other field officers were Major Frederick 
Steele, appointed from captain 2d Infantry ; Major Delaney Floyd-Jones, 
appointed from captain 4th Infantry ; and Major Jonathan W. Gordon, of 
Indiana, an appointment from civil life. 
Colonel Schriver—among the first of the regiment to arrive in Boston— 
found Fort Independence occupied by a regiment of Massachusetts volun- 
teers, the 13th, I think. After a vexatious delay the 13th got off for the front, 
when the officers of the Eleventh, who were quite as anxious as the colonel 
to get into quarters, were ordered to report for duty at our official station. 
Colonel Schriver selected for his regimental staff 1st Lieut. Guido N. 
Lieber to be adjutant, and 1st Lieut. Robert Burnett Smith to be quarter- 
545 546 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
master. Colonel Lieber is well known to the Army as our present assistant 
judge advocate general. “Bob” Smith resigned in 1865. I think that 
several of the younger officers were reluctant to leave the attractions and 
delights of Boston for the not very cheerful prospect of what so isolated a 
locality as Fort Independence promised in exchange. Others were pre- 
pared for the most Spartan experiences. There was one condition common 
to all. I do not remember that, other than Colonel Schriver and Major 
Floyd-Jones, there was an officer in the command who knew anything of 
practical value of the service. Several had campaigned a little in the three 
months service. I do not remember that they claimed to be any more of 
the old soldier than the rest of us, their experiences, as I heard them re- 
lated, having been quite as full of amusement as of instruction. The only 
enlisted man at the fort when we took station there, was Ordnance Ser- 
geant Parr, a veteran of great dignity and most impressive manner. I 
think he doubted the wisdom of commissioning so many inexperienced 
young men in the Army. The sergeant had served in the Mexican War and 
Utah Expedition. I do not remember when he first entered the service. He 
had grown gray in it. His reminiscences were numerous and lengthy, and, 
though colored somewhat with imagination, were very interesting, and 
found willing and attentive listeners. His manner toward the younger 
officers was encouraging, approaching frequently to the paternal. I know 
very little of his subsequent career. I have the impression that he was ap- 
pointed lieutenant-colonel or major of a Massachusetts cavalry regiment, 
but, annoyed and irritated by the absence of that formal way of doing 
things to which he had been for so many years accustomed, resigned his 
volunteer commission in disgust. Sergeant Parr represented a type of the 
old soldier, difficult if not impossible to find in these degenerate days. 
Professional work began at once, Colonel Schriver’s first order directing 
recitations in tactics and the Army regulations. There was not an enlisted 
man present in the regiment at this time. The officers were drilled in the 
school of the squad with and without arms. Captain Chipman was our drill 
master. Major Floyd-Jones joined soon after we went down to the fort and 
partially relieved Colonel Schriver of what must often have been the irk- 
some task of hearing our every week-day recitations. I remember that the 
War Department issued to each officer the Ordnance Manual, Wayne’s 
Sword Exercise, the Army Regulations, and Scott’s Tactics. Scott wassoon 
changed for Hardie, the latter for U. S. Infantry Tactics, a change of title 
only, Hardie having gone over to the Confederacy. I want to remark in 
this place that we always found Colonel Schriver a patient, interested and 
considerate instructor. All who had the good fortune to commence their 
military service with the aid of his advice and direction, will remember the 
colonel with feelings of affectionate regard as a commanding officer who, 
to a perfect and entire familiarity with the duties and technicalities of his 
office and profession, added the graces and accomplishments of a courteous 
gentleman. 
Sergeants Bentzoni, Hagan, Kennington and Fitzmorris were transfer- 
red from the Recruiting Depot at Governor’s Island, and appointed 1st 
sergeants of companies as they were organized. They were commissioned ELEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
547 
in the regiment after a time, Captain Fitzmorris, killed at the battle of 
Gaines’ Mill, carrying the regimental color. 
By October six companies had been organized and assigned to the First 
Battalion. About the tenth of that month the battalion (with regimental 
headquarters, temporarily) was ordered to Perryville, Maryland, opposite 
Havre de Grace, where, joined by the 14th Infantry from Fort Trumbull, 
Conn., we remained during the winter, guarding mules and wagons col- 
lected at Perryville to make up a wagon train for the Army of the Poto- 
mac. Picket guards at the ferry landings, and guards on the boats, added 
to the duties the men were called upon to perform. The battalion was en- 
camped on the bank of the river near the ferry, and in tents until late in 
January, when it had a welcome change to rude but very comfortable tem- 
porary barracks. Colonel Shriver commanded the post, with Lieutenant 
Lieber as post adjutant. Captain, now Colonel, Sawtelle, of the Quarter- 
master’s Department, was depot quartermaster. Major Delaney Floyd- 
Jones commanded the battalion, with 1st Lieut. Charles A. Hartwell as bat- 
talion adjutant. I wish I could remember the name of the post surgeon, a 
very attentive and competent physician. I passed many pleasant hours in 
his quarters. It is somewhat strange that while I remember so much of 
what occurred at Perryville, by no association of events or individuals can 
I recall the doctor’s name. 
The company officers present in our first camp were Captains Russell, 
Chipman, Lowe, Ames, Lawrence and Elder; Lieuts. J. S. Fletcher, Bates, 
Pleasants, Head, Ingham, Higbee, Patterson, Gray, Evans and Brownell. 
Sergeants William Fletcher, of the 8th Infantry, and Bentzoni and Hun- 
tington, of the nth, were appointed to and joined the regiment before the 
end of the year. I think I have mentioned all who were for duty with the 
battalion at that time, and, with the exception of Elder and Bentzoni, they 
embarked with the battalion for the Peninsula. 
In March, 1862, the nth Infantry and the 14th were ordered to Wash- 
ington, where they joined Sykes’ Division of Regulars. Colonel Schriver 
left the regiment at this time to join General McDowell as his chief of staff. 
The battalion marched with the division in the reconnoissance to Manas- 
sas, returned with it to Alexandria, and went into camp near the Theologi- 
ical Seminary. It embarked for the Peninsula, sharing the transport with 
the 4th Infantry, and, in the operations before Yorktown, its camp was in 
the division camp called Winfield Scott, near General McClellan’s head- 
quarters. 
I intend to refer as little as possible to the division and brigade to which 
my regiment was attached during the War, and will therefore, before pro- 
ceeding farther, give them as briefly as possible for the whole period. 
Sykes’ division was an independent command, reporting direct to General 
McClellan’s headquarters, until the organization of the 5th Corps, when it 
joined that corps as its Second Division. 
In the Peninsular campaign the division was made up of two Regular and 
one volunteer brigades. The 3d, 4th, 12th and 14th regiments of infantry 
were in the First Brigade; the 2d, 6th, 7th, 10th, nth and 17th regiments 
of infantry in the Second ; the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, the 5th and 548 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ioth New York Volunteers in the Third Brigade. A company of the ist 
Infantry served with Sykes’ Division in the Peninsula campaign. I have 
forgotten to which regiment it was attached. Lieut.-Col. R. C. Buchanan, 
4th Infantry, commanded the First, Lieut.-Col. William Chapman, the Sec- 
ond, and Col. G. K. Warren, 5th New York Volunteers, the Third Brigade. 
This division formation—referring to regiments—(the company of the ist 
Infantry was detached from the division, I think, at Harrison’s Landing) 
continued until the fall of 1862, when the ist Connecticut Artillery and ioth 
New York Volunteers were detached from, and the 140th and the 146th New 
York Volunteers attached to the Third Brigade. 
The 5th New York, a two years’ regiment, was mustered out in May,. 
1863, by expiration of term of service. It was reorganized by Col. Cleve- 
land Winslow, a very gallant officer, and returned to the field and to the 
Third Brigade, where it maintained the high reputation its first organiza- 
tion had made, as one of the most distinguished volunteer regiments in 
the Army of the Potomac. In the reorganization of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, preparatory to the campaign of 1864, the three brigades of Sykes’ old 
division were consolidated into one, and assigned to the First—Griffin’s— 
Division of the 5th Corps. The service of the Regular infantry as a sepa- 
rate command in the Army of the Potomac came to an end with this con- 
solidation. The assignment to Griffin’s Division continued until after the 
battle of the Wilderness, when the brigade was returned to the Second Di- 
vision as its Second Brigade, and General Ayres to his former Second Divi- 
sion command. 
Gen. George Sykes (major 14th Infantry) organized the division at 
Washington, D. C., in March, 1862, and continued to command it until, at 
Frederick, Maryland, in June, 1863, he succeeded General Meade in com- 
mand of the 5th Corps. Gen. R. B. Ayres (captain 5th Artillery) who came 
to the First Brigade just before the battle of Chancellorsville, succeeded 
General Sykes in command of the division and, excepting the short time 
his division served as a brigade in Griffin’s division, continued to command 
it to the end of the War. This recital, though somewhat lengthy and a de- 
parture from the line of my narrative, will, I hope, be interesting. It may 
serve a useful purpose. 
Upon the evacuation of Yorktown, the regiment marched via Williams- 
burg, Cumberland, the White House, and Tunstall’s Station, to near the 
Chickahominy, and went into camp on the Mechanicsville road near Gaines’ 
Mill, Camp Lovell it was called. It took part in the movement to Hanover 
Court House, and did its share of picket and fatigue duty on the Chick- 
ahominy. The only thing that disturbed the even tenor of our camp life 
after the Hanover Court House affair, was Stuart’s raid. We were hurried 
out of camp about sundown, marched off rapidly for a few miles, and then 
marched back. I do not know if we were expected to catch Stuart’s raid- 
ers, and can explain the movement only as Artemus Ward did a similarly 
futile effort. It may have been “ Strategy, my boy.” 
At the battle of Gaines’ Mill the battalion was posted to support Mar- 
tin’s Mass. Battery. Lieutenant Hartwell, battalion adjutant, was severely 
wounded in this action. At the battle of Malvern Hill, the nth Infantry ELE VENTH REGIMENT OF IN FA N TR Y. 
549 
and 5th N. Y. Vols. were detached under Col. G. K. Warren, and posted 
in the bottom land on the extreme left of our army. The regiment fol- 
lowed the army to Harrison’s Landing and remained in camp there until 
about August 14th, when it marched with the division via Charles City 
Court House and Williamsburg to Newport News, en route to join Pope’s 
army north of the Rappahannock. It landed from transport at Acquia 
Creek, remained for a few days at Fredericksburg, and appeared in due 
time upon the battle-field of the Second Bull Run, where it was engaged. 
The regiment was present at the battle of Antietam, crossed the river in 
the reconnoissance to Sharpsburg, and was engaged on the skirmish line. 
It accompanied the division back to the Rappahannock, and went into 
camp near Falmouth, Va. It crossed the river and was engaged at the 
battle of Fredericksburg. Captain Lawrence was severely wounded in this 
action. It shared the fatigues and discomforts of the “ Mud March,” and 
wintered in the division camp near Potomac Creek. At the battle of 
Chancellorsville (May 1st) the regiment was again on the skirmish line, at 
first supporting the 17th Infantry, and then deployed on its right in the ad- 
vance of Sykes’ Division in the direction of Fredericksburg. The skirmish 
line went forward for a mile or more without encountering very much oppo- 
sition, or observing any indication that it would encounter any, when, for 
some reason thought to be good, I suppose, by whoever ordered it, the 
skirmish line was withdrawn, and the. division returned to the camp it left 
in the morning. 
On the evening of the disaster to a portion of the Eleventh Corps, 
the regiment, about sunset, was ordered out upon the road leading to 
the river, to aid in restoring order, and to assist in stopping the stream of 
stragglers making for the bridge. 1 shall not attempt a description of how 
a large body of men appeared when under the influence of the unaccount- 
able demoralization. The scene was one of confusion and excitement truly 
thrilling, and though order was soon restored, suggested the thought of 
what a chaotic condition of things would have been likely to follow, had 
the panic extended beyond the limits to which it was fortunately confined. 
In the battle of the next morning the regiment was in line to the right 
of the troops engaged. It formed part of the rear-guard when the army 
crossed to the north bank of the river and, waiting to see the ponton bridge 
taken up, then returned to its winter camp near Falmouth. The regiment 
accompanied the division to Gettysburg. The division, early in the after- 
noon of July 1st, went into camp near York, Pa., to prepare muster and pay 
rolls. About sunset it was hurriedly put en route for Gettysburg, had a 
very exhausting night march and, passing in the early morning to the rear of 
the battle-field of the day before, halted on the pike in rear of the Round 
Top for rest and breakfast. Later in the day the division was put in posi- 
tion covering the Round Top, the Regular brigades posted out well to the 
front. The enemy soon appeared in great force, threatening the destruc- 
tion of the Regular infantry by an enfilade. The gallantry of Col. Hannibal 
Day, 6th Infantry, commanding the 1st,—and Col. Sidney Burbank, 2d 
Infantry, commanding the 2d Brigade,—their coolness and skill in with- 
drawing their commands from the terrible fire to which they were exposed 550 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
without support, made the veteran officers named conspicuous figures on 
that part of the field. The following extracts, which I cannot resist quot- 
ing, from Colonel Fox’s “ Regimental Losses in the Civil War,” will be in- 
teresting as showing what the Regular infantry did and suffered in this 
great battle : 
“ At Gettysburg the two Regular brigades, under Colonels Day and 
Burbank, again displayed that marked efficiency which, at Gaines’ Mill and 
on other fields, had made them famous, their thinned ranks being again 
depleted under the terrible fire which they encountered.” 
And again: 
“ At Gettysburg the two Regular brigades included ten regiments, but 
they contained only fifty-seven small companies. Out of 1985 present, they 
lost 829 in killed, wounded and missing, and in Burbank’s Brigade, out of 
80 officers present, 40 were killed or wounded.” 
The loss of the nth Infantry in officers was the largest it,—or any other 
Regular regiment, so far as I can learn,—suffered in any one battle of the 
War. Captain Barri and Lieutenants Kenaston, Elder, Rochford and Bar- 
ber were killed; and Captain Goodhue and Lieutenant Harbach wounded. 
The regiment marched with the division back to the Rappahannock. 
In the fall of 1863 the Regular infantry, with other commands from the 
Army of the Potomac, were sent to New York City to preserve order during 
the next draft. The nth Infantry encamped on the East River, across the 
street and to the north of Jones’ Wood garden. When the purpose for 
which the troops were sent to New York had been accomplished, they were 
ordered back to the front. 
A great deal of marching and counter-marching is all that I remember 
as occurring to the time of the assault and capture by the 6th Corps of the 
rebel redoubts covering the railroad bridge crossing the Rappahannock. 
On that occasion the nth Infantry was on the skirmish line to the left of 
the attack. The regiment took part in the movement to Mine Run, re- 
turned to the vicinity of Bealton Station, and went into what we thought 
would be our winter quarters. Remaining in that locality for a short time, 
it moved to near Nokesville. We had completed the hutting of the com- 
mand when, about Christmas, the regiment was ordered to Alexandria, Va., 
for duty as train guards to Brandy Station. The end of the year left the 
regiment in camp near the cemetery at Alexandria, performing the duty 
last mentioned. 
About May 1st, 1864, the regiment moved to Brandy Station, where the 
division, cantoned along the railroad during the winter, was assembling to 
take part in the campaign of 1864. The division crossed the Rapidan at 
Ely’s Ford and bivouacked on the night of May 4th well out on the Orange 
Court House road. In the engagement of the next day the regiment was 
on the skirmish line. Lieutenants Pleasants and Staples were killed in this 
action. The regiment was again under fire May 8th and 12th. Lieutenant 
Pratt was killed in the action of May 8th. The regiment crossed the North 
Anna River near Jericho Ford, and was engaged on that day, June 2d, at 
Bethesda Church. Undercover of a heavy growth of timber the enemy 
succeeded in turning the right of the 5th Corps, capturing Lieutenants ELEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
551 
Hunington and Nealy, and a number of the enlisted men of Company F, 
ist Battalion, our right-flank company. The enemy came upon us from 
our right and rear. I did not stop to inquire what the rebels thought 
about it, but we were very much surprised indeed. 
The regiment, still tramping with the division, crossed the Chicka- 
hominy at Long Bridge, moved after some delay to the James River, and 
crossed at Wilcox’s Landing, was retained on the south bank, and made the 
most exhausting night march it ever experienced. It arrived in front of 
the works covering Petersburg on the morning of June 17th, and was in 
support of the disastrous assault of the 9th Corps, On the 18th the divi- 
sion moved to the left, to near the Weldon Railroad cut, and took part in 
an effective and bloody attack upon the rebel defenses on that front. The 
nth Infantry suffered severely from the fire of a battery located in are- 
doubt fronting the line of the advance. Lieut.-Col. E. S. Otis, 140th New 
York Volunteers, commanded our brigade in this action. After remaining 
for several weeks in the trenches the regiment moved to the more com- 
fortable locality of a camp to the rear in the timber, where a man could 
hold up his head without the certainty of a sharp-shooter making a target 
of it. I can imagine no more utterly wearing, forlorn, and dispiriting 
situation than that of hiding, day after day, behind a breast-high parapet, 
waiting for your turn to come to be knocked on the head. Looking across 
to the rebel works they appeared deserted, until some movement or dem- 
onstration in our line called them to arms, when their parapet would glisten 
with bayonets, suggestive of the quills upon the fretful porcupine. The 
regiment was engaged at the battle of the Weldon R. R. and the battle of 
the Chapel House. Lieut.-Col. Otis, our brigade commander, was very 
severely wounded in the last-named action. The regiment took part in the 
movement to Hatcher’s Run, returned to a camp near the Yellow Tavern, 
and on the ist day of November, 1864, the Regular infantry serving with the 
Army of the Potomac, were ordered out of the field. The casualties inci- 
dent to field service, with the difficulty experienced in obtaining recruits 
for the Regular Army,—state and county bounties attracting recruits to the 
volunteer service,—had reduced the several regiments to an aggregate en- 
listed of little more than the maximum allowed a company,—several of the 
older regiments fell below it. 
This separation was final. I do not think that I exaggerate when I re- 
mark that, in its service with the Army of the Potomac, the Regular infantry 
bore its part honorably and well; that the high standard for efficiency ex- 
pected of it was always maintained when put to the crucial test of battle. 
Too few in numbers to claim recognition as a great element of strength to 
that army, the record it made from Yorktown to the Chapel House is an 
assurance of what a notable influence it would have exercised, had its en- 
listed strength been sufficient to permit its organization as an army corps. 
The regiment went from the field to Hunt Barracks, in rear of Fort 
Hamilton, N. Y. Harbor, remained there until November 18th, when, with 
the 8th Infantry, it embarked for Baltimore, Md. Remained at Baltimore 
until December 5th, when it was sent to Annapolis, Md., for duty at Camp 
Parole. Remained at Camp Parole until January 26, 1865, when it em- 552 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
barked for City Point, Va. Arriving at City Point, it went into camp near 
General Grant’s headquarters, where it remained until March 8th, when it 
moved to Park Station, and from that time to the end did duty as part of 
the provost guard at headquarters Army of the Potomac. 
After the surrender, the nth Infantry with other Regular troops, was 
sent to Richmond, Va., where it arrived May 3d. It did provost duty in 
Richmond ui til the civil government of the city was organized, and at 
Libby Prison until its use was discontinued. 
During the summer and fall of 1865 the twenty-four companies of the 
regiment were organized. 
In the summer of 1866, the regiment suffered a great mortality from 
cholera. I think the order reorganizing the Army was received in Sep- 
tember, and soon afterward the 29th Infantry (3d Battalion) was ordered to 
Lynchburg, Va. In January, 1866, the 20th Infantry (2d Battalion) was 
ordered to New Orleans, La., leaving the 1st Battalion heir to the colors 
and records of the nth Infantry of,—what we were proud to have been,— 
Sykes’ Division of the 5th Army Corps. 
The field officers of the old Eleventh were Colonels E. D. Keyes and 
W. S. Ketchum ; Lieut.-Colonels Edmund Schriver, John T. Sprague and 
R. S. Granger; Majors Frederick Steele, Delaney Floyd-Jones, Jonathan 
W. Gordon, Daniel Huston, Jr., T. H. Neill, and Lyman Bissell. I do not 
remember all who were regimental and battalion staff officers. Those I do 
remember are Lieuts. G. N. Lieber, G. E. Head and F. A. Field, regimental 
adjutants; R. B. Smith and Oscar Hagan, regimental quartermasters. 
Lieuts. C. A. Hartwell and J. C. Bates were adjutants of the 1st Battalion 
in the field. 
At the time of the reorganization Lieut. W. H. Clapp was adjutant of 
the 1st Battalion, and Lieut. Wm. Fletcher quartermaster, Lieut. A. A. 
Harbach was adjutant of the 2d Battalion ; Lieut. John A. Coe, quarter- 
master. I have forgotten who was adjutant of the 3d Battalion ; Lieut. 
Henry Wagner was quartermaster. Lieut. Charles Bentzoni had been 
quartermaster of the 3d Battalion. Lieut. Irvin B. Wright was at one time 
a battalion staff officer. Lieut. J. P. Pratt was adjutant of the 2d Battalion 
when killed in front of Spottsylvania Court House. Major Delaney Floyd- 
Jones commanded the battalion at Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill, 2d Bull 
Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; Major 
Gordon at Mine Run; Captain Francis M. Cooley at the Wilderness; 
Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River, and the assault of June 
18th ; Captain W. G. Edgerton at the Weldon R. R. and Chapel House; 
Captain A. E. Littimer at the time of the surrender. 
In closing my informal narrative I desire to mention three officers of 
my old regiment. Two of them—Captains Russell and Barri—were great 
favorites, the third was my particular and intimate friend. We messed 
together and were attached to the same company for the 1864 campaign. 
I have never known abetter or more companionable fellow than Wright 
Staples, whose young life went out at the battle of the Wilderness on the 
skirmish line, doing his duty in his manly way. 
Captain Thomas O. Barri, who died in the division field hospital at ELE VENTH REGIMENT OF IN FA NTRY. 
55 3 
Gettysburg, was a loss to the regiment that affected both rank and file 
deeply. Of a happy temperament,—bright, witty and clever,—he possessed 
social qualities joined to a correct, courageous and honorable conduct, that 
made him loved as a comrade, and respected as an officer and gentleman. 
A cultivated musician, he sang delightfully. His camp fire was always the 
chief attraction of our bivouac. Among the first to fall, he could not be 
removed from the field until the enemy had been driven back. He died 
soon after being brought in. 
I think all who served near Captain Charles S. Russell, will agree with 
me that he was an exceptionably able commander of troops in action. I 
never knew him, in the many times his capacity was put to the test, to fail 
in the soldierly qualities which made him so distinguished. In every action 
of the regiment from Gaines’ Mill to Gettysburg, he was the acting field 
officer, and always made his presence felt. He was appointed, at the re- 
quest of Governor Morton of Indiana, colonel of the 8th U. S. Colored 
Troops, and in the Campaign of 1864, commanded a brigade in the 9th and 
25th Corps. His brigade was selected to accompany General Sheridan’s 
Army to Texas. The death of Captain, Brevet Colonel, Russell at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, in November, 1866, removed from the Army one of its most dis- 
tinguished officers of his grade. He was of tried courage, and admitted 
capability for high command. 
I have reached the limit of space allowed me, and conclude my labor of 
love with the regret that I have not been able to do more ample justice to 
so deserving a subject. 
II. 
By LIEUTENANT R. J. C. IRVINE, U. S. A., 
Eleventh Infantry. 
In 1869 the present Eleventh Infantry was formed by the consolidation 
of the 24th and 29th Regiments of Infantry. The 24th Infantry was con- 
solidated into five companies, and the 29th also into rive companies, and 
by General Orders No. 80, dated 5th Military District, April 25, 1869, the 
consolidation of the two regiments into the Eleventh Infantry was com- 
pleted. 
Colonel Alvan C. Gillem was the first colonel of the reorganized 
Eleventh Infantry, but in December, 1870, he was transferred to the 1st 
Cavalry. 
He was succeeded by Colonel William H. Wood, who assumed com- 
mand of the regiment in February, 1871, and remained its colonel until he 
was retired at his own request in June, 1882. 
The retirement of Colonel Wood promoted Lieut.-Colonel Richard I. 
Dodge, of the 23d Infantry, to the Eleventh, and he has remained its 
colonel to the present time. 
The history of the present nth Infantry is necessarily brief. From its 
formation in 1869 up to 1876 it was stationed in the Department of Texas, 
and the companies took part at different times in the scouts and expedi- 
tions against hostile Indians, and performed escort and other field duties. 554 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
In August and September, 1876, the regiment was sent from the Depart- 
ment of Texas to the Department of Dakota for field service in connectfon 
with the Indian War in that Territory and in Montana. The larger part of 
the regiment (seven companies) was sent to the Cheyenne River agency, 
Dakota, where these troops were hutted for shelter during the winter, and 
three companies were stationed at Standing Rock agency, Dakota. In 1877 
the regiment was transferred from the Department of Texas to the Depart- 
ment of Dakota. 
In April and May, 1877, three companies (C, F and G) were moved from 
Cheyenne Agency, and three companies (A, B and H) from Standing Rock 
Agency to the Little Big Horn, Montana, under the command of Lieut.- 
Colonel G. P. Buell, nth Infantry, where they constructed the post of Fort 
Custer. 
During the years 1877 and 1878 the different companies of the regiment 
were employed as occasion demanded on expeditions and scouts against 
hostile Indians. 
On January 2d, 1881, Company F, nth Infantry, was engaged in an 
attack upon hostile Indians, under Sitting Bull, near Poplar Creek Agency, 
as part of the command of Major G. Ilges, 5th Infantry. 
The infantry battalion, composed of Company F, nth Infantry, and de- 
tachments of Companies A, B and E, 7th Infantry, and one three-inch gun, 
all under command of Captain O. B. Read, nth Infantry, left the agency at 
n.30 A. M., marched three miles, crossed the Missouri River, took and held 
a point of timber commanding the lower village of the Indians until joined 
by Major Ilges with the main command (5 companies 5th Infantry, 1 com- 
pany 7th Cavalry and an artillery detachment). The attack commenced 
at once, and after an engagement of about one hour, during which Com- 
pany F was engaged in firing upon and turning back Indians attempting to 
escape from the artillery fire, resulted in the capturing of three Indian vil- 
lages and their destruction. 324 prisoners were taken, with about 300 
ponies and a large number of arms. No casualties among the troops. Loss 
of enemy in killed and wounded not known. 
In July, 1887, the regiment left the Department of Dakota for service in 
the Division of the Atlantic, where it is now stationed in the Lake Region., 
with headquarters at Madison Barracks, N. Y. THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Lieut. CHARLES W. ABBOT, Jr., Adjutant 12TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE numerical designation “Twelfth” has been borne by four regiments 
of infantry in the regular service of the United States. The first 
was organized July 16, 1798, under an act of same date, and dis- 
banded June 15, 1800. The second and third were raised tempo- 
rarily during hostilities, the former in 1812, its personnel being chiefly from 
Virginia, the latter during the Mexican War. Both performed well the duty 
for which intended, and upon the cessation of hostilities were disbanded. 
The present regiment was organized by direction of the President in a 
proclamation dated May 4,1861. An act of Congress of July 29th of the same 
year confirmed the organization. It was to consist of three battalions of eight 
companies each. The first regimental return shows that the field officers 
were appointed June 18th, and company officers August 23d; although 
the actual date of commission of all the former, and many of the latter was 
May 14th. 
The first colonel was William B. Franklin, who was promoted from cap- 
tain of Topographical Engineers. He never joined, having been appointed 
brigadier-general of volunteers May 17th. He was promoted to major- 
general July 4, 1862, and resigned his commission as colonel March 15, 
1866. Daniel Butterfield of New York was the first lieutenant-colonel. 
He never joined, having been made brigadier-general of volunteers to 
date September 7th, and major-general November 29, 1862. He was pro- 
moted to colonel 5th Infantry July 1, 1863. The majors were Henry B. 
Clitz, Richard S. Smith, and Luther B. Bruen. Major Clitz was promoted 
from captain 3d Infantry. Major Smith had been 1st lieutenant 4th Artil- 
lery, resigning in 1856. Major Bruen had had no previous service. 
The organization was commenced in August, Major Clitz in charge of 
recruiting, headquarters at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. The com- 
pany officers were ordered on recruiting service to various places as soon as 
they joined. The first adjutant was Bernard P. Mimmack who was ap- 
pointed 2d lieutenant from sergeant-major to date September 20th. First 
Lieutenant Walter S. Franklin, a brother of the colonel, was appointed 
quartermaster on September 30th. On October 20th the 1st battalion was 
organized, and the return of that month shows an aggregate of 520, 
the companies averaging each about 60 men. Each company had a small 
nucleus of old soldiers who had served one or more enlistments. The 
officers were as a rule young men from twenty to twenty-five, most of them 
perfectly green in the profession of arms. A school was established, and 
the strictest discipline enforced. There was much enthusiasm, and rapid 
progress was made. 
Fort Hamilton during the latter part of 1861 and through the whole of 556 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
1862, was the principal depot for prisoners of state who were confined in Fort 
Lafayette, which was included in the post. Colonel Martin Burke, a char- 
acter of the old army, was commanding officer, and many amusing incidents 
occurred, in connection with the care and safe-keeping of his distin- 
guished captives, which served to while away the tedium of constant drills 
and recitations through the long winter. There was much anxiety lest the 
war should be over before the regiment had a chance to show its prowess, 
and when spring brought marching orders to join the Army of the Poto- 
mac there was much enthusiasm and rejoicing. The first order directed a 
move to Perryville only, but it was changed en route. 
On March 5th the 1st battalion, 739 strong, left New York, and reached 
Washington the next day, The Long Bridge was crossed on the 10th, and 
a bivouac made on the sacred soil of Virginia. Went into camp on nth 
near Alexandria. Embarked on transport Georgia, 26th, for Fortress Mon- 
roe, arriving on 28th, and going into camp at Hampton. The first enemy 
was encountered on this voyage. He was small in size, but in point of num- 
bers and persistency proved himself a terror. 
About April 5th the battalion was at Yorktown, where the regular brig- 
ade under Brigadier-General George Sykes, the senior major of the 14th 
Infantry, was formed. It consisted of the 2d, 3d, 4th, 6th, 10th, nth, nth, 
14th and 17th, and the 5th New York, the latter being Zouaves commanded 
by Colonel Gouverneur K. Warren, who was then captain of Topographical 
Engineers. General Sykes immediately began the work of perfecting his 
command in drill and discipline. How well he succeeded is attested by its 
splendid record throughout all the trying campaigns of the Army of the 
Potomac. It was always in condition for immediate service. Transporta- 
tion and supplies were on hand. As a result extra work was often required 
of it. 
In the fall of 1864 it had become so depleted in numbers, owing to hard 
service and the difficulty of obtaining recruits for the regulars, when volun- 
teers received such high bounties, that it was withdrawn from the field. 
The war history of the rst battalion 12th Infantry, indeed of the 2d also, is 
inseparable from that of “ Sykes’s Regulars,” for the 2d joined the 1st in 
September, 1862. They remained together until so reduced in numbers 
that the 2d was merged into the 1st. Wherever that splendid command was 
engage(I the 12th Infantry did its full share. The brigade organization hav- 
ing been effected the regulars took part in the investment of Yorktown. 
Building corduroy roads by day, and digging by night, kept their hands fully 
employed. It was generally understood that they would form the advance 
in the assault, so their minds were filled as well by the cheerful prospect be- 
fore them. Yorktown was evacuated by the Confederates on May 8th. A 
slow pursuit was made up the peninsula to the banks of the Chickahominy. 
There was much sickness, owing to malarial influences and a lack of 
knowledge on the part of both officers and men concerning the proper way 
to take care of themselves and prepare their food. About the middle of 
May the 10th New \ork was added to General Sykes’ command, and it 
became a division, consisting of three brigades. The 1st, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Robert C. Buchanan, 4th Infantry, was made up of the 3d and 4th, THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF IN FA NTRY. 55 7 
ist Battalion 12th, and part of the 14th. The 2d, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Chapman, consisted of all the other regular regiments or parts thereof before 
mentioned. The 3d was composed of the volunteer regiments under Colonel 
Warren. The division formed part of the 5th Provisional Corps under 
Major-General Fitz John Porter. The battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, 
and Seven Pines were listened to from afar. 
On June 26th at Mechanicsville the regulars acted as a support. It was 
a day of great anxiety. The feeling was strong that a crisis was imminent. 
That night they slept on their arms. On the 27th at Gaines’ Mills was ex- 
perienced the first touch of real war. In the early morning preparations 
for an important movement were made all around. Everything that could 
not be readily carried on the wagons, or on the persons of the men was 
burned. Sutler’s stores that were high priced the day before, were given 
away. In the action the division lost heavily. The 12th Infantry went into 
battle 470 strong. Its total loss was 212, of which 54 were killed, 102 
wounded, and 56 missing. Lieutenant Charles F. Van Duzer was killed, 
the first casualty among the officers. Lieutenants Stacey and Coster were 
included in the wounded. The most serious loss was that of Major Clitz 
and Captain Stanhope missing. The former was reported killed, and a 
corporal of engineers gave full particulars of his death and burial, claiming 
to have put a board at the head of the grave. Although severely shot 
through both legs Major Clitz survived, but was captured and sent to Libby 
Prison. He was exchanged, and on July 18th was reported on parole. He 
never rejoined, and thus closed the active career, during the war, of the first 
virtual commander of the regiment. To him whom the brigade comman- 
der called the “ gallant and dashing Clitz ” was due, more than to any one 
else, the high standard of efficiency which was displayed by the regiment in 
this its first battle. General Sykes in his report writes concerning a position 
taken by the 12th and 14th, “while holding it they were attacked in over- 
whelming numbers, the 12th decimated, and Major Clitz severely, if not 
fatally wounded. Around his fate, still shrouded in mystery, hangs the pain- 
ful apprehension that a career so noble, so soldierly, so brave has termina- 
ted on that field, whose honor he so gallantly upheld.” The first clause of 
those thrilling words seems prophetic. In 1887, when the regiment was en 
route via the lakes from the Department of the East to Dakota, General 
Clitz, then retired and living in Detroit, visited and expressed the greatest 
interest inhisold command. In October 1888 he disappeared, his “career 
so noble, so soldierly, so brave,” ended, and his fate is “ still shrouded in 
mystery.” 
From May 28th to 30th, the retreat to the James was continued. At 
Turkey Bend the regiment supported batteries. At Malvern Hill the whole 
division was engaged with unbroken success. The losses were slight, and 
many prisoners were taken. The ist Brigade, with a portion of Averell’s 
cavalry, the whole under General Averell, was formed into a rear guard on 
the morning of the 2d. So skilfully was this force handled that its object 
was fully carried out, almost without loss, and Harrison’s Landing reached 
in safety. Here the division remained until about the middle of Au- 
gust. 558 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
In a marvellously short time the morale of the army, which had suffered 
much during the seven days’ fighting, was restored, and the gain in experi- 
ence fully compensated for the losses in numbers. During the retreat the 
regiment lost all its records. This experience seems to have been the rule 
throughout all the active service in the field, for the retained returns, etc., 
now in the regimental archives, are all copies made from the originals on 
file in the Adjutant-General’s office, when the regiment was stationed in 
Washington after the war was over. In August Regimental Headquarters 
was transferred from the ist Battalion to Fort Hamilton. A move from 
Harrison’s Landing to Newport News was commenced on the 14th, the 
latter being reached on the 18th. Embarked, 20th, on steamer Hero, and 
arrived at Acquia Creek, 21st. Marched same day to vicinity of Freder- 
icksburg. Left, 23d, and reached Manassas Junction, 29th. The second 
battle of Bull Run was fought on the 30th. Position was taken in the fore- 
noon, and held for two hours under artillery fire. Then a movement to 
the right was made, and the battalion was posted on the outskirts of a wood, 
where it was also exposed to artillery fire. When ordered to retire from 
this position a march to the rear was made in line of battle by battalion. 
This was accomplished in perfect order. Assistance being then required 
on the left the battalion with the 14th was sent in that direction. Here a 
very severe and unequal engagement was maintained for nearly an hour, 
when, being almost out of ammunition and greatly outnumbered, it became 
necessary to retire. This last movement was after sunset, and it was dark 
before the battalion left the field. An officer present on this day writes 
concerning the support given by the regulars, that they stood like a stone 
wall, while the rest of the army was in full retreat. No other troops could 
have been led to the hill where they were ordered, amid the confusion 
that then reigned. On reaching the top, firing was done by regiment and 
file with great execution. When they finally left the field, after heavy 
loss, they retired as steadily as though on parade. The retreat ended at 
Centreville, but the work of the regulars was not over. Many of the troops 
were so demoralized that when placed on picket duty they would stampede 
as soon as posted. Others refused utterly, thus entailing extra duty upon 
the faithful. 
Early the next morning the defeated army moved towards Washington 
and thirty-three miles were accomplished. General McClellan met the 
troops near Chain Bridge, and was greeted with prolonged cheers. His 
reassignment to command soon after, was received with great enthusiasm. 
Reorganization was rapidly effected, and the morale of the army restored. 
In this fight the battalion was commanded by Captain Matthew M. Blunt, 
and lost 5 killed, including Captain J. G. Read, 32 wounded, and 5 missing. 
September 5th the 2d Battalion, consisting of Companies A, B, C, D, Eand 
G joined the ist, and became part of the ist Brigade. Their movements up 
to this time were as follows: Early in 1862 recruiting was going on under 
the superintendence of Major Bruen at Fort Hamilton. On May 20th Com- 
panies A, B, E and G were organized, and left on the 24th for Washington, 
but their destination was changed en route to Harper’s Ferry, which was 
reached on the 26th. Here they were joined to four companies of the 8th THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
559 
Infantry, forming a provisional battalion, under Captain Thomas G. Pitcher 
of the latter. 
The month of June was spent in movements about Winchester and 
Middletown. On July 5th, with Banks’ Corps, a march was commenced 
from Middletown to Springville. On the third day the brigade to which 
the battalion belonged (Cooper’s) was lost in the mountains, and wandered 
about from 2 A. M. until 9 P. M., when but fifty men out of four hundred 
were present with the colors, many having been overcome by heat and ex- 
haustion. The records were either lost or destroyed. From Springville a 
move was made to the vicinity of Warrington, where the battalion did 
picket duty. Left Warrington on August 2d, and reached Culpeper, 6th. 
On the 9th at Cedar Mountain the 2d Battalion received its baptism of 
fire. It was deployed as skirmishers “ to cover the front of the division, to 
advance continuously, discover the enemy’s position, and annoy him as 
much as possible.” General Prince, the brigade commander, while in cap- 
tivity at Richmond, wrote the following concerning the manner in which 
this duty was performed. “ Their part, I have occasion to know, excited 
the admiration of the enemy, who inquired if they were not regulars, as 
they had never seen such skirmishing. They were out during the whole 
battle, and penetrated even to the enemy’s position, and annoyed him so 
as to turn the attention of his guns away from more distant firing with shot 
and shell, and caused him to waste canister upon the ground of the skir- 
mishers.” The loss of the whole battalion was 8 killed, 37 wounded, in- 
cluding 6 officers, among whom was Captain Pitcher; and 1 officer, 14 men 
missing ; in all 60, showing that the praise of the brigade commander was 
dearly bought. 
After this battle a gradual movement was made in the direction of Man- 
assas, which was reached on the 22d. There Company D joined, 26th. On 
September 1st Company C arrived and the battalion was ordered on picket 
near Bull Run. Fell back, 2d, towards Fairfax, and were near General 
Kearney in his action at Chantilly, but were not ordered into the fight. 
Retreated with Banks’ Corps to Alexandria, crossing the Potomac and 
camping near Tenallytown, Maryland, 4th. On 5th, recrossed the river, 
and as before stated, joined the 1st Battalion. Captain Thomas M. Ander- 
son succeeded Captain Pitcher when the latter was wounded at Cedar 
Mountain, and was in command when the battalions joined. Company F 
was organized on the 10th, and performed garrison duty at Fort Hamilton. 
Camp at Tenallytown was broken on the 9th, and the battalions, com- 
manded respectively by Captains Blunt and Anderson, advanced through 
Rockville to Frederick, thence to Middletown, where bivouac was made on 
the 14th. Crossed South Mountain, 15th, to Porterstown, forming part of 
the advance. There was' some harmless artillery fire in the evening. Dur- 
ing the first part of the 16th the enemy’s artillery was somewhat annoying. 
At 5 P. M. the 1 st Battalion was ordered to relieve the 4th Infantry in guard- 
ing the Antietam Creek bridge. This position was held until about noon 
of the 17th, when a force of cavalry and horse artillery was crossed. This 
drew a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery. The fire of sharpshooters 
being annoying to Tidball’s battery, a skirmish line was thrown out under 560 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Captain Frederick Winthrop, which soon drove them back. Shortly after 
the battalion was advanced in support of the battery. About 7 P. M. orders 
were received to join the brigade. The loss was 1 killed, and 3 wounded. 
The 2d Battalion was held in reserve during the entire action, and suffered 
no loss. General Alfred Pleasanton, commanding the cavalry division, 
spoke in high terms of the services rendered by the regular battalions in 
supporting his horse artillery. Camp was made near Sharpsburg, 23d. 
For the rest of the month and during October, guard duty was performed 
at the fords crossing the Potomac. Left Sharpsburg, 30th, for Harper’s 
Ferry. During November a move was made by slow degrees to the vicinity 
of Falmouth, which was reached on the 22d. The only incident worthy of 
mention was a review by General McClellan on the 10th, preparatory to his 
relinquishing command of the army. 
Remained in camp near Falmouth until December 1 ith, when a move 
was made nearei the town, and on the afternoon of the 13th the river was 
crossed, and position in reserve taken on the outskirts of Fredericksburg. 
From this time until the morning of the 16th the battalions occupied 
various positions in and about the city. All day long on the 14th they lay 
under a galling fire, unable to return it, a most trying test of discipline and 
courage. On the 15th they built barricades, and dug rifle pits. The next 
day they formed part of the rear guard, covering the crossing of the army. 
The skirmishers of the 1st Battalion, together with those of the 3d In- 
fantry, all under Captain Winthrop, brought up the extreme rear, and were 
the last to cross. The total loss in both battalions was 13. Returned to 
old camp 17th, and remained during the rest of the month, and until 
January 19, 1863, when camp was broken. The next five days were spent 
on the “ mud march,” Burnside’s unfortunate and fruitless attempt to 
cross the Rappahannock River, and advance, to retrieve the disaster at 
Fredericksburg. Again the old camp was sought, and preparations 
made to spend the rest of the winter. Regimental Headquarters joined 
February 13th. 
On March 9th, pursuant to orders from the War Department, Companies 
E, F and H, 1st, and B, E and G, 2d Battalion, were broken up, and the 
men distributed among the other organizations. There were left in the 
1st Battalion Companies A, B, C, D and G; aggregate present and absent 
480, Captain Blunt commanding. The 2d consisted of Companies A, C and 
D in the field, F and H at Fort Hamilton ; aggregate, 524, Captain Ander- 
son in command. The two companies at Hamilton aggregated 185, leaving 
eight, about 820 strong, in the field. There were actually present, however, 
only about 600 officers and men, so large was the list of absentees, sick or 
on detached service. Major Smith commanded the regiment. Lieutenant 
Mimmack was still adjutant. The position of quartermaster was filled 
April 9th by the appointment of 1st Lieutenant Robert L. Burnett, Lieu- 
tenant Franklin having resigned the same on February 9th. The time dur- 
ing this winter camp was spent both profitably and pleasantly. Picket duty, 
guard and fatigue, interspersed with drills, recitations and paper work, were 
done carefully and diligently, for Colonel Buchanan was somewhat of a 
martinet, and had very decided ideas of what regulars should be. On the THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
561 
other hand there was much jovial good fellowship, and the opportunities to 
become well acquainted were improved to the utmost. 
The active campaigning of the year commenced in the latter part of 
April. General Hooker was in command of the army, and General Romeyn 
B. Ayres had relieved Colonel Buchanan as brigade commander. The 
operations about Chancellorsville lasted ten days, from April 27th to May 
6th. There were many wearisome and harassing marches, taxing the ener- 
gies of the troops to the utmost. The regulars had but little chance, 
although willing and eager to fight. 
On May 1st there was an encounter on the Fredericksburg Pike. The 
regiment was in line of battle on one side of the road. Skirmishers from 
the 2d Brigade were in advance. The enemy, when met, was driven about 
a mile. On the 3d some good work was done in covering the nth Corps. 
On the evening preceding the retreat a division picket was formed of offi- 
cers and men, specially selected, without regard to roster, for the purpose 
of covering the retiring troops. A captain of the regiment was placed in 
command. An eye witness wrote as follows: “ The woods were on fire 
throughout the length of the picket line, and when night fell, soon after the 
sentinels were posted, the burning branches and falling limbs made the 
scene almost appalling; at intervals the enemy would approach our line 
and fire at random ; nobody was hurt, but a more agreeable way of passing 
the night can easily be imagined. Before dawn the picket was quietly 
withdrawn, and followed the remainder of the army across the river.” The 
regiment lost 23 men during these operations. Camp near Falmouth was 
resumed, and retained about a month, when the regiment moved to Banks’ 
Ford, and did picket duty until June 14th. 
The march to Gettysburg was made via Manassas, Aldie Gap, Mono- 
cacy, Frederick and Union Mills, which was reached on the 30th. July 1st, 
left Union Mills and passed through Hanover, Pa., to the vicinity of Get- 
tysburg. About five p. m., 2d, the division went into action, and remained 
under fire for nearly three hours. The battalions were engaged a good 
part of the time in changing positions, all of which was done in perfect 
order, although suffering heavy loss. General Ayres commends the gal- 
lantry of the division on that occasion, stating that although the casualties 
were terrible (fifty per cent.) no one thought of retiring until the order was 
given. The position taken on the evening of the 2d, was held until the 
morning of the 4th, when the brigade made a reconnaissance. Company B, 
Captain Winthrop, was sent skirmishing, and performed this duty in such 
a manner as to win the praise of the brigade commander. The entire loss 
in these operations was 92, one officer, Lieut. Silas A. Miller, being killed, 
and four wounded. Captain Thomas S. Dunn was in command. Major 
Smith having resigned, May 30th, Major Dickinson Woodruff succeeded 
him in the 2d Battalion, but did not join until October 5th, when he as- 
sumed charge of the regimental recruiting. Lieut.-Col. Butterfield was 
promoted colonel 5th Infantry on July 1st, and was succeeded by Lieut.- 
Col. Christopher C. Augur. Col. Augur had been appointed brigadier- 
general of volunteers in 1861, and major-general the next year, and his 
service during the entire war was with the volunteers. 562 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
July 5th the pursuit of Lee began. The march was through Emmitts- 
burg, over South Mountain and Antietam Creek to Williamsport. Here 
four days, nth to 14th, were spent in manoeuvring, when the enemy es- 
caped across the Potomac. He was followed on the 17th, and the advance 
was continued nearly every day until on the last of the month camp was 
made at Beverly Ford, Va. During this month the companies at head- 
quarters, F and H, 2d Battalion, saw their first actual service, being engaged 
from 13th to 20th in suppressing the draft riots in New York City. General 
Wool reports that on the 16th, Company F, Captain Putnam, was ordered 
to Gramercy Park to support some cavalry. Upon arriving there the mob 
opened fire, whereupon the adjacent buildings were entered, and the riot- 
ers killed, arrested or driven out. They were pursued in all directions and 
dispersed. After this spirited action they did not again assemble. 
From Beverly Ford the battalions moved to Bealton Station, thence to 
Alexandria, where they were embarked August 16th, on transport Planet tor 
New York, to which place the brigade was sent to prevent a recurrence of the 
draft troubles. Arrived 19th, and camped at Tompkins Square, remaining 
until September 17th, doing guard duty at the provost-marshal’s office, Police 
headquarters. Major Bruen was relieved as superintendent of the regi- 
mental recruiting service, and assumed command August 23d. Sailed 
September 19th, on transport Battie, for Alexandria, arriving on 21st. Took 
cars to Culpeper next day, and remained in camp there until October 10th. 
Companies F and H, 2d Battalion, sailed from New York on steamer At- 
lantic, 18th, escorting deserters and conscripts to Alexandria. Left there 
for Culpeper and joined regiment on 22d. From this time until late in 
December the battalions marched back and forth with the corps along the 
line of the Alexandria and Orange railroad during all the operations which 
resulted in actions at Bristow and Rappahannock stations, and Mine Run. 
In the former, October 14th, they supported the 2d, and at Rappahannock 
Station, November 14th, the 6th Corps, losing on that occasion four men 
missing. At Mine Run, November 27th, they were in line of battle under 
artillery fire, and one officer and six men were missing. On December 27th 
camp was made at Kettle Run, and the end of the year found them guard- 
ing the railroad. In the meantime Company H, 1st Battalion, was reor- 
ganized, and remained in garrison at Fort Hamilton. MajorClitz was pro- 
moted lieutenant-colonel 4th Infantry, November 4th. Major Henry E. 
Maynadier succeeded him, but did not join, being on detached service as 
a member of the Hospital Inspection Board of Michigan. Lieut. Burnett 
resigned as quartermaster on November 19th, and was succeeded by 1st 
Lieut. Evan Miles. 
The monotony of the winter camp was enlivened by numerous small af- 
fairs with guerrillas, whose constant aim was to cripple the railroad by burn- 
ing bridges or tearing up the tracks. Major Bruen was brigade commander 
until early in spring, and Captains Stanhope and Alexander J. Dallas com- 
manded the regiment at different times. Camp was broken on April 30th, 
the band having left on 26th to join Company H, 1st, at Fort Hamilton. The 
total number present was about 450, officers and men, Major Bruen com- 
manding. The regiment was in the 1st Brigade (Ayres’), 1st Division (Grif- THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
563 
fin’s), 5th Corps (Warren’s). The forward movement was through Bealton 
Station, across the Rappahannock and Rapidan, thence along the Orange 
and Alexandria turnpike, until the morning of May 5th, when the skirmish- 
ers of Ewell’s Corps were engaged near the old Wilderness tavern. About 
noon an advance was made in line of battle, the regiment being in the front 
on the extreme right, through a dense undergrowth in a forest of large 
trees, until the enemy’s main line was sighted, when fire was opened. As 
the 6th Corps was supposed to be on the right within supporting distance, 
the presence of troops in that direction excited no remark until it was dis- 
covered that a division of the enemy, Johnson’s of Ewell’s Corps, had com- 
pletely enveloped that flank. Retreat was made in confusion, only one com- 
pany, C, 2d Battalion, Captain C. L. King, preserving good order, but all were 
soon rallied. The enemy made no further advance that day. The official 
loss, killed, wounded and missing, was no, but it is believed to have been 
greater. Lieutenant Jean P. Wagner was mortally wounded, and Captain 
Henry C. Morgan lost a leg. On the 6th, log breastworks were thrown up, and 
some skirmishers advanced, who engaged those of the enemy. On the 7th, in 
company with the 2d and 14th Infantry, a reconnaissance was made. The ene- 
my’s main line was discovered in an entrenched position. Earthworks were 
thrown up in front, and skirmishers sent forward. An advance by the ene- 
my necessitated an extension of the works on the flanks, but when night 
came the whole force was withdrawn, and at midnight a strong position 
taken near a battery. The next day it was found that the army had moved 
towards Spottsylvania, whereupon an advance was made in that direction, 
and that evening the brigade went out on picket. 
The next three days were spent behind breastworks, more or less under fire. 
On the 12th, the division moved forward to attack the enemy’s works. When 
200 yards distant, the troops on both flanks gave way, leaving the regiment 
in a small wood, which it held for two hours under heavy fire, when it was 
withdrawn to the main line. The loss was not very great owing to the pro- 
tection afforded by the trees. The next day was spent in moving from place 
to place, acting as a support, rejoining the brigade and marching with it to 
Spottsylvania Court House in the evening. The brigade was ordered on the 
14th to make a charge and retake a hill from which a brigade of the 6th Corps 
had been driven. This was done successfully through a dense wood, the 
line being maintained in remarkable order. On the 15th the regiment went 
out by companies on the division skirmish line, and was under a hot fire, 
causing much loss. Rejoined the brigade, 16th, and began building log 
breastworks, under a heavy cannonade by which Major Bruen was mortally 
wounded. Captain Winthrop, who had been acting as inspector-general of 
the brigade, then took command. The next four days were spent behind 
the breastworks, most of the time underfire. The losses from the 8th to 20th 
were 65 killed, wounded and missing. Crossed the Po River on the 21st, and 
advanced towards the North Anna, which was forded about 3 P. M., 23d. Later 
in the afternoon a vigorous attack was made by Hill’s Corps. The regiment 
at the beginning was in the second line, but as the loss began to be heavy, 
Captain Winthrop asked to be allowed to move forward, which was permit- 
ted, and a very rapid fire opened. In half an hour Hill was repulsed with 564 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
severe loss. The next day was spent in burying the enemy’s dead and 
breaking up the Virginia Central railroad. 25th, moved down the river and 
skirmished with Hill’s Corps, remaining in this position until evening of 
the 26th, when a crossing was made, followed by an all-night march in a 
heavy rain. 
This march was continued south over the Pamunky and Tolopotomoy, 
with frequent skirmishing, until the 31st, when Bethesda Church was 
reached, and the division threw up two lines of entrenchments, the regiment 
being posted in the first. There was more or less skirmishing that day and 
June 1st. The losses from May 22d to this time were 15 killed, wounded, 
and missing. On June 2d the regiment occupied the extreme right of the 
corps which, with the 9th, was ordered to proceed to the left. The 9th Corps 
moved away, thus leaving the right uncovered, whereupon the enemy 
attacked with his skirmishers, followed by long lines of battle, extending 
far beyond the exposed flank. There was some firing when the regiment 
was faced about and moved to the rear, with the intention of occupying the 
second line. By the time that line was reached the enemy was close behind in 
overwhelming numbers. The next three-quarters of a mile was passed over 
at a remarkable rate, until a clearing was reached, and a rally made, when the 
enemy was repulsed. The next forenoon the corps acted as support of an at- 
tack by the 2d, 6th, and 10th Corps, and in the afternoon the brigade repulsed 
a forward movement of the enemy, north of the Mechanicsville road. Position 
in the trenches was occupied the next three days. 6th, Company H, 1st, 
about 80 strong, joined from Fort Hamilton, having left there May 10th, 
and been detained at Belle Plains. The losses since the 1st were 53 killed, 
wounded and missing. 7th, moved to a fortified position at Sumner’s 
Bridge on the Chickahominy, and remained until the nth, when a move- 
ment began towards Petersburg. The Chickahominy and James were 
crossed, and on the 18th, near Jerusalem plank road, the regiment was engaged 
in an attack on General Beauregard’s lines in front of the city. A mile was 
advanced in the face of heavy cannonading, and entrenchments thrown up, 
which were occupied until the 28th under constant fire from artillery and 
sharpshooters. 
Major Bruen died at Washington on the 21st, from the wound received 
at Laurel Hill. The end of the month saw the regiment in camp before 
Petersburg, where it remained until July 30th, when the corps was ordered 
out to assist the 9th in the attack after the mine explosion. This being a 
failure, the camp was resumed, and retained until August 18th. On August 
6th, Companies A, C, D, F and H, 2d Battalion, were disbanded and the men 
transferred to the 1st, in which Companies E and F were reorganized. On 
the 18th the regiment, Captain Stanhope in command, moved with the divi- 
sion to Globe Tavern near the Weldon railroad, and assisted in repulsing 
Heth’s Division of Hill’s Corps. The next morning the enemy attacked, 
broke through and almost enveloped the right, capturing a large part of 
the division, and causing severe loss in killed and wounded. Captain S. S. 
Newberry was among the killed. That afternoon the ground lost in the 
morning was retaken, reinforcements having been received from the 9th 
Corps. 20th, were withdrawn to a strong position with artillery, and the THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
565 
next day repulsed an attack. The regiment had 48 men present, Lieutenant 
Miles being the senior officer. This position was held until September 30th. 
A movement about two miles to the left on the Squirrel Level road then 
took place, camp was made, and retained until October xst, when there was 
a spirited engagement in which the enemy was repulsed, and 1st Lieutenant 
T. D. Urmston killed. 2d, camped at Poplar Grove Church, and remained 
until the 27th, when a reconnaissance was made. Returned to camp next 
day. On November 2d left for City Point, and embarked 3d for Fort Mon- 
roe, thence to New York, via Norfolk, arriving6th. 
Thus ended the active service of the regiment during the war. The statis- 
tics of losses during that period show that of all the regular regiments the 12th 
stands fourth in the total of deaths including killed, died of wounds, disease, 
or in prison. The number that died in prison, 77, exceeds that in any other 
regular regiment, and indeed is one of the largest in the entire army. The 
greatest loss in anyone battle was at Gaines’ Mills, the first important en- 
gagement. In the number of killed the regiment stands three in that 
action, and in killed, wounded, and missing, six. It is believed, however, 
that it was smaller in point of numbers than any regiment whose loss was 
greater, all the others being volunteers. 
On arriving at New York, regimental and 2d Battalion headquarters were 
established at Fort Hamilton, Major Woodruff commanding. 1st Battalion 
took cars for Elmira, N. Y., arriving there November 7th. The duty to be 
performed at Elmira was guarding prisoners of war. The battalion num- 
bered about 230 officers and men, and was commanded by Major Maynadier. 
Lieutenant Mimmack resigned as regimental adjutant on January 30, 1865, 
and 1st Lieutenant James E. Putnam was appointed in his stead. Lieuten- 
ant Miles resigned the position of regimental quartermaster February 5th 
and was succeeded by 1st Lieutenant Emerson H. Discum. Major Mayna- 
dier left Elmira on detached service in January, and from that time on, 
several of the captains were successively in command. 
The battalion was gradually increased by the arrival of recruits, and in 
July, numbered 400, when orders came for a transfer to Camp Winder, near 
Richmond, Va. In September a change was made to Camp Winthrop. 
The reorganization of the 2d Battalion commenced the same month at Fort 
Hamilton. Lieutenant Discum was relieved as R. Q. M. October 14th, by 
1st Lieutenant Edgar C. Bowen. As soon as the companies of the 2d Battal- 
ion were filled, they were sent to join the 1st, and the end of 1865 saw the 
2d at Winthrop, fully reorganized, numbering over 500, Captain Anderson 
in command. The 1st was smaller. Five companies were at Winthrop 
under Captain Richard C. Parker, two at Yorktown, and one at Fort 
Magruder. A beginning had been made of the 3d Battalion at headquar- 
ters, and two companies had a few men to account for. 
In January 1866, the companies of the 1st at Winthrop were sent to Fort 
Monroe, where they were joined by those at Yorktown. Thence battalion 
headquarters and Companies B and D went to Williamsburg, C to Camp 
Hamilton, and H to Norfolk. The latter was joined by F from Camp Ma- 
gruder. The 1 st Battalion remained in this vicinity until August, when all 
the companies were collected at Camp Augur, Washington. 566 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Companies B, D, E, F, G and H, 2d, were changed in January from 
Winthrop to Petersburg. The 2d Battalion continued about Petersburg 
until the consolidation in December, Major Woodruff joining in November. 
Companies A and B, 3d, joined at Richmond in January, leaving C and D 
organizing at headquarters. In March, companies A, B, C and D under 
Captain Morgan changed from Richmond to Washington, and were there 
joined by F company, E being in process of organization at Hamilton. By 
July the entire battalion, numbering over 570, was in Washington at Russell 
Barracks, where regimental headquarters had been moved in June, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Wallace in command. 
In February fourteen second lieutenants were appointed to fill vacancies. 
Almost all had held commissions in various grades in the volunteers. In 
March, General Franklin’s resignation promoted General Augur to be 
colonel, and Major George W. Wallace succeeded the latter as lieuten- 
ant-colonel. The return for April shows aggregate in the regiment, 1723. 
On August 4th, Lieutenant Bowen resigned as R. Q. M., and was succeeded 
by 1st Lieutenant Edward Hunter, to date nth. Lieutenant Putnam re- 
signed the adjutancy on the 18th, and it remained vacant. Early in Novem- 
ber Companies I and K 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalion joined at regimental head- 
quarters from Davids’ Island, via Fort McHenry, Baltimore, at which place 
they were supplied with arms and accoutrements. Companies I and K 2d, left 
on the 20th for Petersburg. The return for that month shows the highest 
aggregate, 1883. 
On December 7th, pursuant to G. O. No. 92, A. G. O., dated Novem- 
ber 23d, the regiment was divided into three, as follows: 1st Battalion re- 
mained the 12th, 2d became 21st, and 3d the 30th Infantry. Headquarters 
were then moved from Russell Barracks to Camp Augur, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Wallace in command. Majors Woodruff and Dodge were assigned to the 21st. 
and 30th respectively, dating from September 21st. 2d Lieutenant David J. 
Craigie was appointed adjutant to date December 1st. The aggregate for 
that month was 586. The company officers remaining were as follows : 
Captains H. R. Rathbone, P. W. Stanhope, W. J. L. Nicodemus, B. R. 
Perkins, R. C. Parker, M. H. Stacey, H. C. Egbert, R. H. Pond and A. G. 
Tassin; 1st Lieutenants A. Thiemann, J. E. Putnam, J. H. May, J. L. Rath- 
bone, E. Hunter, C. S. Luipler, A. B. Mac Gowan, and J. L. Viven; 2d 
Lieutenants W. E. Dove, A. M. Trolinger, D. W. Applegate, S. L. Hammon, 
L. Nolen, D. J. Craigie, W. A. Coulter, W. W. Deane and R. C. Breyfogle. 
During the whole of 1867 the regiment remained in and about Washington 
doing garrison duty. Company A went to Phillippi, West Va., in October, 
returning in November. 
On January 18, 1868, Companies B, C, F and K, under Major Maynadier, 
proceeded by rail to South Carolina where stations were taken at Darling- 
ton, Georgetown and Beaufort. Afterwards Charleston and Summer- 
ville, S. C., Montgomery, Ala., and Fort Pulaski and Savannah, Ga., were 
occupied, and at the latter place on December 3d Major Maynadier died. 
The duties performed in this locality during the reconstruction period were 
of a very trying and delicate nature, requiring as they did a combination of 
good sense, courage and forbearance. In the meantime various outposts THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
56; 
about Washington were occupied from time to time by companies or 
detachments, and Company H went to Fairmount, W. Va., in October, 
returning in November. Headquarters were changed that month from 
Russell to Lincoln Barracks. There were some changes of station among 
the companies in the South during the early part of 1869, and in March all 
were collected in Washington. Lieutenant Hunter resigned as R. Q. M. 
March 1st and his place was filled by 1st Lieutenant Viven. Colonel Augur 
was promoted to brigadier-general to date March 4th, and was succeeded 
by Colonel Orlando B. Wilcox, 15th, while Major Henry R. Mizner was 
assigned vice Maynadier, same date. The regiment was not affected by the 
reorganization made that year. 
On April 8th Headquarters and Companies A, E, G and I left Washing- 
ton by rail for Omaha, and proceeded thence by the Union Pacific railroad 
to the end of its track. A march of 45 miles was made to the terminus of 
the Central Pacific railroad, where cars were taken to San Francisco, Com- 
pany I being detached at Humboldt Wells to take station at Camp Halleck, 
Nev. The other three companies arrived at Angel Island, via San Fran- 
cisco, on the 29th. Companies B, C. D, F, H and K, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wallace, left Washington, 10th, and proceeded west by the same 
route as that taken by the first detachment. Company C disembarked at 
Reno, and H at Wadsworth, to take station at Camp Bidwell, and Churchill 
Barracks, Nev., respectively. The other four companies reached Angel 
Island May 6th. Headquarters and Company G remained there. The other 
companies proceeded to posts as follows: A, Camp Wright; B, Camp 
Independence ; D, Fort Yuma; E and K, Camp Gaston, Cal., and F, Fort 
Whipple, Ariz. H changed from its first location at Churchill Barracks to 
Fort Mohave, Ariz., leaving a detachment at Camp Cody, Cal., and G was 
soon moved from headquarters to Camp Colorado, Ariz. 
The regiment was thus scattered over three states or territories, occupy- 
ing eleven different posts. The two most remote stations were nearly 700 
miles apart, as the crow flies, and owing to the meagre facilities for trans- 
portation it took at least six weeks to go from one to the other. Lieutenant 
Craigie resigned as adjutant October 31st, and was succeeded by Lieutenant 
Hunter, November 1st. The latter was transfered to the 1st Cavalry Feb- 
ruary 19, 1870, leaving the adjutancy vacant until May 13th, when 1st Lieu- 
tenant Thomas F. Wright was appointed. He was placed upon the unas- 
signed list June 9th, again leaving a vacancy until February 7, 1871, when 
1st Lieutenant John M. Norvell succeeded to the position. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Anderson D. Nelson, 6th Infantry, was transferred, vice Wallace 
retired, December 15, 1870. Lieutenant Viven resigned as R. Q. M. Febru- 
ary 28, 1871, and Lieutenant Craigie succeeded him, to date March 1st. 
Various changes of station occurred among the companies during the 
years 1870, 1871 and 1872. Camp Hall, Idaho, was the most northern point 
occupied, Company C moving there from Bidwell in April, 1870. Company 
F was posted in various places in Arizona, such as Camps Aqua Frea, Ben 
Richards, and Beale Springs. The isolated posts were almost all at or near 
Indian agencies, which involved more or less work inspecting supplies, etc. 
The routine of drill, signalling, and a primitive sort of target practice was 568 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
relieved by occasional scouts, and hunting trips. Headquarters was a re- 
ceiving station for recruits, who were held there until transportation could 
be furnished to their posts, and for months at a time the garrison consisted 
only of the band, a few men on detached service from their companies and 
the aforesaid recruits. Its proximity to San Francisco made its social at- 
tractions very great. Lieutenant Norvell resigned as adjutant, January 
17, 1873. Later in the same month, Company E, with Lieutenants Wright 
and George W. Kingsbury, was sent to operate against the Modocs in the 
Lava Bed country. Company G, Lieutenant Charles P. Eagan, joined it in 
February. Both companies were ordered out after the massacre of General 
E. R. S. Canby and the Peace Commissioners on April nth. On the 15th, 
16th and 17th there was a general engagement with severe fighting in 
which Lieutenant Eagan and 2 privates were wounded, and a corporal 
killed, all of Company G. 26th, Company E with two batteries of the 4th 
Artillery was engaged with terrible loss, 4 officers and 18 men being killed, 
2 officers and 16 men wounded. Lieutenant Wright and three men were 
among the former, and 4 men, the latter. 
From this time the companies were continually scouting until late in 
May, when the Modocs surrendered and were escorted to Fort Klamath, 
Oregon, arriving there June 10th. Lieutenant Kingsbury was placed in 
charge of the prisoners, and afterwards detailed as a member of the mili- 
tary commission which met to try them on July 1st. Captain Jack, the 
chief, and three others were sentenced to be hung, and the execution took 
place October 3d, Companies E and G being present. The latter formed 
part of the guard which took the remainder of the prisoners east, immedi- 
ately after, while the former returned to Camp Gaston on the 28th. Second 
Lieutenant George S. Wilson was appointed adjutant June 12, 1873, and 
resigned the position February 20, 1875, being succeeded by 2d Lieutenant 
William D. Geary. In September, 1875, Companies C, G, F and I were 
ordered from Angel Island to southeastern Nevada to operate against hos- 
tile Indians. There was nothing but a little marching, and the next month 
all returned to their stations, C to Yuma, G, Bidwell, F and I, Angel Island. 
Lieutenant Craigie resigned as R. Q. M. January 31, 1876, and was succeeded 
by Lieutenant Kingsbury, February 1st. On May 14, 1877, a mutual trans- 
fer was made by which Major Mizner went to the 8th Infantry and Major 
Thomas S. Dunn, who had been one of the war captains, returned to the 
regiment. 
In the summer of this year the Nez Perce Indian outbreak occurred, 
and Companies B, C, D, F and I were ordered from their respective sta- 
tions to the scene of hostilities, northern and central Idaho. Companies D 
and I went to and remained at Lewiston, Idaho, and Camp McDermit, Nev., 
respectively. B and F, together with A, 21st Infantry, all under Captain 
Egbert, having arrived at Boise, Idaho, in July, were there designated as 
part of the reserve column under Major John Green, 1st Cavalry. The bat- 
talion left Boise on the 14th, joining Major Green at Little Salmon Mead- 
ows, ten days later, and spent the remainder of the month marching, reach-j 
ing Crossdale’s Ranch on the 31st. Thence Company B went to Kamai 
Agency, and F to camp at Mount Idaho. Late in September the two com- THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
569 
panies joined, and returned to Angel Island. Company C, Captain Viven, 
with H, 8th Infantry, left Fort Yuma, July 8th, and proceeded via Los An- 
geles, San Francisco, and Portland to Lewiston, arriving 17th. It num- 
bered 13 men, but was reinforced at San Francisco by a number of cavalry 
recruits, who continued with it during the entire campaign. From Lewis- 
ton the company marched to Lawyer’s Canon, arrived 22d, joined General 
O. O. Howard’s command, and remained with it during the long pursuit of 
the Nez Perces from the Clearwater, across the Yellowstone, where there 
was a skirmish in which the cavalry only were engaged, to the Missouri, 
arriving October 1st. Thence on the 14th with H, 8th, and four batteries of 
the 4th Artillery, went from Little Rocky Creek to Little Rocky Moun- 
tains, and towards Bear Paw, but were stopped en route, for the hostiles 
were defeated at that place by the troops under Colonel N. A. Miles, 5th 
Infantry. Returned to Little Rocky Creek, and thence on Steamer Benton 
proceeded to Omaha. Left there by rail, and arrived at Angel Island, 
November 8th. The company marched and travelled during this cam- 
paign 7194 miles. 
In March of 1878 headquarters moved from Angel Island to Whipple 
Barracks, General Willcox having been placed in command of the Depart- 
ment of Arizona. The next month Company A joined at Whipple from 
Mohave. Major Dunn was retired June 29th. The Bannock outbreak 
took place this summer, and called into the field Companies B and K from 
Benicia Barracks, Cal., and C, D and F from Angel Island, all under Cap- 
tain Egbert, and numbering 13 officers, 180 men. The battalion proceeded 
by the Central Pacific railroad to Carlin, Nev., and there debarked June 
nth, thence to divide of Humboldt Mountains, where orders were received 
from General Howard to move with care as he expected to drive the hos- 
tiles in that direction. 14th, in compliance with instructions the officers 
were mounted, and wagons hired for the men, in order that movements 
might be as rapid as possible. As a result many of the marches were from 
30 to 40 miles a day, thus showing the capabilities of infantry mounted on 
wheels in a country where the roads were suitable. 17th, crossed into 
Idaho, and at the end of the month the battalion was at old Camp Lyon, 
where instructions were received to be in readiness to move rapidly in any 
direction. Thence ordered to Boise, arriving July 2d and leaving 5th. The 
hostiles having been driven toward Powder River Valley, which was well 
settled, it became imperative to move there and make dispositions, which 
was done so well that the valley was saved from devastation. Company C 
under Captain Viven was sent to the head waters of Clover Creek on a 
scout, and at Ladd’s Canon on the 12th prevented a party from crossing, 
capturing 21. The battalion was then sent to head off the hostiles should 
they reach Snake River. Crossed the river 16th, and moved towards head 
of Main Weiser River, thence over Little Salmon River to camp on Goose 
Creek, being obliged to build roads in many places, through forests, over 
hills and down canons. From there detachments were sent out to watch 
all the trails. 
Word having been received that the hostiles had abandoned all attempts 
in that direction, the command was ordered back, and gradually made its HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
way to the Snake River, where it was divided, Companies F and K remain- 
ing at Rhinhart’s crossing, the others patrolling up the west bank to Hen- 
derson’s Crossing on the Owyhee, arriving 29th. There on August 1st a 
concentration was made, reports having been received that the hostiles 
were in the vicinity. Scouting along the river was continued until the 
9th, when it was reported that the hostiles were trying to cross. Three de- 
tachments were made, two mounted, one in wagons, crossed at Glenn’s 
Ferry, and sent down the river. One, under Captain Dove, found a strong 
party entrenched at Bennett’s Creek. A spirited attack was made and re- 
turned, and one man was wounded. Night came on and stopped the fight- 
ing. A courier was sent to Captain Egbert, who hastened to the scene with 
all the available men. The hostiles escaped in the darkness, and were fol- 
lowed the next morning, but as orders had been received to proceed to 
Cold Spring depot the pursuit was abandoned. The detachments were 
called in, and the march began to Cold Spring. Left there 18th for Kelton 
on the Central Pacific, arriving 25th, thence to Angel Island. 
Shortly after the return of the battalion from the field a general move- 
ment towards Arizona commenced, and by October the companies were 
distributed as follows: B and K, Camp Verde; C and D, Camp Apache ; 
E, Camp Supply; F, Whipple Barracks; G, Camp McDowell; H, Camp 
Thomas, and I, Camp Grant. Then followed almost four years’ service of 
nearly the same nature as that at the preceding station. During the entire 
period the companies were quite as much scattered about, although the dis- 
tances separating them were not as great. There was considerable post 
constructing and road building. The restless Apaches required constant 
watching. For this purpose four Indian companies were maintained, and 
much scouting done. These companies were commanded by young offi- 
cers, the regiment being represented in this capacity at various times 
by Lieutenants Wilson, F. Von Schrader, Guy Howard, S. C. Mills 
and F. J. A. Darr. Lieutenant Geary resigned the adjutancy Novem- 
ber 17, 1878, and was succeeded by 1st Lieutenant F. A. Smith. Major 
M. A. Cochran was assigned to tht regiment March 4, 1879. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Nelson retired June 7th same year, Major R. S. La Motte 
being promoted to his vacancy. Lieutenant Kingsbury’s resignation as 
R. Q. M. July 1st, resulted in the appointment of 1st Lieutenant W. W. 
Wotherspoon to that position. 
The first serious outbreak of Indians occurred August 30, 1881, at 
Cibicu Creek, near Fort Apache, where the Indian scouts turned upon Col. 
E. A. Carr’s command of the 6th Cavalry, which had gone out to suppress 
trouble caused by a medicine man. Company D formed part of the garri- 
son, and a detachment was engaged next day at a ferry near the post. On 
September 1 the whole company took part in the defense of the post. 
This led to a general concentration in the vicinity of the San Carlos Agency 
and along the Gila River. Company H went into the field from Yuma, C, 
from Thomas, F, partially mounted from Whipple, and K, under 1st Lieut. 
J. H. Hurst made a wonderful march from Fort Huachuca to Grant, the 
details of which are as follows: At 10 a. m. September 4 orders were 
received to take the field, and at 12.30 p. M. the company left the post, 31 THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
571 
strong, having for transportation one old cavalry horse, four broken down 
mules, one very lame, and a wagon the wheels of which did not track. At 
7 p. M. went into bivouac 22 miles out. At this place such alarming news 
was received that it was deemed best to push on, and at 9 p. m., in the 
midst of a terrific storm that lasted twenty hours, the company started on 
a march that continued until 2 A. M. of the 6th, when a point known as the 
Horse Ranch, nine miles from Grant, was reached. Nearly all the first 
night the route lay along a canon, which, ordinarily dry, had been turned by 
the storm into a raging torrent up to the men’s knees. At three different 
times it seemed necessary to abandon the wagon, but it was finally pulled 
through. After a four hours’ rest at the ranch the march was resumed to 
Grant, which was reached a little after 9 A. M. Every man was present, and 
on his feet. The distance was 100 miles, time 441/2 hours, certainly a won- 
derful exhibition of pluck and endurance. 
None of the companies in the field were engaged in any action, and by 
December all had returned to their posts. During the spring and summer 
of 1882 there was more trouble, which called at various times Company E 
from Grant, G from McDowell, H from Fort Lowell, K from Huachuca, D 
from Apache, and F from Whipple. With the exception of Company E, 
which continued at Camp Price, at the southern end of the San Simon 
valley until August, none remained long in the field, nor were there any 
encounters with the hostiles. 
In September came the welcome order for a new station, first to Fort 
D. A. Russell, Wyoming, but almost at the last moment it was changed to 
the Department of the East. The companies were concentrated at various 
places on the railroad, and went east in two detachments, Headquarters, 
and Companies A, B, C, D, F and G taking station at Madison Barracks, 
E and K, Fort Niagara, and H and I, Plattsburgh Barracks, all in New 
York. This change, after so many years on the Pacific coast and in the 
southwest, was very agreeable. Greater concentration and better facilities 
for travel allowed more intercourse. The older members of the regiment 
thus had the opportunity to recall old times, and the younger to become 
acquainted. Such military exercises as parade and battalion drill, which 
had been almost unknown since the regiment left Washington, were taken 
up with zeal, and had almost the charm of novelty. Five years were thus 
spent very pleasantly with but few changes, the most important being as 
follows: Major Cochran was promoted to lieutenant-colonel 5th Infantry, 
May 31, 1883, and Captain W. H. Penrose, 3d Infantry, took his place, with 
station at Fort Niagara. In May, 1884, Fort Ontario at Oswego was regar- 
risoned by Company H, which was replaced at Plattsburgh by Company C. 
In November Company I moved from Plattsburgh to Madison Barracks. 
In July, 1885, Company E was sent from Niagara to Mt. Gregor, N. Y., as 
guard for General Grant, then lying sick at that place. Upon his death the 
company formed part of the funeral escort from Mt. Gregor to Albany, 
thence to New York, taking part in the ceremonies at each place, and re- 
turning in August to its post. 
On October 13, 1886, Col. received the reward of his distin- 
guished services by promotion to brigadier-general, and left the regiment, HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
after being over seventeen years at its head. Lieut.-Col. Edwin F. Town- 
send, nth Infantry, became colonel, and joined soon after. Lieut.-Col. 
La Motte was promoted colonel 13th Infantry, December 8, and was suc- 
ceeded by Lieut.-Col. W. F. Drum, who had been major 14th Infantry. In 
March, 1887, the law limiting the tenure of regimental staff positions to 
four years resulted in the displacement of Lieuts. Smith and Wotherspoon, 
who had held their offices more than eight and seven years respectively. 
1st Lieut. Von Schrader was appointed R. Q. M.,and 1st Lieut. R. K. Evans 
adjutant, to date April 1st. In May Company A was sent to Fort Wood 
on Bedloe’s Island, New York Harbor, to guard the Statue of Liberty. 
Late in June came an order for a move to Dakota, exchanging with the 
nth Infantry, which was not received with as much pleasure as had been 
the one five years before. On July 26th a concentration was made at Buf- 
falo, and the regiment was together for the first time since 1869. The com- 
panies embarked on the steamer Vanderbilt, the officers with families tak- 
ing passage on the India. The trip through the lakes was delightful, Duluth 
being reached on the 31st. From Duluth, Headquarters and Companies E, 
F, G, H and I proceeded by rail to Bismarck, N. D., thence by boat down 
the Missouri River to Fort Yates, F being left at Fort Abraham Lincoln. 
Companies A, B, C, D and K moved by rail to Pierre, S. D., thence up the 
river to Fort Sully, K going to Fort Bennett. Thus commenced another 
tour of duty with the noble red man. It had an element of diversion, how- 
ever, in the fact that the Dakotas were the superiors of any Indians with 
which the regiment had ever been thrown, and having made a start towards 
civilization their development could be watched with interest. Lieutenant 
Evans resigned as adjutant July 1st, 1888, and was succeeded by Lieutenant 
Howard. Major Penrose became lieutenant-colonel 16th Infantry August 
21 st, promoting Captain J. A. P. Hampson 10th Infantry. Lieutenant How- 
ard’s resignation as adjutant May 13, 1889, resulted in the appointment of 
1st Lieutenant C. W. Abbot, Jr., to that position. In July, Companies G 
and H, with Troop G, 8th Cavalry, went to Bismarck to take part in thecel- 
ebration of the admission of North Dakota to statehood on the 4th. In 
September, Companies E, G, and I, with Troop F, 8th Cavalry, from Yates, 
and F with I, 22d Infantry, from Lincoln, all under Colonel Townsend, 
camped for nearly three weeks on the Cannonball River, and spent the time 
in working out practical problems in minor tactics. Companies A, B and 
C from Sully and K from Bennett were similarly engaged at points near 
their respective posts. Every summer or fall since, there has been more or 
less field work of this nature, an instructive and pleasant change from gar- 
rison duty. 
In January, 1890, Company A was sent from Sully to Fort Pierre to pre- 
vent the intrusion of settlers upon the Sioux reservation. On February 12th 
it was opened for settlement and the company remained as a guard. In 
April Company C went from Sully to the Lower Brule Agency for the same 
purpose. Captain Egbert, the last officer still in the regiment who had 
served in it during the war, was promoted to major 17th Infantry on April 
23d. Companies A and B exchanged in May. On August 26th Companies 
I and K were “ skeletonized,” the men of the former being distributed THE TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
573 
among F, G and H, and the latter among A, B, C and D. The letter of the 
company at Bennett then became A. About this time the regiment was 
honored by the selection of its colonel as commandant of the Infantry and 
Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Headquarters and Company 
E moved to that post, arriving in September. Later on Companies B and 
C returned to Sully, and in November B went into camp at Bennett, to fur- 
nish additional security to the agency there in view of expected trouble 
leading out of the Ghost dances, which the Indians had begun, in anticipa- 
tion of the coming of their Messiah. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Drum in command at Yates received orders on De- 
cember 12th to arrest Sitting Bull, who was, as of yore, one of the leading 
malcontents on the Sioux reservation. To accomplish this the cavalry at the 
post, Troops F and G, 8th, under Captain E. G. Fechet, were sent out on the 
evening of the 14th and proceeded to his camp on Grand River, whither they 
had been preceded by the Indian police from Standing Rock Agency. The 
next morning a lively fight took place, Sitting Bull was killed by the police, 
and his band dispersed. News of this having reached the post about noon that 
day, Companies G and H were ordered out, and under Colonel Drum started 
to reinforce the troops, which were met on their return about 23 miles 
out. The next day the command returned to the post. The remnant of 
Sitting Bull’s band made its way south to Cherry Creek, and there joined a 
camp of dancers, which 2d Lieutenant H. C. Hale had been sent from Ben- 
nett to watch. He, at great personal risk, persuaded them to remain there 
until he could bring Captain Hurst, then in command at Bennett, for a fur- 
ther parley. They returned next day to the camp, attended only by one en- 
listed man and two Indian scouts, and induced both bands, consisting of 221 
men, women, and children, to go peaceably to the post. This wise and 
plucky action received the commendation it deserved. 
Company G, increased to 60 men by a detachment from H, left Yates 
for the field late in December, and returned in January, 1891, doing con- 
siderable marching, but having no opportunity for an encounter with 
the hostiles. In February, Headquarters and Company E formed part of 
a command from Fort Leavenworth which attended the funeral of General 
Sherman in St. Louis. The next month Company G moved from Yates to 
Fort Leavenworth. Lieutenant Von Schrader’s tour as R. Q. M. expired 
March 31st, and he was succeeded by 1st Lieutenant P. G. Wood. Com- 
pany B returned to Sully in May, and in the same month I was reorganized 
at Mt. Vernon Barracks, Ala., by the enlistment of 47 of Geronimo’s band of 
Apaches then at that place under charge of Lieutenant Wotherspoon, who 
was put in command of the company. 30 more were enlisted at San Carlos, 
and 1 at Washington, which with four white sergeants, made a total enlisted 
of 82, the largest company in the army. The discipline and drill of these 
Indians has been reported as excellent, being superior in the latter, in some 
particulars, to the white soldiers with whom they are associated. 
The abandonment of Lincoln and Bennett, in July and October respec- 
tively, sent Companies F and A to Yates. On July 4, 1892, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Drum died suddenly, promoting Major Hampson whose place was 
filled by Captain J. H. Gageby, 3d Infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Hampson 574 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
died October 14th, and Major E. W. Whittemore, 10th Infantry, succeeded 
to his vacancy. The same month Headquarters and Company E, the latter 
increased to 60 men by a detachment from G, constituted a portion of a 
command from Fort Leavenworth, which took part in the dedicatory exer- 
cises of the World’s Fair in Chicago, on the 21st. While there, a gentleman 
seeing the regimental colors, introduced himself to the adjutant as an ex- 
sergeant, who had served in the regiment during the ’64 campaign, and 
told many interesting reminiscences. Finally he produced a small pack- 
age, which he carefully undid, showing a much defaced gilt star and saying 
—“ You may look at, but not touch that. It is one of the two last stars 
remaining on the battle flag. In front of Petersburg another sergeant and 
myself cut them off, and each took one. I think everything of it.” This 
incident indicates a lesson of devotion to the principles of duty of which the 
flag is emblematic, that may well be taken to heart by all who now, or may 
hereafter, serve under the colors of the 12th Infantry. They will have the 
proud consciousness of the fact that the regiment has done its duty in the 
past. It only remains for them to sustain that reputation in the future. 
Note:—The following names and dates appear upon a battle flag now at 
regimental headquarters. 
Siege of Yorktown, April, 1862. 
Gaines’ Mills, June 27. 
Malvern Hill, July 12. 
Cedar Mountain, August 9. 
Bristoe, August 27. 
Bull Run 2d, August 29 and 30. 
Chantilly, September 1. 
South Mountain, September 14. 
Antietam, September 17. 
Fredericksburg, December 13. 
Fredericksburg, April 30, 1863. 
Chancellorsville, May 1 to 5. 
Gettysburg, July 2 and 3. 
Bristoe Station, October 14. 
Rappahannock Station, November 7. 
Mine Run, November 27. 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Spottsylvania, May 8 to 19. 
North Anna River, May 23. 
Tolopotomy Creek, May 30. 
Bethesda Church, June 1 and 5. 
Cold Harbor, June 2 and 3. 
Petersburg, June 18 to 30. 
Weldon Railroad, August 18, 19 and 21. 
Peeble’s Farm, September 30. 
Chapel House, October 1. 
This flag was purchased by subscription of the officers of the regiment 
after its return from the field. It was kept at regimental headquarters and 
used for several years, until it became worn and torn, when it was put away, 
and so remained until shortly after Colonel Townsend joined in 1886. It 
was then sent to the Quartermaster-General’s office and restored, by having 
the eagle and scroll, which are very heavily and beautifully embroidered, 
transferred to a new field, upon which the battle names and dates were 
worked. It is a very beautiful object, and one highly cherished in the regi- 
ment. It is not known that another such flag exists in the service, except 
the battered relics now stored at the War Department. General 
PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN 
Commanding the Army, 1883-1888. THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY* 
By Lieutenant JAMES B. GOE, Adjutant 13TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE 13th United States Infantry was organized by direction of the 
President, May 14, 1861, confirmed by Act of Congress, July 19, 
1861 ; and reorganized by Act of Congress, July 28, 1866. 
Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Burbank assumed command of the 
regiment, July 23, 1861, and headquarters were established at Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Mo., where Companies A, B, C and G of the 1st Battalion were organ- 
ized. The field officers were Colonel Wm. T. Sherman, Lieutenant Colonel 
Sidney Burbank, and Majors C. C. Augur, S. W. Crawford, and Charles 
Hill. Recruiting stations were opened for the regiment at Dubuque, 
Keokuk and Iowa City, Iowa; Cincinnati and Bellefontaine, Ohio; and 
Madison, Wisconsin, and Company A of the 1st Battalion was organized 
October 8, 1861; B, C and G, November 13, 1861; D, E, and F, April 1, 
1862. 
Philip H. Sheridan was appointed captain in the 13th from a lieutenantcy 
in the Fourth, May 14, 1861, to fill a vacancy. He joined the regiment, No- 
vember 10, 1861, but was soon thereafter appointed chief commissary and 
quartermaster to the Army of Southwest Missouri, which practically severed 
his connection with the regiment. 
On the 12th of February, 1862, the headquarters and so much of the 
regiment as had been recruited were removed to Alton, 111., to guard the 
rebel prisoners confined in the prison at that place. 
Headquarters of the regiment were removed, June 12, to Newport Bar- 
racks, and on the 4th of September, 1862, the First Battalion left Alton by 
rail for Newport, Ky., where it was placed on guard at Beechwood Battery 
and vicinity. In October it was transferred to Memphis, Tenn., and on the 
20th of December left that city on the flagboat Forest Queen with the expe- 
dition against Vicksburg under the command of Major General Wm. T. 
Sherman, and disembarked six days later on the south bank of the Yazoo 
River, about 13 miles from its mouth. On the 29th the battalion was ordered 
to the front and participated in an engagement on the banks of the Chick- 
asaw Bayou, five miles from Vicksburg, and was under a heavy fire of 
musketry from 7 o’clock A. M„ until after dark. The casualties were one 
private killed and 11 wounded. 
On the night of December 31 the battalion embarked on the City of 
Alton and ascended the Arkansas to within three miles of the Post of Arkan- 
sas, arriving January 10, 1863. During that night the troops were under the 
fire of the enemy, and on the afternoon of the nth, participated in the gen- 
eral assault on the enemy’s works, resulting in the capture of the post. 
The battalion lost one man killed and Captain C. S. Smith and 22 men 
wounded. 
* An abridgment of Lieutenant Goe’s History of the 13th Infantry. 
575 576 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The battalion reembarked January 14 on the steamer Forest Queeti and 
on the 23d arrived at Young’s Point, La., three miles below Vicksburg, 
where it remained, taking part in digging the canal, until March 17, when it 
accompanied the expedition up Deer Creek to the relief of Admiral Porter, 
who was near Rolling Fork with a part of his fleet. On the afternoon of 
the 22d it became engaged and drove the enemy from the vicinity of the 
gunboats at Black Bayou. 
The battalion returned to Young’s Point, March 27, where it remained 
in camp until April 29, when it accompanied the 2d Division of Sherman’s 
Corps on a reconnoissance in force to the right of the enemy’s .ines, 
ascending the Yazoo River to the vicinity of Haynes’ Bluff, Miss., and re- 
turned to camp near Vicksburg, May 1. Embarked the next day for Mil- 
liken’s Bend, La., and thence, on the 6th, to join the army under General 
Grant then in Mississippi, accompanying the brigade to Champion Hills 
and arriving there on the 16th to take part that afternoon in the battle of 
“ Champion Hills ” or “ Baker’s Creek.” It then proceeded to Vicksburg, 
and on the 19th of May participated in the successful assault upon the 
enemy’s fortifications, Walnut Hills, Miss. In this action Captain C. Wash- 
ington was killed, and of the enlisted men 21 were killed and 46 wounded. 
Company E of the ist Battalion was sent by special train to Dayton, 
Ohio, for the purpose of arresting C. L. Vallandigham and returned to Cin- 
cinnati, May 5, in charge of said prisoner and remained there doing guard 
duty until May 26, when Captain Alexander Murray, with a guard of 11 
men, escorted and delivered him to General Rosecrans. On the 16th of 
June the company rejoined the ist Battalion, which was still in camp at 
Walnut Hills. 
On July 4 the battalion left camp to join the expedition under General 
Sherman, then at Black River. Arriving there on the 6th it crossed the 
river and proceeded to Jackson, Miss., in front of the enemy’s works, where 
one private was killed and four wounded. It remained at Jackson until 
the city was evacuated by the enemy,—July 16,—and returned to Camp 
Sherman, Miss., arriving on the 25th. 
The following extract from the proceedings of a Board of Officers con- 
vened by G. O. No. 64, Hd. Qrs. 15th A. C., Camp Sherman, Miss., August 
5, 1863, shows without further comment the distinguished services rendered 
by the 13th Infantry in the operations before Vicksburg : 
“ The Board being organized established the following rules of guidance : 
“ i. Troops that have participated in a battle or siege with credit, are entitled to 
its name on their colors. 
“ 2. Art. ist. The regiment that in force planted its colors on the parapet, and 
suffered the greatest relative loss, shall have inscribed on its banner, ‘ First at Vicks- 
burg.’ 
“Art. 2d. Those engaged with credit, suffering loss, shall have the inscription, 
‘ Vicksburg, Siege and Assault 19th and 22d.’ ‘ Vicksburg, Siege and Assault 19th 
(or 22d).’ 
“ Art. 3d. Troops in reserve and in the line of circumvallation shall have the in- 
scription, ‘ Siege of Vicksburg.’ 
“ The Board, after a careful examination of the papers and the evidence submitted THE THIRTEENTH REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
577 
in support of claims, decided unanimously the following commands entitled to the in- 
scriptions appended to their respective titles : * * * 
“ 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, 
First at Vicksburg, Jackson. 
“ The Board find the 13th U. S. Infantry entitled to ‘ First Honor at Vicksburg,’ 
having in a body planted and maintained its colors on the parapet with a loss of 43.3 
per cent., including its gallant commander,—Washington,—who died on the parapet. 
Its conduct and loss the Board, after a careful examination, believes unequalled in the 
army, and respectfully ask the General Commanding the Department to allow it the 
inscription awarded.” 
The battalion left Camp Sherman September 27, 1863, for Memphis, 
Tenn., where it arrived October 3. When the train bearing the battalion 
arrived at Collierville, Tenn. (being en route from Memphis to Chattanooga), 
the battalion commander, Captain C. G. Smith, was informed that an attack 
was about to be made on the forces stationed there (66th Indiana Volun- 
teers). He immediately ordered the battalion off the cars and formed in 
line of battle on the road, with two companies deployed on the right and 
left as skirmishers. When scarcely in position the battalion was attacked 
by a force of 3150 men commanded by the rebel General Chalmers. A 
battery of five pieces of artillery opened upon them with grape and solid 
shot, and the battalion, having no support against artillery at such long 
range, withdrew to the railroad cut, except the skirmishers, who fell back 
gradually, having maintained their position for about an hour and a half. 
The enemy opened a flank fire on the left, and the battalion had therefore 
to retreat to the rifle pits where the 66th Indiana had been driven, the 
enemy pursued with overpowering numbers. 
Seeing the enemy taking possession of the train and setting fire to it, 
Lieutenant Griffin with about forty men was ordered if possible to drive the 
enemy off, put out the fire, and push the train up under cover of the fort. 
This duty was accomplished in the most brave and gallant manner, whereby 
the battalion sustained the reputation it had already gained in former en- 
gagements. The casualties attending this fight were 15 men killed and 27 
wounded. 
This battle was fought under the eye of General Sherman who compli- 
mented the battalion for its bravery. 
After this engagement the battalion proceeded to Corinth, Miss., thence 
to Chattanooga, November 21. 
On July 4, 1863, Colonel Sherman was promoted brigadier general, U. S. 
Army, and Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Sanderson 15th Infantry, was promoted 
colonel of the regiment. 
The following extracts from General Sherman’s memoirs, in which is 
given his touching letter on the death of his boy Willie, are of special in- 
terest to members of the Thirteenth. 
“ There was a short railroad in operation from Vicksburg to the bridge across the 
Big Black, whence supplies in abundance were hauled to our respective camps. With 
a knowledge of this fact Mrs. Sherman came down from Ohio with Minnie, Lizzie, 
Willie, and Tom, to pay us a visit in our camp at Parson Fox’s. Willie was then nine HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
years old and well advanced for his years, and took the most intense interest in the 
affairs of the army. He was a great favorite with the soldiers, and used to ride with 
me on horseback in the numerous drills and reviews of the time. He then had the 
promise of as long life as any of my children, and displayed more interest in the war 
than any of them. He was called a “ sergeant” in the regular battalion, learned the 
manual of arms, and regularly attended the parade and guard-mounting of the Thir- 
teenth, back of my camp. 
“ I took passage for myself and family in the steamer Atlantic, Captain Henry 
McDougall. When the boat was ready to start Willie was missing. Mrs. Sherman 
supposed him to have been with me, whereas I supposed he was with her. An officer 
of the Thirteenth went up to General McPherson’s house for him, and soon returned, 
with Captain Clift leading him, carrying in his hands a small double-barrelled shot- 
gun ; and I joked him about carrying away captured property. In a short time we got 
off. As we all stood on the guards to look at our old camps at Young’s Point, I remarked 
that Willie was not well, and he admitted that he was sick. His mother put him to 
bed, and consulted Dr. Roler, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois, who found symptoms of 
typhoid fever. The river was low ; we made slow progress till above Helena ; and, 
as we approached Memphis, Dr. Roler told me that Willie’s life was in danger, and 
he was extremely anxious to reach Memphis for certain medicines and for consultation. 
We arrived at Memphis on the 2d of October, carried Willie up to the Gayoso Hotel, 
and got the most experienced physician there, who acted with Dr. Roler, but he sank 
rapidly, and died the evening of the 3d of October. The blow was a terrible one to 
us all; so sudden and so unexpected, that I could not help reproaching myself for hav- 
ing consented to his visit in that sickly region in the summer time. Of all my chil- 
dren, he seemed the most precious. Born in San Francisco, I had watched with 
intense interest his development, and he seemed more than any of the children to take 
an interest in my special profession.” 
“ Gayoso House, Memphis, Tennessee, 
“ October 4, 1863—Midnight. 
“ Captain C. C. Smith, commanding Battalion Thirteenth United States Regulars. 
“ My Dear Friend : I cannot sleep to-night until I record an expression of the 
deep feelings of my heart to you, and to all the officers and soldiers of the battalion for 
their kind behavior to my poor child. I realize that you all feel for my family the at- 
tachment of kindred, and I assure you of full reciprocity. 
“ Consistent with a sense of duty to my profession and office, I could not leave my 
post, and sent for the family to come to me in that fatal climate, and in that sickly 
period of the year, and behold the result ; the child that bore my name, and in whose 
future I reposed with more confidence than I did in my own plan of life, now floats a 
mere corpse, seeking a grave in a distant land, with a weeping mother, brother, and 
sisters, clustered about him. For myself I ask no sympathy. On, on I must go to 
meet a soldier’s fate, or live to see our country rise superior to all factions, till its flag 
is adored and respected by ourselves and by all the powers of the earth. 
“ But Willie was, or thought he was, a sergeant in the Thirteenth. I have seen 
his eye brighten, his heart beat, as he beheld the battalion under arms, and asked me if 
they were not real soldiers. Child as he was, he had the enthusiasm, the pure love of 
truth, honor and love of country, which should animate all soldiers. 
“ God only knows why he should die thus young. He is dead, but will not be for- 
gotten till those who knew him in life have followed him to that same mysterious end. 
“ Please convey to the battalion my heartfelt thanks, and assure each and all 
that if in after years they call on me or mine, and mention that they were of the Thir- THE THIRTEENTH REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
579 
teenth Regulars when Willie was a sergeant, they will have a key to the affections of 
my family that will open all it has ; that we will share with them our last blanket, our 
last crust ! 
“ Your friend, 
(Signed) “W. T. Sherman, 
“ Major General.” 
Over Willie’s grave in Calvary Cemetery, near St. Louis, is erected a beau- 
tiful marble monument, designed and executed by the officers and soldiers 
of the ist Battalion, 13th Infantry, which claimed him as a sergeant and 
comrade. 
The battalion was in reserve at the battle of Mission Ridge, November 
24, and on the 26th marched to Graysville, Ga., in pursuit of Bragg. Con- 
tinuing the march on the 27th the battalion reached Maysville, December 6. 
The return march began December 7, reaching Chattanooga, December 17 
Bellefonte, Ala., December 31, and Huntsville, Ala., January 5, 1864. On 
April 4 the battalion was transferred to Nashville, Tenn., where it was 
detailed as special guard to General Sherman’s headquarters, which duty it 
continued to perform until the close of the year, being encamped at Edge- 
field, about two miles from Nashville, Tenn. It remained at this point until 
July 13, 1865. On October 14, 1864, Colonel Sanderson died at St. Louis, 
while on detached service as provost marshal of Missouri, and was succeeded 
by Colonel I. V. D. Reeve. 
The headquarters of the regiment moved from Newport Barracks, May 
10, 1865, to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where Companies A and B, 2d Battalion, 
were organized during that month, and Companies C, D, E, F, G and H, in 
July. On July 13 the ist Battalion left Nashville for St. Louis, arriving on 
the 20th ; thence August 24, to Fort Leavenworth, where it arrived August 
31. Companies A, B, D, E and G went on to Fort Riley, September 5, arriv- 
ing on the 18th. 
During November, 1865, the headquarters of the regiment were moved 
to Fort Leavenworth. The 2d Battalion left Camp Dennison in August for 
Jefferson Barracks, where it arrived September 5, but left for Fort Larned, 
Kansas, via Fort Leavenworth, in November, reaching that post in Decem- 
ber. While en route, Company D was detached for duty at Fort Ellsworth, 
and Companies B and E ordered to take post at Fort Zarah, Kansas. Com- 
panies A, B and C, 3d Battalion, were organized at Jefferson Barracks dur- 
ing January, 1866, and Companies F, G and H, in March. 
The companies of the ist Battalion at Fort Riley left that post April 
11 for Fort Leavenworth, where they were joined by the remaining compa- 
nies and proceeded up the Missouri River to establish a military post north 
of the Black Hills, D. T.; but on arriving at Fort Sully on the 27th, they 
reembarked under orders to establish a new post at or near Fort Benton, 
M. T., arriving at and establishing Camp Cooke, M. T., May 19. 
The 2d and 3d Battalions concentrated at Fort Leavenworth, and during 
May proceeded to the'District of the Upper Missouri. The headquarters 
of the regiment left Fort Leavenworth, May 1, and arrived at Fort Rice, 
D. T., May 16. The 2d Battalion was distributed as follows : Headquarters 
and Companies A and B at Fort Randall; C, E and H, at Fort Sully; G at 580 
HIS TO RICA L SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Fort Thompson; F at Fort James, and D at Fort Dakota, all these stations 
being in Dakota. The headquarters of the 3d Battalion were established at 
Fort Rice with Companies B, E, F, G and H. A was at Fort Sully, C at 
Buford, and D at Berthold. 
Company F, 1st Battalion, was detached from Camp Cooke during Sep- 
tember for the purpose of establishing a mail route between Helena, Mon- 
tana, and that post. 
Pursuant to General Order 92, A. G. O., received December 28, the 2d 
and 3d Battalions, 13th Infantry, were transferred respectively to the 22d 
and 31st Regiments of Infantry. Companies I and K of the regiment were 
organized at Governor’s Island, N. Y. H., during October, 1866. 
The regimental return for January, 1867, shows the following roster of 
commissioned officers : Colonel I. V. D. Reeve ; Lieutenant Colonel G. L. 
Andrews, and Major William Clinton. 
Captains R. S. LaMotte, N. W. Osborne, Robert Nugent, A. B. Carey, 
Wm. C. Ide, E. W. Clift, F. E.DeCourcy, R. A. Torrey, and Robert Chandler. 
First Lieutenants Patrick Meagher, J. L. Horr, T. J. Lloyd, Wm. H. 
Keeling, J. D. Graham, J. M. Green, J. T. McGinnis, A. N. Canfield, and 
J. S. Stafford. 
Second Lieutenants M. O. Codding, O. A. Thompson, E. H. Townsend, 
H. C. Pratt, Wm. Auman, W. I. Sanborn, J. B. Guthrie, and Thomas 
Newman. 
Regimental Headquarters were at Fort Rice till June, 1867, then at Camp 
Cooke till August 11, then at Fort Shaw until sent to Camp Douglas, Utah 
Ter., June 11, 1870. 
At Camp Cooke, May 17, 1868, hostile Indians (Sioux and Crows), num- 
bering about 2500, surrounded and attacked the post at about one o’clock 
P. M., the attack being continued without intermission until 7 o’clock, when 
the Indians were driven off, carrying with them their dead and wounded. 
The garrison at this time consisted of Companies B and H, 13th Infantry, 
under the command of Major Clinton. The troops during the engagement 
were commanded by Captain DeCourcy. Fearing that the garrison might 
fall into the hands of the Indians, the wives of the officers requested that 
they be placed in the magazine and that the magazine be fired in the event 
of the capture of the post, in order that they might be saved from falling 
into the hands of the savages. 
Captain Wm. Auman (then a 1st lieutenant), in addition to being in com- 
mand of B Company was the post quartermaster, and when the Indians ap- 
peared his first thought was to secure the government animals which were 
grazing a quarter of a mile from the post. Armed with a rifle he proceeded 
to the corral, mounted a horse, and accompanied by one of the teamsters 
rode out and secured the animals while the hostile Indians were within two 
hundred yards of the herd. After the animals had been put in the corral he 
went where one of the field pieces had opened fire, and finding that the 
piece was loaded with shell the fuse of which was uncut, he cut one fuse with 
his pocket knife and started for the magazine for a fuse knife. At this 
juncture he received a bullet wound in the left foot, the ball passing through 
the instep and causing a most painful and serious wound. THE THIRTEENTH REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
On May 19, 1868, a command made up of detachments from Companies 
B, E and H, under Captain Nugent, was engaged with Indians at the mouth 
of the Muscleshell River, Dakota; and on the 24th a portion of this com- 
mand under Lieutenant Canfield met and had a skirmish with the hostiles 
near the mouth of the Muscleshell. 
At Fort Buford during the years 1869 and 1870, the garrison consisted of 
Companies C, E and H, 13th Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant 
Colonel H. A. Morrow, and during the period referred to, attacks by and 
skirmishes with hostile Sioux Indians were of daily occurrence, so much so, 
in fact, that General Sheridan in 1869 reported that Fort Buford was in a 
state of siege. About July 24, 1869, four citizens were killed by Indians 
near the post, and in June, 1870, two more citizens were killed and six 
wounded. As the Indians always carried off their killed and wounded, it 
was impossible to ascertain the extent of the injury inflicted upon them, but 
they must have lost several, both in killed and wounded, during their almost 
daily attacks. Sitting Bull was the greatest enemy during this time and at- 
tempted several attacks, but was always frustrated by information received 
from his camp through one of the Indian scouts named Bloody Knife (Ta- 
Me-Na-Way-Way), who was afterwards killed in the Custer massacre. 
In the reduction and consolidation of 1869 all the field officers of the 
regiment were changed. Colonel Reeve was replaced by Colonel P. R. De- 
Trobriand, recently of the 31st; Lieutenant Colonel Andrews by Lieutenant 
Colonel H. A. Morrow, recently of the 36th; and Major Clinton by Major 
R. S. LaMotte, recently of the 12th. 
On the 12th of March, 1869, Captain Clift left Fort Ellis in command of 
a party consisting of Lieutenant W. L. Wann, 34 enlisted men of the Thir- 
teenth, and 10 volunteer citizens in pursuit of hostile Indians. On the 13th 
the bodies of two men were found, stripped and mutilated in the most hor- 
rible manner. A small party was sent up the river in search of the cattle 
which the unfortunate men had been herding, and the following is an 
extract from Captain Clift’s report of the subsequent operations of his 
command : 
“ Before the detachment sent up the river had returned, I discovered a party of 
Indians coming from the south side of Sheep Mountain, and others between Sheep and 
Crazy mountains. I then took a position on rising ground to the west of the river to 
await the return of the detachment sent above, and also to ascertain something of the 
strength of the Indians. I could see them in large numbers on all sides of Sheep 
Mountain. Those in advance came down to the river (the water was very shallow) 
and endeavored by every means to induce me to cross. Seeing that they were in force 
and far better mounted than ourselves I declined their invitation. Out of the 35 horses 
in my command, only four or five could be of the slightest use in following them. 
“ The Indians lost no time in crossing and the fight commenced at once. The 
ground was broken into ravines, ledges and small knolls on all sides which afforded 
them cover, consequently I changed my position several times and thus obliged them 
to expose themselves in moving from point to point. The fight was kept up in this 
manner for four hours, when the Indians withdrew. Most of my horses were now so 
broken down that I was unable to follow. 
“ In the engagement the Indians had four men and two horses killed. Our loss 
was only one horse. The Indians were mounted on fine American horses and in their 582 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
dress and actions resembled the Sioux or Nez Perces more than other tribes in this sec- 
tion of the country. I know of no otters who are so brave and well mounted.” 
Captain Clift went out again in less than a month, and, under date of 
April io, 1869, reports as follows:— 
“ I have the honor to report that, pursuant to your instructions of the 5th inst., I 
left the post that evening with a detachment consisting of one lieutenant, one surgeon, 
one sergeant, two corporals and 40 men, * * * and proceeded to the residence 
of Judge Sheels where I was joined by several citizens from the valley. I learned that 
on the night of the 4th inst. seven head of cattle and one horse had been driven off. 
We found their trail and followed it to the foot of the mountains about two miles north 
of the Flathead Pass. * * * From this point I took the trail of the Indians and 
followed it over an almost impassable country until about noon on the 7th inst. Those 
in advance came in sight of the Indians near a mountain on the north fork of Sixteen- 
mile Creek and near the headwaters of the Muscleshell River. The party consisted of 
13 Indians, two of whom made their escape with the horse they had taken. * * * 
The eleven remaining took to a mountain about 1500 feet between them and the creek. 
The mountain was a narrow ridge and could only be ascended at two ends. On the 
north side the comb of rock was at least 100 feet in height perpendicularly; on the 
south side it was not so abrupt. 
“ I immediately divided the party, leaving a few below on the north side, and they 
ascended both from the east and west ends. The Indians could be plainly seen on the 
peak of rocks, defying us in the most insulting manner. The position chosen by the 
Indians afforded them complete shelter and at the same time commanded the mountain 
on all sides. There were three holes on the summit around which they built up walls, 
leaving port-holes through which they kept up an incessant fire. We got to within 
150 yards on each end and worked for two hours to dislodge them but with no effect. 
Finding that there was no resource left except by assault, I directed Lieutenant 
Thompson to lead the men on the east, while I would direct on the west end. As 
soon as Lieutenant Thompson could get around to his position the assault was made 
from both sides, and in a few minutes we had the satisfaction of putting an end to the 
affair. * * * We killed nine Indians on the spot. They were all armed with rifles 
and revolvers, and had an abundant supply of ammunition. 
“ The casualties on our side were one private killed and two badly wounded. Two 
citizens were wounded. 
“ When all did so well it is difficult to particularize. Lieutenant Thompson con- 
ducted his part of the action in a manner highly satisfactory. Surgeon C. Ewen 
attended to the wounded in the best possible manner. Sergeant J. P. Sullivan, Com- 
pany G ; Corporal B. Sheridan, Company D ; Private C. Thompson, Company F ; 
Citizen T. King and two others, names unknown, were conspicuous for daring and 
bravery. Private Conry, who died so nobly at the same instant with his antagonist, 
should be remembered. I suggest therefore that the mountain upon which the en- 
gagement took place be named after him.” 
The modesty of this report is characteristic of that gallant and capable 
officer. As a matter of fact he was personally engaged in hand-to-hand 
conflict with the Indians, and when his revolver ammunition was exhausted, 
he began using rocks for offensive purposes. Captain Clift continued to 
serve in the 13th Infantry till October, 1884, when he was retired on account 
of disability, dying of paralysis two years later at his home in Detroit. 
On the morning of the 19th of January, 1870, Captain R. A. Torrey, with 
all the available men of his company (A) and ten men each from Com- THE THIRTEENTH REG’T OF INFANTRY. 
583 
panies F, I and K, left Fort Shawen route to the Marias River, as guard to 
the wagon train of a battalion of the 2d Cavalry under the command of 
Major E. M. Baker, 2d Cavalry. In addition to Company A as strength- 
ened, Captain G. H. Higbee with a mounted detachment of the 13th In- 
fantry also accompanied this expedition against the Piegan Indians. When 
the command arrived in the vicinity of the hostiles, Lieutenant Waterbury, 
13th Infantry, who was with Captain Higbee’s mounted force, was ordered 
to proceed with a detachment and capture a herd of ponies near the Indian 
camp. He promptly executed this order, securing all the animals, and re- 
joined the column to take part in the encounter with the Indians. In this 
engagement the percentage of loss sustained by the Piegans was heavy. 
The troops returned to Fort Shaw January 28. Captain Torrey’s command 
remained as guard to the wagon train during the fight. 
October 24, 1871, the headquarters of the regiment were changed from 
Camp Douglas to Fort Fred Steele, Wyo., returning to Camp Douglas 
November 25, 1873. 
August 17, 1872, Companies C, F and I, comprising part of an expedi- 
tion against hostile Indians in southern Utah, proceeded from Camp Doug- 
las to the scene of hostilities. The battalion returned to the post Septem- 
ber 7. No casualties. 
The 13th Infantry was relieved from duty in the Department of the 
Platte, October 10, 1874, and ordered to New Orleans, taking station at 
Jackson Barracks, the entire regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel H. A. 
Morrow, arriving during the month of October. 
Headquarters and Companies D, E, H, I and K, while en route to New 
Orleans, met with a railroad accident on the Mobile and Ohio R. R., be- 
tween Dyer and Trenton, Tenn., the train going off the track. Four freight 
cars were smashed and four passenger cars disabled. One corporal and one 
private of Company K were killed ; two privates of Company I and two of 
Company K injured. The records of Company I and a large amount of offi- 
cers’ baggage were destroyed. 
The regiment moved into the city of New Orleans, November 1, 1874, 
where it was employed preserving the peace during the McEnery-Kellogg 
election riots of that year. 
The regiment continued to serve in the Department of the South for 
six years, portions of it being stationed at different times at New Orleans, 
Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, Holly Springs, Little Rock, Atlanta, Mt. Vernon 
Barracks, Chattanooga, Lake Charles, Mississippi City, and other points in 
the Department of the South. 
During the railroad strikes and labor riots of the summer of 1877 all the 
companies of the regiment, except D and G in Calcasieu Parish, La., were on 
duty at Pittsburg, Scranton, Wilkesbarre, and other points in Pennsylvania. 
During the summer and fall of 1878 the South was scourged by the most 
terrible epidemic of yellow fever that has occurred for years. Thousands 
had perished from the disease. The suffering and destitution of the inhab- 
itants of the lower Mississippi valley, especially between Memphis and Vicks- 
burg, was so great that the National Relief Commissioners determined to 
send relief. By the cooperation of various cities of the North a fund of 584 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
$20,000 was raised and large quantities of merchandise were secured. The 
funds thus raised were expended in the purchase of an assorted cargo of 
provisions, clothing, bedding, medicines and ice, and the steamer John M. 
Chambers was chartered to leave St. Louis early in October to carry these 
supplies for distribution to the yellow fever sufferers along the Mississippi 
River. But who was to assume charge of the expedition and undertake the 
great responsibility and personal danger attending the execution of this mis- 
sion ? Who were to officer this boat and, taking their lives in their hands, 
deliberately face almost certain death in order to give aid to the destitute ? 
For it meant death to the unacclimated. 
The Secretary of War telegraphed General Augur, commanding Depart- 
ment of the South, to know if any officers of his command would volunteer 
for this perilous duty. Quickly came the response that Lieutenant H. H. 
Benner, 18th Infantry, and Lieutenant C. S. Hall, 13th Infantry, had volun- 
teered to go with the relief boat. Lieutenant Hall had left his camp and 
started to go to his home on a three months leave of absence, but he re- 
linquished that and offered his services. The history of the army does not 
contain the record of any more heroic and truly unselfish act than that of 
of these two officers. It cost Lieutenant Benner his life. 
Regimental General Order No. 8, of date February 1, 1879, shows the 
estimation in which Lieutenant Hall’s gallant conduct was held by his com- 
manding officer, and it may truly be said that this order also voiced the 
sentiments of the whole nation : 
Second Lieutenant Charles S. Hall, 13th Infantry, having reported for duty with 
his company on his return from detached service, it affords great pleasure to the Colo- 
nel Commanding to welcome him back and to congratulate him upon his noble conduct 
and important services last summer, during the disastrous epidemic which carried death 
and desolation along the Mississippi River. After tendering voluntarily his coopera- 
tion to the dangerous undertaking of carrying supplies of all sorts on a steamboat char- 
tered especially for that purpose, and of distributing them at the points where the yel- 
low fever was most fatal and causing the greatest destitution and suffering, Lieutenant 
Hall, by the death of Lieutenant Hiram H. Benner, 18th Infantry, found himself in 
command of the expedition with all its dangers and responsibilities. He faced both 
with a brave heart and an intelligent determination, and fulfilled his perilous position 
in a manner worthy of praise and admiration. 
Such a noble achievement does great honor to this young officer and reflects credit 
upon the regiment to which he belongs. It deserves special acknowledgment, which 
the Colonel Commanding is happy to tender to Second Lieutenant Charles S. Hall, with 
his thanks and those of all the officers of the 13th United States Infantry. 
March 25, 1879, Colonel DeTrobriand was retired. This promoted Lieu- 
tenant Colonel J. R. Brooke, who transferred with Colonel Luther P. Brad- 
ley, the latter becoming the colonel of the Thirteenth. 
In June, 1880, the regiment was ordered to New Mexico, Headquarters 
and Companies F, G, H, I and K, taking station at Fort Wingate. The 
remaining five companies, under Lieutenant Colonel R. E. A. Crofton, 
marched from Santa Fe to southern Colorado for the purpose of building 
a new post on the Mancos River. The location for this was changed by the 
Department commander, and the new post of Fort Lewis, Col., was built on 
the La Plata River during the ensuing eighteen months. THE THIR TEENTH REG’ T OF INFANTR Y. 
585 
During the years 1880 and 1881, Captain B. H. Rogers’ company of 
mounted infantry (Company C of the 13th, stationed at Fort Lewis), did a 
large amount of scouting in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. 
At this time the renegade Pah-IJtes were committing all sorts of depreda- 
tions in that section. Captain Rogers rendered most efficient service in 
his operations against these Indians, succeeded in putting an end to their in- 
cursions, and reestablished the settlers on their lands. 
In 1882, Captain J. B. Guthrie, commanding Company A, took part in a 
scout after Apaches from Fort Cummings. On April 22 the company took 
part in an engagement with the Indians in which several men of the 4th 
Cavalry were killed and wounded. 
The Thirteenth spent eight years of varied and arduous duty in New 
Mexico, participating in numerous operations against Indians, especially in 
the campaign against Geronimo. 
Since June, 1888, the regiment has served in the Indian Territory. 
Headquarters were at Fort Supply until January 4, 1893, since which 
time they have been at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. 
Companies I and K were skeletonized in August, 1890. 
Colonel Luther P. Bradley was retired December 8, 1886, and was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Robert S. LaMotte, promoted from the Twelfth. 
Colonel LaMotte died at Fort Supply, December 16, 1888, and was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Montgomery Bryant, promoted from the Eighth, whose 
service as captain and major had all been with the Thirteenth. Colonel 
Bryant was retired at his own request, March 1, 1894, and was succeeded by 
Colonel Alfred T. Smith, promoted from the Eighth. 
In a paper of this kind relating as it does exclusively to the historical 
record of the regiment as a distinct organization, and written partly with 
the object of affording information to the younger officers of the regiment, it 
is greatly to be regretted that the splendid services of those officers now in the 
regiment who served in .the volunteers during the war cannot be fully set 
forth here. This state of affairs is due of course to the fact that the old 
officers of the 13th, as it was during the Rebellion, having passed from the 
scene of action, their places are filled by those whose war records were made 
with other organizations. 
The following is an extract of a letter from Lieutenant General Sherman, 
published in General Order No. 6, dated Headquarters 13th Infantry, May 
27, 1875 :— 
“ I have always felt the warmest friendship and the keenest pride in the 
records and high military standard of the 13th Infantry, and I know that 
wherever it may be called upon to pitch its tents, the officers and men will 
be governed by such a high sense of professional duty as will make it a dis- 
tinguished honor to the General of the Army to have been its colonel, and 
to the Lieutenant General to have been one of its captains.” 
Note.—The writer is under obligations to Major F. E. DeCourcy, U. S. A., Captains Wil- 
liam M. Waterbury, William Auman, Benjamin H. Rogers, and Jesse C. Chance, 13th Infantry, 
for much useful information relating to the history of the regiment; and to Private Frank 
Cooper, Company E, 13th Infantry, for valuable assistance in obtaining necessary data from the 
regimental records. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
COLONEL THOMAS M. ANDERSON, U. S. A., 
Fourteenth Infantry. 
WHEN one of the newly organized battalions of the Regular Brigade 
of the Army of the Potomac reported to Colonel Buchanan, he 
said to its commander: “ Sir, your men look like volunteers!” 
The reply was : “ That is just what they are.” The veteran 
martinet rejoined, “ I will make them Regulars ”—and that is what he did. 
This little dialogue gives the history, in brief, of the nine infantry regi- 
ments added to the Army in 1861. Nearly all the officers were appointed 
from civil life; the men were specially enlisted for their regiments and,gen- 
erally, for designated companies by their company officers. 
The War Department tried to assign as many experienced officers and 
as many old soldiers as possible to the new organizations, with the intent 
that they should act as organizers and instructors. It was hoped that 
enough could be assigned to leaven the mass and thus make the new regi- 
ments reasonably efficient in a short time. But out of eight West Point 
graduates sent to the 14th Infantry, only three went with the regiment to 
the field ; the others were assigned to other duties ; four as brigadier-gen- 
erals of volunteers. 
All the new organizations had about the same experience. The volun- 
teer element was predominant, but by precept, example and environment 
they soon acquired the traditions and spirit of the old Army without losing 
the zeal, enthusiasm and resource of the volunteer soldier. 
In one of the first battles of the Rebellion, an old officer watched one of 
the new regiments as it went forward, under a withering fire, with a cheer. 
The veteran smiled grimly, and said, “ They act like mustangs, but they 
fight like men.” 
The 14th Infantry was organized under the President’s proclamation of 
May 4, 1861, which was confirmed by an act of Congress of July 29th of the 
same year. Twice before a regiment designated as 14th Infantry had been 
organized in our Service. The first in the War of 1812. Besides its field 
officers, it had its full complement of captains, first, second and third lieu- 
tenants, its ensigns, surgeons and surgeon’s mates; most of these officers 
were commissioned from Maryland. 
Its first colonel was Wm. H. Winder, who having been appointed a 
brigadier-general in March, 1813, was succeeded by Col. Charles G. Boerstler, 
who had been the first lieutenant-colonel. 
The regiment in whole or in part was in the engagements at Fort 
Niagara, Frenchman Creek, the capture of Fort George, at Beaver Dams, 
Chrystler’s Fields, De Cole Mill, Chippewa and Cook’s Mills. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 5§7 
The roster of this original 14th Infantry will be given in an addenda, but 
there was one officer who fought under its banner, who deserves more than 
passing notice. Among the young ensigns of the regiment was one John 
A. Dix. He fought gallantly through the second war with Great Britain 
and did not resign from the Army until 1828. While the Mexican War was 
being carried on, he was a United States Senator from the State of New 
York. An attempt was made to have the grade of lieutenant-general estab- 
lished so that President Polk could appoint a political favorite to the com- 
mand of the Army over General Winfield Scott. It was by the exertions 
of General Dix, that this partisan scheme was frustrated and that the hero 
of Lundy’s Lane and Chippewa received the command of the Army which 
invaded Mexico from Vera Cruz. Fifteen years later the ex-ensign of the 
14th Infantry was a member of the reconstructed cabinet of James Bucha- 
nan as Secretary of the Treasury. Just before the secession of Louisiana, 
information came to the Capitol, that the fire-eaters of New Orleans were 
threatening to pull down the National flag from over the Custom House. 
An answer was flashed back which thrilled the country like a bugle call. 
“ If any man attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the 
spot,” (signed) John A. Dix. The lessons learned by the young subaltern of 
1812 were not forgotten by the grey haired statesman of 1861.* 
The 14th Infantry was again organized in April, 1847, under an act of 
Congress, passed and approved the preceding February. 
The colonel was Wm. Trousdale of Tennessee. The lieutenant-colonel, 
Paul O. Hebert of Louisiana, a graduate of the Military Academy and a 
lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. The major of the regiment, was 
Charles Wickliff. 
With three exceptions the officers of the regiment were appointed from 
Louisiana and Tennessee. 
As the organization of the regiment was not completed until the 9th 
of April, it did not join General Scott’s column in time to take part in the 
siege of Vera Cruz or the battle of Cerro Gordo, but joined the main army 
at Puebla early in June, 1847. It was assigned to Cadwallader’s Brigade of 
Pillow’s Division. Their brigade consisted of the Voltigeurs, the nth and 
14th Infantry. 
They took a conspicuous part in the battle of Contreras on the 19th and 
20th of August. On the 19th with their brigade they held the village of Con- 
treras from daylight until dark under the fire of Valencia’s entire division, the 
most thorough baptism of fire new troops ever received. That night they 
marched through a break in the Mexican line and up a ravine that led them 
directly in rear of the Mexican position. When the charge was made in 
the morning the battle lasted seventeen minutes and the pursuit four hours. 
A pleasant little episode for the 14th was the repulse of a charge of lancers. 
From Contreras, Pillow’s division hastened over to support Worth in his 
attack on Churubusco. The 14th participated in no less than four attacks 
that day. It fought also at Molino del Rey, at Chapultepec, and the storm- 
* It is interesting to note, that his father, Timothy Dix, was made the lieutenant-colonel of the 
14th Infantry in 1813, and that his son, Chas. T. Dix, was commissioned as a lieutenant of the new 
14th in the War of the Rebellion. 588 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ing of the San Cosmo gate. The engineer officer who indicated to the 14th 
its line of attack at Contreras was Lieutenant Beauregard ; a battery they 
supported for a time at Chapultepec was commanded by Lieut. Thomas J. 
Jackson ; the engineer officer who led the way over the San Cosmo cause- 
way was Capt. Robert E. Lee, and the officer who marched with them in 
command of a platoon of sappers and miners to the San Cosmo gate was 
Lt. Geo. B. McClellan. 
“ There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, 
Rough hew them how we will.” 
The colonel, lieutenant-colonel and five other officers of the Fourteenth 
were breveted for conspicuous gallantry in the battles in the valley of 
Mexico. 
On the 29th of July, 1848, this splendid regiment was disbanded, and its 
battle-stained banners laid away in dust and darkness. After the call for 
75,000 volunteers in 1861, the Chief Magistrate deemed it expedient also to 
increase the strength of the Regular Army. To meet the question of re- 
organization, a board was appointed by the President, consisting of the 
Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; Maj. Irvin McDowell, Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General; and Capt. William B. Franklin of the Engineers. 
The military members proposed a three-battalion organization of eight com- 
panies each for the infantry regiments. They recommended an addition of 
one regiment of artillery, one of cavalry and nine of infantry. This would 
have given 57 battalions for the last named branch of the Service. 
Mr. Chase concurred, but Congress, in passing the act of July 29, only 
made the three-battalion scheme to apply to the nine new regiments. 
It must be understood that as to the general war policy of his administra- 
tion, Mr. Lincoln of course consulted his Cabinet, but advised freely with 
General Scott, Adjutant-General Thomas, and as Mr. Welles has it in his 
memoirs, “a young man named Meigs.” 
The organization of the 14th Infantry followed promptly the Presi- 
dent’s proclamation. The headquarters of the regiment was fixed at Fort 
Trumbull, Conn., and the first order, temporarily assigningofficers appointed 
to date May 14th to companies, was issued on the 8th of July, 1861. This 
order was signed by Lieut.-Col. John F. Reynolds, who organized the new 
regiment and was its first commander. 
The colonel, Chas. P. Stone, had already been made a brigadier general 
of volunteers, and was serving at the time in General Patterson’s army. 
He never joined the regiment until the fall of 1864, and then only for one 
day. 
General Stone had served as a lieutenant of ordnance in the Mexican 
War. He resigned in 1856. In the trying period preceding the inaugura- 
tion of Mr. Lincoln, he was very active and zealous in organizing an 
improved command for the defense of Washington. He was a refined, 
scholarly gentleman and an accomplished officer. But he was “ too full of 
the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way; ” so it happened 
that he was probably more harshly dealt with than any officer who ever 
held a commission in our Army. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Reynolds was a veteran who had been in the Service FO UR TEE NTH RE GIMENT OF IN FA NTR Y. 
5 89 
since 1841. He had served in the Florida and Mexican wars, and was 
destined to a soldier’s death, commanding an army corps on the field of 
Gettysburg. No better man could have been found to bind together the 
heterogeneous elements of which a new regiment was compounded. 
He selected for his adjutant Lieut. Edwin F. Townsend (now 
colonel of the 12th Infantry) a West Point graduate who had resigned and 
gone into civil pursuits, but who had again accepted a lieutenant’s com- 
mission when the War broke out; a position by no means commensurate 
with his merits, but which he accepted from purely patriotic impulses. 
General George Sykes, the senior major, did not report, but Major 
G. R. Giddings and Major William Williams reported promptly and were 
assigned to the 2d and 3d battalions respectively. 
As fast as the captains and lieutenants came they were assigned to re- 
cruiting stations, generally in the New England States and New York. 
The first recruiting order was issued at Fort Trumbull, July 10, 1861. 
The first company was organized and put into camp on the 17th of 
August. It was under the command of Captain Samuel Ross, a veteran, 
who had joined the Army as a private in 1837. A second company was 
soon organized and assigned to Captain Jonathan Hager. A battalion was 
organized, mustered and inspected on August 31st, and Lieut. W. R. 
Smedberg announced as adjutant. 
So far the organization had run smoothly, but the regiment now met 
its first serious loss. Its lieutenant-colonel was made a brigadier-general 
of volunteers, and its adjutant was promoted to a captaincy in the 16th 
Infantry. 
Major Giddings, who assumed command, was a son of the Hon. Joshua 
R. Giddings, the abolition leader of Ohio. Captains J. D. O’Connell and 
David B. McKibbin, officers of experience, reported in time to take up the 
good work. Of the civil appointees one, Coppinger, had seen service 
abroad, having been an officer of Papal Chasseurs. The other officers had 
little or no antecedent military training, but they were, with few exceptions, 
men of such quick apprehension, zeal and untiring application, that they 
learned their duties within a short time. 
Among the men who first enlisted there were a number of well-trained 
soldiers; some of them had served in the old regiments of our Army and 
others in some of the European armies. Many of these men won com- 
missions, and they all did much by precept and example to encourage the 
raw recruits. Indeed their influence was invaluable, as they not only- 
taught the new men how to take care of themselves, but to make light of 
hardships. 
Some educated gentlemen enlisted for commissions and won them soon. 
The men who won advancement in this honorable way were Lieutenants 
Perry, Peck, Choisy, C. G. Smedberg, J. K. Clay, Vernon and Browning. 
So rapidly was the regiment recruited that eight companies and the 
band were organized and sent by the middle of October to Perryville, Md., 
where they went into Camp Stone, so-called, after their first colonel. 
The battalion first organized was designated the Second, as General 
Sykes, the senior major, had been assigned to the command of the 1st Bat- 590 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
talion, but had not reported. As Major Giddings, the proper commandant 
of the 2d Battalion, was kept back at Fort Trumbull in command of 
the regiment, the command of the battalion sent to Perryville devolved 
on the senior captain, J. D. O’Connell — universally known in the 
Army as “ Paddy.” He had served in the old 2d Infantry from 1852 
to 1861. 
The 14th Infantry owes a lasting debt of gratitude to this noble man. 
He did more than any other officer to instruct it and to instill into it prin- 
ciples of patriotism, self-sacrifice and devotion. Captain O’Connell was 
not “brilliant,” he was better than that, for in the best sense of the word 
he was a good man. He was single-minded and artless, diligent, faithful 
and self-denying. With him the interests of the men came first, the offi- 
cers second and his ouni last. 
The health of the command was not good at Camp Stone. This was 
attributed to bad water and a lack of fresh vegetables. 
Sergeants Henton, Bellows and Loosley were promoted to lieutenants. 
Their advancement was a stimulus to others. On Dec. 18th the headquar- 
ters of the regiment was established at Camp Stone, Major Giddings in 
command, bringing Lieutenant Schuyler and King as adjutant and quarter- 
master. One company of the 3d Battalion joined soon after. The rest of 
the winter was devoted to drills and instruction. 
On March 7th, 1862, Camp Stone was abandoned and the regiment pro- 
ceeded under orders, first to Washington and thence to Fairfax, Va., where 
they joined the Regular Brigade under General Sykes, in the Army of the 
Potomac, on March 13th. Two days before the Confederate army had fallen 
back to the south of the Rappahannock and on the day the 14th re- 
ported for duty in the field, the President authorized the Peninsula Cam- 
paign. Thus it happened that in a few days the Regulars marched back to 
Alexandria, Va., and made their preparations to embark on transports for 
Newport News. Major Giddings, with headquarters, went back to Fort 
Trumbull. On March 27th nine companies under the command of Captain 
O’Connell embarked on a steamer at Alexandria and on the 29th debarked 
at Hampton, Va. From thence they marched with the rest of the brigade 
and went into a camp near Yorktown, Va., April 4th. 
The regiment then formed a part of what was called the “ Infantry 
Reserve Brigade,” which was made up of the 2d, 3d, 4th, 6th, and parts of 
the 10th, 17th, the nth, 12th, 14th Infantry, and the 5th New York—Colonel 
Warren’s regiment, whose warriors were known from their Zouave dress as 
the “ Red-legged Devils.” The history of the brigade for the next month 
was that they worked in the trenches at Yorktown. 
The 14th had now fallen under their senior major, but in his capacity of 
brigade commander. It would have been hard to find a better officer in 
the Army than General Sykes; a Southerner by birth, he was so thoroughly 
and simply a soldier, that he knew little of politics and cared less. His in- 
difference to all civil matters was a subject of surprise to the civilian ap- 
pointees who served with him. 
He was unsympathetic and methodical, a man of details, diligent and 
untiring, but never hurried, never flurried ; one of the coolest men in dan- FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
591 
ger or confusion that we had in the whole Army. He enforced discipline 
like a machine and had apparently no more sentiment than a gun-stock. 
On the 30th of April, in compliance with an order from the War De- 
partment, Cos. “ A,” “ B,” “ C,” “ D,” “ F ” and “ H,” 2d Battalion, and Cos. 
“ E ” and “ H ” of the 3d Battalion, were transferred to and designated as 
the ist Battalion ; all retaining their letter designations except “G,” of the 
3d, which became “G” of the ist; “C” of the 3d became “C” of the 2d, 
and was attached as a supernumerary company. 
On May the 8th the Confederates evacuated Yorktown, and for the next 
six weeks the history of the regiment was as uneventful as if it had remained 
at Perryville. It took no part in the battle of Williamsburg, but marched 
slowly up the Peninsula with the Army of the Potomac. 
About the 17th of May, when the command was in camp at Cumber- 
land, the Reserve Brigade, with the addition of the 10th N. Y. Vols., was 
formed into a division under Sykes, which with a division of volunteer in- 
fantry under Morell, constituted the 5th Provisional Corps under Maj.-Gen. 
Fitz John Porter. 
The ist Brigade of the Regular Division was under Lieut.-Col. Robert C. 
Buchanan, 4th Infantry, with Capt. Robert N. Scott as A. A. General, and 
Lieutenants Van Rensselaer and Powell as aides-de-camp. 
The brigade was made up of the 3d Infantry, Captain Wilkins, the 4th 
Infantry, Captain Collins, the ist Battalion, 12th Infantry, Major H. B. Clitz, 
and the nine companies of the 14th Infantry, Captain O’Connell. 
The 2d Brigade was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Chap- 
man, and was made up of the 2d, 6th, 10th, 17th and nth Infantry and 
Warren’s Brigade of his own, the 5th New York, and Colonel Bendix’s 
10th New York. 
Sykes’ Division took no part in General Porter’s fight at Hanover, 
against Branch, or in the battle of Fair Oaks, but remained quietly in camp, 
26th May until the 26th of June. For two years the history of the regiment 
will correspond closely with that of the brigade. 
No better account of the battle of Gaines’ Mill can be given than is given 
in the Official Report No. 146, War of the Rebellion Records, S. 1. Vol. 
xi., p. 2, p. 369. 
Headquarters ist Batt. 14TH Inft. 
Camp Near James River, Va. , 
July 4, 1862. 
Sir :—In compliance with instructions, headquarters of the brigade, I have the 
honor to submit the following report : * * * * * * 
June 27.—Ordered across the creek near Gaines’ Mill, and engaged the enemy about 
eleven o’clock, A. M., which continued till dark. The greater part of the day the battal- 
ion occupied the right of the 12th Infantry. I was directed to throw back the two 
right companies to protect the right flank. 
With this formation I succeeded in driving the enemy clear from the field, following 
them up to the woods where they suffered severely. 
I then retired to the crest of the hill, about 200 yards from the woods in front, and 
saw that the 3d Infantry was posted on the edge of the woods on my right flank, leaving 
some distance between its left and my right. Here a severe fire was poured in on my 
right flank from the woods, which caused me to change front and drive them from 592 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
that position. Again the enemy renewed their fire in my front, when I changed front 
and completely routed them, clearing them from the pine shrubbery in front of my 
position. I then returned to the crest of the hill, and finding the 12th and 3d Infantry 
had retired, that the enemy’s infantry could not be seen, and that their artillery had a 
true range of the battalion with their shells, I retired also and took my position on the 
right of the 12th Infantry near the woods, just below the house near Edwards’ battery. 
From this point the battalion received a severe fire from the woods, which was 
vigorously returned by the battalion, slowly retiring in good order to the lane near the 
house referred to, where it took up and held a position until the troops were drawn 
from the field. During this engagement five officers,—Captain McIntosh, Lieutenants 
Sinclair, McElhone, Lyon and Hoover—were wounded, the last three badly. Eighteen 
enlisted men were killed, 113 wounded, and 12 missing. The list of killed is probably 
greater than here stated. The officers and men behaved well. At night crossed the 
Chickahominy and encamped on the ground that had been occupied by the general 
headquarters near Savage Station. 
July 1.—Participated in the battle fought near that camp (Malvern Hill) having 1 
man killed, 11 wounded and 1 missing. At night the xst Brigade, which was in ad- 
vance, formed the rear guard, and held the position while the troops were withdrawn, 
and covered the movement oi the army to the rear. 
July 3.—Moved to this camp. 
At the battle of the 1st the battalion arrived just in time to engage a regiment of 
the enemy, which was completely routed. The officers and men behaved well. Captain 
McKibbin, the second in command, was everywhere his presence was required. The 
conduct on both the above occasions is much to be admired. The company officers in 
their places behaved in like manner. Lieutenant W absented himself from the 
battalion on the evening of the 1st and did not join until near the present camp and 
could not satisfactorily account to me for his absence from the battalion. 
I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) J. D. O’Connell, 
Captain 14th Infantry, Commanding Battalion. 
Lieutenant Powell, 
Adjutant 4th Infantry, A. A. A. G., First Brigade Sykes’ Division. 
P. S.—At the battle of July 1, the battalion took 11 prisoners, who were disposed 
of as directed by the division commander. 
Colonel Buchanan in his report of the seven days says : “ The two old 
regiments, the 3d and 4th, maintained their previous reputation, and the new 
battalions, the 12th and 14th, earned one for themselves.” He complimented 
by name Captains O’Connell and McKibbin, as did also General Sykes. 
In his report of the battle of Malvern, Sykes speaks with especial com- 
mendation of three well directed vollies which the 14th Infantry poured into 
a Confederate brigade, charging near the close of the battle, from the ex- 
treme right. This brigade is believed to have been Wright’s of Huger’s 
Division, and the regiment which suffered most from the fire was the 
“ Louisiana Tigers.” 
The amended returns as we now have them, show that the loss of the 
regiment for the seven days was, killed, wounded and missing 255, includ- 
ing Lieutenant Hoover, who died of wounds received at Gaines’ Mill. This 
was the heaviest loss in the division. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
593 
The loss of the brigade was 567. But for this a bloody retribution was 
exacted. The brigades of G. B. Anderson and Garland are known to have 
been the opponents of Buchanan’s Brigade at Gaines’ Mill. Their official 
loss is reported for the first named, 863, for the second, 844. About half of 
this loss was sustained at Gaines’ Mill, and the remainder at Malvern. 
Wright’s Brigade lost 666 men at Malvern, and the “Tigers ” alone lost 
167 men. The 12th and 14th had a little side issue the evening before 
Malvern, which is known officially as Turkey Bend, Company C, 2d Bat- 
talion, taking 12 prisoners. After Gaines’ Mill, Major Clitz and Captain 
Stanhope were left on the field severely wounded. After our withdrawal 
they reported that they were visited by a number of old army officers who 
had gone South: Hill, Anderson, Whiting, Stewart, and Jackson himself. 
All spoke with admiration of the firmness of the Regulars, and all expressed 
sympathy and offered assistance, except Whiting, who was born in Maine. 
At Harrison’s Landing the 2d Battalion joined July 5th. The com- 
panies reporting were A, B, D, E, F, G and H, under Captains Coppinger, 
Thatcher, Durkee, O’Beirne, Lawrence, Locke and Watson. Company C, 
under Lieutenant Broadhead, was already there. 
The regiment left Harrison’s Landing August 15th, and proceeded to 
Aquia Creek, marching thence with the 5th Corps to Warrenton, Va., 
where it joined the Army of Northern Va., under General Pope, the 27th of 
August. On the 30th of August, the two battalions of the 14th, in the 1st 
Brigade, 2d Division of the 5th Corps, took a conspicuous part in the bat- 
tle of Manassas—“ Second Bull Run.” The reports are too full and the 
description of the battle too complicated to be quoted. General Sykes, 
speaking of the attack made about four o’clock, in what was called the 
turning movement from the right, says : “ Butterfield’s attack was gallantly 
made and gallantly maintained until his troops were torn to pieces. My 
first brigade, under Buchanan, moved to his aid, relieved him, and became 
furiously engaged.” 
The following is an extract from Colonel Buchanan’s report: 
“ As soon as notified that I was unmasked by Butterfield, I advanced 
the two battalions of the 14th into and through the woods to his support, 
and held them there until after the brigade was entirely withdrawn, when 
my whole column was ordered to the rear. While in the woods we were 
under a most incessant fire of all arms, but my officers and men behaved 
admirably. Here it was that Captain O’Connell of the 14th Infantry was 
wounded in the knee while commanding the 1st Battalion, and Capt. D. B. 
McKibbin, 14th Infantry, in the ear, while commanding the 2d Battalion.” 
After the failure of this attack and the enemy had begun their counter- 
attack, the first brunt of which fell upon Warren’s Brigade, the rest of the 
division was moved by the Henry House Hill, on which, a little more than a 
year before, had raged the fiercest fighting in the First Bull Run. 
The following is an extract also from Colonel Buchanan s report: 
“ About 6 P. M. I was ordered to take the battalions of the 12th and 14th 
to the woods to our left and front to support Meade’s Brigade, then severely 
pressed by the enemy; and almost immediately after placing these troops 
in position, I observed that the 3d and 4th had also been ordered up. 594 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ I found the enemy in very strong force in the woods, and during the 
heat of a very severe engagement discovered that he was flanking me with 
large masses of troops. I immediately commenced to gain ground to my 
left so as to meet his movements, and held him in check for nearly an hour. 
But at length I found the contest too unequal; my command was being 
cut to pieces; the ammunition of the men nearly expended and the enemy’s 
masses vastly outnumbering my force. I was forced to give the order to 
retire. 
“ This was done in most excellent order, the men marching steadily and 
slowly and I resumed my position on the plateau. 
“ Shortly after I was ordered to retire with my brigade to Centreville, 
which I did, and reached the point at 10 o’clock at night, having the 
entire brigade with me in good order and having left but few stragglers 
behind.” 
During this fight the rebels in the woods displayed the National colors. 
Captain O’Connell rode forward to ascertain whether they were in the hands 
of friends or foes, when he was fired on, again wounded, and his horse 
killed. The two lines not even forty yards apart fired into each other by 
vollies. This desperate fighting was maintained for an hour. The front 
attacks were constantly repulsed, but as the battle was hopelessly lost, the 
division was slowly withdrawn to Centreville. 
The officers of the 14th present in the battle were as follows : 
FIRST BATTALION. 
Capt. J. D. O’Connell (wounded), Dr. Forwood, Captains Brown, Ilges, 
Watson, Smedberg, King and Burbank; Lieutenants Broadhead, Walker, 
Sinclair, Collins and Henton, Loosley (Adjt.), and Krause (Q. M.). 
SECOND BATTALION. 
Captain D. B. McKibbin, Comdg. 
Captains Coppinger (wounded), Thatcher, Locke (wounded), Durkee, 
Douglass, Lawrence, Overton ; Lieutenants Wharton (wounded), Porter, 
Vanderslice, (Adjt.), and Downey, (Q. M.) 
The loss of the ist Battalion in killed, wounded and missing out of 482 
present, was 129, and of the 2d Battalion 48 out of 313 for duty. One offi- 
cer of the ist and four of the 2d were wounded. The officers of both 
battalions were commended in the highest terms for their coolness and 
bravery. 
O’Connell and McKibbin were praised in all reports for their efficiency, 
and Major C. S. Lovell, who was three years after to become the colonel of 
the 14th Infantry, was particularly mentioned in General Sykes’ report for 
his conduct. 
The Confederate brigades of Toombs, G. T. Anderson and Cadmus 
Wilcox, are now known to have been engaged against Buchanan’s and 
Lovell’s; their loss was heavy. 
From Centreville the Regular Division marched back to Hall’s Hill 
near the Chain Bridge, over the Potomac. 
There the 2d Battalion of the 12th Infantry, with two companies of the FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
595 
8th, under the command of Captain Anderson, which had been campaign- 
ing with Banks’ Corps of Pope’s army reported and were assigned to the 
ist Brigade. 
From Washington the Division marched slowly to Fredericksburg, Md., 
and from thence to South Mountain, when it was held in reserve and 
was for a time under shell fire. 
Early on the morning of the 15th, it marched over the crest of the hill 
covered with the killed and wounded of the battle of the preceding day, 
and thence to the Stone Bridge over the Antietam Creek near Sharps- 
burg. 
Richardson’s Division, which had preceded Sykes’, formed to the right 
of the road and the Regular Division, after turning the head of the column 
to the left, came on right into line under a lively artillery fire, thus forming 
line of battle with Buchanan’s right resting on the Sharpsburg road. 
In the battle of Antietam the battalions in the ist Brigade were com- 
manded by captains, as follows : The 3d, Wilkins ; the 4th, Dryer ; the ist 
battalion of the 12th, Blunt; the battalions of the 8th and 12th, Anderson ; 
the ist of the 14th, Harvey Brown ; and the 2d by D. B. McKibbin. 
In the great battle of September 17th, the Regular Division was held in 
reserve and in support of the reserve artillery until about two o’clock in 
the afternoon, when Capt. Hiram Dryer was ordered to cross the Antietam 
creek with the 2d and 10th, the 4th, 12th and 14th Infantry. 
These regiments supported Tidball’s batteries, and about sundown ad- 
vanced and easily drove back the enemy into the village of Sharpsburg. 
Captain Dryer did not feel authorized to go further without orders, and 
applied for permission to press his attack. It appears from official reports 
that General Pleasanton also advised an advance. General Sykes told the 
writer after the war that it was on this occasion that General Fitz John 
Porter reminded General McClellan that his corps was the last reserve of 
the last Army of the Republic. It is needless of course to speculate on 
what might have been, but this can be said, that the Regular Division was 
that day in its best condition. 
Captain Dryer rode into the rebel lines and saw that there were but two 
regiments and a battery left in the centre. That night there was gnashing 
of teeth in the Regular camp. A few days after the battle, a division forded 
the Potomac River and made a demonstration, which led to a partial en- 
gagement, which was called the action of Leetown. The 14th was in the 
fight and had a number of men wounded. For nearly six weeks after the 
battle our division remained in camp refitting, drilling, and doing picket 
duty. It marched with McClellan’s forward movement, and at Snicker’s 
Gap, under Captain O’Connell, who rejoined a few days before, had a very 
sad experience. A reconnoissance was ordered from the Gap to a ford on 
the Shenandoah by a force made up of a troop of Massachusetts cavalry, 
the 6th, 7th and both battalions of the 14th Infantry. The enemy was met 
in small force and easily driven across the river. But on the opposite bank 
there was a strong force of the three arms. It was not the intention to seri- 
ously engage this force, but only to develop its strength. Unfortunately 
Captain O’Connell received an order to advance even after a heavy fire of 596 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
artillery had been opened. He knew, as did all his regiment, that some- 
body had blundered, but on they went like the Light Brigade. 
Both battalions advanced in line of battle to the banks of the river 
under a terrific fire, and when ordered to retire, they marched back as 
coolly as from a parade. Five enlisted men were killed, and Lieutenant 
Perry and twenty-six were wounded. Dr. Forwood, on this as on many other 
occasions, showed the utmost zeal, skill and devotion. Poor Paddy O’Con- 
nell said after the fight was over, the tears running down his seared and 
weather beaten face : “ I would take the 14th to the gates of hell, but I would 
like to have a chance to whip the devil when I got there.” From Snicker’s Gap 
we marched to Warrenton Junction, where McClellan was relieved. The reg- 
iment marched with its proper command to Falmouth, opposite Fredericks- 
burg. In the battle of December 13th it passed through a very trying or- 
deal. With the rest of the Regular Division it went to the front in the dusk of 
the evening, between Hanover Street and the plank road. About midnight 
we occupied the front line some 150 yards from the crest of the hill held by 
the Confederate line. 
This position was kept for twenty-four hours under a galling fire which 
could not be effectively returned. On the morningof the 16th, Buchanan’s 
brigade covered the retreat of the Army over the river, Captain O’Connell 
commanding the 1st Battalion ; Captain Overton was the ranking officer of 
the 2d Battalion but Captain Thatcher was placed in command. The 
officers present with the regiment on this occasion were Captain O’Connell, 
commanding regiment, Captain Keyes acting field officer. 1st Battalion : 
Co. A, Lieut. Henton ; Co. B, Lieut. Walker; Co. C, Lieuts. Collins and 
Doebler; Co. D, Lieut. Bellows; Co. E, Capt. Burbank; Co. F, Capt. 
Smedberg and Lieut. Sinclair; Co. G, Lieut. Broadhead ; Co. H, Lieut. 
Moroney; adjutant, Lieut. Loosley ; asst, surgeon, Dr. Bacon. 2d Battalion: 
Capt. Overton, A. F. O.; Capt. Thatcher, A. F. O., commanding battalion ; 
Cos. A and H, Lieut. Bainbridge; Cos. B and C, Capt. Watson; Co. 
F, Lieut. Porter ; Co. E, Lieut. McKibbin; Co. G, Capt. Locke; Co. D, 
Lieut. Douglas; adjutant, Lieut. Vanderslice ; asst, surgeon, Dr. Jaquett. 
After Fredericksburg, the regiment remained in camp about one and a 
half miles back of Falmouth until the following May, with the exception of 
the episode known as the Mud March—a futile attempt to cross the Rappa- 
hannock, January 12th, 1863. 
Our winter camp at Falmouth was a very memorable one to all of the 
Regulars, for it was there we became best acquainted with each other. But 
the members of the 1st Brigade became particularly well acquainted with 
“ Old Buck,” as Colonel Buchanan was playfully called. It was then and 
there that he first had a good chance at us. He soon took us in hand and we 
began to find out what discipline was, what army papers were, and, as he 
cheerfully assured us, that the regulations were not made for brigadier 
generals. But alas for army jesting, the veteran discovered before the 
end of his career, that even a hero of three wars could be forced to retire 
under the regulations sorely against his will. 
During the winter we had no end of fatigue and picket duty, drills and 
recitation. By way of diversion, there was poker-play at night and horse FOUR TEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
597 
racing, steeple chasing, and shooting matches by day. We had also sing- 
ing clubs, and grotesque societies. These were the last days of commissary 
whiskey, and the good fellows of Sykes’ division are not likely to forget one 
celebration in Snip Snyder’s commissary tent, which brought the division 
commander around about 2 o’clock one night with the inquiry: “Gentle- 
men, what is the occasion of this sudden outburst of inebriety?” 
But as Fighting Joe Hooker had been put in command, we knew that 
the “general ” would be sounded in our camp early in the spring. It came 
the last week in April. 
Before this, many changes had been made. General Meade had 
been placed in command of the 5th Corps, General Warren had been 
placed on the headquarters staff, Colonel Buchanan had been relieved and 
General Ayres had assumed command of our brigade. 
Captain O’Connell had gone on recruiting service and Captain Hager 
had assumed command of the regiment in the field. On the first of 
March, 1863, there was a consolidation of companies in the Regular Divi- 
sion, and two battalions of the 14th were reduced to one battalion of eight 
companies, A, B, D, E, F and G of the 1st, and F and G of the 2d. 
The officers were Captains Hager, Brown, Thatcher, Norton, Ilges, 
Coppinger, Lawrence, Clay, McCall and Lieuts. Downey, McKibbin, Weir, 
Tom Collins, Sinclair, Miller, Foote, Porter, Vernon, McClintock and 
Douglas ; Captain Joe Locke was on the brigade staff. Camp was broken 
for the Chancellorsville campaign April 27th; we crossed Ely’s Ford of the 
Rapidan on the night of the 29th, the men, stripping to the buff, wading 
through with shouts and laughter. On the morning of the 1st of May the 
Regular Division marched down the Fredericksburg pike, to meet McLaws’ 
division coming up. The second brigade, then much reduced in num- 
bers, was in advance as skirmishers. The 12th and 14th marched 
after them in line of battle to the right and left of the road. We 
soon met the enemy and drove them before us for more than a mile 
with a perfect rush. The men were full of fight and moved with alacrity. 
In the first rush a whole company was captured. We were halted in line 
near the cross-roads, leading to Banks’Ford. But, alas, we were ordered 
back. Then there was heard cursing and grumbling from the Regulars, 
not at being ordered into danger, but at being ordered out. All knew too 
well that again somebody had blundered. In the dusk of the evening we 
were placed in a new position facing the woods beyond the plank road. 
Here a brigade of the enemy ran on us, I think by mere chance. The 5th 
New York (the Red Legs), had a sharp fight, but the rest of us only fired a 
few volleys which sent our opponents to the right-about. While this was 
going on I heard a chaplain shouting out behind us : “ Give ’em Hell, boys ; 
give ’em Hell, and the Lord have mercy on their souls.” 
But, alas, how terribly is the comedy and tragedy of war inter- 
mingled. 
With almost the last volley of the fight gallant young Temple, the darling 
of the 17th, was killed. Then Jerry McKibbin, a brave and generous man, 
dashed into the line and carried Temple’s body out on his horse. It was 
buried that night at the foot of a tall, solitary pine, while Weed’s Battery, 598 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
that stood near, sent shell after shell into the enemy’s lines. The whole 
scene reminded us all of the funeral of Sir John Moore. 
When the i ith Corps broke, two days after, we were hurried over at the 
double to take the right of the line, but we had a mere skirmish. The regiment 
lost one officer (Overton) wounded, five enlisted men killed and six wounded. 
Major Giddings arrived just after the battle and assumed command. After 
the Army of the Potomac returned to the north of the Rappahannock, foiled 
but not defeated, the Regular Division resumed its old camps. We had 
sustained but little loss from the enemy, but our ranks were severely de- 
pleted from other causes. The loss from desertion was very great and 
most discouraging, and we were getting but few recruits to make up for our 
losses. The 14th had lost as many as seventy-two in a single month. The 
total in the year was four hundred and thirty-one. 
Immense local bounties were being paid all over the country for men to 
fill the volunteer regiments, and the Government bounty of $200, which 
was all that could be given for enlistment in the Regular Army, was no 
inducement to men who could get from $1000 to $2000. Hundreds of men 
left us to go and enlist under assumed names elsewhere. Then, of course, 
many were discharged for disability. At the same time many officers were 
sent away from us on detached service. Here a short description of the 
general method of campaigning followed in the later operations of the War 
may not be out of place. 
Each regiment or full battalion had two wagons for the companies and 
one for headquarters and hospital, unless the command was small, when 
the third wagon was dispensed with. Officers’ messes generally had a 
sumpter horse or mule of their own that followed the column. In the last 
year of the War, when mules got scarce and darkies were plenty, these sable 
strikers often carried the stewpans and provender. In the immediate 
presence of the enemy shelter tents were used by all. Camps were gener- 
ally made by regiments in columns of divisions, winter cantonments 
were larger, cribs were put under the tents, or small log houses made 
or “ dug-outs ” were substituted if the camp was on a hill side. Some 
of the sutlers were very enterprising and had reasonably good stock of 
staple articles. If all else failed, they generally had whiskey and gin cock- 
tails. 
The camp ration was generally coffee and hard tack, beef or bacon, 
beans and rice. 
Unless the march was to be a secret one the “general ” was sounded at 
corps headquarters and repeated in rapid succession at division, brigade 
and regimental headquarters, and was succeeded for a few minutes by a 
pandemonium of shouts, yells, cat calls, barkings and the like. This would 
be followed by a period of well systematized activity, which caused the 
most elaborate camps to disappear like a mist. 
Tours of picket duty lasted three days when in permanent camp. As a 
rule Mahan’s system of outpost duty was pretty closely followed. 
The march to Gettysburg began June 13th, the regiment marching with 
the Division to Manassas Junction and Leesburg, Va.; crossing the Potomac 
near Edwards’ Ferry, it marched thence through Frederick, Md„ to Han- FO UR TEE NTH RE GIMENT OF IN FA NTR V. 
5 99 
over, Pa., arriving there on July ist, to learn that the fighting had begun at 
Gettysburg. 
A night march was made and the command bivouacked within ten 
miles of the field of battle. 
About noon of the second day’s battle, the 5th Corps reached the 
field. It was held in reserve until the disaster to the 3d Corps and the 
attack on the Round Top. Doubleday gives this account of the fight: 
“ Then Ayres, who had been at the turning point of so many battles, 
went in with his fine division of Regulars, commanded by Day and Bur- 
bank, officers of courage and long experience in warfare. He struck the 
enemy in flank who were pursuing Caldwell, and who would have renewed 
the attack on Little Round Top, doubled them up, and drove them back to 
the position Caldwell had left. But his line, from the nature of things, was 
untenable, for a rebel brigade with ample supports had formed on his right 
rear, so that nothing remained but to face about and fight his way home 
again. This was accomplished with the tremendous loss of fifty per cent, 
of his command in killed and wounded.” 
Major Giddings, in command of the 14th Infantry, reported a loss of 141 
officers and men. The amended report of casualties in the War Records 
gives the loss as 18 men killed, 2 officers wounded (Captain Locke and 
Lieutenant Douglas), and 108 men wounded and 4 missing; a total of 
132. There were present in action 490 men. 
A great loss to the regiment was their Lieut-Colonel, Gen. John F. 
Reynolds, killed in action July ist, commanding his corps. 
After Gettysburg the regiment marched in the 5th Corps to Williams- 
port, where Lee escaped across the Potomac; then to Berlin, where the 
Potomac was crossed, and so on to the Rappahannock. 
On August 13, the brigade was sent to New York City to maintain order 
and prevent a recurrence of the draft riots. All actual rioting and resistance 
to the civil authorities had ceased before its arrival. After remaining a 
month in camp at Madison Square, the 14th went to the front, going into 
camp near Culpepper on September 24. 
The regiment took partin the so-called Mine Run campaign ; during the 
winter of 1863-64, with the other regiments of the Regular Brigade, it was 
engaged in guarding the line of the Orange and Alexandria R. R. In this 
duty it had many conflicts with rebel raiders and bushwhackers. 
Any of the latter class caught in an attempt to burn bridges or to de- 
troy the railway, were, under existing orders, hung at sight. 
Preceding the campaign of 1864, a number of conscripts were received 
and distributed. Ours were drafted for us in the District of Columbia. 
Towards spring a number of convalescents returned from hospitals, and by 
the end of April, the 14th had one battalion of about 550 men present for 
duty. 
In Grant’s Wilderness campaign, the old Regular Division was melted 
down into one brigade and so weak had the regiments become that three 
volunteer regiments were added. These were the 140th and 146th New 
York, and 155th Pennsylvania. The Regular Army was represented by 
battalions of the 2d, nth, nth and 14th Infantry. The battalion of the 14th 600 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
under Captain E. McK. Hudson, was made up of A, C, D, G and H of the 
ist and Cos. A, B and C, 2d Battalion. Captain Hudson, a graduate of the 
Military Academy, had served two years in the 3d Artillery before the War. 
In his old regiment he was called cool and handsome. He proved a dash- 
ing and brave commander for the regiment, and did much during the winter 
to bring it up to a high state of efficiency. 
When camp was broken on the 3d of May the following officers were 
present: Hudson, Keyes, Miller, Ilges, Burbank, Brady, C. McKibbin, 
Perry, Sinclair, Tom Collins, Broadhead, John Clay, Krause and Drake 
DeKay; Coppinger, Smedberg and Choisy were with the division on staff 
duty. On the morning of May 5th there were 516 enlisted men present to 
fight. 
At an early hour Griffin’s Division started from the Lacy House up the 
Orange plank road with Ayres’ Brigade in advance. We had not far to go 
before we met Jones’ Brigade of Johnson’s Division of Ewell’s Corps. At 
the point of contact, the 14th Infantry was drawn up across the road in line 
of battle. The 12th Infantry was in line on the right in heavy timber, and 
the volunteer regiments forming a second line. The 6th Corps should have 
been on our right, but was not. The regiment had a cleared field in its 
front, and the Confederate line was two hundred yards away on the far side 
of the field. A section of artillery was in the road. Without waiting a 
moment Hudson ordered and led a charge at the double. The regiments 
to the right and left could not keep up on account of the tangle of brush 
they were in. The 12th on the right was soon attacked in front, flank and 
rear and had a hand to hand fight with Jones’ Virginians. The 14th broke 
the line in their front without firing a shot, but were compelled to retire 
slowly by Stewart’s North Carolina men, who came to reinforce Jones. We 
all had to fall back until we found a cross road on which we could reform. 
Then the fight was kept up until night. There was not a more brilliant 
charge than that made by the 14th, but it paid dearly for the glory of 
driving the Stonewall division ; Hudson, Smedberg and Broadhead were 
wounded, and Captain Burbank and Lieutenant Tom Collins were killed. 
Lieutenant Collins’ body is believed to have been burnt up in the burning 
woods ; it was never found. 
The loss during the month was 240 enlisted men, killed, wounded and 
missing. On the 6th, the fight was in burning woods and suffocating 
smoke. On the 8th, after the rest of the 5th Corps moved to Spottsylva- 
nia, the 12th and 14th Infantry remained behind with Bartlett’s Brigade of 
our division to hold the right of the line. Patrick’s provost guard brought 
up a large detachment of coffee coolers, who were put in our ranks. After 
this we had a little private fight of our own with one of Ewell’s divisions. 
At the battle of Spottsylvania, Lieut. John K. Clay was killed, Captain 
Keyes mortally, and Lieutenant Sinclair severely wounded; twelve enlisted 
men were killed and eighty-three wounded in the battle. 
The fate of Captain Keyes was inexpressibly sad. He received a terrible 
gunshot wound just above the heart. 
He was taken to a field hospital and laid on a bed of leaves with an offi- 
cer of the 12th Infantry who had been wounded about the same time. There FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
601 
was serious apprehension that the hospital and its inmates might fall into 
the hands of the enemy. So the 12th Infantry officer made a masonic sign 
to a sanitary commission official, and appealed to him to get him back to 
Fredericksburg. Keyes, utterly helpless, whispered: “Vouch for me as a 
Templar.” The good Samaritan came and said, “My poor brother, you 
cannot be moved.” Then Keyes whispered, “Tell him I have just been 
married. I know I cannot live, but I must see her again before I die.” The 
Templar turned away weeping, but soon an ambulance was taking the two 
officers to the rear. Captain Keyes did see his young bride again—his lov- 
ing young wife so soon to be a widow. 
On May 18th, Capt. D. B. McKibbin reported and assumed command. 
The regiment did some good service at the battle of North Anna. The 
brigade crossed at the Jericho ford and got in some telling work on Cadmus 
Wilcox’s Division, making a return call for their Henry House visit at Man- 
assas. 
In the fight at Bethesda Church, the regiment lost six or seven men 
killed, and Captain McKibbin was taken prisoner, but the regiment gave as 
good as it got. 
On June 2d an attempt was made to withdraw the 9th Corps from the 
right of line and to march it to Cold Harbor, but the enemy at once rushed 
over our intrenchments and got in rear of Ayres’ Brigade, which, however, 
changed front and drove them back, but in making this change of front, a 
few were taken prisoners. No precaution seemed to have been taken to 
protect his flank, nor did the general staff of the Army see that movements 
were so co-ordinated as to guard against such surprises. We lost thousands 
of prisoners and many valuable lives from this method of issuing orders 
and then trusting to luck that they would be properly and successfully car- 
ried out. 
Captain Thatcher took command and under him the regiment marched 
to Petersburg, and was next seriously engaged in the attack on the enemy’s 
intrenchments, on June 18th and 19th, in which we lost one officer wounded 
and 24 men.* 
At the battle of Weldon R. R., August 18th to 19th, Captain Ingraham 
was in command until on account of sickness he relinquished command to 
Lieutenant Foote. 
On the first day, the brigade under Hayes repulsed a fierce attack of 
Mahone’s Confederate Division. 
The loss of the regiment was severe, particularly in officers. Captain 
O’Beirne and Lieutenant Perry we re wounded on staff duty, and Lieuten- 
ants Foote and Weir with the regiment, and Lieutenant Brady was missing. 
That night there was but one officer for duty; four officers of other regi- 
ments were attached (Lieutenants White, Jackson, Smith and Driscoll). 
The next day the Confederates worked their way through the thick 
woods and got in rear of the brigade, and the whole line charged to the 
rear losing many prisoners, but capturing some. The hand to hand fight- 
* The regiment advanced as skirmishers on the brigade front. Fort Sedgwick, better known as 
Fort Hell, was subsequently built on the ground where our skirmishers made their fox pits in 
front of the Confederate Fort Damnation. 602 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ing in the woods was of the most desperate character. Captain Newburg 
of the 12th was killed after he was wounded and a prisoner in the hands of 
the enemy. Sergeant La Belle, one of the color sergeants of the 14th In- 
fantry, saved his color, although he was severely wounded. Sergeant Ovila 
Cayer of Company A, in saving one of the colors showed such conspicuous 
valor that he received a medal of honor. 
On the 19th Lieut. Chambers McKibbin was wounded and the regiment 
had no officer of its own for duty. On the 21st the lines were fully re-es- 
tablished and thereafter held. The loss of the regiment was in killed, 
wounded and missing out of 295 present for duty. 
The next battle in which the regiment was engaged was on Sept. 30th, 
1864, at Poplar Grove Church or Chappel’s House, which was fought over 
the ground on which the National Cemetery near Petersburg is located. 
The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Sinclair. The 12th Infantry 
was also commanded by a Lieutenant Winston, who was killed there. This 
last fight was a victory in which our loss was small, only two killed, and 
that of the enemy severe. Private Robert Wright of the regiment received 
a medal of honor for gallantry in the battle. A number of officers soon 
after reported: Captain McClintock and Lieutenants Krause, Downey, 
Bellows, Loosley and Browning. 
The last battle of the Rebellion in which the regiment took part was the 
action at Hatcher’s Run, to the west of the Petersburg lines, Oct. 27, 1864. 
For some unaccountable reason the War Department has refused to give 
the Regular regiments credit for this engagement. Yet the Regular Brig- 
ade was there, held in reserve on the bank of the creek within two hundred 
yards of the firing line, and under fire at Armstrong’s Mill Crossing.* The 
loss of Ayres’ Division was 229 men. 
Gen. Fred. Winthrop, one of the bravest and most brilliant captains of 
the 12th Infantry, who had been made colonel of the 5th New York and 
then a brigadier-general of volunteers, had command of the Brigade. The 
regiment remained in the field until the first of November, when it was 
ordered North. First it was sent to Buffalo, N. Y., where it remained until 
after the presidential election. For a few days the headquarters and the 
first battalion were located at Fort Wadsworth, from thence they were 
transferred to Elmira, N. Y., where the warriors made the acquaintance of 
their new major, Gurden Chapin, who began at once to tighten the reins of 
discipline. 
The headquarters of the regiment were transferred back to Fort Trum- 
bull on the nth of Jan., 1865, but the first battalion remained at Camp 
Chemung, near Elmira, under Capt. D. B. McKibbin, until it was transferred 
to Hart’s Island, Feb. 20th. This battalion was placed under the command 
of Major E. McK. Hudson, ordered to the field in March and arrived at City 
Point April 4th, and was assigned to duty as one of the Provost Guard of the 
Army of the Potomac. On the 9th it appears that they proceeded out to 
Burkesville Junction ; from thence joined the headquarters of the Army of 
the Potomac. They marched with that army to Richmond, Va., and at a 
grand review of the Army as it marched through the capital of the fallen 
* Humphreys ‘‘Va. Campaign,” p. 302. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
603 
Confederacy, the 14th Infantry was given the right of the line by the express 
order of Major-General Meade, who said to Major Hudson, then command- 
ing it: “ The 14th Infantry has always been in front in battle and deserves 
the honor.” 
. After that the regiment remained in Richmond on provost duty. 
The officers of the regiment in the field in April, were Captains Hudson, 
O’Connell, Brown, Krause, McClintock, Overton and Clay and Lieutenants 
Browning, Vernon, P. Collins, Porter, Lord, Mills, Choisy and Henton. 
The review in Richmond, before General Halleck, marked the termina- 
tion of the war service of the regiment in the Rebellion. Ten officers, and 
158 enlisted men were killed in battle and 206 died of disease or from acci- 
dents incident to the Service, making a total of 374 in the War ; a heavier 
loss than was sustained by any regiment in the Service of similar enlisted 
strength. Compared with all the infantry regiments mustered into the 
Government service it stands number 47 in aggregate loss; in this num- 
ber six colored regiments are included, which sustained but a small loss in 
battle, but a frightful loss by disease. The loss of the 14th from this cause 
was very small. 
There is no mathematical measure of merit. In civilized warfare you 
cannot kill without taking your chances of being killed, otherwise, war would 
be butchery not bravery. It is some consolation, however, to know that you 
have inflicted as great or a greater loss than you have sustained. But in fact 
both of these tests are fallacious. The men who maintain their discipline 
when others are shaken, who show fortitude in misfortune when others are 
discouraged, and bravery and enthusiasm in danger when others are ap- 
palled, are the men who deserve honor and renown. 
Before passing to the frontier history of the regiment, it seems proper to 
refer briefly to the records of a few officers who although they belonged to 
the regiment did not actually serve with it. 
A few days after the battle of the Weldon Railroad, General Stone came 
to regimental headquarters in the field. General Hays had been taken pris- 
oner and the brigade was under the command of a volunteer colonel. General 
Stone reported as a colonel, having resigned his volunteer commission, but 
his rank would have given him the command of the brigade. As soon as 
this was ascertained he was ordered back to Army headquarters on some 
nominal duty. 
Few men were more likeable than our first colonel, and few men had 
warmer friends. Yet from the first he was doomed to misfortune. After 
the unfortunate battle of Ball’s Bluff, the friends of Colonel and Senator 
Baker blamed General Stone for mismanagement and to this the more 
serious charge of disloyalty was added and pressed by Senator Sumner and 
Governor Andrew of Massachusetts. This allegation seems to have no 
other foundation than an uncertain story, that General Stone while com- 
manding the line of the Potomac above Poolesville, Maryland, let some 
negro servants of a rebel family in Leesburg, pass in and out of the lines by 
his authority. When this statement was referred to him, he indignantly re- 
fused to make an explanation to a charge that was really anonymous although' 
urged by a senator and a governor. He was not sustained by General Me- 604 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Clellan, was put in arrest and sent to Fort Lafayette and afterwards to Fort 
Hamilton. As is known to all he never could get a trial, or an investiga- 
tion. With singular inconsistency General McClellan recommended him 
for a corps commander. Subsequently when he was made chief of staff in 
the Department of the Gulf, General Banks made himself responsible for 
his loyalty. 
After the Red River expedition General Stone was again made a scape- 
goat. He was succeeded as colonel by Gen. Gabriel R. Paul, who never 
reported, as he had lost his sight by a terrible wound received at Gettys- 
burg. 
General Sykes, the senior major of the regiment, never reported as 
such, but commanded it as division and corps commander in many battles. 
He was a model infantry officer. 
Colonel John H. King, who succeeded General Reynolds as lieutenant- 
colonel, never reported. Major Levi Bootes never served with the 14th 
Infantry in the field, but he had served up to the date of his promotion as 
senior captain, commanding the 6th Infantry. 
In some way it became known before the order was issued that the 14th 
Infantry would be designated for a tour of duty on the Pacific Coast. 
After the disbanding of the volunteer forces many wild characters found 
their way into the ranks of all the Regular regiments. Some of these men 
had done good service in the field, but they adopted a theory that as the 
War was over, discipline would be relaxed and that they should be per- 
mitted to have what they were pleased to call “a high old time.” Nor was 
this pleasing theory confined to the ranks ; a number of officers came to 
grief from practices under an epicurean philosophy which the War Depart- 
ment deemed “ more honored in the breach than in observance.” Thus it 
happened that the 14th got more than its share of Bacchanalian warriors. 
In the last week of July the 2d Battalion left Richmond for New York 
City, followed in a few days by the 1st. Both assembled at Hart’s Island, 
where they made their preparations for a trip to California via Panama. 
From the 2d Battalion alone, 221 men deserted in two weeks. They were 
all reported as bounty jumpers, assigned just before the close of the War. 
It sailed from New York City on August 15, 1865, under Major Louis 
H. Marshall. This officer only reported for duty a few days before, having 
been on staff duty as colonel, A. D. C., up to the 28th of the preceding 
July. In passing over the Isthmus, the new men gave proof of their quality, 
for they proposed to take Aspinwall and Panama, and it was only by the 
courageous and forcible efforts of the officers, non-com. officers and old 
soldiers that the unruly element was subdued and the battalion safely em- 
barked on the Pacific side. 
Col. Chas. S. Lovell, who had been promoted to the colonelcy of the 
regiment upon the retirement of General Paul on February 16, 1865, re- 
ported for duty at Hart’s Island, N. Y. H., August 28, 1865. He was the 
first full colonel to assume command of the regiment since its reorganiza- 
tion. The organization of the Third Battalion was begun and vigorously 
FRONTIER SERVICE. FO UR TEENTH REGIMENT OF IN FA NTR Y. 
605 
pressed. At the same time the First Battalion was filled up, and on Octo- 
ber 16th the field, staff and band of the regiment and four companies of the 
ist Battalion, E, F, G and H, under Colonel Lovell, left New York and 
landed in San Francisco, November 12th, taking station temporarily at the 
Presidio. Cos. A, B, C and D followed two weeks later. 
The Third Battalion, under Major Chapin, followed in November, arriv- 
ing at San Francisco early in December. Here there was an outburst of 
turbulent hilarity which manifested itself chiefly in cutting off the pigtails 
of the Pagans. The battalion was hurried away to Arizona, where the ex- 
uberance of the young warriors could find less objectionable play in cutting 
off the scalp-locks of Apaches. The headquarters of the battalion under 
Major Chapin was fixed at Goodwin, with companies detached to Critten- 
den, Lowell, Grant and Bowie. 
In October of 1865, the Second Battalion, under Major Marshall, had been 
sent to the Department of the Columbia, the officers for duty being Captains 
Ross, Coppinger, O’Beirne and Walker, and Lieutenants Henton, Mc- 
Kibbin, Wharton, Porter, Perry, Collins, Tobey and Kistler. Colonel Lovell 
soon followed with his regimental staff, Downey and Bainbridge, establish- 
ing headquarters at Fort Vancouver, December 8th. 
In January of 1866, the ist Battalion, under Major Hudson, was ordered 
to Drum Barracks and from thence to Fort Yuma, California, at which 
post the headquarters of the battalion was established February 6th, Co.’s 
A, B, C, G and H constituting the infantry garrison, Co.’s E and F having 
been left at Drum Barracks, and Co. D sent to Date Creek. On the 17th 
Captain O’Connell succeeded to the command. Subsequently Co. H was 
sent to Date Creek, and B and D to McDowell. In October the head- 
quarters of the battalion were at Fort Whipple with Captain Krause in 
command. 
The headquarters of the regiment remained at Vancouver Barracks 
until June, 1866, when it was ordered to San Francisco and thence to 
Arizona, where it was established September 6, 1866. The band was left at 
Fort Yuma. 
In January, 1867, the headquarters of the regiment was transferred to 
Camp Lowell, Tucson, Arizona, where January 23, 1867, the provision of the 
act of Congress of July 28, 1866, altering the battalion organization into a 
regimental one was carried out and the ist Battalion of the regiment with 
two companies subsequently added, became the 14th Infantry. 
The 2d Battalion, which had remained in Oregon and Washington, 
became the 23d Infantry, and the 3d Battalion, which was serving in Ari- 
zona, became the 32d Infantry. On the 16th of April the headquarters of 
the regiment were established at Fort Yuma, in which military Tophet it 
remained until May, 1869. 
Under the reorganization of 1866, the captains were distributed as fol- 
lows : To the 14th Infantry, Captains Ilges, Smedberg, Krause, Wharton, 
Weir, Van Derslice, Bainbridge and Vernou. To these were added Cap- 
tains Hamilton and Davis for the two additional companies. 
Captains D. B. McKibbin, Brown, O’Beirne, Downey, Miller, Perry and 
Fergus, were assigned to the 32d, and Captains Ross, Clay, Coppinger, 606 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Brady, Walker, Sinclair, Henton and Browning were assigned to the 23d 
Infantry. 
Of the field officers the 14th retained Colonel Lovell and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wallen ; Maj. L. H. Marshall went to the 23d andMajor Chapin to 
the 32d. In January of 1867, the 14th Infantry was distributed at the fol- 
lowing stations: Yuma, McDowell, Mojave, Lincoln and Camp in Skull 
Valley, without question the worst in the country. During this tour of 
duty nearly every monthly return contains a record of Indian scouts; 
some months nearly every company would be out. In September, 1868, 
the distance marched by these scouting parties aggregated 1000 miles, 
equivalent to double the distance elsewhere. Two companies marched 350 
miles in August. The skirmishes rarely rose to the dignity of a battle, but 
they taxed the courage and skill of the participants to the utmost. One 
of the commonest entries is that of “ mail carriers killed by Indians.” Sev- 
eral hundreds of miles of wagon road were made by the regiment, and 
when the men were in camp they were almost constantly engaged in build- 
ing barracks and quarters. 
In the reorganization of the Army in 1869, the 45th Infantry, one of the 
Veteran Reserve regiments, was consolidated with the 14th Infantry. In 
compliance with S. O. No. 17, A. G. O. 1869, the 14th Infantry was trans- 
ferred to Nashville, Tenn., the headquarters of the 45th Infantry, taking 
with them the officers, non-commissioned officers and ten men of each 
company. The other enlisted men were discharged or transferred to other 
regiments remaining in the Department of Arizona. The consolidation 
was carried out, the result appearing in the monthly return for July. The 
field officers assigned to it were Col. C. S. Lovell, Lieut.-Col. Geo. A. Wood- 
ward and Maj. M. M. Blunt, Lieutenant McCammon was made adjutant 
and Lieutenant Steele was retained as quartermaster. 
The captains of the reorganized regiments were: Ilges, Krause, Van 
Derslice, Freudenberg, Trotter, Hamilton, Bainbridge, Carpenter, Burke 
and Davis. Their stations were Nashville, Humboldt, Chattanooga, Louis- 
ville, Jeffersonville, Lebanon and Union, W. Va. 
In April, 1870, the regiment was transferred to Fort Randall, Dakota, on 
account of a threatened Indian war. In August it was transferred to the De- 
partment of the Platte, with headquarters at Fort Sedgwick, the regiment 
and post being under Lieut.-Col. G. A. Woodward. In the following 
March (1871) the headquarters was transferred to Fort Laramie, Wyo., 
where General John E. Smith reported and assumed command. Colonel 
Lovell had been retired December 15, 1870. General Gordon Granger, a 
colonel unassigned, was assigned to the regiment, vice Lovell, but on the 
20th of December General Smith, who had been assigned to the 15th In- 
fantry, was transferred to the 14th, General Granger at the same time being 
assigned to the 15th Infantry. Colonel Lovell died very soon after his 
retirement. He was loved and respected by the regiment. He was sincere, 
courteous and just, a good soldier and a good friend. The new colonel was 
a very different man. From all accounts of him he knew little and cared 
less for the traditions of the Service. He was a rough and ready fighter, 
who had done good service as a volunteer general. He would have led his FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
6o 7 
regiment into a fight as gaily as into a frolic, but opportunity was never 
given him. 
In February, 1874, Lieutenant L. H. Robinson was killed in an Indian 
fight near Laramie Peak, while guarding a supply train. In the following 
August the regiment went to Utah, with headquarters at Fort Douglas. 
Four companies went on to Fort Cameron under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Woodward. 
While this battalion was at Cameron, the Mormon Bishop John D. Lee 
was arrested and held there as a prisoner, pending his trial as the leader of 
the band of Danites (or destroying angels) who perpetrated the Mountain 
Meadow massacre. After his conviction he had his choice under the laws of 
Utah, as to whether he should be hung, beheaded, or shot. He chose the 
latter method of execution. To carry out the rules of poetic as well as 
moral justice he was taken to the scene of the massacre and shot to death 
by musketry in March, 1879. A detachment under Lieutenant Patterson 
was sent down to preserve order. An attempt was mad® to convert Lee 
from the error of his ways, while he was confined at Cameron, but he 
maintained the scriptural doctrine to the last, “ that the enemies of God 
should be exterminated root and branch,” and finally met his fate with the 
equanimity of a martyr. 
In 1876 the Sioux War broke out which opened up with the Custer mas- 
sacre and the repulse of General Crook at the Rose Bud. In June, compa- 
nies C, B, F and I (Burke, Kennington, Tobey, Murphy, Taylor, Yeatman, 
Calhoun and Lloyd), were sent to join Crook’s column. 
At Fetterman they met detachments from the 4th and 9th Infantry. 
The infantry column was placed under the command of Major Alexander 
Chambers, 4th Infantry, and hastening to join General Crook on the Little 
Goose Creek, enabled him to assume the offensive. Their only battle was 
at Slim Buttes, September 9th, where twenty-seven Indians were killed. 
This column marched in three months 1139 miles. It was on the march 
from the Little Missouri to the Black Hills that the whole column was 
nearly reduced to starvation. Another company on escort duty marched 
377 miles in one month. In November Companies D and G, under Cap- 
tain Krause, were in (Crook’s) the Powder River campaign, and were with 
McKenzie at the battle of Crazy Woman’s Fork, November 26th, coming up 
with the infantry under General Crook. This column marched 735 miles. 
The officers present were Krause, Van Derslice, Hasson, Austin and Kim- 
ball. In 1877 one company was in the Nez Perce campaign and five under 
Major Bryant in the Bannock War, but they did not have a battle. Three 
companies, Trotter’s, Krause’s and Van Derslice’s, were out the next year 
after the Bannocks. 
In 1879 four companies, E, I, H and K, under Trotter, Carpenter, 
McConihe and Taylor, and Major Bryant commanding, were hurried 
down to the scene of the Thornburgh massacre, but arrived too late to get 
into the battle. But they did have all the hardships and privations of a 
hard Indian campaign. 
In all the Indian campaigns of the regiment, their endurance, patience, 
vigilance and bravery were tested to the utmost. They suffered from 608 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the most suffocating heat in Arizona and the most intense cold in 
Wyoming. 
The Apaches and the Sioux were formidable enemies, but they dreaded 
them less than sand storms and snow storms, scarcity of food and bad 
water. Many men broke down under these trials, who easily endured all 
the hardships of the Rebellion. 
Besides the battles mentioned in the narrative, detachments of the regi- 
ment were engaged in the following skirmishes : 
February 23, 1866, Captain Walker and Lieut. T. F. Tobey with a de- 
tachment of fifteen soldiers of the 14th Infantry and twelve Oregon Volun- 
teers, attacked and defeated a band of Snake Indians on Jordan Creek, 
Oregon, killing 18 and wounding 2 Indians. One man of the 14th was 
killed and 1 wounded. 
On October 10, 1867, Captain Krause with a detachment of twenty-five 
men of the regiment attacked a Rancherio, twenty-five miles from Camp 
Lincoln, defeating the Indians, killing and wounding a number and captur- 
ing a lot of arms. 
In a fight near Aqua Frio Springs, Arizona, November 13,1867, Lieut. A. 
J.Converse and two men of Company C were wounded. Indians repulsed. 
April 27, 1867, Lieutenant Western, with a detachment of ten men from 
Camp Logan, attacked a band of forty-five hostile Indians on Silvies River, 
fording the river neck deep. The Indians were defeated, 6 killed and a 
number drowned in trying to escape. Thirty-two horses and large amounts 
of supplies were taken. Complimented in orders (G. O. No. 32 Department 
Col. 1867). 
Lieutenant Hasson, in the months of September, October, November 
and December, 1867, in command of detachments from his post, had engage- 
ments with the Apaches at Three Buttes, Hualopais Valley, Hitchie Springs 
and the Willows. 
March 25, 1868, Captain Ilges and eight men attacked fifty Indians with 
stolen cattle at Cottonwood Springs, Arizona. The engagement lasted 
twenty minutes. Private Logan, Company B. was wounded. One Indian 
was killed and two wounded. 
February 27, 1869, in an attack made by Apaches on a train near Camp 
Grant, Arizona, two men were severely wounded, but the attack was repulsed. 
May 6, 1869, in an attack on a train near Grief Hill, one private of the 
regiment was killed, but the Indians were so impressed by the operations of 
breech-loaders, then used on them for the first time, that they regularly 
stampeded. 
In May, 1881, Colonel Smith was retired and was succeeded by Lewis 
Cass Hunt, who was colonel of the regiment until his death, September 6, 
1886. 
In August, 1881, the headquarters of the regiment was transferred from 
Camp Douglass, Utah, to White River, Col., and in May 1883, they were re- 
moved to Fort Sidney, Neb., and in July 1884, to Vancouver Barracks, W. T. 
In this department the regiment has had only the ordinary routine duty 
to perform, except the suppression of the anti-Chinese riots in Seattle in 
November 1885 and February 1886. FO UR TEE NTH RE GIMENT OF IN FA NTR Y. 
609 
In September of this year Colonel Anderson was promoted to the cob 
onelcy of the regiment vice General Hunt. Lieutenant-Colonel Woodward 
was promoted to the colonelcy of the 15th Infantry on January 10, 1876. 
Lieut.-Col. Henry Douglas was promoted in his place on that date; he was 
promoted colonel of the 10th Infantry, July 1, 1888, and was succeeded by 
Lieut.-Col. I. D. DeRussy. Major M. M. Blunt was promoted October 4, 
1874, lieutenant-colonel of 25th Infantry and was succeeded as n ajor by 
Major Montgomery Bryant, who held the position until June 1882, when he 
was succeeded by Major W. F. Drum, who in his turn was promoted December 
8, 1886, and was succeeded by Major Charles A. Wikoff, the present majoi 
of the regiment. 
The regiment has as it stands to-day, twenty officers with war records, 
not counting those who have since served in Indian wars, nearly all of whom 
have been wounded in battle. Many of our “comrades and companions ” 
have returned to civil life and are working honorably and successfully in 
civil pursuits. But the grave has closed over most of our men of ’61. 
“The brightest have gone before us 
The dullest remain behind.” 
Nevertheless, those who remain, cherish the hope that those who suc- 
ceed us may be encouraged by this history to do what the men of the 14th 
Infantry have always tried to do—Their Duty. 
roster of commissioned officers, 14TH infantry. 
APPENDIX. 
Colonel, Thomas M. Anderson. 
Lieutenant-Colonel, I. D. DeRussy. Adjutant, ist Lieut. R. T. Yeatman. 
Major, Charles A. Wikoff. Quartermaster, ist Lieut. J. H. Gustin. 
A. Captain A. H. Bainbridge, ist Lieut. G. T. T. Patterson, 2d Lieut. W. B. 
Reynolds. 
B. Captain P. Hasson, ist Lieut. J. Murphy, 2d Lieut. J. P. O’Neil. 
C. Captain D. W. Burke, ist Lieut. Wm, W. McCammon, 2d Lieut. E. T. 
Winston. 
D. Captain C. B. Western, ist Lieut. F. S. Calhoun, 2d Lieut.H. C. Cabell, Jr. 
E. Captain F. E. Trotter, ist Lieut. J. A. Buchanan, 2d Lieut. F. F. Eastman. 
F. Captain T. F. Tobey, ist Lieut. C. A. Johnson, 2d Lieut. C. H. Martin. 
G. Captain C. H. Warrens, ist Lieut. W. P. Goodwin, 2d Lieut. W. A. Kimball. 
H. Captain S. McConihe, ist Lieut. S. J. Mulhall, 2d Lieut. W. R. Sample. 
I. Captain G. W. Davis, ist Lieut. F. Taylor, 2d Lieut. A. Hasbrouck, Jr. 
K. Captain G. S. Carpenter, ist Lieut. R. A. Lovell, 2d Lieut. W. K. Jones. 
Letters with valuable information have been received from Generals E. D. Town- 
send, W. B. Franklin, T. F. Rodenbough, U. S.A.; Lieutenants J. A. Buchanan and 
Frank Taylor, 14th Infantry ; Colonels William R. Smedberg, E. McK. Hudson and 
J. J. Coppinger ; Captains A. H. Bainbridge, 14th Infantry, T. M. K. Smith, 23d 
Infantry, and Geo. M. Downey, U. S. A.; Major P. W. Stanhope, U. S. A.; Cap- 
tain Chambers McKibbin, 15th Infantry. 
I am indebted to the Adjutant of the Regiment, Lieut. R. T. Yeatman, for much 
diligent research and compilation, also to Captain Tobey and Lieutenant Eastman 
for assistance, and to the Sergeant-Major and his clerks for intelligent and faithful 
work. THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
CAPTAIN H. R. BRINKERHOFF, 15TH U. S'. Infantry.* 
THE first regiment of the regular establishment in the United States 
Army designated the “ Fifteenth Infantry,” was organized pursuant 
to an act of Congress approved by the President on the nth day 
of January, 1812, and consisted of ten companies. Zebulon Mont- 
gomery Pike of New Jersey was appointed its colonel and served in that 
capacity until March 12, 1813, when he was appointed brigadier-general. 
He was killed in the assault upon the British fortifications at York [now 
Toronto], Canada, in the following month. 
The officers of the regiment, as shown by the Army Register for 1812, 
consisted of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, ten captains, 
ten first lieutenants, nine second lieutenants, eleven ensigns, one surgeon 
and two surgeon’s mates. Thirty-two of these officers were appointed from 
New Jersey, and the others from New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. 
In the following year the names of three third lieutenants appeared in addi- 
tion to those of the other grades named. The regiment was disbanded in 
May, 1815, in conformity with an act of Congress reducing the army to 
10,000 men. 
It was again organized in April, 1847, under the provisions of an act of 
Congress approved in the preceding February, authorizing the organization 
of “ an additional force for the war.” 
It served during the war with Mexico and was disbanded in 1848 after 
the ratification of the treaty of peace. 
The beginning of the War of the Rebellion found the greater portion of 
the army serving upon the Indian frontier, occupying numerous small forts 
and cantonments, and covering a zone of country by its operations several 
hundred miles in width, extending from the “British Possessions ” on the 
north, to the Gulf of Mexico on the south. 
The military establishment at this time consisted of ten regiments of 
infantry, five regiments of mounted troops, and four regiments of artillery, 
aggregating about sixteen thousand officers and men. The services of these 
troops were greatly needed by the Government immediately after the inaug- 
uration of President Lincoln, at other points, where the exigencies of public 
affairs made the presence of well drilled and efficient soldiers necessary. It 
seemed impossible, however, to call in the garrisons of any of the frontier 
posts for duty elsewhere, without exposing the settlements they protected 
to the assaults of surrounding savages. Nor was it believed that the 
duties which ordinarily devolved upon these garrisons could be safely en- 
* Under the direction of Colonel R. E. A. Crofton, 15th U. S. Infantry. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
trusted to new levies wholly unacquainted with the important responsibili- 
ties which would immediately confront them. The necessity for the im- 
mediate enlargement of the regular forces seemed, therefore, clearly apparent 
to the administration and the leading statesmen of the country with whom 
it conferred. With the view of determining to what extent this enlarge- 
ment should properly be carried, and to decide upon the proper tactical 
organization for the proposed new regiments, an advisory board was insti- 
tuted, consisting of the Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; 
Major Irvin McDowell, Assistant Adjutant-General; and Captain William B. 
Franklin, of the Engineer Corps. The board met in Washington late in 
April, and after a brief consultation rendered a report recommending the 
addition of eleven regiments to the regular establishment, and the adoption 
of a three-battalion organization for the regiments then in existence, as well 
as for those which might be added. The President approved the recom- 
mendations of the board but subsequently limited the application of the 
three battalion system to the new regiments. 
Following promptly upon the report of the board the President, under 
the date of May 3, directed the organization of nine additional regiments 
of infantry, consisting of twenty-four companies each ; one additional regi- 
ment of cavalry, and one regiment of artillery; altogether comprising an 
army of not less than twenty-eight thousand officers and men. The Con- 
gress was not in session at the time, but upon assembling soon thereafter 
hastened to confirm the order of the President by an act approved on the 
29th day of July, 1861, legalizing the eleven new regiments. 
The appointment of officers for the additional regiments followed the 
executive order as rapidly as possible, and the work of assembling and 
organizing the new forces was promptly begun. 
General Orders No. 33, War Department, Adjutant-General’s office, June 
18, 1861, announces the names and lineal standing of the field officers and 
many of the company officers of the new regiments. 
“The newly appointed officers,” are admonished in the order named 
that they “will lose no time in making themselves thoroughly acquainted 
with the army regulations, the tactics of their several arms, and the various 
duties of their profession. None will be nominated for commissions to the 
Senate who have not proved themselves, meantime, to be both worthy and 
capable of commanding the brave men under them. That the Department 
may be enabled to form a proper judgment on this delicate point, all com- 
manding officers—those of regiments and battalio. s more particularly—will 
forward to this office, in time to reach it by the 15th of July next, a state- 
ment on honor, of the moral, mental, and physical qualifications for the ser- 
vice, of each one of the officers belonging to their command.” 
The headquarters of the Fifteenth Infantry was established by this order 
at Wheeling, Virginia. On the 15th of July following, the removal of the 
headquarters to Cleveland, Ohio, was authorized by the War Department, 
but shortly thereafter, under further instructions it was established at Cin- 
cinnati, practically at Newport Barracks, where it remained until August 
1862, when it was transferred to Fort Adams, Rhode Island. 
General Fitz Tohn Porter, then Assistant Adjutant-General in the army 612 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
with the rank of captain, was appointed colonel of the Fifteenth Infantry, to 
date from the 14th day of May, 1861. His appointment to this elevated and 
responsible position was very favorably regarded by officers of the army in 
consequence of his former valuable services and his evident special fitness 
for the office. He was a graduate of the National Military Academy at 
West Point, and had served for nearly sixteen years in the line and the staff 
of the army. In the war with Mexico he had rendered conspicuous services, 
and had been breveted for distinguished gallantry in the battle of Molino 
del Rey, and again at the storming of Chapultepec. 
Three days after the appointment of General Porter to the colonelcy of 
the Fifteenth Infantry he was made brigadier-general of volunteers, and 
immediately entered upon the duties of the latter office. He retained the 
colonelcy of the regiment, however, until the 21st day of January, 1863, 
when he was succeeded by Colonel Oliver L. Shepherd, a graduate of the 
Military Academy of 1840, and a veteran of the Mexican war, promoted to 
the office from lieutenant-colonel of the Eighteenth Infantry. 
John P. Sanderson, a resident of Philadelphia, and a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, was appointed lieutenant-colonel. 
Captain John H. King of the First Infantry, William H. Sidell of New 
York, and John R. Edie of Pennsylvania, were appointed majors to date 
from the 14th day of May, 1861, and were assigned to the regiment in the 
order named. Major King entered the service originally as a second lieu- 
tenant in the First Infantry on the 2d day of December 1837, and had been 
continuously in the service from that time. Sidell was a graduate of the 
Military Academy at West Point and entered the service originally as brevet 
second lieutenant in the First Artillery on the 1st of July, 1833. He left the 
army by resignation in October following and was a resident of New York 
when appointed. Edie had no previous military experience. 
Fourteen captains were appointed in May, six in the following August 
and two in October. Among the former were First Lieutenant Peter T. 
Swaine, Tenth Infantry, now Colonel of the Twenty-second Infantry, and 
First Lieutenant Louis H. Pelouze of the Fourth Artillery. The other ap- 
pointments to this grade were all from civil life. Prominent among them 
on account of services subsequently rendered the names of James Biddle, 
now Colonel of the Ninth Cavalry, Colonel Henry Keteltas of New York 
City, Major Thomas H. Norton, U. S. Army (retired), and Major Lynde 
Catlin, U. S. Army (retired), may be especially mentioned. 
Nineteen first lieutenants were appointed in May and three others in 
August. Among the former were Second Lieutenant John T. Ritter of the 
Fifth Infantry, who had entered the service in July, 1856, Second Lieuten- 
ant Charles G. Harker, Second Infantry, who had entered in July, 1858, and 
James Curtis, who had served from July 1, 1851, to January 15, 1857, in 
the Second Infantry. These gentlemen were all graduates of the Military 
Academy at West Point. The other appointments were from civil life. 
Among the latter were Horace Jewett of Maine, now Colonel of the 
Twenty-first Infantry, George M. Brayton, Lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth 
Infantry, George H. Tracy, Major U. S. Army (retired), and Charles A. 
Wikoff, Lieutenant-colonel Nineteenth Infantry. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
613 
But two second lieutenants were assigned to the regiment during the 
year. 
Nearly all the officers assigned to the Fifteenth Infantry in 1861 were set 
at work recruiting for the regiment immediately upon reporting for duty, 
and were sent for this purpose to Cincinnati and other cities, and to the 
towns and villages within a radius of one hundred and fifty miles or more 
about Newport. Recruiting stations were established at these places and 
every possible means taken to hasten enlistments. 
Notwithstanding these efforts recruits were not obtained as rapidly as 
had been expected, and the companies filled up slowly. Previous to the 
war many influential persons, both in the army and out of it, had advocated 
the maintenance of skeleton company or regimental organizations, with the 
view of their enlargement in case of necessity. This theory found but little 
support in the experience of the new regular regiments. Volunteer regi- 
ments were frequently raised in a day, but it took months to fill up the 
ranks of the regular regiments. Men hastened in bodies to join the volun- 
teer forces, but they came individually to join the regulars. 
The reasons were obvious. 
Social relations and the prospect for early preferment popularized the 
volunteer service, and thus enabled it to absorb the greater portion of 
available recruits. 
Early in September, 1861, General Buckner, in command of a large Con- 
federate force, entered Kentucky from the south, and later in the month 
pushed his way up through Bowling Green towards Louisville and threat- 
ened the capture of that place. General Robert Anderson, of Fort Sumter 
fame, was in command at Louisville at the time and with a meagre force 
under his orders found it necessary to call upon Colonel Sanderson for 
assistance. On the 20th of September two companies were organized from 
the recruits then in camp at Newport Barracks and sent by rail to Louis- 
ville on the same day. These companies were designated A and B, First 
Battalion, and were the nucleus of the regiment in the field. They re- 
mained in active service from this time until the close of the war. 
On the day following their arrival at Louisville they marched to Nolin, 
Kentucky, where they remained until October 10th, when they proceeded 
to Bacon Creek, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. In November 
they were joined by Major John H. King with Companies C, D, E and F, 
and the battalion as thus constituted marched to Mumfordsville shortly 
thereafter, where it was joined by Companies G and H in January, 1862. 
Early in February Major King was directed to proceed with his battalion 
to join the forces under General Grant, then operating against Fort Donel- 
son. The battalion reached Bacon Creek after a few hours marching, en 
route for Tennessee, where it learned of the fall of Donelson on the 16th, 
and found orders to proceed to Bowling Green. On reaching the latter 
place Major King was directed to continue his march and join the forces 
operating against Nashville, Tennessee. The battalion reached Nashville 
a few days after the occupation of the city and its defenses by the Federal 
forces, and was assigned to the Fourth Brigade (Rousseau), Second Divis- 
ion (McCook), Army of the Ohio. Brig.-General Lovell H. Rousseau, in 614 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
command of the brigade, was a veteran of the Mexican War and one of the 
most efficient and popular officers then in the service. The Fourth Brigade, 
as now constituted, consisted of the First Ohio; Fifth Kentucky (Louisville 
Legion); Sixth Indiana; First Battalion, Fifteenth Infantry; First Battalion, 
Sixteenth Infantry; First Battalion, Nineteenth Infantry, and Battery H, 
Fifth Artillery. 
In the meantime the Army of the Tennessee had moved up the Ten- 
nessee Riveras far as Pittsburg Landing, with the view of operating against 
the Confederate army under Johnston at Corinth. 
Late in March the division was put in motion to join the forces under 
General Grant at Pittsburg Landing, and after several days hard marching 
reached Savannah on the Tennessee River, about nine miles below Pitts- 
burg, late in the evening of the 6th day of April. The men were hastily 
embarked on boats which were found at the landing, and the vanguard of 
the division, consisting of Rousseau’s Brigade, reached Pittsburg Landing 
about five o’clock on the following morning. 
“Out of justice to General McCook and his command,” says General 
Grant in his Memoirs, “ I must say that they left a point twenty-two 
miles east of Savannah on the morning of the 6th. From the heavy rains 
of a few days previous and the passage of trains and artillery, the roads 
were necessarily deep in mud, which made marching slow. The division 
had not only marched through this mud the day before, but it had been in 
the rain all night without rest. It was engaged in the battle of the second 
day and did as good service as its position allowed. In fact an opportu- 
nity occurred for it to perform a conspicuous act of gallantry which elicited 
commendation from division commanders in the Army of the Tennessee.” 
A little after six o’clock McCook marched to the front with Rousseau’s 
Brigade and formed on Crittenden’s right facing towards Shiloh Church, 
and about seven o’clock engaged the enemy in his front consisting of por- 
tions of Polk’s and Breckinridge’s Corps. 
“ When Rousseau’s Brigade was formed,” says General M. F. Force, in 
his extended narrative of the battle, “ his right was in the air. McCook, 
however, held it in place till Kirk’s Brigade arrived, when Rousseau moved 
forward across a ravine to a rising ground a few hundred yards in advance. 
A company of regulars was sent into the woods in its front as skirmishers. 
In less than an hour the skirmishers were driven back, followed by the 
Fourth Kentucky Regiment and the Fourth Alabama Battalion, belonging 
to Trabue’s Brigade. After a fierce attack for twenty minutes the assailants 
fell back before the rapid and well-directed fire of Rousseau’s men, and retired 
out of sight in the timber. Trabue’s regiments rallied and quickly returned 
to the assault with greater vigor than before. The steady fire of Rousseau’s 
men again drove them to retreat. Rousseau then advanced into the timber 
and passed through it to an open field, when Trabue once more charged 
furiously upon Rousseau with his entire brigade. After a desperate struggle 
Trabue gave way leaving two guns in Rousseau’s possession. The conflict 
now raged about Shiloh Church with a fury surpassing any portion of the 
battle on the preceding day. Generals McClernard, Sherman and Wallace 
all speak with admiration of the splendid fighting of McCook’s Divis- FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
615 
ion. Wood’s rebel brigade finally charged on Rousseau and was knocked 
to pieces and retired to the rear. McCook now pushed his lines forward 
and the fire became hotter than ever. General Grant called two regiments 
and in person led them in charge in McCook’s front and broke the enemy’s 
line.” 
General Grant made no official report of the battle of Shiloh, but in his 
Memoirs he gives an extended account of his own movements and those of 
the troops which participated in the battle under him. In this narrative 
he makes no mention of having “ led two regiments ” on the eventful 
second day of the engagement. He speaks, however, of a “ conspicuous 
act of gallantry ” performed by the troops under General McCook. This 
“ conspicuous act of gallantry,’’was the charge of Rousseau’s Brigade, led by 
the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Infantry, against the Confederate line after the 
repulse of Wood’s command. The whole of Rousseau’s Brigade doubtless 
joined in the movement, for General Rousseau in his official report of the 
battle says that he observed two regiments advancing at “double quick 
time.” One of these regiments he says, “was the First Ohio, which had 
been moved to our left to wait for ammunition. I galloped to the regiment 
and ordered it to halt, as I had not ordered the movement, but was informed 
that it was advancing by order of General Grant, whom I then saw in rear 
of the line with his staff. I ordered the regiment to advance with the others 
which it did. * * * This closed the fighting of the day.” 
The movement had evidently gotten well under way before General Rous- 
seau knew anything about it, and the two regiments he observed moving 
forward at “ double quick time,” were doubtless the last of his brigade to 
join in the advance. 
“ Shortly after the defeat of Wood’s Brigade,” says an officer who par- 
ticipated in the battle, in command of a company of the Sixteenth Infantry, 
“an officer rapidly approached the battalions of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
Infantry from the rear and cried, ‘ Charge ! Charge ! by order of General 
Grant!’ ” 
The Fifteenth and Sixteenth moved forward instantly to the front and 
swept everything before them in thegrand charge which General Forcesays 
“broke the enemy’s line.” 
The hitherto obscure spot known in the Federal reports as Pittsburg 
Landing: and in the Confederate reports as Shiloh, is now historic as the 
scene ot tne second great battle in the War of the Rebellion. Few battles 
anywhere were more destructive in proportion to the number engaged, 
about one man in five having been killed or wounded in the battle. 
In the Fifteenth Infantry four men were killed and four officers,—Captains 
Keteltas, Peterson, Curtis and Wikoff—and fifty-five men were wounded. 
After the battle of Shiloh the Confederate army retired to Corinth where 
it intrenched itself and awaited the further advance of the Federal troops. 
General Halleck having assumed command of the combined forces of the 
Army of the Tennessee, tne Army of the Ohio and the Army of Mississippi, 
began his march towards Corinth about the close of April. After several 
successive advances, meeting more or less opposition, the armies finally 
reached the main intrenchments before Corinth on the 27th day of May. 616 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ The movement was a siege from the start to the close,” says General 
Grant, “ The National armies were thoroughly intrenched all the way from 
the Tennessee River to Corinth.” 
General Beauregard evacuated the place on the 30th of May and retreated 
southward. 
The battalion had now been through a somewhat hard and certainly a 
very practical schooling. In addition to its experience under fire at the 
battle of Shiloh, it had been given daily practical lessons in picket duty, the 
construction of field fortifications and the building of roads and bridges dur- 
ing the slow advance upon Corinth. It had learned something of the grim 
business of war and was now well prepared for further campaign or battle, 
or siege, as might be required. 
In June the battalion proceeded to Huntsville, Alabama, by the way of 
Iuka, Tuscumbia, Florence and Athens. The weather was extremely warm 
and the roads over which the battalion marched were dry and dusty. The 
Subsistence Department was unable to furnish full rations at any time dur- 
ing the march and frequently the supply was scant. 
On the 1st day of June the Second Battalion left Newport Barracks and 
proceeded to Columbus, Kentucky, where it went into camp on the 6th of 
the month. It remained at Columbus until February, 1863, when it was or- 
dered to Memphis. It remained at this place until October of the same 
year when it joined the First Battalion at Chattanooga. 
During July and August the First Battalion was almost constantly on the 
march, enlivened at times by skirmishes with the enemy and the usual inci- 
dents and discomforts of active field service. On the 24th day of August it 
broke up its temporary camp at Cowan Station, Tennessee, on the Nashville, 
Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad, and leaving behind its camp equipage, 
marched through Pelham and Altamonte, down the Cumberland Mountains 
to Hubbard’s Cave, on through Murfreesborough, Nashville and Bowling 
Green, reaching Louisville, Kentucky, on the 26th of September, 1862, having 
marched almost continuously about four hundred miles, “without our camp 
equipage,” says Major King, “ the whole time without the ordinary allow- 
ance of rations, and some days totally without any.” 
After four days rest at Louisville the First Battalion started on another 
extended march which took it through Shelbyville and Laurenceburg, Ken- 
tucky, to Chaplin Hills, where a portion of General Kirby Smith’s Confede- 
rate command was encountered on the 9th of October, resulting in the loss 
of one man killed and two wounded in the battalion. General J. W. Sill, in 
command of the forces of the expedition, reports the affair as a “smart skir- 
mish,” resulting in the loss of five men killed and thirty-three wounded and 
missing in the command. 
From Chaplin Hills the battalion marched on with General Sill’s com- 
mand through Perrysville and Danville to Crab Orchard, and then back to 
Bowling Green, where it arrived on the last day of October, having made 
an almost continuous march of three hundred miles, “ without its camp 
equipage,” says Major King, “and part of the time suffering for want of 
rations.” 
On the 8th of -November the battalion continued its march and pro- FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
617 
ceeded directly to Nashville, where it remained until the 26th of Decem- 
ber, On that date it moved on towards Murfreesborough, Tennessee, as a 
part of the “ Regular Brigade.” This brigade, subsequently famous in the 
annals of the Army of the Cumberland, was organized a few days before the 
movement upon Murfreesborough began, and consisted entirely of regular 
troops, as follows : First Battalion Fifteenth Infantry, under Major King ; 
First Battalion and one company of the Second Battalion, Sixteenth In- 
fantry; First and Second Battalions, and six companies of the Third Bat- 
talion, Eighteenth Infantry; First Battalion Nineteenth Infantry, and Bat- 
tery H, Fifth Artillery. Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver L. Shepherd, Eighteenth 
Infantry, subsequently Colonel of the Fifteenth Infantry, commanded the 
brigade. 
About eleven o’clock on the 30th day of December, Rousseau’s Divis- 
ion, to which the Regular Brigade belonged, reached its position in the 
Federal line before Murfreesborough, and bivouacked near the Nashville 
turnpike on the night preceding the sanguinary battle of Stone’s River. 
“At about nine o’clock A. M. on the 31st of December,” says General 
Rousseau, in his official report of the battle, under date of January nth, 
1863. “the report of artillery and heavy firing of small arms on our right 
announced that the battle had begun by an attack on the right wing, com- 
manded by Maj.-General McCook. * * * General Thomas ordered me 
to advance my division quickly to the front to the assistance of General 
McCook. * * * We consulted and agreed as to where the line should 
be formed. This was in a dense cedar brake, through which my troops 
marched in double-quick time, to get into position before the enemy reached 
us. He was then but a few hundred yards to the front sweeping up in im- 
mense numbers, driving everything before him. * * * The roads were 
almost impassable to infantry, and artillery was perfectly useless. * * * 
Our lines were hardly formed before a dropping fire of the enemy announced 
his approach. * * * Four deliberate and fiercely sustained assaults were 
made upon our position and repulsed.” After the last assault “we made a 
charge upon the enemy and drove him into the woods. * * * This 
ended the fighting of that day. * * * From the evening of the 31st 
until the ensuing Saturday night (January 3d), no general battle occurred 
in front of my division. * * * During much of the time my men had 
neither shelter, food nor fire. I procured corn, which they parched and ate, 
and some of them ate horse steaks, cut and broiled, from horses upon the 
battle-field. * * * The troops of my division behaved admirably. I 
could not wish them to behave more gallantly. * * * The Brigade of 
United States Infantry, Lieut-Col. O. L. Shepherd commanding, was on 
the extreme right. On that body of brave men the shock of battle fell 
heaviest, and its loss was most severe. Over one-third of the command 
fell, killed or wounded ; but it stood up to the work and bravely breasted 
the storm, and though Major King, commanding the Fifteenth, and Major 
Slemmer (“Old Pickens”), commanding the Sixteenth, fell severely 
wounded, and Major Carpenter, commanding the Nineteenth, fell dead in 
the last charge, together with many other brave officers and men, the brig- 
ade did not falter for a moment. * * * If I could, I would promote 618 
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
every officer and several non-commissioned officers and privates of this 
brigade of regulars, for gallantry and good service in this terrific battle. I 
make no distinction between these troops and my brave volunteer regi- 
ments, for in my judgment there never were better troops than those regi- 
ments, in the world. But the troops of the line are soldiers by profession 
and with a view to the future I feel it my duty to say what I have of them.’' 
The loss of the battalion of the Fifteenth Infantry, in killed and wounded 
was severe. It went into the engagement with sixteen officers and three 
hundred and four enlisted men. One officer—Captain Bell—was killed, 
and three officers—Major King, Captain Yorke and Lieutenant Oceleston— 
were severely wounded. Ten men were killed and ninety-one men 
wounded and missing. 
The command of the Fifteenth devolved upon Captain Fulmer after 
Major King was wounded. Captain Crofton, now Colonel of the Fifteenth, 
succeeded to the command of the Sixteenth after Slemmer was disabled, 
and Captain Mulligan to the command of the Nineteenth after the death of 
Carpenter. 
General Rosecrans in his official report of the battle under date of Feb- 
ruary 12, 1862, makes “special mention” of Captain Fulmer, Fifteenth In- 
fantry, Captain Crofton, Sixteenth Infantry and Captain Mulligan, Nine- 
teenth Infantry. 
“ These three infantry captains,” he says, “ commanded their respective 
battalions after their majors had been disabled, and behaved with great 
gallantry and skill, although opposed by an overwhelming number.” 
The battle reopened on the morning of January 1st and was continued 
throughout the day and the two following, when the Confederate army 
retired southward. 
On the evening of the second day of the battle, the wagon transportation 
of the Regular Brigade was directed to proceed to Nashville. It got away 
early on the following day under charge of Lieutenant Clarence M. Bailey, 
Sixth Infantry, now Major of the Fifteenth Infantry. The regimental band 
of the Fifteenth reported to Lieutenant Bailey and accompanied the trans- 
portation under orders en route for Nashville. A sufficient number of the 
wagons were furnished to the band to carry the men as well as their instru- 
ments and personal effects. The roads were rough and the jolting of the 
wagons often made riding in them less desirable than walking. As a result 
the men scattered along the way and the wagons assigned for their use were 
often delayed, waiting for those who had fallen behind to come up. Finally 
when the band with its transportation reached La Vergne, about sixteen 
miles from Nashville, it was suddenly surrounded by a detachment of 
Wheeler’s cavalry and the whole concern from trombone to picolo cap- 
tured bodily. 
Lieutenant Bailey had gone on ahead a short time before and fortunately 
escaped capture. When the officer in command of the Confederate troops 
became aware of the character of his capture he at once set the men at 
liberty after exacting the usual parole. The transportation, however, and 
the instruments of the band, together with the personal effects of the men, 
were appropriated by the captors and carried away. The. Confederate HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
619 
officer kindty addressed Major King by letter, entrusting his communication 
for delivery to a member of the band, announcing that he had paroled the 
men, and offering to return the instruments if their value in money was sent 
to his command under flag of truce. The result is not known, but it is be- 
lieved that the instruments were never recovered. 
The band bore an excellent reputation in 1862-63, and its friends claimed 
first place for it in the Army of the Cumberland. It was recruited from the 
members of the orchestra of Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati, and many 
of the performers were excellent musicians. 
On the 5th of January, 1863, the battalion moved into Murfreesborough 
and established a camp which it occupied until the latter part of June. It 
joined then in the forward movement of the Army of the Cumberland and 
marched to Hoover’s Gap and on through Fairfield to Manchester, Tennes- 
see. After a brief delay at Manchester, it moved on towards Stevenson, 
Alabama, which place it reached on the 10th day of August. It left Steven- 
son on the 9th of September and marched through Bridgeport, Tennessee, 
crossed the Tennessee River and the Raccoon and Lookout Mountains, and 
finally on the 19th day of the month reached the historic battle-field of 
Chickamauga. 
The battalion at this time formed a part of the “ Regular Brigade,” now 
commanded by Brigadier-General John H. King, formerly major of the 
Fifteenth Infantry. The brigade consisted of the First Battalion, Fifteenth 
Infantry—six companies only being present with it at this time, B and D 
having been left behind on some detached duty—and Company E, Second 
Battalion, under command of Captain A. B. Dod; First Battalion, Six- 
teenth Infantry; First and Second Battalions, Eighteenth Infantry; First 
Battalion, Nineteenth Infantry; and Battery H, Fifth Artillery. 
At the opening of the battle on the morning of the 19th Captain Dod 
was directed to take position in the rear of the battery belonging to the 
brigade and follow its movements. 
“ In accordance with these instructions,” says the captain in his official 
report, “ I was following close on the battery, moving to the front in line of 
battle, when I was informed that the skirmishers of the enemy were about 
eight rods on our right * * 
“ Upon reaching a dense thicket,” says Captain Heilman of the Fifteenth, 
“ a division staff officer cautioned us not to fire in a certain direction as 
there was a body of our troops in advance of us. He had scarcely gotten 
out of sight when a volley was poured into us, and we found that instead of 
our own troops we had Longstreet’s Corps in our front. Our line wavered, 
as it naturally would under such circumstances, but soon recovered itself. In 
the meantime, however, one section of our battery had been captured. The 
battalion was immediately ordered forward again, and closing upon the 
enemy’s lines recaptured the section and with it a large number of prison- 
ers. It was all done so bravely and quickly that the guns were recovered 
uninjured. The volley that we received was a solid one, but the firing was 
so high that the loss of men was small. As soon as possible we gathered 
our prisoners together and sent them to the rear.” 
Continuing his report of the operations of the 20th, Captain Dod says, 620 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
“ I was then ordered to relieve the Eighteenth in the outer breastworks 
which wrere only a few logs raised about a foot and a half above the 
ground. * * * The enemy made four efforts to take the works, but 
were each time repulsed with terrible slaughter, the ground in front being 
literally strewm with their dead and wounded.” 
“We resisted the assaults successfully behind our little stronghold,” 
says Captain Heilman, “until our ammunition became exhausted, when we 
were driven back. The enemy were apparently determined to dislodge us 
and they persisted until they succeeded. In falling back we discovered that 
we had been almost surrounded. My company was in the centre and we 
hardly knew what direction to take. At length we got under cover of the 
woods when it was found that all the officers to my right and a large num- 
ber of men had been captured. As we fell back we were heavily fired into 
and the ground was covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. 
We were crowded very closely and fell far back, being entirely out of am- 
munition. Darkness soon came on and closed the eventful day. On the 
following day we crossed Missionary Ridge and early on the 22d reached 
Chattanooga with Bragg’s army pretty close on our heels and the Tennessee 
River in front of us.” 
The battalion went into the engagement on the 19th with fourteen offi- 
cers and two hundred and sixty-two men. Its casualties included nine men 
killed, two officers,—Captain Meredith and Lieutenant Williams—and forty- 
seven men wounded, and six officers—Lieutenants Timony, Gray, Holbrook, 
Galloway, Kendall and Brown,—and eighty-eight men captured by the 
enemy. 
The battalion immediately went to work after its camping ground had 
been determined upon to make itself as comfortable as possible with such 
material as could be obtained. 
“ Our camp,” says Heilman, “soon presented a unique and rather pictur- 
esque appearance. The quarters were constructed of anything we could 
get in the way of canvas and sticks, and our ‘ dog houses,’ as the structures 
we erected were commonly called, were a sight to behold.” 
In the meantime large details of officers and men were daily employed 
in the erection of fortifications and the building of bridges and roads, while 
other large details were constantly employed in watching the enemy. 
For nearly two months every man in the command was kept busy night 
and day, either watching the enemy or adding to the means of defense 
against him. During all this time the supply of food and clothing was 
barely sufficient to meet the daily wants of the troops and much suffering 
resulted. 
About the middle of October, 1863, General Grant was placed in com- 
mand of a geographical division embracing the Departments of the Ohio, 
the Cumberland and the Tennessee, and General Thomas succeeded Gen- 
eral Rosecrans in command of the Army of the Cumberland. General 
Grant reached Chattanooga on the 24th and operations were at once begun 
to relieve the siege which the Confederates under General Bragg had main- 
tained since the unfortunate battle of Chickamauga. 
“ The national troops were now strongly entrenched in Chattanooga FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
621 
Valley,” says General Grant in his Memoirs, “the Tennesssee River behind 
them and the enemy occupying commanding heights to the east and west, 
with a strong line across the valley from mountain to mountain. * * * 
All supplies for Rosecrans had to be brought from Nashville * * * and 
hauled by a circuitous route north of the river over a mountainous country. 
* * * This country afforded but little food for his animals, nearly ten 
thousand of which had already starved, and not enough were left to draw a 
single piece of artillery, or even the ambulances to convey the sick. The 
men had been on half rations of hard bread for a considerable time, with 
but few other supplies except beef driven from Nashville across the country. 
The region along the road became so exhausted of food for the cattle that 
by the time they reached Chattanooga they were much in the condition of 
skeletons. Indeed the beef was so poor that the soldiers were in the habit 
of saying with a faint facetiousness, that they were living on half rations of 
hard bread and dried beef on the hoof." 
The Second Battalion of the Fifteenth Infantry, under command of 
Major Edie, reached Chattanooga on the 2d day of October, 1863, and went 
into camp with the First Battalion. The road it had followed on the pre- 
vious day was found so difficult for the wagon train by reason of mud and 
broken ground that the battalion became separated from it while en route. 
Some time after the separation occurred the train was captured by a force 
of the enemy’s cavalry and was entirely destroyed, together with all the 
public records of the battalion, its camp equipage, and the private property 
of the officers and men. Lieutenant Lord and nineteen men, escorting the 
train, were made prisoners of war. 
Major Albert Tracy, promoted from captain Tenth Infantry, joined on 
the last day of December, 1863, and assumed command of the First Battal- 
ion. He entered the service originally as first lieutenant of the Ninth 
Infantry, in 1847, and had rendered continuous service since that 
date. 
“ It was a rough winter we spent at Chattanooga,” he says. “ I had served 
in the expedition to Utah in 1857-58 and participated in the hardships, pri- 
vations and starvations of that luckless march, but taking all I saw or felt 
in the expedition to Utah into consideration I must say that I never beheld 
so much suffering and misery from want of food and clothing as I saw in 
the camps of the Federal troops at Chattanooga from the date of my join- 
ing until the opening of February, 1864.” 
“I telegraphed Thomas from Washington,” says General Grant, “ that 
he must hold Chattanooga at all hazards. A prompt reply was received 
saying, 4 We will hold the town till we starve.’ I appreciated the force of 
this despatch later when I witnessed the condition of affairs which prompted 
it. It looked, indeed, as if but two courses were open ; one to starve, the 
other to surrender or be captured.” 
“ For tents,” continues Major Tracy, “ a few blackened specimens were 
left, but there were not wanting instances where soldiers were compelled for 
want of covering to burrow in the side of the hills like animals to escape 
the piercing inclemencies of the weather. It was only when we opened the 
newspapers, which now and then reached us from the North, that we felt 622 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
assured that the men at Chattanooga were amply fed and clothed and eager 
for battle.” 
On the 25th of November, 1863, the First Battalion under Captain 
Keteltas, and the Second under Major Edie, broke camp at Chattanooga 
and participated with the other regiments of the Regular Brigade in the 
assault upon Missionary Ridge, losing four men killed and eleven wounded. 
Both battalions participated in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Ringold, 
Georgia, but without further casualties. The First Battalion returned to its 
camp at Chattanooga on the 29th, followed by the Second Battalion on the 
same day. 
No further movements of the regiment occurred until the 22d of Feb- 
ruary, 1864, when the First Battalion marched to Ringold and on the fol- 
lowing day to Tunnel Hill. On the 26th it participated in a skirmish with 
a considerable force of the enemy at Buzzards’ Roost, and during the follow- 
ing night retreated to Stone Church. Continuing the march on the 27th it 
reached Tyner’s Station, Tennessee, on the same day and bivouacked near 
that place until the 2d day of March when it marched to Graysville, where 
it was joined by the Second Battalion on the 12th, and a few days later by 
Companies A and B of the Third Battalion under Captains Dod and Jewett. 
On the 20th of April the First Battalion advanced as far as Parker’s Gap to 
make an armed reconnoissance of the enemy’s position and returned to 
Graysville on the 25th. 
Both battalions and Companies A and B, Third Battalion, broke up 
their encampment on the 3d of May and joined in the forward movement 
of the Army of the Cumberland, forming part of the Second Brigade (Gen- 
eral King); First Division (General Johnson) ; Fourteenth Corps (General 
Palmer). The brigade consisted of the Nineteenth Illinois; Eleventh Michi- 
gan ; Sixty-ninth Ohio; First and Second Battalions and Companies A and 
B, Third Battalion, Fifteenth Infantry ; First and Second Battalions Six- 
teenth Infantry; First and Second Battalions Eighteenth Infantry, and 
First Battalion Nineteenth Infantry. 
Early in the month Major Tracy relinquished command of the First 
Battalion owing to illness, and was succeeded by Captain Dod. After the 
battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Dod resigned and the command of the battal- 
ion then devolved upon Captain Curtis. At the beginning of the battle of 
August 7th, before Atlanta, Curtis was wounded and the command of the 
First Battalion in this and subsequent battles was then exercised by Captain 
Jewett. The companies of the Third Battalion served with the First. 
Both battalions took part in the actions with the enemy during the 
month of May at Buzzards’ Roost, Resaca, and New Hope Church. The 
casualties of the regiment in these engagements aggregated one officer— 
Lieutenant Forbes—and ten men killed, and twenty-seven men wounded. 
Following the retrograde movements of the enemy the regiment partici- 
pated almost constantly in skirmishing with the rearguard of the Confeder- 
ate army, and during the latter part of the month of June, in preparing 
approaches to the enemy’s position on Kenesaw Mountain. 
The losses of the regiment in these skirmishes during June aggregated 
one officer—Captain Harker—and five men killed, and fourteen men FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
623 
wounded. At the time of his death Captain Harker was in command of the 
Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, with the rank of 
colonel of volunteers. 
Companies C and D, Second Battalion, reached the command about the 
last of the month and were attached to the First Battalion. 
On the 3d of July the regiment joined in the pursuit of the enemy, par- 
ticipating in skirmishes with the Confederate rear guard at Marietta and 
Neil Dow Station, finally taking position in front of Atlanta on the 20th. 
The losses sustained by the regiment during the month aggregated five men 
killed and one officer—Lieutenant Jackson—and twenty-five men wounded. 
The regiment participated in the siege of Atlanta, and on the 7th day 
of August joined with a part of the brigade to which it belonged in assault- 
ing the enemy’s entrenched position, meeting with partial success, a number 
of prisoners being taken and the line of brigade advanced. On the 28th 
and 29th the regiment was employed in destroying the “ Montgomery and 
Atlanta ” and the “ Atlanta and West Point ” railroads. The casualties of 
the regiment during the month aggregated eighteen men killed, and one 
officer—Captain Curtis—and one hundred and three men wounded. 
On the 1st day of September the regiment marched to Jonesborough 
and joined in a charge upon the enemy’s works at that place on the after- 
noon of the same day. On the 7th it returned to its former position in 
front of Atlanta and late in the day entered the city, then in possession of 
the Federal troops, and bivouacked at White Hall in the suburbs. 
The campaign up to this time had been extremely laborious, and the 
regiment, in common with all other troops in the Army of the Cumberland 
and the Army of the Tennessee, had suffered severely from numerous priva- 
tions and the incessant labor attending the ceaseless operations of the Fed- 
eral forces. During a considerable portion of the time rain fell with unusual 
frequency and its dispiriting effects upon both men and animals was often 
quite noticeable. The wagon-roads over which supplies were obtained soon 
became almost impassable, and sufficient food for the army was with diffi- 
culty procured. 
“ It would only weary the reader’s patience,” says General Howard in an 
article published in the Century Magazine, “ to follow up the struggle step 
by step from New Hope Church to the Chattahoochee. Still these were the 
hardest times which the army experienced. It rained continuously for 
seventeen days; the roads becoming as broad as the fields, were a series of 
quagmires, and indeed it was difficult to bring enough supplies forward from 
Kingston to meet the needs of the army.” 
Scarcely a day elapsed after the regiment left Graysville until the Con- 
federate army abandoned Atlanta without some casualty occurring in its 
ranks, resulting from the advance of the skirmish line or from contact with 
the enemy in battle. Outpost duty was particularly severe and constantly 
embraced a large portion of the command. Hasty entrenchments were in- 
variably prepared whenever the regiment halted, and the men always slept 
on their arms. 
“ No regiment was long in front of Johnston’s army,” continues General 
Howard, “ without having virtually as good a breastwork as an engineer 624 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
could plan. A ditch was sunk before the embankment and a strong log 
revetment established behind it, and a heavy ‘ top log ’ put in place to shelter 
the heads of the men. I have known a regiment to shelter itself completely 
against musketry and artillery with axes and shovels in less than an hour 
after it reached its position.” 
On the 28th day of September, 1864, the regiment was directed to return 
to Chattanooga, where it arrived by rail on the 29th. On the following day 
it established its camp near the summit of Lookout Mountain, where it re- 
mained until the close of the war. 
The losses of the regiment during September, were seven men killed and 
twenty wounded. 
During its entire field service the losses of the Fifteenth Infantry— 
largely confined to the First Battalion—aggregated three officers killed, 
fourteen wounded and five captured; seventy-six men killed, three hundred 
and seventy-five wounded, and one hundred and forty-five captured. 
It participated with one or two battalions in nine great battles, as 
follows, and in several minor affairs and skirmishes in which casualties 
occurred : 
Shiloh, First Battalion, April 7, 1862. 
Stone’s River, First Battalion, December 31, 1862. 
Chickamauga, First and Second Battalions, September 19, 20and 21, 1862. 
Missionary Ridge, First and Second Battalions, November 25, 1863. 
New Hope Church, First and Second Battalions and Companies A and 
B Third Battalion, May 2, and June 5, 1864. 
Kenesaw Mountain, First and Second Battalions, and Companies A and 
B, Third Battalion, June 23 to 30, 1864. 
Neil Dow Station, First and Second Battalions, and Companies A, B, C 
and D, Third Battalion, July 3 and 4, 1864. 
Utoy Creek, First and Second Battalions, and Companies A, B, C and D, 
Third Battalion, August 7, 1864. 
Jonesborough, First and Second Battalions, and Companies A, B, C and 
D, Third Battalion, September 1, 1864. 
In August, 1865, the Regular Brigade was broken up and the regiments 
composing it were sent to various parts of the country. The First Battalion 
Fifteenth Infantry was sent to Fort Adams, Rhode Island, in whole or in 
part, and the Second and Third Battalions to Mobile, Alabama. In Decem- 
ber two companies of the First Battalion were sent from Fort Adams to 
Mobile, and in January and February, 1866, the other companies of the bat- 
talion followed. The Second Battalion, under Major Dudley, went to 
Vicksburg in January, and in March the regimental headquarters was trans- 
ferred from Fort Adams to Mobile, arriving at the latter place on the last 
day of the month. 
The experience of the regiment while at Mobile was quite uneventful. 
It was called upon for a while after its arrival to perform the duties of 
watchmen and policemen in the city, but this ceased as soon as a local 
government was organized. After this was fully accomplished its duties 
were quite strictly confined to drills and guards and the other monotonous 
routine labors of camp life in time of peace. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
625 
On the 28th of July, 1866, the President approved an act of Congress 
fixing the permanent establishment at forty-five regiments of infantry often 
companies each. In carrying out the provisions of this act General Orders 
92, Adjutant-General’s office, issued on the 23d day of November, 1866, an- 
nounced the First Battalion as the Fifteenth Infantry; the Second Battalion 
as the Twenty-fourth, and the Third Battalion as the Thirty-third. 
The field officers and the captains of the reorganized regiment as an- 
nounced in this order were, Colonel Oliver L. Shepherd, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Julius Hayden, Major E. McKay Hudson, and Captains Keteltas, Yorke, 
Curtis, Jewett, Tracy, Fetterman, Potter and Semple. Captains Cummings 
and Gillette were subsequently assigned to the regiment. Lieutenant Cole- 
man was made Adjutant, and Lieutenant Buffum Quartermaster. 
In July, 1866, the headquarters of the regiment was removed to Macon, 
Georgia, where it remained until September, when it was again established 
at Mobile. Owing to the prevalence of yellow fever in the latter city in 
the fall of 1867 the headquarters and five companies of the regiment then 
constituting the garrison of Mobile, went into camp at Stark’s Landing on 
the “ eastern shore” of Mobile Bay about the middle of September. In 
December the headquarters and the companies serving with it broke up the 
camp at Stark’s Landing and returned to the city. 
Early in February, 1868, the headquarters of the regiment was removed to 
Montgomery, Alabama, and General Shepherd was placed in charge of the 
Sub-District of Alabama. Lieutenant Hartz was assigned to duty as Adju- 
tant-General of the District. At this time Heilman’s company (A), Shorkley’s 
(B) and Coleman’s (I) were stationed at Huntsville, Alabama ; Potter’s (C), 
and Jewett’s (D) at Montgomery, Hedberg’s (E), at Jacksonville, and Curtis’ 
(H), Stewart’s (F), Brown’s (G) and Gillette’s (K), at Mobile. Some changes 
afterwards occurred in the stations of the companies, but it is not possible to 
follow these movements in this abbreviated history of the regiment. 
Early in August, 1868, the regiment concentrated at Mobile, and on the 
16th of the month proceeded on board the iron steamship Morgan for New 
Orleans, en route for Texas. On reaching New Orleans the regiment was 
divided into detachments and continued its journey in three river boats up 
the Mississippi to the mouth of the Red River, and then up that stream to 
Shreveport, from which place it was tranported by rail to Marshall, Texas. 
Here a distribution of the companies was made for “reconstruction duty” 
in the eastern portion of the State. Regimental headquarters and Potter’s 
company (C), and Jewett’s, (D),were sent to Nacogdoches; Heilman’s, (A), 
to Livingston; Hedberg’s, (E), to Palestine; Stewart’s, (F), to Huntsville; 
Curtis’, (H), to Jefferson and Shorkley’s, (B), Brown’s (G), Coleman’s, (I), 
and Gillette’s, (K) remained at Marshall. 
Early in the spring of 1869 the question of the reduction of the army 
came before Congress, and for some time was a prominent subject of con- 
sideration. A clause was finally attached to the army appropriation bill, 
reducing the number of infantry regiments to twenty-five. The bill as thus 
amended passed the House and subsequently the Senate, and on the 3d day 
of March received the approval of the President. In carrying out the pro- 
visions of the law an order wa§ issued from the Adjutant-General’s office, cn 626 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the ntn day of March, directing the consolidation of infantry regiments, in- 
cluding the Fifteenth and Thirty-fifth. 
The Fifteenth assembled at Austin, Texas, in the following June, and 
after a somewhat prolonged delay, due principally to frequent heavy rains 
and the consequent swollen condition of the Colorado River, got away finally 
on the 16th day of July, en route for Fort Concho, Texas, at which point the 
reorganization of the regiment was to be effected by consolidation with the 
Thirty-fifth. 
The regiment reached Concho early on the following month and went 
into camp on the Concho River, not far from the Fort, and immediately ad- 
joining the camp of the Thirty-fifth, which had preceded it by a few days. 
On the 12th day of August, the final order carrying into effect the consolida- 
tion of the two regiments, was published and on the 18th formally executed. 
The field and staff officers and the captains of the regiment as now consti- 
tuted were : Colonel Oliver L. Shepherd, Lieutenant-Colonel August V. 
Kautz, Major John S. Mason, Captains Ellis, Jewett, Whittemore, McKibben, 
Hedberg, Steelhammer, Shorkley, Brown, Coleman and Stewart. Lieutenant 
Sartle was continued as adjutant and Lieutenant Blair as quartermaster. 
On the 19th day of August the regiment march«d from Concho on its 
way to New Mexico, following the old “Butterfield Trail ” across the Great 
Staked Plain. Two large tanks filled with water from the Concho River 
were taken with the command, and a limited amount of water for drinking 
purposes was served from them to the companies at intervals when needed. 
The regiment reached the Pecos River at “ Horse Head Crossing ” on the 
evening of August 25th and on the following day crossed the river in small 
detachments by means of a raft improvised by lashing together the water 
tanks, now empty. The impedimenta was taken from the wagons and 
crossed by the same means. 
On the 13th day of September the command reached the Rio Grande River 
about three miles below Fort Quitman, and continuing its march up the 
river arrived at Fort Selden, New Mexico, on the 27th day of the same 
month. At this point the distribution of the companies of the regiment for 
their posts in the District of New Mexico began. 
The last day of the month found the regiment again on the road. The 
headquarters and five companies continued on up the river and the other 
companies separated for their several posts. Hedberg’s company for Fort 
Cummings; Jewett’s for Fort Bascom ; McKibben’s for Fort Stanton and 
Whittemore's and Steelhammer’s for Fort Bayard. 
On reaching Fort Craig, the regimental headquarters and Shortley’s 
and Coleman’s companies took station at that place. The remaining com- 
panies continued on for their stations which they reached about the middle 
of October ; Brown’s and Stewart's companies to Fort Wingate and Ellis’ to 
Fort Garland, Colorado. 
The journey from Austin to Concho, across the Great Staked Plain, and 
up the Rio Grande, was admirably well conducted. With the exception of 
two or three long marches that involved much fatigue and discomfort, no 
severe physical exertions were imposed upon the troops, or privations 
endured unusual to ordinary marches of brief duration in effecting changes FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
627 
of station. The average distance marched by the companies from their 
stations in Texas to their new stations in New Mexico approximated fifteen 
hundred miles. 
On the 15th of December, 1870, Colonel Shepherd was retired at his own 
request under the provisions of the act of Tuly 15 of that year, and was 
succeeded on the same day by Colonel John E. Smith, who in turn was fol- 
lowed by Colonel Gordon Granger on the 20th of July, 1870. After about 
five years service with the regiment, Colonel Granger died at Santa Fe, New 
Mexico, and was succeeded by Colonel George A. Woodward, on the 10th 
day of January, 1876. Colonel Woodward never joined and was finally 
retired on the 20th of March, 1879. Colonel George P. Buell followed and 
after a brief service with the regiment went to Tennessee on sick leave, 
where he died in May, 1883. He was succeeded by Colonel J. N. G. 
Whistler, who was retired in 1886. 
Colonel R. E. A. Crofton, at present in command of the regiment, was 
promoted colonel on the 19th day of October, 1886, and has served con- 
tinuously with the regiment since November 20th of that year. He entered 
the service as Captain of the 16th Infantry in 1861, was promoted Major 
14th Infantry in 1868, and Lieutenant-Colonel 13th Infantry in 1879. 
He was promoted major by brevet, for gallantry in the battle of Shiloh 
and in the following year further distinguished by the brevet of lieutenant 
colonel for gallant conduct at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. 
He commanded the First Battalion of the Sixteenth Infantry after Major 
Slemmer was wounded early on the first day of the battle of Stone’s River, 
and was subsequently recommended by General Rosecrans in his official 
report of the battle for further promotion by brevet, in consideration of 
gallant services rendered in that engagement. 
He also commanded the First Battalion of his regiment at Chickamauga 
and Missionary Ridge. 
The regiment remained in New Mexico a little over twelve years. At 
the end of that time the headquarters and six companies were sent to Fort 
Lewis, Colorado, and three companies to Fort Lyons, Colorado, one com- 
pany remaining at Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
In October and November, 1882, the regiment was transferred to the 
Department of Dakota, headquarters, and Brinkerhoff’s company, (A) ; 
Conrad’s, (C) ; Stafford’s, (D); and Bean’s (H), took station at Fort Ran- 
dall; Shorkley’s (B) and McKibben’s (I) at Pembina; Steelhammer’s (G), 
and Hartz’ (K) at Fort Lincoln ; Humphreys’ (E), and Whittemore’s (F) at 
Fort Stevenson. 
After serving in Dakota for about eight years, the regiment was directed 
to proceed to the Department of the East. Four companies got away in 
May, 1890, and proceeded to their new posts, A and G (Burnham) to Mount 
Vernon Barracks, Alabama, under command of Major Theaker; D, to Fort 
Barrancas, Florida, and K to Jackson Barracks, Louisiana. 
In July, 1890, companies I and K, were skeletonized under the provisions 
of General Orders 76, Adjutant-General’s office of that year, and the men 
transferred to other companies. 
The regimental headquarters and the five companies remaining in the 628 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Department of Dakota were assigned for station at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, 
in the same month, and in August companies E and H proceeded to their 
new post under command of Captain McKibben. Lieutenant-Colonel 
O’Bierne arrived at Sheridan and succeeded to the command of the post 
on the 2d day of October following. 
Owing to the incomplete condition of the officers’ quarters and the bar- 
racks at Fort Sheridan, further movement of the regiment was suspended 
until January, 1891, when the headquarters proceeded to its new station. 
The companies in Dakota, and the companies serving in the South, fol- 
lowed in May. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Ovenshine joined on the 18th of March, 
1891, by promotion from the Twenty-third Infantry, and Major Clarence 
M. Bailey on the 19th of August of the same year, by promotion from the 
Eighth Infantry. 
On the evening of the 29th day of September, 1869, the regiment ap- 
peared in line at Fort Selden, New Mexico, for the last time previous to a 
long separation of its compaines. It assembled again in 1891, joining by 
detachments from the Dakotas, Alabama, and Louisiana, and on the even- 
ing of the 29th day of May, once more united in line, at Fort Sheridan. 
“ The Colonel congratulates the regiment,” read the Adjutant in pub- 
lishing the orders at the close of the parade, “that after twenty-one years it 
is again united. He is highly gratified at the soldierly appearance and good 
behavior of the companies recently joining headquarters. This indicates 
regimental pride and devotion to duty, which must produce good results. 
The present Colonel has served with the Fifteenth Infantry both in peace 
and in war, and knows there is no more gallant corps in the service. He is 
proud of his regiment and feels certain it will keep up, if not excel, its past 
record.” 
Note.—After the word “day,” line 21, page 623, add “First Lieutenant Samuel R. 
Honey, battalion adjutant, and two enlisted men were wounded, and one man was 
killed.”—[H. B. B.] Lieutenant-General 
JOHN MCALLISTER SCHOFIELD 
Commanding the Army, 1888-1895. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Captain WILLIAM V. RICHARDS, i6th U. S. Infantry. 
FROM the close of the War of the Rebellion to the year 1869, no branch 
of the public service seemed more unsettled than the regular army. 
While the memory of the Civil War was fresh in the minds of our 
legislators a standing army of moderate strength seemed to be a 
national necessity. The want of an efficient military force in 1861 resulted 
in the sacrifice of thousands of lives, millions of treasure, and for a time 
threatened our national existence. 
The narrow escape from so dire a calamity infused into the minds of 
Congress the wisdom of providing against a recurrence of such danger, 
hence the permanent establishment was fixed at ten regiments of cavalry, 
five of artillery and forty-five of infantry. Four of the latter were desig- 
nated as “ Veteran Reserve Corps ” ; intended, very wisely I think, to pro- 
vide for soldiers and officers who had become partly disabled during the 
war by reason of wounds received, but who could perform garrison duty, or 
in time of war defend the inner fortifications or act as a basis for the organ- 
ization of a large army;—a body of trained though maimed soldiers, who 
could perform all the necessary military duties in the rear, allowing the use 
of the entire active army at the scene of action. The organization of these 
regiments, together with bands, non-commissioned staff unattached to regi- 
ments, and 410 Indian scouts, provided for an army of 80,832, full strength, 
but was placed on a peace basis of 52,948. 
Thus the organization was complete for an army that would be of suf- 
ficient strength to quell almost any disturbance, while in case of extraor- 
dinary trouble, as in 1861, by simply increasing the enlisted strength of 
each regiment to its allowed maximum, an army of considerable magni- 
tude was instantly at hand. In’the light of the past and in the possibilities 
of the future surely this was wise legislation, but it required the stimulus of 
recent events, the remembrance of lost battles, the realization of the sacri- 
fice of human life and vast treasure, the exposed fact of the nation’s weak- 
ness and inability for self-preservation under ordeals such as the years 1861 
to 1865, to spur the American people to a proper appreciation of the neces- 
sities of a nation for its security. 
Time, the great obliterator of the past, removed the stimulus; policy, 
too often the curse of legislation, took its place. The cry for retrenchment 
was more potent than the plea for protection ; new political aspirants rode 
into power upon this short-sighted, unwise plea for preferment. The 
veteran legislators who had guided the nation safely from dissolution and 
wreck were laid aside and forgotten under the influence of prospective 
lessening of taxes, and, as has been so often the case in our republic, the 
first branch of the national tree to suffer from the retrencher’s axe was the 
army. 
629 630 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The army had no votes. The army had little patronage to swell the 
politician’s constituency. The army at the present moment was needed 
only to keep off the savages of the plains from the civilization of the East. 
It was not needed much for that, as the East had little attraction for the 
savage; and had it not been for the western legislators who have always 
been the army’s friend, and the occasional scalp of an eastern tourist, this 
branch would doubtless have been reduced to much smaller proportions 
than it was. Yet the elimination was tolerably effective. The forty-five 
regiments of infantry were reduced to twenty-five ; the regiments of cavalry 
and artillery were left the same in number, but all were reduced to an en- 
listed strength of 25,000,—an aggregate of 28,764. To effect this, existing 
regiments of infantry were consolidated and this consolidation brings me 
to the object of this sketch,—the history of the present Sixteenth Infantry. 
The Eleventh Infantry, organized May 4, 1861, and having on its battle 
flags, Gaines’ Mill, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court-house, Cold Harbor, Peters- 
burg, Weldon Railroad, and Chapel House, was consolidated with the 
Thirty-fourth Infantry, which had been the third battalion of the Sixteenth 
Infantry, organized on the same date as the Eleventh and having on its 
banners Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, New Hope 
Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Neal Dow Station, Peach Tree Creek, At- 
lanta, and Jonesboro, each regiment possessing therefore a bloody and hon- 
orable record. Both regiments were doomed to lose their designation, 
but were allowed to retain the list of battles of each, consolidated on one 
flag. The new regiment was numbered the Sixteenth. It was consoli- 
dated by merging the enlisted men of one regiment with the company of 
the same letter of the other, and assigning the officers by rank as provided 
by the order of consolidation. This was effected March 3, 1869. 
In making the assignment of officers in the new regiment the field 
officers were designated in the orders of the War Department. The staff 
was selected by the colonel without regard to the relative rank of the 
officers selected. The adjutancy was retained by the officer holding it in 
the 34th Infantry, and the position of quartermaster was given to the 
officer holding it in the nth Infantry. The company officers were assigned 
so as to give as far as possible the same brevet rank to a company 
throughout its three officers. The non-commissioned staff of the 34th 
was retained entire. On the 3d of March, the roster of the new regiment 
was as follows :— 
Colonel G. Pennypacker. 
Lieut.-Col. Robert S. Granger. 
Major William P. Carlin. 
Captains Francis M. Cooley, Caleb R. Layton, James Kelly, Joshua S. 
Fletcher, Jr., Duncan M. Vance, Arthur W. Allyn, Hugh A. Theaker, W. H. 
Bartholomew, John Power, and W. G. Wedemeyer. 
First Lieutenants Clayton Hale, William H. Clapp, Henry C. Ward, 
Allen Almy, Merritt Barber (Adjutant), Evarts S. Ewing, Stephen K. Mahon, 
Wallace W. Barrett, William H. Vinal, John McCoy, Charles H. Noble, 
and William V. Richards (Quartermaster). SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
631 
Second Lieutenants Fred Rosencrantz, George B. Pickett, John F. Smith, 
T. W. Morrison, Charles Jordan, David P. Scott, George M. Love, Stanley 
D. Humason, Samuel R. Whitall, and Isaac O. Shelby. 
The new regiment thus formed was stationed at six different posts, 
and was engaged in assisting the civil authorities in carrying out the pro- 
visions of the reconstruction acts of Congress. The headquarters of the 
regiment, with Companies D and I, were at Grenada, Miss.; the Lieut.- 
Colonel, with Companies B, E and G, were at Jackson, Miss.; the major, 
with C and F, at Vicksburg, Miss.; A at Natchez, Miss.; H at Lauderdale, 
Miss.; and K at Corinth, Tenn. 
This extensive scattering of the regiment at this time was unfortunate, 
the two regiments coming together from distant parts of the country and 
the officers being unacquainted with each other. This want of personal 
knowledge of his regie,ent was felt more especially by the colonel, and care 
was taken by the new commander to lemedy and allay any discordance that 
might exist. Frequent visits were made to all the posts both by the colonel 
and his staff, and by reason of these visits one of the chief disadvantages 
was in a short time overcome. The company officers became thoroughly 
acquainted with the headquarters of their regiment and an esprit de corps 
soon commenced to show itself, which gives to the regiment to this day a 
distinctive reputation. Probably there was no consolidation made at this 
time where these results were so necessary and at the same time so hard to 
obtain. The new colonel was the youngest in the army, an appointment 
from civil life but of most distinguished record, while the lieutenant- 
colonel and major were both old and distinguished officers, graduates 
of West Point. Many of the company commanders had seen as much 
service as the colonel, some having had as large commands during the 
war, but all seemed imbued with the desire to excel. The loyalty and 
regimental pride of Generals Granger and Carlin were particularly admir- 
able, and I know personally that it was highly appreciated by their young 
commander. 
From 1869 to 1877 the regiment was engaged in assisting the civil 
authorities in carrying out what was known as the reconstruction act of 
Congress, a most disagreeable and unmilitary duty. The companies of the 
regiment were called upon to act in unison but three times during the period 
mentioned. Once when Companies B, E, F, G, I and K, made a march in 
October, November and December, 1870, through Alabama, Georgia and 
South Carolina, under the command of General Carlin, for the suppression 
of the so called “ Ku Klux Klan.” Again, when Companies C and I, under 
the command of the gallant Colonel Rose (who had been assigned to the 
regiment in place of Captain Power, resigned) during the Brooks-Baxter 
embroglio at Little Rock, prevented what threatened at one time to become 
a most serious outbreak. This occurrence attracted at the time the atten- 
tion of the nation. Fears were entertained that it might prove to be a na- 
tional disaster, but the determined and energetic action of the commander, 
who had already a national reputation for energy, skill and nerve, averted 
the calamity without bloodshed. 
The third time was when all of the regiment, except Company H, was HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
632 
concentrated under the command of its colonel at New Orleans, during the 
Packard-Nichols troubles in 1876. 
This ended the reconstruction service of the regiment. In the eight 
years in which it was so engaged its headquarters were at Grenada, Miss., 
Nashville, Tenn., Newport, Ky„ Mount Vernon Barracks, Ala., and New 
Orleans, La. Its companies were stationed in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala- 
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. The duties imposed were per- 
formed conscientiously, though in nearly every case they were distasteful to 
o. military man. While no open conflicts occurred yet they were imminent 
almost daily in some locality. While it is believed that the regiment made 
the power of the Government felt wherever it served, yet the recollection 
of this service brings with it no remorse for injustice done, power arbi- 
trarily or unnecessarily used, or partisanship in any sense during its entire 
service in the South. 
In 1877 the regiment was for the first time called to new, and what was 
considered the more legitimate, duties of the profession. Leaving the 
Southern States, and all the political complications involved in service there, 
we crossed the Mississippi and commenced our career in the Indian country. 
Headquarters, with Companies A, C and H, were stationed at Fort Riley, 
Kansas ; K at Fort Gibson, Indian Ter.; B and D at Fort Sill, Indian Ter.; 
E and I at Fort Reno, Indian (now Oklahoma) Ter.; F at Fort Wallace, 
Kansas; and G at Fort Hays first and subsequently at Fort Wallace. For 
three years the regiment was stationed as above, except that I and K ex- 
changed stations. During this time Companies D and H were with General 
Buell in the Victoria campaign through New Mexico and into old Mexico. 
Company H was detached and went as escort with a railroad surveying 
party through Arizona. Companies F and G were engaged in the pursuit 
of Cheyenne Indians who escaped from the Indian Territory and wrere not 
captured till they got to the sand hills near Fort Robinson, Neb.; Com- 
pany A was engaged with these same Indians below Fort Dodge, Kansas. 
Companies C and G were with General Mackenzie in the campaign of 
1870-80, and Company F made a campaign against the Utes into middle 
Colorado. 
In 1880 the regiment was ordered to Texas and was stationed as fol- 
lows : Headquarters and Company F, first at San Antonio, but soon after- 
ward with D, E, G, H, I and K, at Fort McKavett; A, B, C and I, at Fort 
Concho. 
In June, 1888, the regiment was moved to the Department of the Platte, 
Headquarters, with B, D, E, G, H and I, being stationed at Fort Douglas, 
and A, C, F and K, with the lieutenant-colonel in command, at Fort Du- 
chesne, Utah. While stationed at these posts, individual service of Cap- 
tain Rose and some enlisted men at Fort Duchesne was mentioned in 
orders, and Companies D, E, G and H, were engaged in the campaign 
against the Sioux Indians in 1891 which brings my sketch up to the present 
date, June, 1891. 
Twenty-one years have wrought great changes in the personnel of the 
regiment. Only six officers who were on the original roster are now serv- 
ing with it. Six went out by retirement; nine were dismissed or cash- SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
633 
iered ; two were honorably mustered out of service, and four are still in 
the service but are serving in different organizations by promotion or trans- 
fer. 
The present colonel of the regiment succeeded Colonel Pennypacker on 
the latter’s retirement in July, 1883. The lieutenant-colonels, since Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Granger, have been James Van Voast, Alfred L. Hough and 
Wm. H. Penrose. The majors, since General Carlin, have been Samuel A. 
Wainwright, Charles A. Webb, Horace Jewett, and John B. Parke. 
The adjutants, since Colonel Barber, have been Wm. V. Richards, Wil- 
liam H. Clapp, Wm. H. Vinal, Leven C. Allen, Samuel W. Dunning and 
Charles R. Tyler. 
The quartermasters, since Lieutenant Richards, have been William H. 
Clapp, Henry C. Ward, Evarts S. Ewing, Wm. V. Richards (a second time), 
William Lassiter, Thomas G. Woodbury and Warren H. Cowles. 
Lieutenant-Colonels Van Voast and Hough were both promoted out of 
this regiment into the Ninth, but the former was injured while going to 
his new regiment and never joined it, retiring on account of his in- 
jury. 
I am well aware of the fact that the foregoing is but a crude and meagre 
account of an organization that is held in high regard by those still remain- 
ing in it and by many still living who once were active under its banners. 
I cannot but wish that the compilation might have fallen to an abler and 
more worthy chronicler, but it is offered for what it is worth with the 
hope that in its pages there may be some matter that will interest the 
reader. THE SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Captain C. St.J. CHUBB, 17TH U. S. Infantry. 
ON the 3d day of May, 1861, President Lincoln issued a proclamation 
adding a number of regiments to the military establishment. The 
following day G. O. No. 16 was issued from the Adjutant General’s 
office containing a “Plan’’for their organization, and as one of 
them, the present 17th Infantry came into existence. It differed from the 
older regiments of infantry in that it had three battalions with one major, 
one adjutant, one quartermaster and commissary, one sergeant-major, one 
commissary sergeant, one hospital steward and eight companies each ; 
while no provision was made for regimental sergeant-major, commissary 
sergeant or hospital steward, 
By Act of Congress approved July 29, 1861, the action of the President 
was confirmed and the regiment obtained a legal status ; the law made a 
few changes in its organization, which were, however, minor ones, and the 
“ Plan of Organization ” was substantially carried out. The act reduced 
the term of enlistment, for those enlisting in 1861 and 1862 only, to three 
years; and provided for the disbandment of the regiment within one year 
after the constitutional authority of the Government of the United States 
should be reestablished, and organized resistance to such authority should 
no longer exist. 
General Order No. 33, A. G. O., June 18, 1861, announced the appoint- 
ment of a number of officers, their commissions dating May 14, 1861. So 
many declined that in G. O. No. 65 (of August 23d) a “ Revised edition ” of 
G. O. No. 33 was published, leaving out a number of those originally men- 
tioned and naming others, some of whom were given commissions dating 
May 14th and were placed senior to some named in the first order. 
In this latter order the field officers were named as follows:—Colonel 
Samuel P. Heintzelman, Lieut.-Col. J. Durell Greene, and Majors Abner 
Doubleday, William H. Wood and George L. Andrews. There were also 
mentioned 18 captains, 23 first lieutenants and 2 second lieutenants. The 
field officers all accepted but a number of the company officers did not, and 
the last original vacancy above the grade of second lieutenant was not filled 
until February 19, 1862. The regiment never had its full complement of 
second lieutenants until after the reorganization of 1866, while between 
January, 1864, and February, 1866, there were none, and vacancies existed 
in the grade of first lieutenant. 
The regimental and battalion adjutants and quartermasters were men- 
tioned in the law in addition to the company lieutenants, thus giving 32 
first lieutenants, but the number 24 was never exceeded and the regimental 
staff were not extra lieutenants until after 1866. 
Fort Preble, Me., was designated as the headquarters of the regiment, 
634 SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
63 5 
and early in July, 1861, the officers commenced to assemble there. LieuL- 
Col. Greene arrived and took command July 6. He appointed Lieuts. E. 
O. Pearson, Jr., and Nathaniel Prime, acting adjutant and quartermaster, 
respectively ; assigned officers to recruiting duty in various towns in Maine 
and New Hampshire, to which two states recruiting was at first restricted ; 
and commenced actively the organization of the regiment. 
The Trent “affair” caused Great Britain to send several battalions to 
Canada during the winter of 1861-62, and the St. Lawrence being frozen, the 
troops landed in New Brunswick and were conveyed along our boundary in 
sleds. A number of men deserted, found their way to our recruiting sta- 
tions and later became non-commissioned officers in the regiment. They 
assisted materially by their knowledge and experience in organizing and 
disciplining the recruits. 
What was known before the war as “ Poppenberg’s Band ” of Buffalo, 
was enlisted as an organization, and under its talented leader became the 
17th Infantry Band. During apart of 1863-64 it was stationed at General 
Heintzelman’s headquarters in Washington, and played at the White House, 
alternating with the Marine Band with which it was favorably compared. 
By March 4, 1862, five companies had been organized, and on that date 
they left Fort Preble under command of Major Geo. L. Andrews and joined 
“ Sykes’ Regular Brigade ” near Arlington Heights. A few days afterwards 
Companies B and D were detached and formed part of the provost guard 
at General McClellan’s headquarters, and remained on this duty until July 
9, when, after making a petition to that effect, they rejoined the battalion. 
The other three companies were joined with three of the 10th Infantry and 
formed a battalion of the brigade. They did not long remain united, the 
17th soon becoming a separate battalion. 
The battalion embarked at Alexandria March 26, 1862; arrived at Fort 
Monroe March 28, and proceeded up “ The Peninsula.” The five companies 
participated in the siege of Yorktown, performing their share of duty in the 
trenches. Companies A, C and E were present at Gaines’ Mill and Mal- 
vern Hill, the first of these battles being inscribed on the regimental colors. 
In it the regiment lost Captain Dodd and five men killed, three officers and 
twenty-five men wounded or missing. 
While in camp at Harrison’s Landing Companies B, D, F, G and H 
joined, which made a complete battalion of eight companies present. It 
withdrew from the Peninsula with the rest of the army, landed at Aquia 
Creek and proceeded towards Manassas. August 29th, Companies B and 
F were engaged at Gainesville, and the next day the entire battalion was 
engaged at 2d Bull Run, which is inscribed on its colors. The losses were 
5 men killed and 43 wounded or missing. The battalion was present at 
Antietam, Shepherdstown, Leetown and Fredericksburg, the last of these 
being borne on the colors, and in this battle the position was a most trying 
one. For one entire day (December 14) the men lay fiat on their faces 
eighty yards in front of the famous stone wall, behind which the enemy was 
posted in large numbers; and any movement on their part was sure to draw 
the fire of the rebel sharpshooters. The regiment lost Captain McLanburg 
and two men killed and nineteen men wounded. 636 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
After Fredericksburg the army went into winter camp at Potomac 
Creek, and while here, owing to the depleted ranks, Companies B, E and F 
were broken up March i, 1863, and the men assigned to Companies A, C, D, 
G and H. Shortly afterwards Companies A and B, 2d Battalion, joined 
from Fort Preble, giving seven companies in the field. 
April 27, 1863, active operations were again commenced, the army 
marching to the Rapidan. May 1, the regiment was deployed as skirmish- 
ers and opened the battle of Chancellorsville (which name is inscribed on 
its colors), and lost Captain Temple and five men killed, two officers, and 
27 men wounded or missing, Lieut. Weld dying soon after from the effects 
of wounds. 
June 26, 1863, the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing and schooner Archer 
were captured by rebels in Portland Harbor, and the next day three officers 
and thirty-eight men of the regiment with two guns went from Fort Preble 
in the steamer Forest City to recapture them ; the rebels set the cutter on 
fire and abandoned it; the entire rebel crew—captain and 25 men—was 
captured, and the schooner, with two prisoners they had, retaken. 
Early in June, 1863, Lieut. Col. Greene joined and took command in the 
field, Major Andrews going to Fort Preble. 
July 1 and 2, 1863, the regiment made a forced march in order to reach 
the field of Gettysburg, during which so many of its men fell by the way- 
side utterly exhausted, that of the 334 present June 30, but 226 went 
into action. In the fierce fight that followed in the “ Devil’s Den,” Lieu- 
tenant Chamberlin and 24 men were killed and 13 officers and 112 men 
wounded or missing, Lieutenant Abbot dying shortly after from wounds. 
“ Gettysburg ” appears on the colors. 
August 14, 1863, the regiment was detached from duty with the Army 
of the Potomac and proceeded to New York City, where it camped in 
“ Jones’ Wood,” and was active in the suppression of the “ Draft Riots.” 
September 11, “The General” was sounded, and the men thought that 
their hope—which had grown into belief—of returning home, was about to 
be realized. The regiment marched through the city and embarked on the 
steamer Admiral Dupont, where they soon learned that they were bound 
for the “ Old Dominion,” and on the 21st they rejoined their corps; were 
present in engagements at Rappahannock Station and on Mine Run, and 
marched with it until going into winter camp, first at Catlett’s Station and 
later at Nokesville, at which place Company C, Second Battalion, joined 
early in April, 1864. 
Lieut.-Col. Greene was promoted and left the regiment in December, 
1863, and from that time until after its withdrawal from the field there was 
no field officer present with it. 
May 3, 1864, the army was again on the move. The regiment com- 
prising nine companies (after Company B, 1st Battalion, which had been 
lately reorganized, joined June 8) took part in “The Wilderness Cam- 
paign ” and “The Operations before Petersburg,” inscribing on its colors 
Laurel Hill, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; 
while its records show in addition that it was engaged at Spotsylvania C. H„ 
battle of the Wilderness, and on the Pamunkey and Totopotomoy rivers SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR V. 
637 
the losses during this time being Lieutenants Dowling and Stimpson mor- 
tally wounded and dying soon after, sixteen men killed and six officers and 
113 men wounded or missing. 
In August the regiment took part in the capture of the Weldon Rail- 
road, and on the last of September and 1st of October was engaged at 
Poplar Springs Church, both of these names being inscribed on the colors 
—the latter as Chapel House. In these two engagements the losses were 
Lieutenant Crosman and eight men killed, four officers and 82 men wounded 
or missing. 
The regiment had now become so reduced in numbers that on the 13th 
of October, 1864, it was withdrawn from the field and took station at Fort 
Lafayette, New York Harbor, where it guarded rebel prisoners both civil 
and military. 
It has been impossible in such a brief sketch to do full justice to the 
regiment. Suffice it to say that its history—from March, 1862, to October, 
1864—is inseparably connected with that of the famous “ Regular Division” 
of the Fifth Corps, and that where that corps was called upon the 17th 
Infantry was ever ready and did its full share. 
The battalion in the field was composed of three companies (the other 
two being part of the provost guard) until July, 1862; eight until March, 
1863; seven until the spring of 1864, and after that of nine. 
The records of the regiment are not complete enough to make an ac- 
curate table of casualties. Colonel Fox in his “ Regimental Losses in the 
American Civil War” states the deaths as follows: Killed or died of 
wounds, nine officers and 92 men. Died of disease, accidents, or in prison, 
etc., two officers and 100 men. The per cent, of loss has not been figured 
out but it is worthy of note that in the number of officers killed the regi- 
ment was exceeded by no other regiment and equalled by only the First 
Cavalry and 18th Infantry—each larger organizations. In addition to the 
number given by Colonel Fox, the regiment lost Captain Wilkin, while 
serving as Colonel Second Minnesota Vols., killed in the battle of Tupela, 
Miss. 
Fort Lafayette was garrisoned for one year, and Oct. 14, 1865, the troops 
were transferred to Hart Island in Long Island Sound at which point the 
regiment was concentrated, headquarters and several companies moving 
down from Forts Preble and Scammel, Me. General Heintzelman joined 
Oct. 24, 1865, thus giving the regiment, for the first time, its colonel pres- 
ent for duty. 
Recruiting was actively carried on and by Feb. 1, 1866, the twenty- 
fourth company was organized. In March, Companies E, F and H, Second 
Battalion, were sent to Michigan and stationed, first at Detroit Barracks, 
then at Forts Wayne and Gratiot, until, in October, they were sent to 
Kansas and Missouri, from whence, in November, they went to Texas. In 
April, the regiment was ordered to Texas, regimental and all battalion 
headquarters, three companies of the first, two of the second and all of the 
third battalion leaving early in the month, going by sea and arriving in the 
latter part of the month at Galveston. The companies that remained at 
Hart Island were those that had been greatly reduced during their field 638 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S ARMY. 
service and not yet recruited. Early in July two of these (A and D, First 
Battalion) followed; the cholera broke out aboard ship and upon arrival 
the troops were put in quarantine on the beach at Galveston where they 
remained until November. This disease breaking out also at Hart Island 
the remaining six companies (C, G and H, First Battalion, and A, B and 
C, Second) were on July 20th changed to David’s Island, which place they 
left Oct. 20, and joined at Galveston, Nov. 1st. During the epidemic the 
regiment lost Major Plympton and a large number of men. 
Soon after arrival in Texas a number of companies were sent to different 
points and commenced that most disagreeable work known as “ Recon- 
struction Duty.” 
To carry out the Act of July 28, 1866, two new companies for each battal- 
ion were organized at Newport Barracks, Ky., and sent to Galveston ; the 2d 
Battalion was concentrated at Austin and the 3d Battalion at San Antonio, 
and were changed into the 26th and 35th Regiments of Infantry respectively. 
In 1867 Yellow Fever visited the troops at Brenham, Galveston, Hous- 
ton and Hempstead, the regiment losing Major O’Connell, Captains Swart - 
wout, Warren and Black; Lieutenants Lambert and Voris and over 120 
men. 
Early in 1869 the regiment was ordered to transfer its men to the 24th 
Infantry, and the officers and surplus non-commissioned officers were to 
proceed to Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., for recruiting duty. Before this could 
be carried out, and owing to an Act of Congress reducing the army, the order 
was revoked, and soon after another was issued for the regiment to proceed 
to Virginia and there have the 44th Infantry consolidated with it. The move- 
ment commenced in April and by the latter part of May all had arrived at 
Camp Grant, Richmond, Va. Companies H, I and K were broken up and 
about the same time the 44th Infantry was consolidated into three com- 
panies which, on the 1st of June, became H, I and K of the 17th. General 
Heintzelman was retired and Gen. T. L. Crittenden assigned as colonel in 
his stead. 
The companies were stationed at various points in Virginia and contin- 
ued on reconstruction duty. There being some trouble in North Carolina, 
Lt. Col. Hayman and four companies were sent there early in 1870. 
Soon after, owing to a disturbance among the Sioux, the regiment was 
ordered to Dakota. It left the east in April and arrived at Fort Sully 
about the middle of May, and commenced that long tour of service which 
lasted over sixteen years—a longer period, with a single exception, than 
any regiment has served continuously in one department since the war. 
The labor and hardships of that time are not now required of troops. Posts 
were built and rebuilt, wood and hay provided, mails carried and roads kept 
in repair, all by the work of troops. In the winter, communication with the 
outer world was almost cut off during the first years ; the paymaster would 
let four or six months pass without a visit and it was considered fortunate 
to get the mail on an average of once a month. The coldest weather re- 
corded was 610 below zero at Fort Pembina, and the entries in the returns 
“ frozen to death ” and “killed by Indians ” help to tell the story. Of the 
thirty-five officers who belonged when the regiment entered the Territory SE VENTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTE Y. 
639 
but eight remained to leave with it, and of the enlisted men only about 
seven. 
The companies were almost continually on the go and changing from 
post to post at all seasons of the year. These changes were too numerous 
to mention, parts of the regiment occupying at various times Forts Snelling, 
Minn., Abercrombie, Wadsworth (later called Sisseton), Pembina, Totten, 
Stevenson, Abraham Lincoln (formerly McKeen), and Rice, Dakota; and 
Custer, Montana ; Grand River, Cheyenne (Ft. Bennett) and Standing Rock 
(Ft. Yates) Agencies, Dakota, and Camps Hancock, Dakota, and Porter, 
Montana. 
The headquarters was stationed as follows : In camp Fort Sully until 
August ii, 1870; Fort Rice, D. T. to September 9,1873 ; Fort Abercrombie 
to August 11, 1876; Standing Rock Agency, to November 5, 1878; Fort 
Totten to May 24, 1897 ; Standing Rock (Fort Yates) to July 13, 1886. 
Gen. Crittenden left the regiment in June, 1876, and never rejoined. He 
retired May 19, 1881, and was succeeded by Col. C. C. Gilbert, who, in turn, 
retired March 1, 1886, Col. Alex. Chambers succeeding him and joining upon 
arrival of the regiment in the Department of the Platte. 
September 9, 1871, Companies D and H left Fort Rice as part of the Yel- 
lowstone Expedition, under Col. Whistler, they marched 250 and 295 
miles respectively and returned to their post in the latter part of October. 
In the spring of 1872 Companies G, H and K were at different times sent 
out from Fort Rice as escorts to engineers N. P. R. R. along the Heart 
River. July 26th, Major Crofton, with Companies A, C and F left Fort Rice 
as part of the Yellowstone Expedition under General Stanley, and had en- 
gagements with Indians August 18th on Powder River, and August 22d on 
O’Fallon’s Creek. October 2d the battalion was relieved from duty with 
the expedition and started for its post. On the 3d, while out hunting from 
the command, Lieut. Crosby was killed and scalped by Indians and on the 
4th, while searching for his body, the camp was attacked by Sioux and an 
engagement followed, the Indians being repulsed without loss to the troops. 
On the 6th Fort Rice was reached, the command having marched during 
the summer—A and C 676 miles, F 833 miles. 
The Indians made frequent attacks on Fort A. Lincoln, Company H 
being engaged in repulsing them October 14th and November 3, 1872 and 
June 15 and 17, 1873. 
In 1873 a second expedition under General Stanley went up the Yellow- 
stone as far as Pompey’s Pillar. Major Crofton with Companies A, B and 
H forming a part. Company H left Fort Lincoln June 18th and the others 
Fort Rice June 20th. Company B was detached, first to escort a wagon 
train and afterwards—from July 26th to September 12th—with Troops C 
and H, 7th Cavalry, as guard at supply depot on Yellowstone, near Glendive 
Creek, where they built a stockade. All returned to their stations the latter 
part of September, having marched over 1100 miles. 
June 8, 1874, Company G left Grand River, proceeded to Fort A. Lincoln, 
and joined the Black Hills Expedition under General Custer, returning to 
its station, September 6, having marched 1125 mdes. 
In September, 1875, the residents of Bismarck asked for protection from 640 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Indians. Company H. was sent there on the 27th and stationed at Camp 
Hancock. Trouble being apprehended Company A was sent in October to 
strengthen Fort A. Lincoln ; it remained but a week and returned to its 
station Fort Abercrombie. 
March 21, 1876, Company C left Fort Sisseton and proceeded to Fort 
A. Lincoln from which post it started with Company G as a part of the Big 
Horn Expedition, under General Terry, against the hostile Sioux. Upon 
arrival at the Yellowstone these two companies with other troops were de- 
tailed for service along that river ; the summer and fall being spent doing 
guard and escort duty. October 10th Company C with two companies 22d 
Infantry started from Glendive on escort duty to Tongue River. On the 
1 ith they were attacked by Indians on Spring Creek and returned. On the 
14th a larger escort—consisting of Companies C and G with three of the 
22d under command of Colonel Otis—started out, and on the r 5th and 16th 
they had engagements with the Indians on Clear Creek, repulsing them and 
continuing on to Tongue River. December 2d these two companies were 
relieved from duty at Glendive and marched via Forts Buford and Steven- 
son to their posts; G arriving at Fort A. Lincoln December 18th and C at 
Fort Sisseton December 28th. 
In July. 1876, the bed of the Missouri changed at Cheyenne Agency, 
washing the “ officer’s line ” away. It was done so quickly that where the 
houses stood one night was the channel of the river the next. 
October 16, 1876, General Terry started from Fort A. Lincoln with an 
expedition to disarm and dismount the Indians at Standing Rock and 
Cheyenne Agencies. Companies A and H forming part of his command, 
marched down the east bank of the Missouri as far as Cheyenne Agency, 
and returned to Fort A. Lincoln Nov. 10th. The disarmment was made at 
Standing Rock October 22d, and at Cheyenne about October 31st, General 
Carlin with Companies E and F, assisting at the former and Companies I 
and K at the latter place. 
The year 1877 was a comparatively quiet one. Most of the regiment was 
ordered to take station at Standing Rock, but before the last company ar- 
rived five of them were hurried in December to different points in eastern 
Dakota and Minnesota to relieve the 20th Infantry. 
In August, 1878, Company D went from Fort A. Lincoln as escort to 
N. P. R. R. officials, marching to Glendive Creek and return—about 420 
miles. 
At Standing Rock Agency trouble with the Indians was repeatedly 
threatened, detachments were frequently sent out and on several occasions 
the troops put under arms. 
June 2, 1879, a detachment under Lieutenant Burns was sent from Fort 
Sisseton to the village of “ Drifting Goose ” to keep peace between his band 
and white settlers. On the 7th of July Company G left Fort A. Lincoln on 
escort duty N. P. R. R. extension and returned August 15th. 
June 1, 1880, Company B left Fort Gates and formed part of a com- 
mand, under Colonel Merrill, guarding construction parties along the N. P. 
R. R. between the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. It remained on this 
duty until October 21st, when it proceeded to the Yellowstone River and SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
641 
established, with one company nth Infantry, Camp Porter near the mouth 
of Glendive Creek. Doors, sashes and nails were furnished, the other build- 
ing material was obtained by the troops, and they made themselves as com- 
fortable as possible during the winter of 1880-81, without stoves, flooring 
or plastering. 
In June, 1881, Company G was sent to Bismarck owing to a strike of 
steamboat hands. In this year a large number of Indian prisoners were 
sent to standing Rock Agency and Company H was detailed to guard and 
provide for them. It was later decided to send Sitting Bull and his band 
to Fort Randall for confinement. Company H left Standing Rock with 
them—173 in number—September 10th, on the steamer General Sherman, 
and during the company’s absence Company G was sent to that post for 
temporary duty. 
The last five years in Dakota were quiet ones—there being only a few 
moves, some minor Indian excitements, and during the winter of 1883-84 
the companies at Fort Yates were sent into camp to cut wood for the 
garrison. 
In July, 1886, the regiment was transferred to the Department of the 
Platte, Company B going to Camp Medicine Butte, H to Fort Bridger, and 
the balance to Fort D. A. Russell. In February, 1887, B changed to Fort D. 
A. Russell and the following September D went to Fort Bridger. 
September 1, 1890, Companies I and K were skeletonized and on the 
20th of that month D and H changed to Fort D. A. Russell. This move- 
ment brought the regiment all together, it being the first time—except for 
a brief period at Hart Island—that it has been so stationed. 
Colonel Chambers died January 2, 1888, and was succeeded by Col. 
Henry R. Mizner, whose retirement, August 1,1891, gave to the regiment 
Col. John G. Poland, its present colonel. 
Commencing with 1887, during each summer the companies have been 
sent on practice marches or into camps. In 1888, D and H, as part of the 
Fort Bridger garrison, marched through a picturesque country 261 miles to 
and from Strawberry Valley, Utah, for an encampment with the troops from 
Forts Douglas and Du Chesne, Utah ; while the companies from Fort D. 
A. Russell had a monotonous march of 670 miles along the U P. R. R. to 
and from Kearney, Neb., to encamp with those at Forts Omaha and Sidney, 
Neb. In 1889 all the troops of the department (except those of Fort Du 
Chesne) concentrated August 20, at Camp Crook, Fort Robinson, Neb., 
for one month’s field manoeuvres, and here for the first time since 1870 the 
entire regiment met. In 1891, the encampment (full regiment) was with the 
Wyoming National Guard at Laramie City. The other years the marches 
or camps were only for short distances from the posts. 
December 17, 1890, Lieutenant-Colonel Offley, Major Egbert and Com- 
panies A, B, C, D, E, G and H (with Lieutenants Kerr and Muir and 
Quartermaster Sergeant Bennett voluntarily accompanying) left Fort D. A. 
Russell for South Dakota to take part in the campaign against the hostile 
Sioux. They proceeded by rail to points along the railroad to the Black 
Hills, then marched to and camped along the Cheyenne River, closed in to 
White River, and finally concentrated at Pine Ridge Agency. The cam- 642 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY 
paign ending, they took part in the review of January 22d, and returned to 
their post January 26th. Of the twenty-one officers belonging to these 
seven companies nineteen were in the field with them. 
April 21, 1892, the major, adjutant and Companies C and G went by rail 
to Douglas, Wyo., received forty-four cattlemen and Texans, who had in- 
vaded the northern part of the State, and brought them to Fort D. A. Rus- 
sell, where they were kept in confinement until July 5, 1892. 
The entire regiment is now stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo. THE EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
FIRST LIEUT. CHARLES H. CABANISS, Jr. 
i8th U. S. Infantry.* 
BY direction of the President of the United States, of date May 4, 1861, 
subsequently confirmed by Act of Congress, July 29,1861, the infan- 
try arm of the Regular Army was increased nine regiments, num- 
bering from the eleventh to the nineteenth, inclusive; the new 
regiments to be organized into three battalions each, each battalion to con- 
sist of eight companies, the companies of each battalion to be lettered from 
A to H inclusive. 
The organization of the 18th Infantry was begun in compliance with 
G. O. 16, A. G. O., May 4, 1861, and G. O. 48, A. G. O., July 21, 1861. 
Henry B. Carrington, a native of Connecticut, and at this time (1861) a 
citizen of Ohio, was appointed colonel of the regiment; Captain Oliver L. 
Shepherd, 3d U. S. Infantry, a graduate of the Military Academy of 1840, 
and a veteran of the Mexican War, was appointed lieutenant-colonel; Capt. 
Edmund Underwood, 4th U. S. Infantry, a native of Pennsylvania, whose 
original date of entry into service was March 3, 1848, was appointed major; 
and Frederick Townsend, a citizen of New York, was appointed major. 
All of these field officers dated from May 14, 1861. 
The headquarters of the regiment were stationed in Columbus, Ohio, 
and recruiting commenced on the 1st day of July, 1861. A camp was es- 
tablished, August 10, 1861, about four miles north of Columbus, called, in 
honor of the Adjutant-General of the Army, Camp Thoma's. The organiza- 
tion of companies was commenced in August, and the necessary captains 
and lieutenants were appointed and ordered to the rendezvous. As was 
the case in all of the new regiments thus added to the service, nearly all of 
these gentlemen were from civil life and entered the military service from a 
variety of unwarlike professions. 
On the 30th of November five companies (A. B, C, D, F) of the 1st Bat- 
talion, six (A, B, C, D, E, F) of the 2d Battalion, and one (D) of the 3d Bat- 
talion, were organized and ready for the field. Colonel Carrington was 
ordered to proceed with this detachment to Louisville, Ky., and there re- 
port to General Buell, who was then engaged in organizing the Army of the 
Ohio. Colonel Carrington accordingly left Camp Thomas December 2, 
1861, the 1st Battalion under Major Underwood, the 2d under Major Town- 
send. 
On the 16th of the same month, at Lebanon, Ky., Colonel Carrington 
turned over the command to Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, and returned to 
Camp Thomas to complete the organization of the regiment. 
* Under the direction of Colonel H. M. Lazelle, 18th U. S. Infantry. 644 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
General Buell assigned the 18th Infantry to the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 
Army of the Ohio, General George H. Thomas being the division com- 
mander, The history of the 18th Infantry during the four momentous years 
Df the Rebellion is so intimately connected with that of General Thomas, 
that to follow it intelligently, one is compelled to make a study of his cam- 
paigns. 
The 18th Infantry formed a part of the force under that general, which, 
in December, 1861, and part of February, 1862, operated against the Con- 
federate forces under Generals A. S. Johnston and George Crittenden, in 
southwestern Kentucky. Owing to the condition of the roads, the 18th 
Infantry did not reach the field in time to participate in the battle of Mill 
Springs, Ky., January 18, 1862. 
A. S. Johnston having retired into Tennessee, General Thomas was 
ordered with his division to proceed by forced marches to Louisville, and 
thence to embark for Nashville, Tenn. The 18th Infantry reached Nash- 
ville March 3, 1862. On the 6th of March Major W. A. Stokes, 18th Infan- 
try, with companies A, B and E, 3d Battalion, and G, 1st Battalion, joined 
the first detachment of the regiment, but Major Stokes’ appointment was 
not confirmed by the Senate and the 3d Battalion was discontinued, the 
companies composing it being temporarily attached to the 1st and 2d Bat- 
talions. 
The regiment, as a part of the 1st Division, Army of the Ohio marched 
from Nashville, March 20, to participate in the operations against the 
enemy’s position at Corinth—Savannah, on the Tennessee River, being the 
point to which its march was directed. During this march the officers and 
men suffered great hardships. The roads were knee-deep with mud, the 
weather was stormy, rations were short, shelter could not be obtained at 
night, and the wagon trains were delayed many days. The command did 
not reach Savannah until April 8, and was transferred the next day by 
steamboat to Pittsburg Landing. 
On the 24th of April the regiment had its first engagement with the 
enemy. Having moved camp beyond Shiloh Creek, it was sent on recon- 
noissance, and drove back the enemy’s outposts beyond Lick Creek and 
Pea Ridge, capturing some prisoners. The commanding general having 
determined upon the reduction of the enemy’s position at Corinth, Miss., 
the combined Armies of the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi, were reor- 
ganized and the 18th Infantry passed from the 1st Division, Army of the 
Ohio, to the 7th Division (General T. W. Sherman) of the right wing (Gen- 
eral Thomas) of the Army. It participated in the siege of Corinth (April 
23 to May 30) under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, who had 
as adjutant Lieutenant Anson Mills. The detachment consisted of the 1st 
Battalion, commanded by Captain Henry Douglass until May 28, then by 
Major J. N. Caldwell. Lieut. R. L. Morris, Jr., was the battalion adjutant 
and Lieut. D. W. Benham battalion quartermaster. Lieutenant Kinney 
commanded Company A ; Captain Thruston, Company B ; Lieutenant Tay- 
lor, Company C; Captain Wood, Company D ; Lieutenant Proctor, Com- 
pany F; Captain Hull, Company G; Lieutenant Brand, Company A (3d 
Battalion) ; Captain Kellogg, Company D (3d Battalion). EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
645 
The 2d Battalion was commanded by Major Frederick Townsend. 
Lieut. F. Phisterer was the battalion adjutant and Lieutenant McCleery, 
quartermaster. Captain Fetterman commanded Company A; Captain 
Dennison, Company B; Captain Granger, Company C ; Lieutenant Ogden, 
Company D ; Captain Thompson, Company E ; Lieutenant Simons, Com- 
pany F; Captain Belknap, Company B (3d Battalion); Captain Haymond, 
Company E (3d Battalion). 
After the evacuation of Corinth by the Confederates, the Union Army 
before Corinth was reorganized and the Division to which the 18th Infan- 
try belonged again became the 1st Division under General Thomas. 
On the 5th of July the organization of Company G, 3d Battalion, at Camp 
Thomas, was completed, and with it the organization of the regiment with 
24 complete companies. 
On the 2d of July the portion of the regiment in the field was aug- 
mented by the arrival of companies E, 1st Battalion, and C and F, 3d 
Battalion, under command of Captain H. R. Mizner, who joined at Iuka, 
Miss. 
The months of June, July and August, 1862, were spent in performing 
outpost duties and on detached service in Mississippi, Alabama and Ten- 
nessee, guarding bridges, towns, trains, etc. During August the army was 
disposed at different points in Tennessee for the purpose of disputing 
Bragg’s advance into Kentucky, Thomas having been ordered to assume 
command of the troops at McMinnville, to repair the railroad from Tulla- 
homa to that point as he advanced, and to establish posts of observation 
with signal stations on the mountains to watch Bragg’s movements. The 
18th Infantry, now concentrated, was placed en route for Pelham, Tenn., 
August 21, to guard the mountain passes near that place, reaching its des- 
tination August 24. General Buell, believing that it was probable that Bragg 
would advance on Nashville or Louisville, directed Thomas to hold his 
forces so disposed as to intercept the enemy’s advance on Nashville. Buell 
gave orders, August 30, for the concentration of his entire command at 
Murfreesboro, Tenn. His railroad communications north of Nashville 
had been destroyed by the enemy’s cavalry and it was now in order to draw 
nearer to Nashville, for the purpose of repairing the railroad to the north 
and opening up his line of communications, and at the same time to make 
ready a reception for the enemy should he come. 
Bragg’s movements were conducted with so much secresy, and the Union 
Army was so deficient in cavalry, that for some time General Buell was in 
ignorance of the real direction of his advance; and some time before his 
ulterior designs became manifest to him, the enemy had crossed the Ten- 
nessee River at Chattanooga, August 28, moving in a northwesterly di- 
rection; crossed the Cumberland River at Carthage and Gainsville, turning 
the left flank of the Union Army; and was actually threatening Bowling 
Green, Ky., in its rear, before General Buell learned definitely of his move- 
ments. On the 7th of September, 1862, General Buell started in the race 
of the two opposing armies for Louisville. The shorter lines upon which 
Bragg was moving, and his start in the race, gave him the advantage. 
Upon reaching Nashville, Buell left there three of his divisions under 646 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Thomas, as he regarded the holding of Nashville by the Union forces as 
second only to the safety of Kentucky. He himself pushed on with his re- 
maining three divisions, believing himself to be sufficiently strong to con- 
tend with Bragg for Kentucky. On the ioth of September, however, hear- 
ing of reinforcements reaching Bragg north of the Cumberland, he directed 
Thomas to turn over the command of Nashville to General Negley, and to 
join him with the old ist Division, of which the 18th Infantry formed a 
part. On the 17th it encamped near Bowling Green. The two armies were 
concentrated about the 20th, the enemy in a position of considerable 
strength on the south side of Green River. After some skirmishing be- 
tween the opposing lines that evening, the enemy withdrew during the 
night, his rear guard was driven out of Munfordville next day, and pursued 
by Buell’s advance guard until he turned off towards Bardstown. The 18th 
Infantry, crossing at Munfordville, pushed on through Elizabethtown, and 
on the 26th embarked on steamboats, near West Point, for Louisville, 
which city it reached on the 28th. Marching through the city it bivouacked 
two miles distant. Colonel Shepherd here turned over the command to 
Major Townsend. 
The Army of the Ohio was again reorganized, and the 18th Infantry 
was assigned to the 3d Brigade (General Steadman), ist Division (General 
Schoepf), 3d Corps (General Gilbert). The enemy’s army lay between 
Bardstown and Frankfort, its front covering a distance of sixty miles. 
General Buell’s plan was to attack the enemy’s left flank and force it back 
beyond any convenient line of retreat, while at the same time to divert his 
attention from the real point of attack by a demonstration in force against 
his right. The movement commenced October 1, the 3d Corps moving 
against the enemy’s left, through Shepherdsville, on Bardstown, and 
forming the centre of the Union line. On the 4th the 18th Infantry- 
bivouacked near Bardstown ; on the 6th, engaged the enemy’s rear-guard, 
driving it back beyond Texas, and bivouacked near the latter place; 
on the 7th, bivouacked near Perryville, Ky. During the engagement of 
the 8th (battle of Perryville) the regiment was in reserve until about 6 
o’clock P. M., when the brigade, the 18th Infantry leading, was ordered 
to reinforce General McCook. During the advance to its position, and 
after reaching it, it was exposed to artillery fire for an hour and a half 
without the opportunity of replying. Bivouacked that night on the battle- 
field. On the next day the enemy fell back in the direction of Harrods- 
burg. The 18th was in reserve again. On the ioth passed through Perry- 
ville, and on the night of the 1 ith bivouacked near Harrodsburg. Con- 
tinued in pursuit until the 15th, when, near Crab Orchard, Ky., the pursuit 
was abandoned. The Army of the Ohio was then turned towards Bowling 
Green and Glasgow, preparatory to the advance to Nashville, and Gilbert’s 
(3d) Corps was directed on Bowling Green, towards which place the troops 
marched. General Buell was now relieved by General Rosecrans, the De- 
partment of the Ohio was changed to the Department of the Cumberland, 
and the Army of the Ohio became the Army of the Cumberland. 
General Rosecrans having assumed command of his department on the 7th 
of December, announced the reorganization of the Army into the right wing EIGHTEEN TH REGIMENT OF INFA NTR Y. 
647 
(McCook), the centre (Thomas), and the left wing (Crittenden). The divi- 
sion to which the 18th Infantry belonged passed in the centre, retaining its 
numerical designation, and under the command of Gen. S. S. Fry. Com- 
pany H, 3d Battalion, joined the regiment in the field, November 26, from 
Camp Thomas, Ohio. The detachment of the regiment in the field, De- 
cember 1, 1862, consisted of companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, 1st Bat- 
talion, with A and D 3d Battalion attached ; and A, B, C, D, E and F, 2d 
Battalion, with B, C, Eand F, 3d Battalion, attached. Lieut.-Col. Shepherd 
returned and assumed command about December 10. 
The 18th Infantry was detached from the 1st Division of the centre, and 
on the 25th, proceeding to Nashville, it, together with the 15th, 16th and 19th 
Infantry, and Battery H, 5th Artillery, were formed into a brigade, and Lieut.- 
Col. Shepherd assumed command thereof. This “ Regular Brigade ” was 
assigned to the 3d Division (General Rousseau) of the centre, Army of the 
Cumberland. 
On the 31st of December, 1862, this brigade, as part of Rousseau’s Divi- 
sion, was in reserve in rear of the centre. About 10 o’clock A. M., when Mc- 
Cook had been forced back by Hardee, Rousseau’s Division was sent into 
the fight (Stone’s River) on the right of Negley, the regular brigade “ under 
perfect discipline,” on the extreme right. The line was formed in a dense 
cedar brake, through which Cleburne’s and McCown’s victorious columns 
were advancing, sweeping everything before them. “ The shock of battle 
fell heaviest upon the regulars ; over one-third of the command fell killed 
or wounded. Steadily, as if on drill, the trained battalions fired by file, 
mowing down the advancing Confederate lines.” But “ Guenther’s Battery 
(H, 5th Artillery), could not long check the fury of the charge that bore 
down upon the flanks, and was fast enveloping the entire command.” 
There was no recourse but to retreat. “ At this moment Negley’s Division, 
with empty cartridge boxes, fell back, and Rousseau, finding his flanks ex- 
posed, after a heroic fight of over two hours, fell back slowly and stubbornly 
to the open field where his flanks could be more secure.” The advance of 
Bragg’s left wing had brought it into a position at right angles with the 
original line. The entire strength of his centre, and most of his left, was 
concentrated upon the angle formed by Rousseau and the right of Palmer’s 
Division. Here the severest fighting of the day took place. The new line 
had open ground in front of it for some 400 or 500 yards. Rousseau re- 
quested Van Cleve with a portion of his division to form on his right, which 
was done. Against this new line the Confederates, flushed with their vic- 
tory of the early morning, charged in dense masses. They had, so far, swept 
everything before them, and felt that final success was within their grasp. 
“ Emerging from the cedars where Shepherd’s regulars had been so roughly 
handled, with yell after yell, in four lines deep, they rushed forward to 
brush away this new line that barred their path to final victory.” But the 
fire of this new line proved too terrible to resist, and they were driven back 
with great slaughter. Rallying under cover of the cedars, again and again 
did they renew the assault, and as often were driven back. Four gallant' 
and finely sustained efforts did they make, each time to meet with a re- 
pulse. The “ regular brigade ” sustained the heaviest blow of the assault. 648 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
This position was held until nightfall, when it became one of the advanced 
lines. Early on the morning of January i, 1863, the regiment was recalled 
from the front, and, under the fire of the enemy’s artillery, moved from place 
to place along the centre and right wing wherever its presence seemed most 
necessary. During the last thirty-six hours of the battle it assisted in throw- 
ing up and holding intrenchments commanding the central portion of the 
field, the occupancy of which, owing to the heavy rains, became one of hard- 
ship and trial. 
Such was the share borne by the 18th Infantry in the battle of Stone’s 
River. The detachment was commanded by Major Frederick Townsend, 
and consisted of the 1st and 2d Battalions. The 1st Battalion, Major Cald- 
well, went into action with 16 officers and 273 men, and on the 31st of De- 
cember sustained a loss of one officer (Captain Kneass) killed ; six officers 
(Captains Douglass, Wood and Hull, and Lieutenants McConnell, Carpen- 
ter and Adair) wounded. Twenty-seven enlisted men were killed and 109 
wounded. In his official report Major Caldwell says: “ All exhibited the 
same coolness and unflinching devotion to their country and flag that they 
had shown on the battle-field of Perryville, Ky.” The 2d Battalion, com- 
manded by Major Townsend, went into action with 16 officers and 298 men 
and sustained a loss of one officer (Lieutenant Hitchcock) killed ; five offi- 
cers (Captains Dennison, Thompson and Haymond, and Lieutenants Ogden 
and Simons) wounded; 30 enlisted men killed, 98 wounded, 3 cap- 
tured, 2 missing; aggregate loss, 139. In his official report of the battle, 
General Rousseau says: “The 18th Infantry were new troops to me, but I 
am now proud to say we know each other. If I could I would promote 
every officer and several non-commissioned officers and privates of the bri- 
gade of regulars for gallantry and good service in this terrific battle. The 
brigade was admirably and gallantly handled by Lieut.-Col. Shepherd.” 
On the nth of January companies A, C, D and F, 3d Battalion, were 
temporarily discontinued, and the enlisted men of these companies trans- 
ferred to the 1st and 2d Battalion; and on the 27th of February companies 
A and C, 1st Battalion, and B and E, 3d Battalion, were also temporarily 
discontinued. 
During the first six months of 1863, the military operations of the Army 
of the Cumberland were of a minor character. In performing its share of 
these operations the 18th Infantry was engaged in throwing up intrenchments, 
foraging, guarding railroads, towns, and in reconnoissance and outpost 
duties. After the reorganization of the Army of the Cumberland in January, 
the 18th Infantry passed into the 14th Army Corps, under its old commander, 
General Thomas. On the 24th of June, it entered upon the “ Tullahoma 
Campaign ” against Bragg’s army, and on the 26th of June engaged the 
enemy at Hoover’s Gap, driving him from his position. In this engagement 
the 18th Infantry was commanded by Captain Thruston, with Lieut. 
Freeman as adjutant. The 1st Battalion was commanded by Captain G. W. 
Smith; the 2d Battalion by Captain J. A. Thompson, who, being mortally 
wounded in charging the enemy’s position, was succeeded by Captain 
Haymond. 
The regiment, as a part of the 14th Corps, pursued the enemv toward EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
649 
Shelbyville, where it was believed that Bragg would either be forced to 
fight, or to abandon middle Tennessee. He evacuated Tullahoma without 
accepting battle, and fell back on Chattanooga closely pursued by the Union 
Army, and reached there during the first week in July. Chattanooga then 
became the objective of a campaign which commenced on the 16th of 
August, and in which the 18th Infantry, as a part of the 14th Corps, parti- 
cipated. It crossed the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Ala., September 
10th; and, crossing the Raccoon Mountains and Lookout Mountain, at 
about dark on the evening of September 18, marched toward the left of the 
army, marching all night until sunrise. In the meantime, Bragg, ascer- 
taining that the general movement of the Union Army was toward his left 
and rear in the direction of Dalton, determined to evacuate Chattanooga, 
and with his army concentrated, to take up a position on the road running 
south from Chattanooga, fronting the east side of Lookout Mountain, and 
on the east side of Chickamauga Creek, strike the Union columns as they 
debouched from the defiles of the mountains, and defeat them in detail. 
The result was the battle of Chickamauga, fought on the 19th and 20th of 
September, 1863, in which battle the regiment participated. 
On the morning of the first day of the battle, Baird’s Division, 14th 
Corps, to which the regular brigade (General J. K. King) belonged, was on 
the extreme left of the Union line. About 9 o’clock A. M., the regiment 
became engaged, and between 10 and 11 o’clock, being attacked from the 
rear, was compelled to fall back to the crest of an adjoining hill, from which 
position it repulsed all attacks of the enemy. On the 20th it became 
engaged early in the morning; about noon, charged and drove back the 
enemy over half a mile, but not being supported on either flank had to fall 
back to its original position. About 5 P. M., the enemy made a heavy 
attack, turning its left and almost enveloping the regiment. This neces- 
sitated its falling back until its flanks were secure, fighting desperately 
during the movement. That night the regiment was ordered back to 
Rossville, where it took position in the gap in Mission Ridge, covering 
the passage of the army. This position it held until the morning of 
the 22d, exposed to continued and heavy artillery fire. The army 
having passed, the regiment fell back early in the morning of the 22d to 
Chattanooga. 
In the battle of Chickamauga the regiment was commanded by Captain 
G. W. Smith, who also commanded the 1st Battalion. His adjutant was 
Lieut. Neill. The 2d Battalion was commanded by Captain Haymond, 
Captain Ten Eyck being second in command. The 1st Battalion consisted 
of Companies B, D, E, F, G, and H, with G and H, 3d Battalion, attached, 
commanded by Lieuts. Harding, Adair, Little, Brand, Bennett, Captains 
Mills and Taylor, and Lieut. Powell; with Lieut. Freeman, adjutant. The 
2d Battalion consisted of Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, com- 
manded by Lieuts. Sutherland, Kirtland, Gates, Truman, Hutchinson, 
Ostrander, L. F. Brown and Davis, with Lieut. Lind as adjutant. The 1st 
Battalion lost one officer (Lieut. Lane) killed ; three (Lieuts. Neill, Brand 
and Adair) wounded; and two (Lieuts. Freeman and Bennett) missing; 
29 enlisted men killed, 73 wounded, and 39 missing. The 2d Battalion lost 650 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
one officer (Lieut. Truman) killed; two (Lieuts. Hutchinson and L. F. 
Brown) wounded ; and three (Captain Ten Eyck and Lieuts. Gates and 
Pohlman) captured ; 13 enlisted men killed, 64 wounded, 14 missing and 48 
captured. From this time until November 22, the regiment was engaged in 
throwing up intrenchments, grand guard duties, and furnishing details for 
fatigue and train guards. 
On the 22d of November the regiment left its camp near Chattanooga 
to participate in the battle of Chattanooga. The Union Army had again 
changed commanders, General Grant being now in command! He deter- 
mined to dislodge the enemy from his strong position on Lookout Mountain 
and Mission Ridge. About noon on the 25th the regiment was ordered to 
participate in the assault upon Mission Ridge. Its share in this engagement 
is best given by quoting from the official report of Captain G. W. Smith, 
who commanded the 18th Infantry in the action. 
“I was ordered to join the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Corps, on 
the right of the Rossville road near the picket lines. The battalions 
were assigned a position in the second line and on the right of the brigade, 
covering the 15th U. S. Infantry, The whole soon moved forward, crossing 
the Rossville road, and steadily advanced toward the Missionary Ridge. 
About half a mile from the base of the ascent we emerged from a dense 
wood upon an open plain, which was crossed under a heavy fire of the 
enemy’s batteries advantageously posted upon the heights, and exposed to 
a fire of musketry from the line of earthworks held by him immediately at 
the base of the hills. The works were speedily cleared by the skirmishers 
from the first line, and the 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry having swept 
to the right, my command closed up the space thus left. The line of battle 
halted a few moments for breath among the huts of a camp from which the 
enemy had been driven, when, finding the fire of shell and spherical case 
shot concentrating upon us, I almost immediately gave the order to resume 
the advance. The command was obeyed with the zeal and alacrity which 
these gallant troops have ever shown, and the line pushed onward and up- 
ward, exposed to a galling fire from an earthwork about half way up the 
side of the ridge. From this the enemy was soon dislodged, and behind 
this work the command again halted for breath, as well as to pour a destruc- 
tive fire upon the retreating masses of the enemy. At the command the 
line again started toward the summit, crowned by a carefully constructed 
line of works from which the heavy forces of the enemy poured their fire. 
The ground was now so steep that I was compelled to dismount. Still the 
troops toiled upward until the heights were carried, the 1st Battalion plant- 
ing its colors upon the earthworks, the first of the demi-brigade. And 
there could be no more glorious exhibition of gallantry than that made by 
the troops of my command at the assault of the Missionary Ridge.” 
On the 26th, pursued the enemy, taking the Ringgold road and crossing 
the extreme left of the Chickamauga battle-field, and about 7 P. M., as part 
of the regular brigade, surprised the enemy’s rear-guard near Graysville, 
Ga., capturing four guns, one caisson, and 150 prisoners. 
During the winter and the early spring of 1864, the 18th Infantry was en- 
gaged upon several operations of minor importance, and remained in the EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
651 
vicinity of Chattanooga. On the 7th of May it entered upon its last cam- 
paign, the memorable “ Atlanta Campaign ” of General W. T. Sherman, one 
so familiar to all that it is unnecessary, in sketching the movements of the 
regiment and its share in the marches and combats, to outline the move- 
ments of the contending armies. 
The 18th Infantry formed part of the 2d Brigade (General J. H. King) 
1st Division (General R. W. Johnson), 14th Corps (General J. M. Palmer), 
Army of the Cumberland. It moved on the enemy’s position near Resaca, 
Ga., May 13, driving his outposts into their main works ; it was relieved at 
night and ordered to the left. On the 14th the regiment again advanced, 
and, after a sharp contest, drove the enemy into his main works and, taking 
position on the brow of a range of hills, threw up fortifications, exposed 
during the time to a heavy artillery fire. On the night of the 15th the 
enemy attacked and was repulsed. Following the enemy in his retrograde 
movement towards Atlanta, the regiment next participated in the battle of 
New Hope Church, Ga., beginning May 27, and extending to June 5, during 
which days the command was exposed to continual artillery and musketry 
fire. From June 12, to June 18, it was engaged in advancing on the en- 
emy’s position, fortifying from time to time. The regiment, still advancing, 
moved against the enemy’s lines on Kenesaw Mountain, relieved the brig- 
ades on the front, and was in turn, relieved and placed in reserve. 
During the battle of Kenesaw Mountain the regiment was under fire, 
and several times occupied very important positions. On the 3d of July it 
entered upon the pursuit of the retreating enemy, overtaking him near Neal 
Dow Station. Engaged the enemy, July 4, near Smyrna Station, Ga., and 
during this day was exposed to heavy artillery fire, after which it continued 
the pursuit to the Chattahoochee River. 
On the 8th of July, the sixteen companies, which up to this time had 
been operating as two battalions, were, for tactical purposes, consolidated 
into one battalion of eight companies. 
Crossing the Chattahoochee, the 18th participated on the 20th of July in 
the battle of Peach Tree Creek, supporting the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 
14th Corps. On the 22d it joined the division to which it belonged and 
marched to within a mile and a half of Atlanta, fortifying near fhe Atlanta 
and Chattanooga R. R., in which position it remained until August 3, 
when it marched to the extreme right of the army, participating in a move- 
ment extending our lines and covering the right flank of the army. On the 
4th of August drove the enemy’s pickets and videttes until dark, and on the 
following day, in connection with the division, made a reconnoissance in 
force and on the same night marched back to the left, taking position on the 
right of the 15th Corps, relieving a division of the 23d Corps. On the 7th 
of August the regiment took part in the battle of Utoy Creek, Ga. During 
the siege of Atlanta it was continually under the enemy’s fire. August 19 
and 20, it supported the 23d Corps and cavalry in the movement against 
the Atlanta and West Point R. R. On the 26th it took part in the flank 
movement which culminated in the battle of Jonesboro’, and resulted in the 
fall of Atlanta. On the 1st of September it was engaged in the battle of 
Jonesboro’, from noon until evening; charged the enemy’s works, took his 652 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
first line, and although unable to hold that line, kept the enemy from re- 
occupying it until Union reinforcements arrived upon the field. 
The regiment remained in the vicinity of Atlanta until September 28, 
when it left for Chattanooga, where it arrived on the 30th, and then marched 
to Lookout Mountain and encamped on the southern slope for the remainder 
of the year 1864. 
On the 22d of October, pursuant to S. O. 320, A.G. O., Companies B, D, 
E, F, G and H, 1st Battalion, and G and H, 3d Battalion, were temporarily 
discontinued, and the enlisted men were transferred to the 2d Battalion, 
leaving it as the only organized portion of the regiment. As a part of the 
regular brigade, it remained at its post on Lookout Mountain during the 
first six months of 1865. 
During its field service the 18th Infantry lost three officers and 122 en- 
listed men killed, 29 officers and 608 enlisted men wounded, 7 officers and 
199 enlisted men captured; a total loss of 39 officers and 929 men. From 
the 23d of April, 1863, there were no field officers serving with the regiment 
in the field, and it was commanded by captains, as follows : Captain Eyster 
to June 14, 1863; Captain Thruston to July 21, 1863; Captain Smith to 
June 14, 1864; Captain Lyman Kellogg to September 1, 1864; Captain Hull 
to September 28, 1864; Captain Mills to October 20, 1864; Captain Mizner 
to October 22, 1864. 
After the First and Third Battalions were discontinued, the Second Bat- 
talion was commanded until January 10, 1865, by Captain H. R. Mizner; to 
June 30, 1865, by Captain Chambers. The regimental adjutants were in 
turn Lieutenants Cash, Mills, Sutherland, Phisterer, Hull, Morris and Free- 
man, and when the two battalions were discontinued, Lieutenant Bisbee, 
who was at that time adjutant of the 2d Battalion. 
The reorganization of the 1st Battalion was commenced at Camp 
Thomas, Ohio, September 30, 1865, in accordance with instructions from 
the War Department; and concluded at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., De- 
cember 21. 
Companies B, C, D, E and G left Camp Thomas, November 6, for Fort 
Leavenworth, where they arrived, November 20, and were ordered by Colonel 
Carrington to report to General Elliott, commanding the District of Kansas. 
In compliance with orders from General Elliott the command left Fort Leav- 
enworth under Captain Hull, November 24, to march to their designated 
posts in Kansas and Colorado. On this march the command suffered severely 
owing to the continuous cold, snow and sleet, and upon arriving at Fort 
Ellsworth, Kansas, the battalion commander determined to await 
milder weather before proceeding further. Companies A and K, under 
Captain Mills, left Jefferson Barracks, December 8, and on the 18th left 
Leavenworth for their designated posts in Kansas, encamping on the 31st at 
Fort Ellsworth. On the3istof December, Company F of the 1st Battalion 
was still at Jefferson Barracks. 
The 2d Battalion remained as a part of the regular brigade stationed on 
Lookout Mountain until the brigade was broken up in August, 1865, when 
it was ordered to proceed to Louisville to report to General Palmer for 
duty. It left Lookout Mountain August 26. The Battalion left Louisville, EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
653 
November 3, accompanying the headquarters of the regiment, and pro- 
ceeded to Fort Leavenworth ; and on the 26th of November left Leaven- 
worth for Fort Kearny. This march was very severe on account of the 
continuous cold and snow storms. It reached its destination December 11, 
and three companies were sent to Fort Cottonwood, Neb. 
The reorganization of the 3d Battalion was not begun until December 
29, 1865, and on the 31st only one company (H) was organized. 
During January, February and March, the headquarters of the regiment 
remained at Fort Kearny, Neb.; the 1st Battalion was on duty in Kansas 
and Colorado; the 2d Battalion in Nebraska; and the 3d Battalion under- 
going organization and instruction at Jefferson Barracks. 
During the month of March, the reorganization of the 3d Battalion was 
completed, and it left Jefferson Barracks for Fort Kearny, April 20. In 
May Colonel Carrington assumed command of the Mountain District, 
Dept, of the Platte, and the headquarters of the regiment were transferred 
to Fort Sedgwick, Col., with the 2d Battalion. The 1st Battalion was on 
duty in Colorado, Utah and Dakota, and the 3d Battalion was on the march 
to Sedgwick, which it reached May 31, 1866. During the remainder of the 
year the regiment was on duty in Dakota, Utah and Colorado, performing 
the usual gariison duties, furnishing escorts for the U. S. mail, for hay and 
wood trains, and also in scouting against hostile Indians. At times the hos- 
tiles were so bold as to attack the herds in the immediate vicinity, and in 
sight of the garrisons, of some of the posts in Dakota. 
On the 21 st of December, 1866, 50 enlisted men of Companies A, C, E, 
F and H, 2d Battalion, under Captain Fetterman and Lieut. Grummond, 
and accompanied by Captain F. H. Brown, were sent out from Fort Phil 
Kearny to relieve the wood tram which was reported attacked by Indians. 
The detachment came up with and attacked the Indians, who ap- 
peared to be in small force and who fled. Captain Fetterman pur- 
sued, and was led into an ambush about three miles from the post on the 
Virginia City road. It is supposed the command was suddenly surrounded 
from the ravines by a large body of Indians, estimated at 3000, and the en- 
tire detachment, officers and men, massacred. Constant firing being heard 
in that direction a party was sent to reinforce Captain Fettprman, but 
before they arrived on the field the massacre was completed. 
In compliance with G. O. 92, A. G. O., 1866 (pursuant to Act of Congress 
of July 28, 1866), the following changes took place in the regiment during 
the month of December. The companies of the 1st Battalion became a 
separate regiment, retaining the designation “ 18th Infantry.” The 2d Bat- 
talion became the 27th Infantry, and the 3d Battalion the 36th Infantry. 
The officers of the reorganized 18th Infantry were Col. Carrington, Lieut.- 
Col. Wessells, Major VanVoast, Captains Kellogg (L. M.), Ogden, McCleery, 
Morris, Ten Eyck, Hull, Mills and Hughes; 1st Lieutenants Carpenter, 
Hyer, Kellogg (S. C.), Wilcox, Brent, Adair, Bell and Skinner; 2d Lieuten- 
ants Bradley, Counselman, Hibbets, True, Wood and Galbreath. 
During the years 1867-68, and part of 1869, the regiment remained in the 
Department of the Platte, and its duties were practically unchanged. 
In May, 1868, the headquarters were moved to Fort D. A. Russell, 654 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Wyoming, and the companies were distributed along the line of the Union 
Pacific R. R. and its immediate vicinity. In January, 1869, headquarters 
were removed to Fort Sedgwick, Colorado. On the 1st of April, 1869, 
Colonel Carrington turned over the command of the regiment to Major 
Van Voast, and proceeded to his home to await orders. 
In compliance with S. O. 53, Department of the Platte, issued in pur- 
suance of S. O. 17, A. G. O., 1869, the regiment left the Department of the 
Platte, under command of Major Van Voast, and proceeded to Atlanta, 
Ga., for consolidation with the 25th Infantry. The regiment arrived at At- 
lanta, April 15, and was consolidated with the 23th Infantry, April 28. The 
officers of the new organization were Colonel T. H. Ruger; Lieutenant- 
Colonel E. Upton; Major J. Van Voast; Captains E. R. Kellogg, M. L. 
Ogden, J. Christopher, R. L. Morris, Jacob Kline, F. H. Torbett, R. B. 
Hull, Anson Mills, C. A. M. Estes and James Stewart; 1st Lieutenants C. 
H. Potter (adjutant), J. H. Baldwin (quartermaster), G. W. Wood, J. H. 
Bradley, F. F. Whitehead, T. H. B. Counselman, Cass Durham, C. R. Paul, 
G. J. Madden, H. H. Adams, J. K. Hyer and W. A. Miller; 2d Lieutenants 
F. B. Taylor, R. S. Egelston, H. H. Benner, T. M. Canton, G. S. Hoyt, J. 
H. Todd, F. H. Barnhart, R. F. Bates, C. B. Hinton and John Anderson. 
The headquarters of the regiment remained at McPherson Barracks, 
Atlanta, Ga., until August, 1871, when they were removed to Columbia, 
S. C. The companies of the regiment during that time, besides the usual 
garrison duties at their several stations in the States of Georgia and South 
Carolina, were employed in assisting the civil officers in preventing viola- 
tions of the Federal laws, and in the enforcement of the same. 
In August, 1871, Colonel Ruger relinquished the command of the regi- 
ment to Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Black (who had been assigned to the 
regiment July 1, 1870, vice Upton), and reported at West Point, N. Y., as 
superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy. 
The regiment remained in the Department of the South until April, 
1879, serving the greater portion of the time in Georgia and South Caro- 
lina. In September, 1874, Companies A, G and I were sent to New Orleans 
as part of the military force ordered to that city to assist in the suppression 
of serious riots growing out of political and race differences. In December 
of that year the companies so detached had rejoined their proper stations. 
In the latter part of the year 1876, the entire regiment was in South 
Carolina, called thither owing to serious apprehensions on the part of the 
Federal and State officials that there would be a race conflict during the 
existing political campaign of that year. Companies and detachments were 
dispatched to different portions of the State, to aid, by their presence, in 
preserving the peace and preventing blood-shed. In December, 1876, three 
companies were sent on a brief tour of detached service to Florida, to assist 
in the enforcement of the law and the preservation of order. During the 
first six months of 1877, the entire regiment served in South Carolina. 
In July of that year, the Governors of Indiana, West Virginia, Mary- 
land and Pennsylvania, having called upon the President for aid in sup- 
pressing the serious riots in those States growing out of railroad and labor 
troubles, the 18th Infantry, with the exception of one company at Atlanta, EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
655 
and one company sent to take station at Chattanooga, was sent to different 
points in the above-named States ; and the several companies so detached 
remained on this duty until November, when the Headquarters, Staff, 
Band, and Companies C, D, E, F, G and K, took station at McPherson 
Barracks; Companies H and I at Newport Barracks, Ky., Company A 
remaining at Chattanooga. 
In April, 1879, the regiment was transferred from the Department of the 
South to Montana. Proceeding by boat up the Missouri River the regi- 
ment landed, May 4, at Coal Banks, Montana. Companies B and E re- 
mained at the landing to guard the stores, and the remainder of the regi- 
ment marched to the site of Fort Assinniboine and went into camp. From 
May till September the troops were engaged in furnishing escorts between 
the post and the landing, in the usual guard duties, and in assisting in the 
erection of the new post, Fort Assinniboine. 
In January, 1881, Companies C, D, E and K, left Fort Assinniboine, 
forming part of the command under Captain Morris, sent down Milk River 
for the purpose of intercepting and attacking a party of hostile Sioux under 
Sitting Bull. The command returned to Fort Assinniboine in February, 
having failed to meet the hostiles, who had escaped across the boundary 
into the Dominion of Canada. The officers and men suffered severely from 
the intense cold, which, until the last day’s march, was at all times many 
degrees below zero. During 1881 the companies stationed at Fort Assinni- 
boine were frequently sent into the field to drive British Indians and half- 
breeds across the boundary line, and to prevent their intrusion upon the 
reservation of our friendly Indians. This service, while inglorious, was at 
all times disagreeable, and was often attended with great suffering on ac- 
count of the intense cold of that latitude during the winter season, a season 
during which much of this service was performed. 
About June 1, 1885, the regiment, under command of Lieut.-Col. J. J. 
Coppinger, left Montana, and proceeded to the Department of the Missouri. 
The Headquarters, Staff, Band and Companies E and F, were assigned to 
station at Fort Leavenworth ; Companies A, B and D, at Fort Hayes ; C 
and I, at Fort Gibson; and G, H and K, at Fort Reno. Colonel Ruger 
assumed command of the regiment, post of Fort Leavenworth, and the 
U. S. Infantry and Cavalry School, June 29, 1885. 
On the 19th of March, 1866, Colonel Ruger was appointed a Brigadier- 
General, U. S. Army, and was succeeded in the command of the regiment 
by Colonel John E. Yard. In May, 1886, the Headquarters, Staff and Band 
were transfcrred to Fort Hayes, Kansas. 
Colonel Yard died at Fort Hayes on the 17th of February, 1889, and was 
succeeded by Colonel Henry M. Lazelle, who joined in October of that 
year. 
During the month of April, 1889, Companies F, G and K were ordered 
from their respective stations for field service in Oklahoma. 
In October, 1889, Headquarters, Staff, Band and Companies A, B, C, E, 
G, H and K left their respective stations and proceeded to the Camp of 
Instruction, Camp Schofield, I. T., for instruction in field duties, etc. 
The 18th Infantry having been relieved from duty in the Department of 656 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the Missouri, and assigned to duty in the Department of Texas, with sta- 
tion at Fort Clark, the Headquarters, Staff, Band and Companies A, B, C, 
E, G, H, I and K, under command of Major G. K. Brady, left Camp Scho- 
field after the conclusion of the field exercises, and proceeded thither. 
Company D from Fort Hayes, and Company F from Fort Lyon, arrived at 
Fort Clark in November, 1889. 
In pursuance of G. O. 76, A. G. O., 1890, Companies I and K were skele- 
tonized, the enlisted men being transferred to other companies. 
The entire regiment is now serving at Fort Clark, Texas. Major-General 
NELSON APPLETON MILES 
Commanding the Army, 1895- NINETEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
LIEUT. C. C. HEWITT, i9th U. S. Infantry. 
THE Nineteenth Infantry was organized in conformity with the Presi- 
dent’s proclamation of May 4, 1861, and the officers were assigned 
to the regiment in pursuance of General Order No. 33, A. G. O., 
dated June 18, 1861, and revised by G. O. No. 65 of the same series. 
One colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, three majors, sixteen captains, twenty- 
two first lieutenants and two second lieutenants, were named as the officers 
of the regiment. Seven of them were officers of the regular service, and 
were transferred to the Nineteenth with an advancement of one grade ; ten 
were from the volunteers; twenty-six from civil life and two,—second lieu- 
tenants,—from the ranks of the regular service. 
Major (Brevet Lt.-Col.) Edward R. S. Canby, 10th Infantry, was ap- 
pointed colonel, and the headquarters of the regiment were established at 
Indianapolis. Indiana, where Lieut.-Col. Edward A. King issued his first gen- 
eral order, dated Jiffy 10, 1861, assuming command of the regiment. First 
Lieutenant Egbert Phelps was designated as acting adjutant and First Lieu- 
tenant Edward Moale was appointed quartermaster. Colonel King also 
issued orders establishing recruiting rendezvous in eleven different cities in 
Indiana, and one in Cincinnati, Ohio, and an officer was designated to take 
charge of each. The senior major,—Stephen D. Carpenter,—reported for 
duty August 7, and was assigned to the command of the recruits. 
Company A, 1st Battalion, was organized August 24, and at the end of 
August the regiment consisted of one organized company and 76 unassigned 
recruits. The first duty it was called upon to perform was on the 31st, when 
the Governor of Indiana called upon the commanding officer for assistance 
in preserving peace in the city of Indianapolis. The unassigned officers 
were ordered to report to Major Carpenter and he was ordered, with Com- 
pany A and the unassigned recruits to the circle. Their presence seems to 
have been all that was required to preserve order. While they remained at 
Indianapolis the unassigned officers and recruits were often put on duty 
guarding prisoners and escorting them to different northern prisons. 
Company B, First Battalion, was organized in September, and in October 
Companies A and B were ordered to report to General Sherman in Ken- 
tucky, and were attached temporarily to the First Battalion of the 15th In- 
fantry. Company C was organized in November and Company D in De- 
cember, 1861. 
On the 1st of January, 1862, 1st Lieutenant W. W. Gilbert was appointed 
adjutant of the regiment, and in February orders were issued designating 
Companies A, B, C and D (organized), and E, F, G and H (unorganized), 
as the First Battalion of the regiment, and Major Carpenter was assigned to 
657 658 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
the command. Companies C and D, under command of Major Carpenter 
were ordered to proceed to Louisville, Ky., and report to Gen. Buell. 
Company E was organized March 15, 1862, and one week later left In- 
dianapolis for Nashville, Tenn. It participated in the battle of Shiloh, April 
6-7, 1862, with companies A, B, C and D, under the command of Major 
Carpenter. The loss in this battle was 37 killed and wounded. Capt. 
Fessenden and Lieutenant Lyster were wounded. Major Carpenter was 
complimented for his gallant conduct in this engagement by his brigade 
commander—General Rousseau. 
Company F was organized in April and sent to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. 
Companies G and H were organized in May and these two companies 
completed the organization of the First Battalion, but instead of joining 
the battalion they were ordered by telegraph, the day that H was organized, 
to proceed to Washington, D. C., which city was in danger of being cap- 
tured, and to which point all available troops were being hurried. These 
companies participated in the various manoeuvres of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, marching and countermarching, embarking and disembarking, and 
had a varied existence ; but being orphans, were used for guardingammuni- 
tion trains and for provost-guard duty. Company G was present at the 
battles of South Mountain and Antietam, but was not engaged. 
Colonel King and Major Carpenter wrote letters in vain to the War De- 
partment asking to have these companies transferred to Tennessee to join 
their proper battalion, or, if it were not practicable to send them to their 
own battalion, to have them assigned to duty with some regular battalion 
in the Army of the Potomac, where they might receive proper instruction 
and drill. In September Company H was detailed for duty as a body-guard 
to General McClellan, and in October Company G was assigned to duty 
with the 1st Battalion of the 17th Infantry in the regular brigade of Sykes’ 
Division. 
Lieutenant-Colonel King having been made colonel of the 68th Indiana 
Volunteers, went into the field with that regiment, leaving the headquarters 
of the 19th Infantry without a head, as Colonel Canby had been made 
a brigadier-general of volunteers, and was in command in New Mexico. In 
November the headquarters were ordered from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne, 
Mich., but were not destined to remain long at the latter place, for Major 
Carpenter, now being the senior officer on duty with the regiment, applied 
to the War Department to be furnished with the colors, and renewed the 
request which he had made several times when Col. King was commanding, 
to have the band join the First Battalion in the field. Late in the fall this 
request was finally granted, but before the band reached the battalion the 
gallant commander of the 19th had given up his life at the battle of Mur- 
freesboro. 
Major Carpenter was a brave, gallant and efficient officer, and his un- 
timely death surely deprived him of a brilliant future. In December he 
made a final appeal to the War Department to have Companies G and H 
transferred from the Army of the Potomac to his battalion. His letter was 
manly, soldierly and pathetic. He called attention to his long service and 
to his depleted battalion of scarcely two hundred men. In support of his NINETEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
659 
argument for having a larger battalion he said “ It is not unreasonable to 
suppose that my battalion in battle may be ordered to support a battery as 
it was at Shiloh, and be met by a battalion or regiment numbering eight 
hundred or a thousand men ; * * the result would be certain disgrace.” 
Just two weeks later the regular brigade of which the battalion of the 19th 
Infantry formed a part, was engaged in the battle of Murfreesboro sup- 
porting batteries. The contest was in the pines the first day. The enemy 
was in overwhelming numbers, and it was while struggling to hold his bat- 
talion against great odds, that Major Carpenter fell from his horse bleeding 
from six mortal wounds. His prediction almost came true, except as to the 
disgrace. The loss of the battalion of six companies was 65 killed and 
wounded. The loss of the regular brigade was nearly 36 per cent., almost 
double the loss of the other two brigades of the division. 
Eighteen months o; service in the field, including a march of over a 
thousand miles, two battles and a number of skirmishes, had reduced the 
battalion from 500 to less than 150 men. Four of the officers who had gone 
out with companies were serving as staff officers with the brigade and divi- 
sion commanders, and one was commanding a volunteer regiment, so that at 
the battle of Murfreesboro only one major, one captain, two 1st lieutenants 
and four 2d lieutenants were serving with the battalion. 
After Major Carpenter was killed on the first day, Captain J. B. Mulli- 
gan assumed command of the battalion and handled it very skilfully, but 
he scarcely had time to write a report of the battle and an obituary of the 
late commander before captains, zealous commanders, began to spring up 
like mushrooms from the ground, and in a few weeks no less than six of 
them had assumed command of the battalion of six companies; but the 
duration of command of the senior one was short, for Major Dawson, who 
up to this time had been in the North, joined and assumed command. 
Early in 1863 the band from Fort Wayne, and Companies G and H from 
the Army of the Potomac, had joined the headquarters in the field. The 
final request of Major Carpenter had been complied with, but he had not 
lived to see his labors rewarded. Company A, 2d Battalion, had also been 
organized and had joined the First Battalion at Murfreesboro. 
On the 19th and 20th September the 1st Battalion, with Company A of the 
2d, aggregating 14 officers and 185 men and commanded by Major Dawson, 
was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga. The first day, September 19th, 
Major Dawson was wounded, and 66 non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates were killed and wounded. Captain E. L. Smith, a gallant and accom- 
plished officer, succeeded Major Dawson and commanded the regiment 
until he was captured. At the end of the second day’s battle a 2d lieuten- 
ant was found in command, reporting four officers and 51 men for duty. 
Lieutenants Fogarty and Miller had been killed; Captain Cummings and 
Lieut. Ayres wounded, and Captains Cummings, Smith, Hart and Pearce 
and Lieutenants Causten, Bickham and Gageby had been taken prisoners. 
Colonel King was killed in this battle, September 20th, while serving as 
colonel of the 68th Indiana Volunteers, but at the time of his death was 
commanding a division. A short time before this he had been promoted 
to be colonel of the 6th Infantry. 660 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
During the Chattanooga-Ringgold campaign and at the battle of Mis- 
sionary Ridge, the 19th Infantry was a mere detachment and was com- 
manded by a captain. The losses of the regular battalions had been so 
great that two and three companies had to be consolidated for drill; and in 
the fall the 19th Battalion was found in camp at Chattanooga, consolidated 
with the 16th Infantry, under the command of Captain R. E. A. Crofton, 
and designated as a “ Detachment of the 16th and 19th Infantry.” The 
band had lost nearly all of its property and instruments during its year in 
the field, and on December 1st, pursuant to orders from the War Depart- 
ment, set out for headquarters at Fort Wayne, Mich. 
In the year 1863 there was almost a complete change in field officers. 
DeLancey Floyd-Jones had become lieutenant-colonel; Major Dawson had 
been promoted to the 15th Infantry; and Capt. J. H. Potter of the 7th to be 
major of the 19th in his place. Pinckney Lugenbeel had been promoted 
major vice Carpenter, and Charles C. Gilbert major vice Willard, killed July 
2, 1863, at Gettysburg. 
Major Willard had never served with the regiment. He was appointed 
a major in the 19th while a captain in the 8th Infantry, to date February 19, 
1862, and all his war service was with the Army of the Potomac, first as 
commander of the provost guard, and later as colonel of the 125th N. Y. 
Volunteers. He was commanding the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Corps 
when he was killed near Plum Creek. Fort Willard, a redoubt on the Poto- 
mac, was named in orders from the War Department, “ after George L. 
Willard, Major 19th Infantry.” 
The beginning of the year 1864 found the regiment without a single 
field officer for duty either in the field or at regimental headquarters, but on 
March 7th, Major Lugenbeel reported at Fort Wayne and assumed com- 
mand of the regiment. The battalion was in camp near Chattanooga, un- 
der the command of a captain, where it remained until February 22d, when 
it started out with its brigade and division on a reconnoissance, supporting 
the cavalry, and marched towards Ringgold, Georgia. The marching was 
in presence of the enemy and skirmishing was kept up constantly. On the 
28th, Lieutenant Robert Ayres, the battalion adjutant, while posting pickets 
at Taylor’s Ridge, was captured by the enemy’s cavalry. On March 13th 
the battalion was engaged in the battle of Resaca, Georgia, and on the 28th 
in the battle of New Hope Church, near Dallas, Ga. The companies had 
now become so much reduced that Captain Mooney, the battalion com- 
mander, organized the battalion into four companies, making A, B and E 
the first company; D, second company; C and F, third company; G and H, 
and A, 2d Battalion, fourth company. Previous to this consolidation in the 
field Company D had been reorganized at regimental headquarters with 63 
enlisted men, and Captain Lewis Wilson had been assigned to the command 
of it. 
On the 1st of June, 1864, the battalion was at Kenesaw Mountain under 
the command of Captain Egbert Phelps, and a few days later an advance 
was made and the regiment took part in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, 
Neal Dow Station, Peach Tree Creek, and finally, on July 22, took a posi- 
tion on the railroad within two miles of Atlanta and built breastworks. The NINE TEE NTH REGIMENT OF INFA N TR V. 
661 
long campaign before reaching Atlanta, and the battles in front of Atlanta, 
had reduced the battalion so much that the enlisted strength present for 
duty at the end of August was only 336. On September 1, the battalion 
took part in the battle of Jonesboro, and on October 1, it went into camp at 
Lookout Mountain, where it remained during the winter, with an enlisted 
strength present of 510. 
During the month of February, 1865, at Fort Wayne, Mich., Companies 
B and C, 2d Battalion, were organized, and in March, Company A, 2d Bat- 
talion, was reorganized, and Captain W. W. Gilbert was assigned to com- 
mand it. Captain Gdbert was also ordered to conduct Companies B and 
C, 2d Battalion, from Fort Wayne to the 1st Battalion in the field. 
On April 3, 1865, Lieut.-Col. Floyd-Jones assumed command of the reg- 
iment, and Major Lugenbeel proceeded to Lookout Mountain and assumed 
command of the 1st and 2d Battalions. 
Company B, 1st Battalion, was reorganized in April and shortly after- 
wards was ordered to the field, as was also Company A, 2d Battalion. Com- 
pany A, 3d Battalion, was organized May 16, and Lieut. L. T. Morris was 
assigned to it. 
In August, 1865, the battalion marched from Lookout Mountain to 
Chattanooga, and from that point was transferred by rail to Augusta, Ga. 
During the month of October, Companies D and E, 2d Battalion, were or- 
ganized and sent from Fort Wayne to Augusta, and on the nth of October 
the headquarters of the regiment and Company A, 3d Battalion, were trans- 
ferred from Fort Wayne to Newport Barracks, Ky. 
In November, Company F, 2d Battalion, was organized and shortly after 
was sent to Little Rock, Ark., to report to General Reynolds. Companies 
C and B were organized in December. 
In the early part of 1866 the 1st Battalion and part of the Second pro- 
ceeded from Augusta, Ga., to Little Rock, Ark. The small-pox broke out 
on the way and a great many of the men became frightened and deserted 
before reaching their destination. Upon arriving at Little Rock, two com- 
panies of the 2d Battalion took station there and the remaining companies 
proceeded to Camden and the southern part of the State of Arkansas, and 
entered upon the unpleasant reconstruction duty. The headquarters and a 
part of the 1st Battalion remained at Little Rock, and the balance of it 
went to Fort Smith and the Indian Territory frontier. 
Companies D and E, 3d Battalion, were organized at Newport, Kentucky. 
In February, Company F, 2d Battalion, and Companies A, B, C and D, 3d 
Battalion, went from Newport to Little Rock, and the headquarters of the 
1st Battalion from Little Rock to Fort Gibson, I. T. Majors Gilbert and 
Potter having reported at headquarters were assigned to the command of the 
2d and 3d Battalions respectively. This was the first time since the organ- 
ization of the regiment that more than one major had been on duty with it, 
yet with the exception of the colonel, all the field officers had changed since 
first assignment. In March, Colonel Floyd-Jones was ordered from New- 
port to Little Rock with regimental headquarters. 
The organization of the companies of the 2d and 3d Battalions was con- 
tinued during the spring and summer of 1866, and before July 1st the regi- 662 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
ment had its complement of three battalions with eight companies each, 
aggregating nearly two thousand men. 
The three-battalion organization of the 19th was short lived, for the reg- 
iment had scarcely been completed when the act of Congress approved July 
28, 1866, did away with the battalion organization for infantry and made a 
regiment out of each battalion by simply adding a colonel, a lieutenant-colo- 
nel, and two companies to each battalion. Under the provisions of this law 
the 1st Battalion became the 19th Infantry, the 2d Battalion the 28th In- 
fantry, and the 3d Battalion the 37th Infantry. Colonel Canby, who had never 
joined the regiment, was made a brigadier-general, and S. K. Dawson, formerly 
major of the 19th, now became the colonel. Lieut.-Col. Floyd-Jones and 
Major Lugenbeel remained in the regiment in their respective grades. The 
band became one of the fifteen post bands authorized by law, and remained 
at Little Rock. The headquarters and Companies I and K moved to Fort 
Gibson, I. T., but in March, 1867, the headquarters moved to Fort Smith, 
and later in the year most of the companies of the regiment were assembled 
at Fort Smith and vicinity. 
The regiment remained at Fort Smith during the year 1868, and until 
consolidation began in 1869. Section 2 of the appropriation bill of that year 
enacted “ that there shall be no new commissions, no promotions, and no 
enlistments in any infantry regiment until the total number of infantry 
regiments is reduced to twenty-five,” and the Secretary of War was directed 
to consolidate the infantry regiments. The 28th, which was formerly the 2d 
Battalion of the 19th, was consolidated with the 19th, and Colonel C. H. 
Smith, who was colonel of the 28th, became colonel of the 19th upon the 
consolidation. The separation of the two battalions had been more in name 
than in fact. Both regiments served in the sub-district of the Arkansas, 
commanded by Colonel Smith. 
After consolidation the regiment was still kept on reconstruction duty in 
Arkansas and Louisiana, and companies and detachments were sent to the 
most remote districts for the purpose of assisting in reestablishing the civil 
government. The regiment had most trying duties to perform, and it was 
admitted that the work was exceptionally well done ; and owing to the ex- 
cellent judgment of the colonel commanding the regiment and sub-district, 
and his clear interpretation of what was the intention of Congress, the State 
of Arkansas was the first one readmitted under the reconstruction laws. 
Early in the year 1870 the regiment was moved to Louisiana with head- 
quarters at Jefferson Barracks, and from January to May Colonel Smith was 
detached from his regiment and placed in command of the Department of 
Louisiana, according to his brevet rank of major-general. 
The Act of Congress approved July 15, 1870, caused many changes in the 
regiment, and Colonel Smith was a member of the Board of Officers con- 
vened under Section 11 of that Act. 
During the summer of this year the yellow fever broke out in New Or- 
leans and the headquarters and the companies stationed in New Orleans 
moved to Ship Island, where they remained till November, when they were 
ordered to New Orleans to preserve the peace during the election. 
Colonel Smith returned from Washington in January, 1871, and while NINE TEE NTH REGIMENT OF INF A NTR Y. 
663 
the regiment remained in Louisiana he had command of all the troops assem- 
bled in the vicinity of New Orleans. In January, 1872, all the companies of 
the regiment were again summoned to New Orleans and kept busy during 
the month preserving order and preventing mob violence. 
During the year 1873 Companies G and I were stationed at Shreveport, 
La., and went through the yellow fever epidemics which scourged all that 
section of country. 
In June, 1874, the regiment was transferred to the Department of the 
Missouri. The headquarters and two companies went to Fort Lyon, Colo- 
rado, and the other companies to the Indian Territory and Kansas. 
In the spring of this year the Indians of the Indian Territory went on 
the war path. The regiment arrived in the Department too late to enter 
into the active campaign, but the companies of Camp Supply and Fort 
Dodge were kept on the road most of the time escorting supply trains to 
the troops in the field under the command of General Miles. Companies 
A and K were engaged in guarding the railroad and in scouting in central 
Kansas, and in January, 1875, a detachment of Company K, while return- 
ing to Fort Wallace, Kansas, after a successful pursuit and capture of 
Indians, was caught in a blizzard and had great difficulty in reaching the 
post. 
In the following April, Lieutenant Hewitt and a detachment of Com- 
pany K were with Troop H, 6th Cavalry, when, in an engagement on Sappa 
Creek, Kansas, a whole band of Indians was exterminated. 
In the fall of 1878, the Indians of Dull Knife’s band broke away from the 
agency in the Indian Territory and attempted to make their way north to 
the Sioux and Cheyennes in Dakota. Lieut.-Col. Lewis, 19th Infantry, who 
was then commanding Fort Dodge, Kansas, organized a force to intercept 
them. The Indians succeeded in crossing the Arkansas River west of Fort 
Dodge, and Colonel Lewis, with four troops of the 4th Cavalry, Company G, 
and detachments of Companies D and F, 19th infantry, with Captain Bradford 
and Lieutenant Gardener, went in pursuit. The Indians were overtaken after 
a two days’march, and in an engagement which took place Colonel Lewis 
received a wound which severed his femoral artery and from which he died 
the next day. In the death of Colonel Lewis the regiment met with an ir- 
reparable loss. He possessed in a remarkable degree the most valuable 
traits of a model soldier. He commanded with sternness, but was always 
just and was honored and respected by all the officers and men who knew 
him. 
In October, 1879, Company G, mounted, was ordered to New Mexico to 
take the field against a hostile tribe of Indians, and participated in the cam- 
paigns under Colonel Hatch, 9th Cavalry, and Colonel Buell, 15th Infantry. 
Colonel Buell, in relieving this company from duty with his command, 
complimented Captain Bradford and Lieut. Gardener in orders. 
Companies A, C, D, E, F and I participated in the campaign on the Un- 
compagre in Colorado, under Colonel Mackenzie. 4th Cavalry, in 1879 and 
1880. 
In the fall of 1881 the regiment was transferred to the Department of 
Texas. The colonel, major, headquarters and Companies B, C, D, E, G and 664 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
K, took station at Fort Brown, November 7th. The lieutenant-colonel and 
Companies H and I went to Fort Ringgold and Companies A and F to Fort 
McIntosh. 
Early in the summer of 1882 rumors were afloat that yellow fever existed 
in the city of Matamoras, Mexico, which is on the Rio Grande, just oppo- 
site Fort Brown and Brownsville. The doctors of the two cities were 
divided in their opinions. Some claimed from the first appearance of the 
disease that it was yellow fever, but the greater number claimed that it was 
not. Brownsville did not quarantine against Matamoras till August, and 
then the fever had already crossed the river and was in Texas. 
How to protect the troops now became a serious problem. It was at 
first proposed to move them up the river, but the State quarantine would 
not permit it. The saddest part to contemplate was that the women and 
children would have to share the lot of the soldiers. The recollections of 
Shreveport and Memphis made stout hearts grow weak. No little anxiety 
and excitement existed in the command and just at this time the regimental 
commander received an order to go to Newport, Ky., on a court-martial. 
He was well aware of the imminent peril of his command and telegraphed 
the fact to the War Department, but was only relieved from the detail after 
making a second urgent request. The request was granted and it was a 
great relief to the garrison. 
Steps were immediately taken to get the command out of the post as 
there were several cases of fever in it. There was not tentage for the whole 
command, and Captain Witherell volunteered to remain in the post with 
his company (C). This company and troop I, 8th Cavalry,—Captain Hen- 
nisee’s,—remained in the garrison. The headquarters, band, and five com- 
panies moved about fourteen miles down the river and went into camp, 
where they remained till fall, without a single case of fever. 
In the garrison every precaution was taken to keep the infected away 
from the non-infected. There were not many cases among the soldiers in 
barracks, the greater number occurring among the families and civil em- 
ployes of the post. Captain Witherell’s family was the first one invaded. 
His son and only child died, also his servant. He and his wife both had 
the fever, but recovered. Captain Lyster’s family all had it except Mrs. 
Lyster. W. C. Gorgas, the assistant to the post surgeon, had a severe case, 
but Lieutenant T. M. Wenie, 19th Infantry, was the only officer who fell a 
victim. 
The high water of the Rio Grande, overflowing its banks, made an 
island of the post. The post cemetery had to be reached by boat, and the 
water was so near the surface that the graves would fill while being dug, 
and it was necessary to put stones on the coffins to hold them down. The 
ground was so soft that often the neighboring coffins would roll in on the 
grave diggers. It was a long and weary summer to the garrison of Fort 
Brown, and the coming of flies, followed by frost, was heralded with delight. 
In December the headquarters and all the companies, except G, of the 
Fort Brown garrison, moved to Fort Clark, Texas. 
In May, 1890, the regiment moved from Texas to the Division of the 
Atlantic, and took the stations on the Lakes. NINE TEEN TH REGIMENT OF INFANTR Y. 
665 
The 19th Infantry is the only regiment in the Army which has not 
changed its colonel since consolidation in 1869. 
In the year 1886 Captain Lyster was promoted to be major of the 6th 
Infantry. He was the last officer to leave the regiment of all those who 
were commissioned in it in 1861. The only other officers now in active 
service who were originally commissioned in the regiment are Colonel 
Edward Moale, Major J. H. Gilman and Major Louis T. Morris. THE TWENTIETH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
Captain J. N. COE, 20TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE Twentieth Infantry was organized by direction of the President, 
May 4, 1861, and confirmed by act of Congress July 29, 1861, as the 
second battalion of the Eleventh Infantry, the first, numerically, of 
the nine three battalion regiments organized under this act. 
Its designation was changed by act of Congress of July 28, 1866, when by 
the addition of two companies to the eight which constituted the battalion, 
it became the Twentieth Infantry. Its designation and organization was 
completed and fixed under the act, by the provisions of General Orders No. 
92 from the War Department, series of 1866, and was of effect from the 21st 
of September, 1866. 
While as an organization perfected at this date the Twentieth Infantry 
can have no distinct war record, its officers (with hardly an exception) and 
a great number of enlisted men whose names appear on its original rolls, 
with many officers who have subsequently joined by promotion and other- 
wise, had served during the entire War of the Rebellion, and with marked 
distinction and gallantry, in such important and conspicuous positions that 
their military record had become a part of the nation’s history. 
At the time of this evolution or development of the battalion into a 
regiment (1866), it was, with the exception of Co. B (then at Union, West 
Virginia), stationed at Richmond, Va., under the immediate command of its 
major, Thomas H. Neill, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. As a part of the Eleventh 
Infantry, it had remained there from early in May, 1865, occupying the tem- 
porary but very comfortable (to troops that had endured four years of field 
service in actual warfare) location and buildings, then known as Camp 
Winder, later Camp Grant. In addition to the ordinary garrison routine, 
it had been performing the arduous and often disagreeable duties of 
provost-guard, patroling the streets of the city, and furnishing large details 
of enlisted men to act as a police force for the preservation of order and 
protection of persons and property. 
The first field officers of the Twentieth Infantry were : 
Colonel, Frederick Steele, Bvt. Major-Gen. U. S. A. 
Lieut.-Colonel, Louis D. Watkins, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. 
Major, Thomas H. Neill, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. 
Its Captains were : 
1. Alexander S. Webb, 
2. Charles S. Russell, 
3. Charles C. Pomeroy, 
4. James M. Cutts, 
5. Henry G. Thomas, 
6. Charles E. Farrand, 
7. John C. Bates. 
8. Edward R. Parry, 
9. John J. Hoff. TWENTIETH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
667 
In January, 1867, the number of captains was completed by the appoint- 
ment of Lieut. A. A. Harbach, regimental adjutant, to the remaining origi- 
nal vacancy. 
In January, 1867, the regiment was transferred from Richmond to the 
Department of the Gulf and District of Louisiana, with headquarters at 
Baton Rouge, La., where it arrived on the first day of February, 1867, having 
remained for two or three days in New Orleans, from which point the com- 
panies were assigned to posts and stations. The journey by which the regi- 
ment reached its new stations in the Department of the Gulf, then com- 
manded by General Sheridan, was performed by rail to Norfolk, Va., where 
it arrived about midnight on January 13th. On the morning of the 14th, its 
commander was notified that the regiment would embark at once on board 
the steamship Missouri, then ready to receive and transport it to New 
Orleans, but the prescribed inspection of the vessel, the construction of 
wooden bunks between decks for the accommodation of enlisted men, the 
provision of some very primitive and limited cooking facilities, and the 
stowing of baggage, occupied the entire day and until the afternoon of the 
15th, when with headquarters and nine companies (B not having joined), 
band playing and colors flying, the Missouri steamed out past Fort Monroe. 
All were in high spirits, enjoying the scenery, and happy in the belief that 
in six or seven days they would be enjoying the delightful winter climate of 
Louisiana. But soon the sea became rough, weather very threatening, and 
in a few hours it was blowing a terrible gale accompanied by rain and hail. 
The ship proved less seaworthy than she had appeared to the board con- 
vened for her inspection, and soon became disabled through breakage of 
some of her machinery, then sprung aleak, and after the storm of four days 
duration had somewhat abated, the commanding officer was informed of 
the condition of affairs, and that the ship was a long way off her course ; 
but the leakage and damage to machinery proved less serious than was 
supposed, and after a day’s delay was repaired, and the ship proceeded on 
her voyage to the southwest pass of the delta of the Mississippi, and there 
stuck in the mud. After some delay a steamer of the Morgan Line was 
procured, the troops and baggage transferred, and after a delightful sail up 
the Mississippi the regiment disembarked at New Orleans on the 27th day 
of January, 1867. On the 28th, the following assignments to stations was 
made, and the organizations proceeded to them by companies or battalions 
direct from this point. 
Lieut.-Col. L. D. Watkins, with headquarters and companies A and E 
(Captains Patterson and Fletcher), Baton Rouge, La.; Company B (Captain 
J. C. Bates, bvt. lieut.-col.), Alexandria, La.; Company C (2d Lieut. William 
Hawley, commanding), Marshall, Texas; Company D (2d Lieut. Stanton 
Weaver,, commanding), Jefferson, Texas; Company F (2d Lieut. Charles 
Robinett) and Company I (Captain John J. Hoff), Ship Island, Mississippi; 
Company G (Captain Edward R. Parry), Fort Jackson, La.; Company H 
(Captain J. M. Cutts, bvt. lieut.-col.), Shreveport, La., and Company K (1st 
Lieut. John W. Hicks, commanding) to Fort St. Philip, La. 
During the two years next succeeding, the regiment was employed on 
duties connected with the reconstruction of the States of Mississippi, Lou- 668 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
isiana, and Texas, with frequent changes of stations of companies within 
the District and Department. 
Colonel Steele never joined, and Lieutenant-Colonel Watkins remained 
in command of the regiment until sudden death, at New Orleans, on the 
29th of March, 1868, terminated the career of this brilliant and accom- 
plished officer. 
On March 20, 1868, Lieut.-Col. George Sykes, 5th Infantiy, bvt. major- 
general, U. S. A., was attached to, and took command of the regiment, and 
in August following formally assumed command as its colonel,—in succes- 
sion to Colonel Frederick Steele, whose death occurred on the 12th day of 
January of that year. 
By G. O. No. 17, A. G. O., March 15, 1869, the regiment was transferred 
to the Department of Dakota, and in compliance with this order its com- 
panies, then widely scattered over the State of Louisiana, assembled and 
were rendezvoused at Baton Rouge. 
On the 4th of April the entire regiment under command of its colonel 
(Sykes) embarked on the steamer Pauline Carroll for St. Paul, Minn., 
where it arrived April 20, then proceeded to and disembarked at Fort Snelling, 
Minn., where orders were received for the following assignments to stations : 
Headquarters, Band and Company E, to Fort Snelling, Minn.; A and G to 
Fort Ripley, Minn.; B and H to Fort Wadsworth, Dakota Ter.; C and D 
to Fort Ransom, D. T, ; F and I to Fort Abercrombie, D. T.; and K to Fort 
Totten, D. T. 
Companies A and G left Fort Snelling for Fort Ripley, April 29, 1869, 
but owing to the impassable condition of the roads or trails by which the 
companies designated to garrison Forts Abercrombie, Ransom and Wads- 
worth, were to reach their stations, their movement was delayed until May 
14, when the six companies, B, C, D, F, H and I, under command of Cap- 
tain H. G. Thomas, proceeded by rail to St. Cloud, Minn., and thence by 
marching to their posts. 
Company Iv was detained at Fort Snelling until late in the month of May, 
when it proceeded by rail to Saint Cloud, Minn., and marched from that 
point to Fort Totten, a distance of 300 miles. About the same time Com- 
pany A changed station from Fort Ripley to Fort Totten, by marching 
about 260 miles. 
These stations were at that date among the most isolated and inacces- 
sible in the country. They were located on, or near the reservations and 
lands on which the savage bands of Sioux roamed, or were maintained, and 
in addition to the probable restraining influence they had upon the Indians, 
served as safeguards to the thousands of hardy settlers who, with the advent 
of railways, have made the Dakotas the populous and prosperous States of 
to-day. 
The headquarters of the regiment remained at Fort Snelling while the 
companies garrisoned these frontier posts, with occasional tours of detached 
duty and changes to and from regimental headquarters and other posts in 
the Department, performing duties incident to service in an Indian country. 
On August 31, 1871, Company B (Captain J. C. Bates) left Fort Wadsworth 
(since known as Sisseton and now abandoned), escorted a wagon train to TWENTIETH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
669 
Fort Rice, D. T., and there joined an expedition commanded by Major 
Whistler, 22d Infantry, organized as an escort to a Northern Pacific survey- 
ing party, and as a part of this escort marched to the Yellowstone River. 
It returned to Fort Wadsworth, October 26, having marched 660 miles. 
In 1872 and 1873 Company K was in the field for several months as an 
escort to the Northern Boundary Commission ; and in the following year 
(1874), Company I was attached to and formed a part of the command of 
General Custer, for the exploration of the Black Hills country. Other com- 
panies had frequent but less extended tours of detached duty, on expedi- 
tions of minor importance. 
The transfer of the regiment from the Department of Dakota to the De- 
partment of Texas was announced in General Orders from the Division of 
the Missouri, dated December 3, 1877. The movement commenced about 
the middle of the month, the companies marching to the nearest point at 
which railway transportation could be taken, and proceeding thence by 
battalions to stations assigned them in the Department of Texas as follows : 
Col. Sykes with headquarters, band and companies B, D, G, I and K, to Fort 
Brown, Texas ; Co. A (Captain Patterson) to San Antonio, Texas ; and Com- 
panies C, E, F and H, with Lieut.-Col. L. C. Hunt in command, were or- 
dered to take station at Fort Clark, which was reached from the railway 
terminus (San Antonio) by a march of 126 miles. 
This portion of the regiment, owing to the impassable condition of the 
roads from heavy rains during the last ten days of December, 1877, and 
early part of January, 1878, was detained in San Antonio from January 2 
until the 21st, and did not reach Fort Clark, its station, until the 29th. The 
colonel, with headquarters, band and the companies assigned to Fort 
Brown (with the exception of Co. K), reached their station about January 1, 
1878, Company K a few days later. 
Companies C, E, F and H formed a part of the expeditions which on two 
occasions in 1878 crossed the Rio Grande in pursuit of cattle thieves; and, 
during the autumn of 1879 and winter of 1880, with a company of the 24th 
Infantry and the mounted company of Seminole Scouts, occupied the then 
Indian country south of Fort Davis and between the Rio Grande and Pecos 
Rivers, and opened a military road from San Philipe northwest across Devil’s 
river, through Painted and Pecos Canon, to a point near Maxon’s Springs, 
materially shortening the wagon route from Clark to Fort Davis. 
In 1880 some changes of stations of companies were made ; Company A 
from San Antonio to Fort Brown, and Companies C, E, F and H, marching 
from Fort Clark to Fort McIntosh, and in February 1881, F and H, from 
McIntosh to Fort Ringgold. 
The death of Colonel Sykes, who had held uninterrupted command of 
the regiment for more than twelve years, occurred at Fort Brown on the 
8th of February, 1880. He was succeeded by Colonel Elwell S. Otis, pro- 
moted from Lieut.-Col. 22d Infantry, who joined at Fort Brown and as- 
sumed command of the regiment on the 31st day of March, 1880. 
The transfer of the regiment from the Department of Texas to the De- 
partment of the Missouri was announced in General Orders from the Divi- 
sion of the Missouri of date October 16, 1881, and under Special Orders No. 670 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
133. Department of Texas, it moved as follows: Companies C and E left 
Fort McIntosh November i, and having been assigned to station at Fort 
Dodge, Kansas, proceeded direct to that post by rail via San Antonio. On 
Nov. 5, the band, then temporarily at Fort Ringgold, with Companies F and 
H, left that post by steamboat, proceeded to Brownsville, thence to Point 
Isabel, where the six companies from Fort Brown had preceded them. The 
battalion,—then consisting of headquarters, band and Companies A, B, D, F, 
G, H, I and K, under command of Major C. R. Layton, 20th Infantry,—em- 
barked on the evening of November 7 on board the steamer /. C. Harris 
which sailed on November 8, and arrived at Galveston on the 10th. From 
there they proceeded by rail to stations assigned them by S. O. No. 233, De- 
partment of Missouri, November 12, 1881, as follows: Headquarters, band 
and Companies F and H, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas ; Company D, Fort 
Dodge, Kansas ; Companies B and K, Fort Gibson, I. T.; Company A, Fort 
Wallace; and Companies B and I, and F, Fort Hays, Kansas. By the 15th 
of November all had reached their stations. 
The regiment remained in this department (Missouri) until the spring 
of 1885, and all the companies, with the exception of B and K, had one or 
more change of station within the department. These companies were in 
the field during the troubles in the Indian Territory in March, April and 
May, 1883, when, under the command of Captain J. C. Bates, 20th Infantry, 
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, the capture of all insurgent Creek Indians was 
completed. The companies then returned to their station (Fort Gibson) 
having marched a distance of 375 miles. In January and February, 1885, 
Companies C and D (which had, on the abandonment of Fort Dodge in June, 
1882, changed station to Fort Reno, I. T.) were in the field engaged in re- 
moving intruders and trespassers from the public lands in Oklahoma, and 
in the performance of this duty marched 188 miles. No other field service 
of importance was performed by companies of the regiment in the depart- 
ment of the Missouri. 
In compliance with G. O. No. 44, A. G. O., April 9, 1885, and G. O. No. 
2, Headquarters Division of the Missouri, April 29, 1885, the regiment was 
again transferred to the Department of Dakota, and on May 20, the entire 
regiment having rendezvoused at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, proceeded by 
rail to Bismarck, D. T., where it arrived on May 23, and on the same day 
embarked on steamers Helena, Batchelor and Rosebud, for the upper Mis- 
souri country. The headquarters, band, and Companies A, B. C, E, F, H, 
I and K, took post at Fort Assiniboine, Mont., which, after disembarking 
at Coal Banks, was reached by a march of 40 miles. Companies D and G, 
under command of the major (Bates) disembarked at Rocky Point and 
marching about fifty miles, reached Fort Maginnis, to which post they had 
been assigned, thus relieving at these posts the entire Eighteenth Infantry, 
which was transferred to the Department of the Missouri, using in its jour- 
ney to Bismarck the boats by which the Twentieth Infantry had made the 
trip up the Missouri River. Bythe 10th of June, 1885, the headquarters and 
companies were at their stations. 
In October, 1885, Company I marched from Fort Assiniboine to Sweet 
Grass Hills and returned to post. Distance marched, 144 miles. Company TWENTIETH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
671 
D, as escort to paymaster, marched from Fort Maginnis to Custer Station, 
and returned to its post on the 16th of November, 1885, having marched 
220 miles. In August, 1886, Company G changed station from Fort Ma- 
ginnis to Camp Poplar River, Mont., by marching about fifty miles to the 
Missouri River (Rocky Point), thence by boat; and in the same month, 
Company I changed station from Fort Assiniboine to Camp Poplar River, 
marching to Claggett (60 miles), thence by boat to its station. During the 
months of October and November, 1886, short tours of detached duty were 
performed within thirty or forty miles of the post by Companies A, C and 
K. Company B, Captain McCaskey commanding, left Fort Assiniboine 
May 27, 1887, and marched to Sweet-Grass Hills, where it remained in 
camp until October, returning to its post on the 17th of that month, having 
marched 140 miles. Companies E and H performed short tours of detached 
service in the months of August and September, 1887. In the spring of 
1888 Companies A, F and K performed a tour of twenty days detached 
duty, and commenced the construction of a dam on Beaver Creek, about 
eight miles above the post, for the storage of water from which the post 
might be supplied in seasons of excessive drought. On June 1, Company 
A left Fort Assiniboine for Fort Maginnis, changing station, and marched 
126 miles. Company D left Maginnis on the same date for Fort Assin- 
iboine, where it arrived and took station June 8, having also marched 126 
miles. 
In September, 1888, a practice march of 73 miles with camps of instruc- 
tion lasting 23 days was participated in by the band, Companies B, C, D, E, 
F, H and K, from Fort Assiniboine, and similar instruction was given 
companies of the regiment stationed at other posts. This was repeated in 
the fall seasons of 1889-90-91 and 92, throughout the Department, under 
orders from its commander. 
During the fall of 1888 and summer of 1889, all the companies of Uw 
regiment performed short tours of detached service. On the 16th of October, 
1889, Company F changed station from Fort Assiniboine to Camp Poplar 
River, Montana; and Company G, on the 17th, left Camp Poplar River for 
Fort Assiniboine, taking station there October 18, both movements by rail. 
Company A changed station from Fort Maginnis to Assiniboine. and, un- 
der the same order, Company C moved from Fort Assiniboihe to Fort Bu- 
ford, North Dakota. Company A reached Fort Assiniboine May 28, 1890, 
having marched 118 miles, and Company C arrived at Buford the samt 
date, by rail 295 miles. 
Companies I and K were skeletonized under Orders No. 76, A, 
G. O. series of 1890, the officers transferred to other companies from which 
officers were absent on extended tours of detached service, or long leave of 
absence, and the enlisted men distributed among the remaining companies 
of the regiment. By the disbandment of Company I at Camp Poplar 
River, that garrison was reduced to one company, and on the 18th of Sep- 
tember Company C, under orders of the Department commander, left Fort 
Buford and marched to Camp Poplar River, 63 miles, taking station there 
September 21, 1890. 
On November 29, 1890, C< .topanies G and H, under command of Captain 672 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
A. A. Harbach, 20th Infantry, left Fort Assiniboine en route by rail to 
Fort Keogh, Mont., equipped for participation in the campaign then being 
inaugurated against unruly Sioux Indians. 
The battalion reached Fort Keogh on December 2, went into camp 
near that post, and remained until December 31, when it was attached to 
the command of Colonel A. K. Arnold, 1st Cavalry, and on that date 
marched with it en route to the Little Missouri River, which was reached 
on January 9, 1891, and a camp established from which the country could 
be patrolled. This was maintained until the 22d of January, when, under 
orders from the Department commander, camp was broken and the com- 
mand returned to Fort Keogh, where it arrived on the 29th and remained 
until the 3d of February, 1891, when the battalion returned by rail to Fort 
Assiniboine, Montana, having travelled 1184 miles by rail, and marched 
268 miles. 
In the summer following, Company I was reestablished, as an Indian 
company, under War Department Orders of March 9, 1891, and assigned to 
station at Camp Poplar River. Enlistments of Indians for this company 
were made from the Sioux at the Poplar River, and Gros Ventres and Assin- 
iboines at the Fort Belknap Agency, and, when the number necessary for 
its organization seemed assured Company F was ordered from Camp Pop- 
lar River to Fort Buford, and, proceeding by rail, took station there May 21, 
1891. A few weeks later, it again changed station to Fort Assiniboine, 
where it arrived by rail on the 21st of July, 1891. Since that date no 
changes have taken place, nor have any tours of detached service been per- 
formed by companies beyond the usual fall manoeuvres in September of 1891 
and 1892. The regiment is now,—March, 1893,—stationed in the Depart- 
ment of Dakota, the Headquarters, Band, and Companies A, B, D, F, F, G 
and H, at Fort Assiniboine, Montana, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Evan 
Miles, 20th Infantry. Companies C and I at Camp Poplar River, Mont., 
commanded by Major Lloyd Wheaton, 20th Infantry. TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
THE Twenty-first Regiment of Infantry was called into existence by 
Presidential order of May 4, 1861, confirmed by Act of Congress of 
July 29, 1861, as the Second Battalion of the Twelfth Regiment of 
Infantry. Although Major Richard S. Smith and other officers 
were appointed and assigned to the battalion soon after, it was not until 
May, 1862, that the organization of the first four companies was accom- 
plished at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. These companies, namely, 
A, Captain Anderson, B, Captain Dallas. E, Captain Quimby, and G, Cap- 
tain Pennington, were at once despatched to the field and arrived, May 26, 
at Harper’s Ferry, where they, together with several companies of the 
Eighth Infantry, were formed into a provisional battalion under Captain 
Thomas G. Pitcher, Eighth Infantry. The very next day the battalion re- 
ceived its baptism of fire in a skirmish on the picket line with “ Dick ” Tay- 
lor’s Brigade of Jackson's Corps. At Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, the 
battalion opened the fight as skirmishers, and later covered the retreat, 
meeting with heavy loss. Captain Pitcher having been wounded early in 
the action, the command of the battalion fell to Captain Thomas M. An- 
derson. When the army fell back to the line of the Rappahannock the 
companies were engaged in skirmishes at Rappahannock Ford, Sulphur 
Springs and Waterloo Bridge. About this time Companies C, Captain 
King, and D, Captain Dunn, which had been organized at Fort Hamilton, 
joined the battalion, which from this time on formed a separate organiza- 
tion under Captain Anderson. From Waterloo Bridge a forced march was 
made to Warrenton Junction, where a large amount of abandoned property 
was destroyed and another skirmish took place. The battalion was present 
at the battle of Bull Run (second), but was not actively engaged—and at 
Chantilly. When the army retired to the Potomac the battalion formed the 
rear guard, fighting all day against rebel cavalry and artillery. The following 
month the battalion joined the First Battalion and both became part of the 
First Brigade (Buchanan), Second Division (Sykes), Fifth Army Corps 
(Porter). Thereafter both battalions served together and participated in the 
battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Snicker’s Gap. At Fredericksburg 
the battalion covered the retreat of the 5th Corps, and was the very last to 
recross the river. 
In the fall of 1862 Companies F, Captain Putnam, and H, Captain 
Franklin, were organized but remained in garrison at Fort Hamilton. 
In March, 1863, owing to their reduced numbers, Companies B, E and 
G were broken up, and the enlisted men transferred to Companies A, Cand 
D. These companies, together with those of the First Battalion, which had 
been in like manner consolidated, then formed one organization, although 
CAPT. FRED. H. E. EBSTEIN, 2ist U. S. Infantry. 674 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
retaining their distinct battalion designations. They participated, under 
command of Major Smith, in the battle of Chancellorsville, and under com- 
mand of Captain Dunn, in that of Gettysburg. 
Companies F and H, Captain Franklin in command, were part of the 
force sent to quell the draft riots in New York City, July 13 to 20, 1863, and 
had encounters with the rioters in 2d Avenue, 22d Street and other places, 
killing many. These two companies, in September, 1863, were sent to the 
field, and with the remainder of the battalion were present in the actions at 
Bristoe Station, October 14, Rappahannock Station, November 7th and Mine 
Run, November 27. 
In the campaign of 1864 the battalion took part in the battles of the 
Wilderness and Laurel Hill, May 8 to 13, sustaining heavy loss. It was fur- 
ther engaged near Spottsylvania Court House, May 14 and exposed to fire 
of artillery and sharpshooters May 13 to 19 while in trenches and on picket. 
May 22 and 23 it crossed the North Anna River, engaging and repulsing the 
enemy, and on the 29th and 30th was skirmishing at Tolopotomoy Creek. 
June 1 to 5 it was engaged in skirmishes near Bethesda Church and swamp 
north of the Pamunky River, and June 17 it arrived in front of the enemy’s 
works at Petersburg. The battalion was again in action on June 18 at Pe- 
tersburg, on the 21 st on Jerusalem plank road and on the 30th before Peters- 
burg. 
War Department orders of July 30, 1864, disbanded Companies A, C, D, F 
and H and transferred the enlisted men to the 1st Battalion. The other com- 
panies having previously been disbanded, the 2d Battalion here ceased to exist 
as an organization and so remained unorganized until September, 1865, when 
Companies A and B were again formed at Fort Hamilton. By the end of 
December the battalion had been completely reorganized and its eight com- 
panies, in command of Captain Thomas M. Anderson, were serving at Camp 
Winthrop, near Richmond, Virginia. 
The Act of Congress approved July 28, 1866, transformed the battalion, 
by the addition of two new companies, into the Twenty-first Regiment of In- 
fantry. Regimental headquarters were established at Petersburg, Virginia, 
and the following were appointed field officers of the new regiment: 
Colonel George Stoneman, Lieutenant-Colonel S. S. Carroll, Major Dickinson 
Woodruff. The latter, in regimental orders dated Petersburg, December 9, 
1866, assumed command of the new organization, the company officers of 
which were; 
Captains: Thomas S. Anderson, Thomas S. Dunn, Henry R. Putnam, 
Walter S. Franklin, Henry E. Smith, Robert L. Burnett, Evan Miles, 
W. McC. Netterville. 
First Lieutenants: Madison Earle, Thomas L. Alston, E. B. Knox, George 
H. Burton, George G. Greenough, V. M. C. Silva, William Crosby, Alfred 
S. Newlin. 
Second Lieutenants: John F. Cluley, Thomas E. Lawson, B. H. Rogers, 
Thomas F. Riley, Thomas Rafferty, E. W. Stone. 
Companies I and K were organized at Petersburg in January, 1867, and 
Captains W. P. Wilson and W, McK. Dunn, Jr., appointed to command 
them. TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
675 
During the next two years the regiment remained in Virginia (then the 
First Military District), engaged in the varied duties pertaining to the re- 
construction period. The companies were for the greater part of the time 
in temporary camps in different portions of the State. Thus, companies 
occupied Richmond, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Winchester, Yorktown, 
Farmville, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Huguenot Springs and Fort Monroe 
during the period named. 
Under the Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1869, the Thirty-second 
Regiment was consolidated with and became part of the Twenty-first. The 
former (which had originally been the third battalion of the Fourteenth In- 
fantry) was stationed in Arizona and thither the Twenty-first was ordered 
to proceed. The regiment left Richmond April 12, 1869, and was forwarded 
from Omaha in two battalions to San Francisco over the then just com- 
pleted Union and Central Pacific Railroads, being the first troops that made 
the transcontinental journey entirely by rail. The regiment remained at 
the Presidio, California, until June, when the various companies were put 
en route for their stations in Arizona and the consolidation thus finally 
completed. At this time the regiment numbered 1180 in enlisted men. 
The officers were: 
Colonel George Stoneman, Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Wheaton, Major 
Milton Cogswell, Adjutant George H. Burton, Quartermaster John L. 
Johnston. 
Company A.—Captain Patrick Collins, 1st Lieut. T. F. Riley, 2d Lieut. 
John M. Ross. 
Company B.—Captain Henry E. Smith, 1st Lieut. B. H. Rogers, 2d 
Lieut. W. L. Sherwood. 
Company C.—Captain W. H. Brown, 1st Lieut. W. McK. Owen, 2d 
Lieut. E. B. Rheem. 
Company D.—Captain Thomas S. Dunn, 1st Lieut. J. H. Purcell, 2d 
Lieut. James Riley. 
Company E.—Captain Evan Miles, 1st Lieut. V. M. C. Silva. 
Company F.—Captain H. R. Putnam, 1st Lieut. R. Pollock. 
Company G.—Captain R. L. Burnett, 1st Lieut. W. T. Dodge, 2d Lieut. 
E. R. Theller. 
Company H.—Captain R. F. O’Beirne, 1st Lieut. J. F Cluley, 2d Lieut. 
F. H. E. Ebstein. 
Company I.—Captain W. McC. Netterville, 1st Lieut. G. W. Evans, 2d 
Lieut. James Calhoun. 
Company K.—Captain George M. Downey, 1st Lieut. J. F. Lewis, 2d 
Lieut W. J. Ross. 
Regimental Headquarters were located at Drum Barracks, California, 
and the companies were distributed to Camps Reno, Goodwin, Verde, Bowie, 
Lowell, McDowell, Date Creek and Crittenden, all in Arizona. During the 
three years following, the regiment was actively employed in scouting after 
Indians, escorting mails, building wagon roads and erecting public buildings, 
all of the above-named posts having been constructed or reconstructed en- 
tirely by the labor of the troops. As an illustration of the danger attend- 
ing the escorting of the United States mails it may be mentioned that no 676 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
less than fifteen enlisted men of the regiment were killed at divers times by 
attacks from Indians while on this duty. In April, 1870, Company A, un- 
der Captain Collins, overtook and attacked a party of hostile Apaches near 
Pinal Creek, killing eleven and capturing four. The following month 
Company B had an encounter with a party of Apaches in Tonto Basin, kill- 
ing several. In July Lieut. Cluley, with a detachment of Company H, sur- 
prised a hostile rancheria near Date Creek, killing two Indians. The fol- 
lowing November Companies A, E, G and I established a camp in the Pinal 
Mountains, remaining there until July, 1871. In the latter month, while on 
the march to Camp Bowie, Company G, Lieut. Theller commanding, had an 
engagement with the Indians and repulsed them, after a sharp fight, with a 
loss of 15 killed and a number wounded. The troops lost 1 killed and 3 
wounded. Colonel Stoneman was retired August 16, 1871, and Colonel 
Robert S. Granger succeeded him. 
In 1872 the regiment was transferred to the Department of the Colum- 
bia and distributed to stations as follows : Headquarters and B, C and I, 
Fort Vancouver, Wash. Terr.; A, Camp Harney, Oregon ; D, Camp Warner, 
Oregon ; E, Fort Colville, W. T.; F, Fort Klamath, Oregon ; G, Fort Lapwai, 
Idaho ; H, Camp San Juan Island, W. T., and K, Fort Boise, Idaho. 
Hardly had the regiment reached its new stations when hostile acts of 
the Modoc Indians in southern Oregon called into the field the available 
troops in Oregon, Washington and California. A battalion consisting of 
Companies B and C (to which Company I and a portion of Company F were 
subsequently added), under command of Major Edwin C. Mason, left Fort 
Vancouver, December 3, 1872, for field service. The battalion had to march 
a distance of 250 miles to reach the Lava Beds, a rugged and much broken 
stretch of volcanic rock formation located on the banks of Tule Lake, in 
southern Oregon, in which the Modocs under “Captain Jack” had, after 
barbarously murdering the unprotected settlers of that region, taken up an 
impregnable position. Lieut.-Col. Frank Wheaton was in command of the 
troops sent to subdue these turbulent Indians. On January 17, 1873, he 
attacked the Modoc stronghold with his entire force, consisting, besides 
Major Mason’s battalion, of several troops of the First Cavalry and some 
companies of Oregon and California volunteers. Owing to the rough nature 
of the ground to be passed over, the inaccessibility of the Indian position 
and the prevalence of a thick fog, the attack was unsuccessful and the troops 
were forced to withdraw. The small battalion of the Twenty-first (Company 
I had not yet joined) lost in killed 5 and in wounded 8 enlisted men. The 
following officers participated in the engagement: Lieut.-Col. Wheaton, 
Major Mason, Captain Burton, Lieutenants Boyle, Ross, Rheem and Moore. 
Additional troops were hurried forward, but it was not until after the 
treacherous murder of Brig.-Gen. E. R. S. Canby in a peace council that 
active operations were resumed. On April n First Lieutenant William L. 
Sherwood, while receiving a flag of truce, was treacherously fired upon, re- 
ceiving two wounds, of which he died a few days later. The battalion was 
engaged in a skirmish April 12, and in the three days’ fight which resulted 
in driving the Indians from their stronghold, April 17. After the final 
capture of the hostiles the troops were returned to their posts by way of TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
677 
Forts Klamath, Warner, Harney and Walla Walla, making a march of 634 
miles. The battalion had been in the field eight months. 
On December 10, 1873, Colonel Granger was retired from active service, 
and was succeeded by Colonel Alfred Sully, an officer of long and distin- 
guished service. 
During the three years following, the regiment performed the usual gar- 
rison duties with various changes of station of the different companies. 
Thus companies were in garrison at Forts Townsend, Walla Walla, Stevens 
and Canby at divers times. Company B garrisoned Fort Wrangel, Alaska, 
when that post was re-occupied. 
In consequence of the sudden outbreak of the Nez Perces Indians in 
Idaho in J une, 1877, the greater portion of the regiment was promptly ordered 
into the field. First Lieut. Edward R. Theller, who was attached to a com- 
mand sent from Fort Lapwaiupon the first report of massacres of citizens by 
the hostiles, was killed inaction at White Bird Canon, Idaho, June 17. The 
companies of the regiment rendezvoused at Fort Lapwai, whence they took 
the field June 22 as part of the column under command of General O. O. 
Howard. The battalion was commanded by Captain Evan Miles and con- 
sisted of Companies B (Captain Jocelyn, Lieut. Bailey), C (Captain Burton, 
Lieut. Williams), D (Captain Pollock), E (Lieuts. Pierce and Farrow), H 
(Lieuts. Haughey and Duncan), I (Lieut. Eltonhead). Major Mason, Lieuten- 
ants Ebstein (R. Q. M.), Fletcher and Wood served as staff officers to General 
Howard, and Captain Spurgin commanded a company of hired skilled laborers 
employed in clearing the difficult mountain trails from fallen timber. The bat- 
talion was engaged in action July 11 and 12 at the Clearwater River, where the 
hostiles, who fought with skill and the utmost obstinacy for two days, were 
finally driven from their position with heavy loss and compelled to abandon 
their camp filled with their effects—blankets, buffalo robes and provisions. 
The loss of the battalion was eight enlisted men killed and Lieutenant Wil- 
liams and thirteen men wounded. The pursuit of the fleeing Indians was 
at once taken up and continued with the briefest intermissions for needed 
rest, from northern Idaho across the continent to within a day’s march of 
the British boundary, where they were finally overtaken by and compelled 
to surrender to a command under Colonel (now General) Nelson A. Miles. 
The pursuit of the Nez Perces, under Chief Joseph, stands unequalled in 
our military annals for distances marched, privations incurred and obstacles 
encountered and overcome, by foot troops, in pursuit of a wily foe amply 
supplied with horses and bent upon escape. From the 22d of June to the 
10th of October the battalion was on the march. 
From Fort Lapwai, Idaho, through the rugged country of the Salmon 
River, crossing torrents, climbing mountains and threading rocky defiles; 
over the Lolo trail into Montana, groping through fallen timber and dense 
undergrowth; through the Bitter Root valley, past the Big Holes to Henry 
Lake; thence to the Yellowstone River and through the great national 
park; struggling through the forests and the almost impassable canons of 
Clark’s Fork, crossing with difficulty the Musselshell, marching through 
Judith Basin to the Missouri River and beyond this river to the vicinity of 
Bear Paw Mountain—this was the march of the battalion, a distance of 678 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
1632 miles. With insufficient clothing and camp equipage, frequently on 
reduced rations, the battalion in its march crossed three times the chain of 
mountains which constitute the great continental divide, and it may be 
noted, to the credit of the regiment, that during the five months of this 
trying field service not a single desertion occurred among the enlisted men 
of these six companies. 
Between July 27th and October 10th the battalion had marched, includ- 
ing all halts and stoppages, 1321 miles—or an average of 17.61 miles per 
day during 75 consecutive days. The troops returned to their stations on 
the Pacific coast via the Missouri River, Omaha and San Francisco, reach- 
ing Vancouver Barracks early in November. 
The outbreak of the Bannocks and Pi Utes in June, 1878, called the en- 
tire regiment (except Company F) into the field. A detachment of 75 men 
under Captain Patrick Collins was dispatched at once from Fort Boise to 
the scene of trouble in southern Idaho. Meanwhile the companies from 
Vancouver Barracks (B, D, G, H and I) were marching from Umatilla, 
Oregon, in the direction of Boise City. These were subsequently joined by 
Companies E and K from Camp Harney. Captain Evan Miles commanded 
the battalion. Two foot batteries of the Fourth Artillery, under Captain 
Rodney, and one troop of the First Cavalry under Captain Bendire were 
added to Captain Miles’ command. With this force Captain Miles suc- 
ceeded in overtaking the hostiles—after a forced march of 35 miles in one 
day—engaging them on July 13th near Umatilla Agency, Oregon, and put- 
ting them to flight. The following officers were present in this engage- 
ment: Captains Evan Miles (commanding), Downey, Jocelyn, Spurgin, 
Boyle, Lieutenants Haughey, Ebstein. Rheem, Cornman, Duncan, Elton- 
head, Farrow and Shofner. 
After the action at Umatilla the battalion, under Captain Miles, formed 
part of Colonel Frank Wheaton’s command and was occupied in guarding 
and operating along the Walla Walla-Boise stage road. The battalion was 
at this time mounted on Indian ponies and remained a mounted command 
to the close of the campaign in August, when the companies were returned 
to their posts. 
Colonel Sully died at Vancouver Barracks, April 27, 1879. He was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Henry A. Morrow, a gallant and meritorious soldier. 
Transferred in June, 1884, to the Department of the Platte, the regiment 
was assigned to stations as follows : Headquarters and C, E, F and G to 
Fort Sidney, Nebraska; B and I to Fort Steele, D and H to Fort Bridger, 
A to Fort McKinney, and K to Fort Russell, Wyoming. During July and 
August, 1885, Companies B, C, F, G, I and K, under command of Major 
Pearson, were in the field in southern Kansas during a threatened outbreak 
of the Cheyennes and formed part of Colonel Morrow’s command of in- 
fantry and cavalry in camp at Crisfield, Kansas. In the fall of the same 
year Companies C, D and H were in the field at Rock Springs, Wyoming, 
during the anti-Chinese riots at that place. Companies B, F, I and K, in 
1886, established and afterwards were part of the garrison of Fort Duchesne, 
Utah. In August and September, 1887, Headquarters and five companies 
under Colonel Morrow were in camp of instruction near Kearney, Ne- TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
679 
braska; the other five companies under Major Andrews in a similar camp 
in Strawberry Valley, Utah. For the first time in twenty years the entire 
regiment, in command of Lieut.-Col. Poland, was assembled for field ma- 
noeuvres at Camp George Crook, near Fort Robinson, Nebraska, in the 
summer of 1889. 
During the Sioux outbreak in the winter of 1890-91 the regiment was in 
the field. Lieut.-Col. Poland, in command of Companies A, C, E and G, 
was ordered to Rosebud Agency, South Dakota, where they remained in 
camp during the inclement winter. Major Andrews, with companies B, D, 
F and H, went from Camp Douglas, Utah, to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, 
where they encamped. Toward the end of January, 1891, the companies 
(with exception of Company G, which remained at Rosebud Agency) re- 
turned to their posts. 
Colonel Henry A. Morrow died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, January 30, 
1891, and was succeeded by Colonel Richard F. O’Beirne, who, however, 
did not live to join, as colonel, the regiment he had left in 1879 as a captain. 
He died in New York City, February 24, 1891. Colonel Joseph S. Conrad 
was appointed to the command of the regiment as of the latter date, but after 
a brief period of duty with his new command, died at Fort Randall, South 
Dakota, December 4, 1891, while on an inspecting tour. The regiment thus 
lost by death three of its commanders in the brief space of eleven months. 
Colonel Horace Jewett succeeded to the command of the regiment and 
is its present head. In the spring of 1892 Headquarters and five companies 
were transferred to the Department of the East, and at this date (May, 
1892) the regiment is distributed as follows : Regimental Headquarters and 
Companies A, C and E at Fort Niagara, New York ; B and H at Fort 
Porter, New York; F and I at Fort Randall, South Dakota; G, Fort Sid- 
ney, Nebraska. THE TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY., 
CAPTAIN OSKALOOSA M. SMITH, C. S., U. S. Army. 
(Late First Lieutenant 22D Infantry.) 
THE 22d Regiment of Infantry was originally the Second Battalion of 
the 13th Infantry, (aregimentof three battalions of eight companies 
each) which was organized by direction of the President, May 4, 1861, 
and confirmed by Act of Congress of July 29,1861. It became the 22d 
Infantry under the Act of Congress of July 28, 1866, which act reorganized 
the Army of the United States. It is not the intention in this short sketch to 
go into the history of the regiment prior to its reorganization in 1866, as its 
previous services will no doubt be shown in the history of the 13th Infantry, 
further than to say that official records show that during the War of the Rebel- 
lion it participated in the following battles, viz.: Chickasaw Bayou, Miss., 
December 29, 1862; Arkansas Post, Ark., January 11, 1863; Walnut Hills, 
Miss., May 19 ; Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., which culminated July 4 ; Colliers- 
ville, Tenn., October 11; Missionary Ridge, Tenn., November 24 and 25, 
1863. Many of the officers of the original 13th Infantry had varied and 
peculiar records, the most noted and distinguished of which were those 
of the first colonel, William T. Sherman, and one of the original captains, 
Philip H. Sheridan, each of whom in turn became General of and com- 
manded the Army of the United States. 
In looking over the names of the original officers of that regiment, we 
find only three remaining upon the active list; some have been retired from 
service, others are in civil life, and many have heard the last tattoo. 
In the organization of the 22d Infantry the field officers were Brevet 
Major-General David S. Stanley, colonel; Brevet Colonel Elwell S. Otis, 
lieutenant-colonel; Brevet Colonel Alexander Chambers, major. The 
regiment was reorganized in May, 1869, by the consolidation with it of the 
31st Infantry, under the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1869. The field 
officers remained the same except that Brevet Colonel Joseph N. G. Whistler 
was assigned as major, vice Chambers, who was transferred to the 10th 
Infantry. 
The regiment no longer has in its midst the other field officers mentioned. 
Stanley is a brigadier-general, Otis is colonel of the 20th Infantry and 
Whistler, who became colonel of the 15th Infantry, is retired from 
active service. There were, as the years passed on, numerous changes 
among the field officers, but only one in the grade of colonel. General 
Stanley was succeeded by Colonel Peter T. Swaine, who was promoted from 
lieutenant-colonel 15th Infantry. 
As the 31st Infantry, which originally was the 3d Battalion of the 13th TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
681 
Infantry, was embodied in the 22d Infantry in the consolidation of 1869, one- 
half the officers and all of the enlisted men of the 31st joining the new 22d, a 
brief synopsis of the history of that regiment will appear in these pages. The 
consolidation of the companies of the two regiments to form “the new 22d 
Infantry ” was effected bv consolidating the companies of the 22d—A and I 
becoming A; B and K, B ; C and F, C; D and E, D ; G and H, H. 31st 
Infantry Companies B and E, E ; F and H, F ; C and G, G ; D and I, I; A 
and K, K. 
In April, 1866, the 2d Battalion, 13th Infantry, was concentrated at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas ; on the 26th of that month it left for the upper Mis- 
souri River taking station as follows : Headquarters and Companies A and 
B at Fort Randall; C, E and H, Fort Sully ; D, Fort Dakota ; F, Fort James ; 
G, Fort Thompson, all in Dakota Territory. Companies I and K were 
organized at Fort Ward, Bedloe’s Island, N. Y„ October 2,1866, (this after the 
designation had been changed to 22d Infantry) and left the same day, via 
Fort Leavenworth, for Fort Randall, where they took station. 
The 3d Battalion, 13th Infantry, was organized at Jefferson Barracks, 
Missouri, and left that post for the upper Missouri River April 21, 1866, tak- 
ing station : Headquarters and Companies B, E, F, G and H at Fort Rice ; 
A, Fort Sully; C, Fort Buford; D, Fort Berthold, all in Dakota Territory. 
Company C, at Fort Buford, which at that time was nothing more than a 
camp, had seventy enlisted men, and there were only two officers with it— 
Capt. W. G. Rankin and Lieut. H. H. Ketchum, who was detached from the 
2d "Battalion. Their orders were to build a post; the only tools they had to 
do it with were the company axes. The second night after arrival the camp 
was attacked by Indians, who were driven away, but at the expense of one 
soldier wounded. The next day the Indians attacked and attempted to 
drive off the herd of beef cattle, but were repulsed and two Indians killed. 
The Indian attacks upon the camp were of almost daily occurrence during 
the summer and fall. Parties of men cutting and rafting logs from the 
mouth of the Yellowstone were often attacked and driven to camp, where, 
being joined by other men of the company, the Indians were driven off, 
the fighting lasting from two to six hours, often with loss on both sides. 
Three civilian wood choppers in government employ having been killed 
at the mouth of the Yellowstone, Lieut. Ketchum, with sixty men, repaired 
to the spot, drove off the Indians and recovered the bodies with slight loss to 
his detachment. These were trying times, for the Indians, having been 
heavily reinforced, boldly boasted that they intended to annihilate the sol- 
diers. During that winter the post was besieged by Indians ; the troops 
were virtually cut off from water (the Missouri River) and had to sink wells 
near the quarters. Several times during the winter rumors reached the 
States that the garrison had been massacred, for in that time only one or 
two mails had been received at and sent from the camp, so it was spring 
before the people in the East knew what the real condition of affairs had 
been. Captain Rankin’s wife spent that winter in camp, bravely enduring 
the hardship and danger incident thereto. Company I was organized at Fort 
Wood, and Kat Fort Columbus, N. Y., October 3, 1866 (this afterthe designa- 
tion had been changed to 31st Infantry), leavingthe same day for Fort Lea- 682 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
venworth, Kansas, where they remained until May, 1867, when they moved 
to Dakota. Shortly after that the regiment was stationed with Headquar- 
ters and Companies H and I at Fort Stevenson ; Companies A, D and K at 
Fort Totten ; Companies B, C, E, F and G, at Fort Buford. That regiment 
built the posts mentioned, and Buford and Stevenson, under great difficul- 
ties. The working detachments carried their arms with them and oftentimes 
the Indians pounced upon them, causing them to leave their work, fall into 
line and open fire upon the enemy. Building logs were obtained under 
great hardship several miles distant from the posts, large escorts were sent 
with the wagons, and many men while on that duty were killed and wounded 
in fights with the Sioux Indians. The troops lived in tents until late in the 
winter of 1867. There was deep snow before they moved into their quarters 
and they got in none too soon at Stevenson and Totten, as a severe snow- 
storm came upon them, lasting three or four days; the wind was fierce and 
the weather extremely cold. Officers and soldiers were kept in their quar- 
ters for several days. At Stevenson the fuel in some of the quarters gave 
out and the officers burned their furniture to keep from freezing. A wagon 
train loaded with lumber and canned goods en route from Fort Abercrombie 
to Totten was forced to stop on the Cheyenne River, and to keep from 
freezing and starving the men burned the lumber and ate a large quantity 
of the canned articles. 
Mails were received in the winter once in ten days at some of the posts ; 
once a month at the more distant ones. They were carried on sleds drawn by 
large dogs, usually three in tandem, half-breeds being employed for this serv- 
ice. In the summer they were carried by soldiers. It was a very dangerous 
service between Rice. Stevenson and Buford, and between Totten and Stev- 
enson. Those sections were infested by hostile Indians who oftentimes 
attacked the mail parties and many men were killed in that service. In the 
beautiful spring of 1868, after a hard winter, a party of soldiers left Totten 
with the mail for Stevenson, in high spirits, anticipating an enjoyable 
trip and a meeting with friends at the distant post. About midway 
between the two posts the party was attacked by a large number of Sioux 
Indians and every man killed. A rescuing party found their bodies stripped 
of clothing and mutilated. On June 10th, the same year, Capt. Albert M. 
Powell, a brave and accomplished officer of the regiment who rendered 
good service during the war as chief of artillery of the 17th Army Corps, 
was killed by being thrown from a vicious horse. 
In the meantime the 22d was building Forts Sully and Rice ; repairing and 
adding new buildings to Fort Randall under difficulties similar to those above 
recited. Detachments also occupied Indian Agencies where they had to build 
shelter. All of those posts were from time to time attacked by Indians. In 
the summer of 1868 a large number of Sioux Indians attacked the guard with 
the cattle herd at Fort Buford. The guard, including two or three officers 
who joined it on horseback, fought desperately, but were overpowered, 
Lieutenant Cusick having been wounded and several rren killed or wounded, 
and the cattle stampeded and driven off. This was so sudden and the work 
so quickly done that the infantry could not get on the ground in time to 
take part in it. Lieutenant Hogan followed the Indians with men in wagons TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
(there were only enough horses at the post for a small detachment) and 
had some skirmishing with them, but could not recapture the cattle. 
At that time there was not one mile of railway in Dakota or Montana 
and not more than two or three stage lines in the two territories; most of 
the military travelling was done with Government transportation. The rail- 
way had not reached Sioux City, Iowa ; St. Cloud, Minn., 75 miles distant 
from St. Paul, was the western terminus of the railroad from that place. 
At this date everybody knows that there are several thousand miles of rail- 
way in Montana and the two Dakotas, and all military posts in those States 
are within reasonable distance of it. As an instance of how difficult it 
was to go from one post to another in those times when travelling with- 
out military escort, in 1870 three officers of the 22d Infantry being ordered 
from Fort Sully to Totten,—a distance, as the crow flies, of about 250 
miles,—had to go via Sioux City, Chicago and St. Paul, travelling 1633 
miles—3266 miles in the round trip. With the railroad facilities of the 
present day, the distance as usually travelled is about 450 miles. 
In the summer of 1870 the 17th Infantry, under command of General 
T. J. Crittenden, went up the Missouri River, and part of the regiment took 
station at Rice, relieving the companies of the 22d at that post. The head- 
quarters and several companies of the 17th were stationed for some time at 
Sully, and we thus had two regimental headquarters, including bands, at 
the post, which made it one of the gayest and liveliest posts in the United 
States. Finally that regiment took station at posts along the river above 
Sully, and the 22d occupied Sully, under command of the colonel, with 
Companies A, E, F and H ; and Randall, under command of the lieutenant- 
colonel, with Companies B, C, D and G. Company I was sent to Crow 
Creek Indian Agency and K to Lower Brule Agency, which are situated 
about eight miles apart and about midway between Sully and Randall, 
Crow Creek on the left and Brule on the right bank of the Missouri. There 
those companies constructed with soldier labor substantial one-company 
posts. At the end of nine months affairs were so quiet at Crow Creek that 
Company I was withdrawn to Sully, and the military buildings were trans- 
ferred to the Indian Department for school purposes and to this day are 
used in that way. 
In the fall of 187: the first expedition to the Yellowstone River, as escort 
to Gen. T. J. Rosser’s surveying party of the projected Northern Pacific Rail- 
way, wasorganized at and started from Fort Rice. The column was composed 
of Companies D and H, 17th ; B, 20th ; and A, C, H and I, 22d Infantry ; two 
Gatling guns and twenty-six Indian scouts, all under command of Bvt. Col. 
j. N. G. Whistler. The transportation consisted of 104 wagons. The ex- 
pedition marched from Rice, September 9; reached the Yellowstone, at the 
mouth of Glendive Creek near where the town of Glendive is now situated, 
October 2; from there returned to Rice, arriving on the 16th, having 
marched over 600 miles. Some days the marches were short, others as 
many as twenty miles were made, and from time to time, a day was spent in 
camp resting. The companies returned to their posts from Rice by steamer, 
resuming garrison duty and the ordinary detached service until July, 1872, 
when a larger expedition to the Yellowstone, under command of Bvt. Maj.- 684 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Gen. D. S. Stanley, was organized at Fort Rice. General Rosser continued 
in charge of the engineers. The Headquarters and Companies D, F andG, 
22d; A, B, C. F, H and K, 8th; A and F, 17th Infantry, and .1 detachment 
of Indian scouts took part in the expedition, which marched irom Rice, July 
26, arriving at the mouth of Powder River, August 18. On the afternoon of 
that day General Stanley accompanied by several officers was having a parley 
with a party of Indians headed by Gaul, who stood upon the opposite bank 
of the river, when suddenly the Indians treacherously opened fire upon the 
group ; strange to say not an officer was hit. A detachment of troops rallied 
to the spot and the Indians beat a retreat. Thence the command marched 
back to Cabin Creek, encountering the Indians in skirmishes; O’Fallon’s 
Creek, August 21 and 22, and arrived at Rice, October 15, except Captain 
Miner’s company, which was detained a few days longer with some of the 
engineers and then marched to that post. During the summer the troops 
had marched over 1000 miles. Among the casualties were 1st Lieut. 
Eben Crosby, 17th Infantry, killed by Indians, October 5, and 1st Lieut. 
Lewis D. Adair, 22d Infantry, who served gallantly during the war as an 
officer of Ohio volunteers, died the same day of wounds received at the 
hands of the Indians. General Stanley’s colored servant, Steve, a faithful 
man, was killed about the same time. 
In May, 1873, the third expedition to the Yellowstone was organized at 
Fort Rice and again commanded by General Stanley. The composition of 
it was: Troops A, B, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, 7th Cavalry ; Companies C, 
6th; B, C, F, H, 8th; A, D, E, F, H, I, 9th; A, B, H, 17th ; Headquarters 
and B, E, H, I, K, 22d Infantry, and a detachment of Indian scouts. This 
expedition, accompanied by a large wagon train loaded with supplies, left 
Rice, June 20, arriving at the point of crossing of the Yellowstone, about 
fifteen miles above where the town of Glendive is now located, July 31, thence 
proceeded up the left bank of the river as far as Pompey’s Pillar, but not 
without opposition from the Indians, who evidently had concluded that the 
surveying had gone far enough. On August 4th, just opposite to where Fort 
Keogh now stands, they attacked the advance guard, killing the veterinary 
surgeon, sutler and one soldier of the 7th Cavalry, which dashing regiment 
pursued the savages for several miles, killing a number of them. On August 
nth, the Indians were again encountered by the cavalry opposite the mouth 
of the Big Horn River and a desperate fight ensued with loss of life on both 
sides. Lieut. Charles Braden, 7th Cavalry, was severely wounded. Lieut. 
H. H. Ketchum, adjutant 22d Infantry and adjutant-general of the expedi- 
tion, who was temporarily with General Custer then commanding the 7th Cav- 
alry, had his horse shot under him. Upon the approach of the infantry the 
Indians abandoned the field. That night the battalion of the 22d occu- 
pied the advance posts and exchanged shots with the Indians, who 
tried to approach the camp, probably to stampede the horses, mules and 
cattle herd. During the afternoon of that day the artillery detachment, 
which was composed of men of the 22d and commanded by Lieutenant 
Vvebster, was obliged to shell the timber along the bank of the Yellowstone 
to dislodge a large body of Indians, who were evidently preparing to impede 
the next day’s march. They were dispersed and seen again only in small TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
685 
parties, one of which fired into the camp at Pompey’s Pillar and then beat 
a hasty retreat, having done no damage. From Pompey’s Pillar the expe- 
dition marched to the Musselshell river, thence to the Great Porcupine, 
following it until the Yellowstone was again reached. This was a new and 
unexplored country and it was a very difficult thing to take a large com- 
mand and wagon train through it. There was a great deal of hardship, 
especially from frequently having to drink alkaline water and sometimes 
having no water at all. The command marched into Fort Lincoln, arriv- 
ing there September 22d, thence the companies proceeded to their respect- 
ive stations. They had marched during the expedition over twelve hun- 
dred miles and returned in excellent physical condition. 
The following year was a happy one to the regiment, as it was ordered 
to exchange stations with the ist Infantry. This was accomplished in July, 
and stations were taken as follows: Headquarters and Companies D, F, 
and H, at Fort Wayne (Detroit), Michigan ; A, Madison Barracks (Sackett’s 
Harbor), N. Y.; B and K, Fort Porter (Buffalo), N. Y.; C and G, Fort Brady 
(Sault Ste. Marie); E, Fort Mackinac; I, Fort Gratiot, Mich. This was a new 
and happy experience for the regiment which had been so long on the north- 
western frontier, but it was not to last long without interruption. On the 
evening of September 16 telegraphic orders came for Companies A, B, D, F, 
II, I and K to repair without delay to New Orleans to aid in maintaining the 
peace which had been broken by a complication of affairs, one of the prin- 
cipal elements being the organization known as the White League. The 
companies were packed and ready to start by midnight, and took the train 
early on the morning of the 17th, reaching New Orleans on the night of the 
20th. It had been intimated that the duty would be of ten days’ duration, 
instead of which it lasted eight months—until May, 1875—the battalion quar- 
tering from time to time in various parts of the city and at Greenville, one 
of its suburbs. Companies A and K were for a time at Jackson Barracks. 
Early in July, 1876, the news of the Custer massacre was flashed through the 
country, and the 22d Infantry was again placed under marching orders from 
the lake stations to go to the field. Never before or since were the troops at 
those stations sent on active service, but it appeared to be the fate of the 22d 
to remain in repose for short intervals only. On July4the companies at Fort 
Wayne participated in the parade at Detroit; on the 1 ith, except Company A 
which remained at Wayne, they left to join General Terry’s command at the 
mouth of the Rosebud, Montana, being joined at Fort Lincoln by the other 
companies ordered out, the battalion then consisting of Companies E, F, G, H, 
I and K, Lieut.-Col. E. S. Otis in command. In a few days the steamboat Car- 
roll was sent to take the battalion and a detachment of recruits for the 7th 
Cavalry to the Rosebud. On July 29, when the boat was passing the mouth of 
Powder River, the Indians in large number from the right bank of the Yel- 
lowstone made a vigorous attack upon it. The troops responded promptly 
and the boat was landed and two or three companies sent on shore. The fight 
lasted some time, engaged in by the troops on the boat as well as those on 
shore, until the Indians were driven back into the hills, with what loss we 
never knew. Their camp was taken possession of and burned, a few fire- 
arms and other trophies being found and taken on the boat. There were 686 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
two or three soldiers slightly wounded. On August i the battalion arrived 
at General Terry’s camp, where it remained until the 7th. The next day it 
marched with General Terry’s command up the Rosebud. The valley of 
the lower Rosebud is very rough and the marches were short and difficult. 
In the forenoon of the 10th there was great excitement, as a heavy dust was 
seen rising some two or three miles in our front and horsemen riding 
around. Reports went down the line that we were approaching the hostiles 
and an engagement was expected within a few minutes, when W. F. Cody 
(Buffalo Bill) with some Indian scouts came within recognizing distance, 
and informed us that General Crook’s column was marching down the valley. 
That night the two columns camped together. The battalion was kept con- 
stantly on the march following Indian trails along the Rosebud, Tongue and 
Powder rivers and affluent streams, then crossed to the north side of the 
Yellowstone and marched to the rugged ridge which divides its waters from 
those of the Missouri. Seeing no signs of Indians it moved in the direction 
of Glendive Creek and camped opposite the mouth of that stream on the bank 
of the Yellowstone, August 31, where the campaign ended. The battalion of 
the 22d, and Companies C and G, 17th Infantry, having received orders to 
remain in Montana during the winter, commenced constructing huts for 
winter quarters, some of the companies being constantly on the road escort- 
ing supply trains to the cantonment at the mouth of the Tongue River, now 
Fort Keogh. In September Companies E and F were ordered to Custer 
Creek, and early in October they went to Tongue River for station. 
On October xoth an escort to a wagon train, consisting of Companies 
C, 17th, and G. H and K, 22d Infantry, left Glendive for the cantonment on 
Tongue River; that night camp was made on Spring Creek, about fourteen 
miles distant. At three o’clock the next morning the camp was attacked, 
with a galling fire, by a large number of Indians, which attack was repulsed, 
but the mules became excited and many of them broke loose, over forty of 
them escaping from the corral, and falling into the hands of the Indians. 
The train was so crippled and the Indian force increased so in numbers by 
recruits, that the command was compelled to return to Glendive. Upon the 
return of the train, Col. E. S. Otis, the commanding officer at Glendive, 
reorganized it and on the 14th set out with it for Tongue River, with a com- 
mand consisting of Companies C and G, 17th, and G, H and K, 22d In- 
fantry. At 7 o’clock on the morning of the 15th, fifteen miles above Glen- 
dive, it was attacked by about one thousand Indians, and a desperate fight 
ensued lasting until 7 o’clock in the evening, during which time the train 
advanced several miles until, reaching a high plateau, it went into camp. 
The Indians practised every artifice to capture the train, among other 
things setting the prairie on fire, through which the troops and train had to 
pass. Considerable damage was inflicted upon the Indians, but the exact facts 
were never ascertained. Several men of the escort were wounded, but 
none killed. Private Donahoe, Company G, who was wounded July 29th, 
wras again wounded in this fight. It was expected that the Indians would 
renew their attack in the morning, for we knew they were not far distant and 
by the first light could see them mounted in large numbers on our left flank. 
Shortly after the journey had been resumed a runner approached and left a TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
687 
written communication upon a hill to the front, which was taken to Colonel 
Otis by a scout; it read as follows : 
“ I want to know what you are doing travelling on this road. You scare 
all the buffalo away. I want to hunt on the place. I want you to turn 
back from here. If you don’t I’ll fight you again. I want you to leave 
what you have got here, and turn back from here. 
“ Yellowstone. 
“ I am your friend, 
“ Sitting Bull. 
“ I mean all the rations you have got and some powder. Wish you 
would write as soon as you can.” 
The above was written by a half breed well known to the 22d, who had 
cast his fortunes with Sitting Bull. 
Colonel Otis sent word through one of his scouts that he intended to 
take the train through to Tongue River and would be pleased to accommo- 
date them at any time with a fight. The Indians gathered again as if to 
commence battle, when presently a party bearing a flag of truce approached 
our lines and after a parley they concluded that they were tired of fighting 
and wished to arrange for a surrender. Colonel Otis very graphically 
describes this fight in his official report, which is published in the annual 
report of the General of the Army of 1876. In concluding it he says : “ I can- 
not speak too highly of the conduct of both officers and men. The officers 
obeyed instructions with alacrity and executed their orders with great 
efficiency. They fought the enemy twelve hours and fired during that time 
upwards of seven thousand rounds of ammunition. They defeated a strong 
enemy who had defiantly placed himself across our trail with the deliberate 
purpose of capturing the train, and gave him a lesson he will heed and never 
forget.” 
Shortly after the return of the battalion to Glendive, Colonel Otis was 
ordered to duty at regimental headquarters, Brevet Col. A. L. Hough suc- 
ceeding him in command. In the latter part of December, 1876, Com- 
panies E and F participated in General Miles’ successful expedition against 
the hostile Indians who were with Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse in the Big 
Horn Mountains. They returned to Tongue River January 18, 1877, hav- 
ing greatly suffered in their camps and marches from the snow and very 
inclement weather. There were some casualties in those companies result- 
ing from their fights with Indians, the most distressing being the severe 
wound of Private Bernard McCann, Company F, from which, after great 
agony, he died the next day. 
In March, 1877, Companies G and H marched through deep snow to 
Tongue River, joining the garrison at that place for duty. 
On April 30th, Companies E, F, G and H, together with two companies 
of the 5th Infantry, four troops of the 2d Cavalry and Lieutenant Casey’s 
scouts, made up of men of the 5th and 22d Infantry and a few civilians, 
marched under command of General Miles from the cantonment, the object 
being to attack a renegade band of Indians, chiefly Minneconjous, under the 
leadership of Lame Deer, which was camped on the Rosebud, over 100 miles 
distant by the detour which it was necessary to make. At a point on HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
Tongue River, sixty miles from the cantonment, the train was corraled and 
left under guard of Companies E and H, 5th, and G, 22d Infantry ; the 
scouts, Troops F, G, H and L, 2d Cavalry, and Companies E, F and H, 22d 
Infantry, with a few pack-mules to carry ammunition and rations, cut across 
the Rosebud, moving up that stream, and after a very hard march with 
scarcely a halt during two nights and one day, early on the morning of May 
7th surprised and attacked the Indians near the mouth of Muddy Creek, 
now called Lame Deer, an affluent of the Rosebud, a beautiful valley 
where the Northern Cheyenne Agency is now located. Lieutenant Casey, 
with his detachment closely following him, was the first to dash through 
the slumbering camp, surround and take possession of the herd of 450 
ponies. He was quickly followed by Lieutenant Jerome, who headed a 
troop of the 2d Cavalry, then followed the rest of the cavalry. The Indians 
opened fire, which was responded to by the troops. As soon as possible 
they were called upon to surrender. Lame Deer and Iron Star, his head 
warrior, appeared desirous of doing so, but the Indians again commenced 
firing upon the troops, which ended the peace-making; the fight was re- 
sumed and they were driven from the camp. Fourteen of them were killed, 
including Lame Deer and Iron, Star, 450 ponies and the entire camp fell into 
the hands of the troops, among whom there were several killed and wounded. 
The battalion of ;he 22d hearing the firing in front, quickened its march, 
arriving upon the scene shortly after the engagement and immediately took 
posts surrounding the camp. Firing between the troops and Indians was 
kept up the entire night, so there was very little sleep in camp. The next 
morning after burning the captured camp, the troops started back toward 
Tongue River, every infantry soldier being mounted on a captured pony, 
besides which there was a herd of them to be driven. That night the Indians 
made another attempt to recapture their ponies, but they were driven off by 
the rifles of the troops, and the ponies were successfully taken in to the 
cantonment, where they were used for several years in mounting the infantry. 
Company E returned to the cantonment, but F, G and H made a scout, in 
company with the 2d Cavalry, toward the Little Big Horn, returning to the 
cantonment May 31st. Companies I and K left Glendive May 25th, reaching 
Tongue River by steamer on the 27th, and soon thereafter the battalion was 
again consolidated under command of Colonel Hough. About this time 
however it was understood that the Indian hostilities had ended and that the 
22d would return to its eastern station. Colonel Hough was ordered to his 
post, Fort Mackinac, and the companies, under command of Col. H. M. 
Lazelle, 1st Infantry, together with a troop of 7th Cavalry and two com- 
panies of the 1st Infantry, left by boat June 16th, arriving at the mouth of 
Powder River the same day, thence a long scout was made toward the Black 
Hills country. The trail of Lame Deer’s band was struck and followed in a 
northerly direction for several days, the troops getting so close upon the 
band at one time that the scouts under Lieutenant Casey were attacked by 
a large number of them, one Indian being killed. Their camp was located 
in the bad lands of the Little Missouri near Sentinel Buttes, to which place 
the expedition made an all night march but the Indians had taken the 
alarm and escaped. At that point Colonel Lazelle relieved the battalion, TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
689 
and under command of Bvt. Major C. J. Dickey, it made a famous march to 
Fort Abraham Lincoln, 
Upon arrival at Lincoln we were made glad by an order to proceed to 
our stations by steamer from Duluth, but before the symposium which was 
necessary under such good news was finished, the order was changed and the 
battalion was drected to repair forthwith to Chicago to aid in suppressing 
the railroad riots, where it arrived on the 25th and again fell under command 
of Colonel Hough. It remained there several days, until quiet was restored, 
being stationed in various parts of the city, and was then ordered to Wilkes- 
Barre, Pa., owing to the disturbed condition of the mining districts. The 
battalion then under command of Colonel Otis consisted of Companies A, 
B, C, half of D, E, F, G, H, I and K. They remained there until October 
when they were ordered to their proper stations. During the time from 
August, 1876, to July, 1877, the battalion that went to Montana marched 
upward of three thousand miles. 
In 1879 the regiment was ordered to the Department of Texas and started 
for that department in April. While en route, on account of some Indian 
difficulties, Companies D, E, F and K, under command of Colonel Hough, 
were ordered to take station at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, and the other 
companies would no doubt have been stopped also, but they were in advance 
and had already reached Texas. The colonel, lieutenant-colonel and Com- 
panies B, C, H and I were assigned to Fort McKavett, A to Fort Griffin. 
Fort McKavett was made sad and gloomy July 4th, by the death of Capt. 
T. H. Fisher, a very popular officer in the regiment. Early in the summer 
Company E went to Vinita, I. T., and K to Coffeeville, Kansas, where they 
remained until October, for the purpose of keeping boomers out of Oklohoma 
and to protect the inhabitants from the robbers who infested that part of 
the country. 
In the fall of 1879 a general war with the Ute Indians in Colorado was 
anticipated and the companies at Gibson under command of Col. Hough 
were ordered to go there. They went to Alamosa, Colorado, by rail, thence 
they marched over the mountains to Animos, where, together with two 
troops of the 9th Cavalry and four companies of the 15th Infantry, they went 
into a camp of observation under command of Col. G. P. Buell to prevent the 
Southern Utes from joining the Northern Utes at Ouray. In January, 1880, 
the companies of the 22d were ordered back to Gibson, and on account of 
deep snow in the mountains, they were compelled to march to Santa Fe, 
New Mexico, where they met with a grand ovation. From that place they 
went by rail to Gibson, having marched over five hundred miles. From 
Fort Gibson they went by rail to San Antonio, Texas, where Company E 
took station, Companies D and K marched one hundred and twenty-six 
miles to Fort Clark, where they took station, regimental headquarters and 
Company H having some time before been ordered to that post. 
The regiment remained in Texas, serving at several different posts, and 
doing much scouting, until November, 1882, when it was ordered to the 
Department of the Missouri ; Headquarters and Company E at Santa Fe, 
N. M.; A, Fort Garland ; B, G, H and K, Fort Lewis ; C, D, F and I, Fort 
Lyon, all in Colorado. 690 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
The regiment campaigned and changed stations a good deal in the De- 
partment of the Missouri until May, 1888, when it was removed to the De- 
partment of Dakota, Headquarters and Companies A, B, C, D, F, H and K 
taking station at Fort Keogh, Montana, E and G at Fort Totten and I at 
Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota. 
The companies were not in the “ coffee cooling business,” but were from 
time to time scouting or camping at agencies where the Indians were rest- 
less or were thought to be preparing to go upon the war path. In the latter 
part of 1890 there was an uprising of the Indians at Pine Ridge and Rose- 
bud Agencies, South Dakota. Companies A, B, D, G and H were ordered into 
the field and campaigned more or less all of that winter, sometimes in very 
inclement weather. Company D, under command of Lieut. J. G. Ballance, 
made an extraordinary march to the relief of Captain Fountain’s troop, 
8th Cavalry, reported to have been surrounded by 500 Indians at Cane Hills, 
South Dakota. On December 23d, at 7.45 P. M., it started upon its march 
in a wind and snow storm, from Beisigl’s ranch, reaching New England City, 
a distance of 63 miles, at 1 o’clock A. M., the 25th, 29X hours; it was neces 
sary to make a halt there to rest and thaw out the half frozen men. In a 
few hours the march was continued 22 miles, when a portion of Captain 
Fountain’s troop was met, which reported the safety of the troop, and the 
company then returned to the New England City. In the meantime 
Companies C and K had hard tours of duty at the Cheyenne Agency. Mon- 
tana. 
In December, 1890, Lieut. E. W. Casey, who commanded a company of 
Cheyenne scouts which he had organized by authority of the War Depart- 
ment under plans originated by himself, marched from Keogh to the thea- 
tre of hostilities, and on January 7, 1891, was camped on White River, near 
the mouth of White Clay Creek, not far distant from the Pine Ridge 
Agency—and the hostile camp. Early that morning several of the Sioux 
had entered his camp and held a friendly talk with him. At 9 o’clock he 
started out with two of his scouts to examine the hostile camp and when 
within a short distance of it was brutally murdered by a Brule Sioux 
(Plenty Horses) belonging to that camp, who, in a cowardly manner, shot 
him from the rear. Casey was a brave and energetic officer and an enthusi- 
astic friend of the Indian. He originated the plan of organizing them into 
military companies, believing that by it much would be done to elevate and 
civilize them and looked forward to the realization of his efforts. He died 
before he had reached the meridian of his strength, full of intellectual vigor 
and generous impulses, and as most of us might wish to die—in harness. It 
was some time after the close of hostilities before the companies returned 
to their stations—July, 1891, found them all back at their posts. 
Pursuant to G. O. 76, Headquarters of the Army, July 21, 1890, Com- 
panies I and K ceased to exist. The officers were assigned to companies, 
replacing absent officers, the enlisted men were transferred to other com- 
panies and the company records were laid away in the archives of the adju- 
tant’s office. Company I has since been resuscitated and is now being re- 
cruited as an Indian company. 
During its varied service the 22d has come in contact with nearly every TWENTY-SECOND REG'T OF INFANTRY. 
691 
regiment in the Army and its relations with other troops have uniformly been 
pleasant. It has always been a regiment of great esprit de corps and the 
officers are proud to have the number of the regiment upon their com- 
missions. Under the Act of Congress approved October i, 1890, no more 
commissions for the regiment will be issued, an officer will be in the 22d 
Infantry by assignment only and may be transferred to another regiment at 
any time. 
The entire regiment is now stationed at Fort Keogh, Montana,—the first 
time it has ever been united at a post, THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
By Lieutenant J. K. THOMPSON, 23D TT. S. Infantry. 
BY the Act of Congress approved June 26, 1812, twenty-five regi- 
ments of infantry were provided for. Where the 23d Regiment 
was recruited is at present in doubt, but it is thought that it was re- 
cruited by Major J. R. Mullany near Canandaigua, N. Y. It took 
part during the three years of the war of 1812 in many of the battles and 
campaigns in New York and Canada 
By the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1815, the army was reduced 
and the 23d Infantry was consolidated with the 6th, 16th, 22d and 32d, to 
make the present Second Infantry. 
Pursuant to the President’s proclamation of May 4, 1861, confirmed by 
Act of Congress approved July 29, 1861, the Fourteenth U. S. Infantry was 
organized. Its second battalion was recruited at Fort Trumbull, Conn., 
under Lieutenant Colonel (afterwards Major General) John F. Reynolds, in 
the summer of 1861, but on April 30, 1862, its title was changed from the 
Second to the First Battalion, Company C of the Third becoming C of the 
Second Battalion. 
The new second battalion was recruited at Fort Trumbull, Conn., under 
Major G. R. Giddings, in the spring of 1862, and this battalion now consti- 
tutes the 23d Infantry. 
In May, 1862, the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, joined a provisional divi- 
sion under General Sturgis in the defenses of Washington, and until June 
30 was camped at Tenally Town, D. C., and Clouds Mills, Virginia. July 1, 
1862, the 2d Battalion was embarked on schooners and sent via the Poto- 
mac River, Fort Monroe and the James River to join the 1st Battalion. It 
joined at Harrison’s Landing July 5, 1862, where Captain (afterwards brig- 
adier general) D. B. McKibbin was assigned to its command. 
From this time on, it, or some of its companies with the rest of the 14th 
Infantry, formed part of the 5th Corps which took its share in the cam- 
paigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac. The history of the 14th 
Infantry hasalready been well told by Colonel T. M. Anderson in the Jour- 
nal of The Military Service Institution of July, 1890. 
In the last week in July, 1865, the 2d Battalion, under the command of 
Major Louis H. Marshall, sailed from New York City via Aspinwall en route 
to San Francisco, where it arrived about the 1st of September, and a fort- 
night later was sent to the Department of Columbia with headquarters at 
Vancouver. 
The Act of Congress approved July 28, 1866, reorganized the army, and 
by the following general order, the 2d Battalion of the 14th became the 23d 
Regiment of Infantry: 
“ I. Under the act of July 28, 1866, the aesignatic and organization of the regi- TWENTY THIRD REG’T OF INFANTRY. 
693 
ments by which the military peace establishment is increased and fixed will be as fol- 
lows : The provisions of this order are in accordance with the condition of the army 
on, and are of effect from the 21st day of September, 1866. 
“ II. The 10 old regiments of infantry will retain their designation. The 1st bat- 
talion of the 3-battalion regiments will retain the designation of the regiment to which 
they belong and under the new organization will be the nth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 
16th, 17th, 18th, 19th regiments of infantry. * * * 
“ The 2d battalions of the same regiments will under the new organization become 
respectively the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th regiments of in- 
fantry. * * * ” 
Companies “ I ” and “ K ” were organized at Davids Island, New York 
Harbor, by Orders No. 177, G. R. S., New York City, December 10, 1866, and 
these companies, under the command of 1st Lieutenant (now Captain) 
O. W, Pollock, left New York City, December 11, 1866, for Aspinwall, en 
route to San Francisco. They arrived at San Francisco, December 31, 1866, 
and were stationed about San Francisco harbor until March, 1867, at which 
time they were sent to join the regiment in the Department of the Co- 
lumbia. 
Since 1867 the companies of the regiment have been stationed in Ore- 
gon, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, 
Colorado, Indian Territory, New York, Michigan and Texas, and during 
this time parts of the regiment have taken part in numerous Indian scouts 
and a number of Indian fights. 
By the provisions of G. O. 76, A. G. O., July 21,1890, companies I and K 
were skeletonized, and the regiment, now composed of eight companies, is 
at present stationed at Fort Sam Houston and Fort Bliss, Texas. 
The following is a list of the 14 battles and engagements in which a part 
orthe whole of the 23d Infantry was engaged during the War of 1812-15: 
Queenston Heights, October 13, ’12; Black Rock, November 28,’12; 
Fort George, U. C., May 27, ’13; Stony Point and Sacketts Harbor, N. Y„ 
May 29, ’13 ; Stony Creek, U. C., June 6, ’13; Beaver Dams, U. C., June 24, 
’13; Out Post affair, Fort George, U. C., August 24, ’13; La Colie Mill, 
Canada, March 30, ’14; Fort Erie, U. C., July 3, ’14; Chippewa, U. C,, July 
5, ’14 ; Lundy’s Lane (Niagara Falls), July 25, ’14; Assault on Fort Erie, U. 
C., August 15/14; Siege of Fort Erie, U. C., August 15 to September 17, 
Sortie from Fort Erie, September 17, ’14. 
(.Disbanded May 17, 1815.) 
The following is a list of the 39 battles and engagements in which the 
whole or a part of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, and the whole or a part 
of the 23d Infantry were engaged : 
Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 4 to May 4, ’62 ; Gaines Mills, Va., June 27, 
’62 ; Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, ’62 ; 2d Bull Run, Va., August 29 and 30, ’62 ; 
Antietam, Md., September 17, ’62 ; Snickers Gap, Va., November 3 and 4, 
’62; Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, ’62; Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 3 
and 4, ’63 ; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, ’63 ; Wilderness, Va., May 5, ’64 ; 
Laurel Hill, Va., May 8 to 13, ’64 ; Spottsylvania, Va., May 14, ’64; North 
Anna River, Va., May 24, ’64; Bethesda Church, Va., June 1 and 3,’64; 
Petersburgh, Va., June 18 and 21,’64; Weldon R. R., Va., August 19 and 694 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
2i, ’64; Chapel House, Va., October i, ’64; Hatchers Run, Va., October 27 
’64; Jordan Creek, Oreg., February 23, ’66; Owyhee Canon, Idaho, May 
27,'66; Battle Creek, Idaho, July 6, ’66; Near Camp C. F. Smith, Oreg., 
November i, ’66; South Fork Malheur River, Oreg., July 15, ’67; Infernal 
Caverns, California, September 25 to 27, ’67; Dunder and Blixin Creek, 
Oreg., March 14, ’68 ; Near Camp Three Forks, Owyhee, Idaho, April 17, ’68 ; 
South Warner Mountains, Oreg., April 29, ’68; Snake Canon, Idaho, June 
9 and 24, ’68 ; Battle Creek, Idaho, June 24, ’68 ; Juniper Canon, Idaho, July, 
’68; Little Salmon River, Idaho, July 22, ’68; Near Camp Three Forks, 
Owyhee, Idaho, July 24 to August 2,’68 ; Juniper Mountains, Idaho, August 
8 to September, ’68; Red Rock Mountains, Arizona, December ir,’72; 
Mazatzal Mountains, Arizona, December 13, ’72; Mazatzal Mountains, 
Arizona, May 9 and 26,’74; Tonto Basin, Arizona, February and March, 
’73; Head of Cave Creek, Arizona, March and April, ’73; Grace Creek, 
Nebraska, April 28, ’76. THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
By Lieutenant H. W. HOVEY, Twenty-Fourth U. S. Infantry. 
THE present 24th Infantry is an example of the injustice done to reg- 
iments of a standing army by the statutes of a republic not forced 
by its surroundings to maintain a large military organization. The 
laws governing the consolidation of regiments at the conclusion of 
our wars, during which the number of organizations has been increased, 
have resulted in stamping out regimental traditions in many organizations, 
and have left this one without any, although its number has been borne 
twice by regiments in the regular establishment, which after honorable ser- 
vice have been consolidated with others, thereby losing all identity, and for- 
feiting records which would have given honor to them in history. 
The existing 24th can therefore, under the conditions of its organization 
claim for itself none of the honors of war won by its predecessors; and, 
except for the war records of officers who have served or are now serving 
in it, and by the honorable service of the few enlisted men who served in 
the late war, it can present but a short history of duties performed, often 
under adverse circumstances but always cheefully and uncomplainingly. 
Under the Act of July 28, 1866, the 38th and 41st Regiments of Infantry 
were organized both to consist of colored men. All of the officers in both 
regiments except the chaplains had seen service during the War of the Re- 
bellion either with the regular or volunteer forces, and all but one had been 
breveted for services performed under perilous or other entitling condi- 
tions. Of the 38th Infantry, Brevet Major General Wm. B. Hazenwas col- 
onel, Brevet Major General Cuvier Grover, lieutenant colonel, and Brevet 
Colonel Henry C. Merriam, major. Of the ten captains who were assigned 
to the regiment at or near the time of its organization there are now 
in active service but three, and but five of the eighteen lieutenants. 
The 41st Infantry was commanded by Brevet Major General Ronald S. 
Mackenzie, with Brevet Brigadier General Wm. R. Shafter, lieutenant col- 
onel, and Brevet Brigadier General Geo. W. Schofield, major. Of the ten 
captains assigned to it at or near its organization but two are now in active 
service, and but four of the eighteen lieutenants. 
The 38th was distributed along the transcontinental railroads then build- 
ing, and in New Mexico, and the 41st was in Louisiana and Texas during 
the same period. The work performed by these regiments is a part of the 
history of the departments in which they served. 
Under the Act of March 3, 1869, the 38th and 41st Regiments were con- 
solidated and became the 24th Infantry, and as thus reestablished has 
since continued in service. Under this reorganization Ronald S. Mack- 
enzie became colonel, William R. Shafter, lieutenant colonel, and Henry C. 
Merriam, major. Of the captains assigned to the new regiment there are 696 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
in active service at this writing, six, but two only serving in it; and of the 
twenty lieutenants there are also six, but four only remaining in it. A few 
of the enlisted men who served in the War of the Rebellion or in the 38th 
or 41st Regiments may still be seen in its ranks. 
The regiment was in Texas from 1869 to 1880 and at some time during 
that period the several companies were stationed at all or nearly all of the 
many posts and permanent camps in that great State. 
The duties falling to it were many, consisting of expeditions against 
Indians over the staked plains and other sections, guarding strategic points, 
building roads, hunting horse thieves, and in other ways performing ardu- 
ous service which brought no fame, but required of its officers and men 
constant vigilance, discretion and care in the performance of the service ; 
and it thus aided in clearing western Texas of Indians, opening the coun- 
try to settlers. On December 15, 1870, Gen. Mackenzie was assigned to 
the 4th Cavalry and Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Abner Doubleday succeeded him as 
colonel, remaining in that position until December, 1873, when, upon his 
retirement, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Joseph H. Potter became the colonel. 
In the autumn of 1880 the regiment changed to Indian Territory and 
the several companies were stationed at Forts Supply, Reno, Sill, Canton- 
ment on the north fork of the Canadian River, and again a part of it in 
Texas at Fort Elliot. During this time no campaign service fell to its lot. 
In April, 1886, Col. Potter having been appointed a brigadier general, 
Col. Zenas R. Bliss succeeded him and is still in command of the regiment. 
In June, 1888, the regiment moved to the Department of Arizona with 
headquarters and three companies at Fort Bayard, N. M., the remainder of 
the companies being distributed in Arizona at San Carlos, Forts Grant and 
Thomas, and for nearly four years they performed all the infantry duty at 
these posts. The duty at San Carlos was particularly trying under circum- 
stances of danger and discomfort, but no serious trouble with the Indians 
occurred to require unusual work, and the only incident of note was the 
fight of Paymaster Wham’s escort, composed of men of the 24th Infantry 
and 10th Cavalry, who when attacked by a gang of robbers made a brave 
stand for which medals of honor or certificates of merit were given accord- 
ing to rank. 
The companies of the regiment which had been distributed at the before- 
mentioned posts were in 1892 sent to Fort Huachuca, and as two companies 
had in the meantime been skeletonized, the regiment now became equally 
divided, with headquarters, D, E, F and G, at Fort Bayard, N. M., and 
Companies A. B, C and H at Huachuca, where at this writing they still 
remain. TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
LIEUT. GEO. ANDREWS, 
25TH U. S. Infantry. 
THE Act of July 28, 1866, added to the nineteen regiments of infantry 
then in service, “ Eight new regiments of ten companies each, four 
regiments of which shall be composed of colored men.” Accord- 
ingly the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st were so composed, while the 
42d, 43d, 44th and 45th were designated Veteran Reserves. The eighteen 
regiments between the 19th and 38th were provided by erecting the second 
and third battalions of each of the three-battalion regiments (1 ith and 19th, 
inclusive) into separate regiments. The same Act contained the following 
provision, which has not since been modified : “ The President may, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a chaplain for each 
regiment of colored troops.” 
The Act of March 3, 1869, provided for the consolidation of the forty- 
five regiments into twenty-five, and also that “ The enlisted men of two 
regiments of infantry shall be composed of colored men.” General Orders 
issued from Army Headquarters in May, 1869, directed the “Twenty-fifth 
Infantry (colored), to be composed of the 39th and 40th Regiments,” and 
ordered “ The 39th, now in North Carolina, will be relieved as soon as pos- 
sible and will proceed to New Orleans, there to be consolidated with the 
40th, now in the Department of Louisiana. The field officers will be: 
Joseph A. Mower, colonel; Edward W. Hinks, lieutenant-colonel; Zenas 
R. Bliss, major.”* 
The 25th Infantry of 1866 conveyed its personnel to the 18th ; probably 
its records and colors were returned to the War Department. Although 
from a legal standpoint the 25th Infantry has had a continuous existence 
since 1866, it is evident that for all purposes of tradition, the present regi- 
ment sprang into existence in 1869, and has no connection with any regi- 
ment that has previously borne the number. The regiment is, therefore, 
the lineal descendant of the 39th and 40th Regiments. 
By the end of April, 1869, the organization of the regiment had been 
completed and the special return shows a full complement of officers and 
1045 men. Colonel (and Bvt. Major-General) Mower was commanding the 
* The first regiment of this number and name was raised in Connecticut and organized under 
the Act approved June 26, 1812 ; it was discontinued by the Act approved March 3, 1815. The 
officers retained in service were transferred to other regiments May 17, and the rest discharged 
June 15, 1815, with three months’ pay. From brevets conferred upon its officers it would appear 
that the regiment participated in the battles of Chrystler’s Fields, Upper Canada, Nov n, 1813 ; 
Chippewa Falls, U. C., July 5, 1814, and Niagara Falls (Lundy’s Lane) U. C., July 25, 1814. 
Under the provisions of the Act of July 28, 1866, the 2d Battalion of the 16th Infantry was con- 
stituted the 25th Regiment, which was merged in the 18th by the Act of March 3, 1869. 698 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES U. S. ARMY. 
1045 men. Colonel (and Bvt. Major-General) Mower was commanding the 
Department of Louisiana with headquarters at New Orleans; Lieutenant- 
Colonel (and Bvt. Brigadier-General) Hinks commanded the regiment with 
headquarters, Companies D, G and K, at Jackson Barracks, La,; Major (and 
Bvt. Lieut.-Col.) Bliss with Companies E, F and I garrisoned Ship Island, 
Miss.; Company A was at Fort Pike, La.; Companies B and H at Fort 
Jackson, La.; Company C at Fort St. Philip, La. By the end of the year, 
532 men had been discharged by expiration of service alone, and as little 
recruiting was done, the effective had fallen to about 500 men, from which 
it has not since varied materially. 
General Mower died at New Orleans January 6, 1870, and was succeeded 
by Colonel (and Bvt. Major-General) J. J. Reynolds who was placed in com- 
mand of the Department of Texas the following April, without having 
joined the regiment. In May, 1870, the regiment was on its way to that 
department, going by steamer to Indianola, Texas, thence marching to 
San Antonio. Colonel Bliss with Companies B, C and G arrived at the 
latter place on June 3 and encamped at San Pedro Springs where they were 
joined by the rest of the regiment, under General Hinks, on the 9th. The 
march to stations began June 22d. The main body took the Fort Clark 
road, while Companies C and H diverged on the road to Fort McKavett. At 
Rio Frio, Companies E and I marched for Fort Duncan, under Colonel 
Bliss. July found Headquarters, Companies D and F established at Fort 
Clark ; Company K at Fort Stockton ; Companies A and G at Fort Davis; 
Company B did not reach its distant station, Fort Quitman, until August. 
In December, 1870, General Reynolds transferred to the 3d Cavalry and 
General Hinks retired from active service; they were succeeded by Colonel 
John D. Stevenson and Lieut.-Col. George L. Andrews ; the latter becom- 
ing colonel of the regiment January 1, 1871, vice Stevenson resigned. 
Colonel Andrews joined the regiment at Fort Clark June 19, 1871. In 
May, 1872, the regiment marched to Western Texas and established its 
headquarters at Fort Davis. Company I, Captain Lawson commanding, 
participated in the engagement with Indians at Wichita Indian Agency, Ind. 
Ter., Aug. 22 and 23, 1873, having one man wounded. Company B, Captain 
Bentzoni commanding, was with General Mackenzie’s expedition into 
Mexico in June 1878. 
The history of the ten years’ service in Texas is the record of a con- 
tinuous series of building and repairing of military posts, roads and tele- 
graph lines ; of escort and guard duty of all descriptions ; of marchings and 
counter-marchings from post to post, and of scouting for Indians which re- 
sulted in a few unimportant skirmishes. 
In April, 1880, the regiment was ordered to the Department of Dakota, 
exchanging with the 1st Infantry. Headquarters and four companies took 
station at Fort Randall, S. D., in June and remained there until the arrival 
of the 15th Infantry in November, 1882, when they were transferred to Fort 
Snelling, Minn., relieving the 7th Infantry. During this period four com- 
panies were stationed at Fort Meade, S. D., and two at Fort Hale, S. D. The 
latter post was abandoned in May, 1884, and the garrison transferred to 
Fort Sisseton, N. D. 
In May, 1888, the regiment was transferred to Montana, exchanging sta- TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 
699 
tions with the 3rd Infantry. Headquarters and four companies were 
located at Fort Missoula, while four companies went to Fort Shaw and two 
to Fort Custer. 
In September, 1890, companies I and K were skeletonized pursuant to 
orders from the War Department. Lieutenant-Colonel Van Horn, with com- 
panies C, E, F and H, arrived at Fort Keogh the last of November, 1890, 
and remained there in camp until February 5, 1891, when they returned to 
their stations, nothing further having been required of them during that 
short but eventful campaign against the hostile Sioux. 
Of the original officers of the regiment there are now but six on the 
rolls, viz.: Captains John W. French, Charles Bentzoni (Bvt. Lieut.-Col.), 
and Gaines Lawson (Bvt. Lieut.-Col.), and 2d Lieutenants (now captains) 
David B. Wilson, Owen J. Sweet and Henry P. Ritzius. It may also be in- 
teresting to note that Colonel Andrews, who has been colonel of the regi- 
ment for over twenty years, is the only colonel who ever commanded it; 
that during its 22 years of existence, the whole regiment has been together 
but fourteen days, and that but one captain (Van Valzah) has attained his 
majority by regular promotion. Appendix APPENDIX. 
I. 
CIRCULAR—PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. 
The; Military Service Institution, 
Governor’s Iseand, N. Y. H., Nov. 10, 1889. 
Sir,—Although, by its varied services in War and in Peace, the Regular 
Army of the United States has exerted, during the past century, no small 
influence upon the development of the country, no record of these services has 
appeared in a compact and accessible form. Many isolated facts and references 
are scattered through the annual reports of the Secretary of War, Congressional 
Documents, War Records, etc., but, so wide is the dispersion, that it is believed 
the official history of their own organizations can be but imperfectly known to 
many officers. 
With a view to supplying, to a certain extent, this deficiency, the Military 
Service Institution proposes to undertake the publication, in its Journal, of a 
series of Historical Sketches of the Regiments, Staff Corps, and Staff Departments 
of the Army. Each record will be separately headed and the pages will be 
electrotyped, so that when completed the sketches can be reprinted and bound 
in one volume ; each Headquarters, Post Library, and Officer of the Army can 
thus be supplied at little cost, with what can hardly fail to be a valuable work 
of reference. 
The Publication Committee requests your co-operation in its attempt to 
obtain accurate and trustworthy data for the record of your Regiment. They 
may be secured, if you approve of the plan, by your selecting and designating 
an officer willing to undertake the work, and placing him in communication 
with the Secretary of the Institution, who will furnish every assistance in his 
power. 
Each sketch should contain a brief account of the origin and circumstances 
attending the establishment of the organization, the dates of important changes 
and events, list of battles, names of commanding officers, together with parti- 
cular mention of brilliant actions, distinguished individuals, and especially of 
publications (stating edition and page) where such records may be found more 
fully detailed. Each sketch should be limited to about 6,500 words. 
(Signed) H. L. ABBOT, 
Col. Bngrs., Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A., 
Chairman, Publication Committee. 
Note.—A copy of this circular was addressed to each Chief of Staff-Corps and Regimental Com- 
mander. 704 
APPENDIX. 
II. 
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PUBLICA- 
TION COMMITTEE HELD JULY 18, 1890. 
Resolved, That the work of supervising the production, editing and ar- 
ranging for serial publication of material for the “ Historical Sketches of the 
Army of the U. S.” (begun in No. 45 of this Journal) shall be entrusted to a 
Special Committee of two members of the Institution to be designated by the 
Chairman of the Publication Committee ; said special committee to be governed 
by the provisions of the Circular of November 10, 1889, to Commanding Officers, 
covering the aggregate number of words for the entire work, and to report 
progress from time to time. 
The Chair announces the following “ Special Committee on Historical 
Sketches ’ ’ : 
Gen. Theo. F. Rodenbough, U. S. Army, 
Major William L. PIaskin, First Artillery. 
(Signed) HENRY L. ABBOT, 
Chairman. 
III. 
THE FIRST INFANTRY. 
In glancing over the article on The First Regiment of Infantry, on page 
407, I notice a few errors. 
The First Infantry battalion did not form a part of the “third” brigade, 
which was Deitzler’s, but the First Brigade, Sturgis’. The company, attached 
to the battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Henry Clay Wood, was composed 
of recruits for the Mounted Riflemen and First and Second Dragoons. If it is 
the wish to be strictly accurate, and more in detail, the battalion deployed into 
line of battle with a strength of 291 men. Cos. B, C, and D, 1st Infantry, 
numbered 225 men, and had 11 men killed, and 2 officers and 30 men wounded. 
The company of Rifle and Dragoon recruits numbered 66 men, and had 9 men 
killed and 1 officer and 24 men wounded. The conflict lasted six and a half 
hours, etc. Captains Plummer, Gilbert, and Huston, and Lieutenant Wood 
were mentioned for conspicuous gallantry and highly meritorious conduct from 
the beginning to the close of the battle ; Plummer, Gilbert and Lieutenant Wood 
being wounded. 
H. CLAY WOOD, 
Colonel, U. S. A. 
New York, May 6, 1895. 
IV. 
THE SEVENTH INFANTRY. 
I desire to invite attention to an error in the * ‘ Historical Sketch of the 
7th Infantry, ’ ’ where it says : “ At ten o’clock, on the following morning, General APPENDIX; 
705 
Howard arrived with part of his command, and thus saved from entire annihila- 
tion the remainder of the regiment. ” (Battle of the Big Hole.) 
Any officer who had the honor to be present on that occasion knows that 
General Howard did not arrive until twenty-four hours later than he is repre- 
sented as appearing on the field ; and, creditable as were his efforts to reach 
the command, it was surgeons, not fighting men, that were needed. 
General Howard himself, page 609, Volume I. Report of the Secretary of 
War, 1877, says : “ I was intensely anxious for Gibbon’s command till I came 
in sight of it between nine and ten the next day. (Aug. nth.) His wagons 
were near his fortified camp, his men were bathing and washing their clothes 
at the creek, and the horses grazing quietly in the bottom. There was no sign 
of an enemy in the vicinity.” 
General Howard’s picture of peace and confidence shows that General 
Gibbon and his command were not saved from “entire annihilation,” but 
securely resting on a battle-field where they had suffered a greater per centum 
of loss than that of the Light Brigade at Balaklava, and from which they had 
driven the enemy after inflicting upon him a loss in killed and mortally wounded, 
numbering more than Gibbon led into the fight. 
C. A. WOODRUFF, 
Major C. S., U. S. A. 
V. 
THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 
As Colonel Anderson, in his historical sketch of the 14th Infantry, does not 
advert to the combat which took place at the Peach Orchard, Gettysburg, July 
4th, and in which his regiment took part—a combat that was continued, later, 
as “ picket-firing ”—a few pertinent facts may not come amiss. 
Pretty early in the forenoon of July 4th, the P'irst Regular Brigade, under 
Gen. H. Day, was ordered to the front, to “feel” the enemy: leaving the 
position occupied during the 3d, in rear of the Bittle Round Top, by the road 
leading to the Orchard, the column, just before reaching the Wheat Field, was 
deflected to the right to secure the shelter of the woods ; reaching the outer 
end of the woods the brigade was formed in two lines—the first, composed of 
the 3d, 4th and 6th Infantry, commanded by Captain (nowcolonel) Bootes, and 
the second, composed of the 12th and 14th Infantry, / thi?ik, by Major Giddings, 
and, covered by Captain Thatcher’s Co. of the 14th, advanced in this order toward 
the Fmmittsburg Turnpike—the skirmishers penetrating the Peach Orchard, 
the first line halting at its edge, and the second, in the open space intervening. 
Stray bullets had been falling amongst the troops before leaving the woods 
—one wounding Lieutenant Crowley, 4th Infantry—and as soon as the skir- 
mishers emerged from its shelter, a brisk exchange of fire began, which was kept 
up for about an hour, after halting ; men detached from the flank companies of 
the 6th and 14th, meanwhile replying to the fire from the left, opened by cover- 
ing parties of the enemy, ensconced behind stone walls and small redan shaped 
shelters made of stones and fence rails. 
About 11 o’clock, finding the lines exposed to enfilading artillery, the 
brigade was ordered to retire, which it did under fire from a rebel battery posted 706 
APPENDIX. 
near the Fairfield road, and which was answered by the Federal battery on 
Little Round Top—this being the last artillery firing at Gettysburg. Almost 
reaching its original position, the column faced about and proceeded to establish 
a “ picket line ”—really a line of skirmishers in groups—along the edge of the 
woods to the left of the Wheat Field, through the “ Devil’s Den,” and along 
the open crest of Plum Creek, between the two Round Tops. As soon as the 
rain, which had been falling in torrents, ceased, picket firing began, which 
lasted till after dark, the 14th Infantry, if not the last, certainly among the 
last, who fired upon the enemy at Gettysburg. 
During the night of the 4th the last Confederates left, and early on the 
morning of the 5th a skirmish line was advanced—Benedict’s Company of the 
4th, and Company “ I,” 6th Infantry, being part of the force from the “ Devil’s 
Den” to a point beyond the Emmittsburg Turnpike, and near the Fairfield 
road, a force of Confederate cavalry and artillery being reported in sight on the 
latter road. 
J. P. SCHINDEL, 
Capt. 6th Infantry. 
Ft. Gibson, I. T., July 28, 1890. 
VI. 
DATES OF IMPORTANT CAMPAIGNS, Etc. 
1790- War with Northwest Indians, Miamis, Wyandots, Delawrares, Potta- 
watomies, Shawnees, Chippewas and Ottawas, September 1790, 
to August 1795. 
1791- Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. 
1806. Sabine Expedition, Louisiana. 
1811- War with Northwest Indians, November, 1811, to October, 1813. 
1812. Seminole disturbances, Florida. 
1812- War with Great Britain, June 18, 1812, to February 17, 1815. 
1813- Creek Indian War, Alabama. 
1817-1818. Seminole or Florida War, November 20, 1817, to October 31, 1818. 
1823. Campaign against Blackfeet and Arickaree Indians, Upper Missouri 
River. 
1827. Le Fevre Indian War, or Winnebago Expedition, Wisconsin (no 
fighting), June to September, 1827. 
1832. Black Hawk War, April 26, to September 21, 1832. 
1835- Seminole or Florida War, December 28, 1835, to August 14, 1842. 
1836- Creek disturbances in Alabama, May 5, 1836, to September 30, 1837. 
1836-1837. Southwestern Frontier (Sabine) disturbances Louisiana and Arkan- 
sas (no fighting), April, 1836, to June, 1837. 
1836-1839. Cherokee disturbances and removal. 
1838-1839. New York, Aroostook and Canada (Patriot War) Frontier disturb- 
ances (no fighting.) 
1846-1848. Mexican War, April 24, 1846, to May 30, 1848. 
1846-1847. New Mexico Expedition, June 30, 1846, to February 13, 1848. 
1848. Cayuse War, Oregon, Oregon Volunteers. 
1849-1861. Navajo troubles, New Mexico. APPENDIX. 
707 
1849-1861. Continuous disturbances with Comanches, Cheyenne, Lipan, and 
Kickapoo Indians in Texas. 
1850. Pitt River Expedition, California, April 28, to September 13, 1850. 
1851-1852. Yuma Expedition, California, December, 1851, to April, 1852. 
1851-1856. Rogue River, Yakima, and Klikitat Indian Wars in Oregon and 
Washington. 
1855. Winnas Expedition against Snake Indians, Oregon, May 24, to 
September 8, 1855. 
1855. Sioux Expedition, Nebraska Territory, June to October, 1855. 
1855. Yakima Expedition, Washington Territory, October 11, to November 
24, 1855. 
1:855-1856. Cheyenne and Arapahoe troubles. 
1855-1857. Seminole or Florida War, December, 1855, to September, 1857. 
1857. Gila Expedition, New Mexico, April 16, to Sepember 16, 1857. 
1857-1858. Utah Expedition. 
1857- Kansas Border troubles. 
1858. Expedition against Northern Indians, Washington Territory, July 
17, to October 17, 1858. 
1858. Puget Sound Expedition, Washington Territory, August 10, to Sept, 
23, 1858. 
1858. Spokane, Cceur d’Alene and Paloos Indian troubles, Washington 
Territory. 
1858. Navajo Expedition, New Mexico, September 9, to December 25, 1858. 
1858- Wichita Expedition, Indian Territory, September 11, 1858, to De- 
cember, 1859. 
1859. Colorado River Expedition, California, February 11, to April 28, 1859. 
1859. Pecos Expedition, Texas, April 16, to August 17, 1859. 
1859. Antelope Hills Expedition, Texas, June 10, to September 23, 1859. 
1859. Bear River Expedition, Utah, June 12, to October 18, 1859. 
1859- Cortina troubles on Texas and Mexican border. 
1860. Kiowa and Comanche Expedition, Indian Territory, May 8, to 
October 11, i860. 
i860. Carson Valley Expedition, Utah, May 14, to July 15, i860. 
1860- Navajo Expedition, New Mexico, September 12, i860, to February 
24, 1861. 
1861- Apache Indian War and troubles in Arizona and New Mexico. 
1861- War of the Rebellion, April 19, 1861, to August 20, 1866. Actual 
hostilities, however, commenced upon the firing on Fort Sumter, 
April 12, 1861, and ceased by the surrender of the Confederate 
forces under General Kirby Smith, May 26, 1865. 
1862- Sioux Indian War in Minnesota and Dakota. 
1863- War against the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kiowas and Comanche 
Indians in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Indian Territory. 
1865-1868. Indian War in Southern Oregon and Idaho, and Northern California 
and Nevada. 
1865-1866. Fenian Raid, New York and Canada Border disturbances. 
1867- Campaign against Dipan, Kiowa, Kickapoo and Comanche Indians 
and Mexican Border disturbances. 
1868- Canadian River Expedition, New Mexico, November 5, 1868, to 
February 13, 1869. APPENDIX. 
1871. Yellowstone Expedition, August 28, to October 25, 1871. 
1872-1873. Modoc Campaign, November, 1872, to June, 1873. 
1873. Yellowstone Expedition, Dakota, June 4, to October 4, 1873. 
1874-1875. Campaign against Kiowas, Cheyennes, and Comanche Indians, in 
Indian Territory, August 1, 1874, to February 16, 1875. 
1874. Sioux Expedition, Wyoming and Nebraska, February 13, to August 
19, 1874. 
1874. Black Hills Expedition, Dakota, June 20, to August 30, 1874. 
1874. Big Horn Expedition, Wyoming, August 13, to October 10, 1874. 
1875. Expedition against Indians in Eastern Nevada, September 7, to 27, 
1875- 
1876. Powder River Expedition, Wyoming, November 1, to December 31, 
1876. 
1S76-1877. Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition, Wyoming and Montana, 
February 17, 1876, to June 13, 1877. 
1876-1879. War with Northern Cheyenne and Sioux Indians, in Indian Territory, 
Kansas, Wyoming, Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana. 
1877 Labor strikes in Pennsylvania and Maryland, July to October, 1877. 
1877. Nez Percez Campaign, June to October, 1877. 
1878. Bannock Campaign, May to September, 1878. 
1878. Piute Indian troubles, in Nevada and Idaho. 
1878, Ute Expedition, Colorado, April 3, to September 9, 1878. 
1879-1894. Disturbances of settlers in Indian and Oklahoma Territories, 
‘ ‘ Oklahoma Boomers, ’ ’ and the Cherokee strip disturbances. 
1879-1880. Ute Indian Campaign in Colorada and Utah, September 21, 1879, to 
November 8, 1880. 
1885. Chinese Miner and Labor troubles in Wyoming, September and 
October, 1885. 
1890- Sioux Indian disturbances in South Dakota, November, 1890, to 
January, 1891. 
1891- Garcia troubles, Texas and Mexican Border disturbances. 
1892. Miner disturbances in Idaho, July to November, 1892. 
1894. “Industrial Army,” “ Commonwealers,” “Coxeyites,” and labor 
disturbances. 
1894. Railroad, Pullman and Labor strikes extending from Illinois to 
Pacific Coast, June to August, 1894. APPENDIX. 
709 
C/) 
JV 
a v 
£.2 
Killed and Died of 
Wounds. 
u 
0 
a 
to tL 
10 p 
Died of Disease, 
Accidents, in 
Prison, etc. 
Total Deaths 
from all causes. 
sA 
g,S 
c c 
rj cd 
be 
Cfl 
u 
<v 
<L) 
13 
1) c* 
&§ 
B 
rd 
<D 
13 
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<U 
2 S 
<D 0 
jJU 
°o 
0 
£ 
0 
"5 
W 
0 
h 
u(J 
OJ 
> 
< 
0 
S 
O 
W 
0 
h 
0 
(fi 
0 
CO 
c 
w 
cd £ 
v- 0 
CH 
<u 
a 
ist Cavalry 
2d Cavalry- 
ad Cavalry 
4th Cavalry 
12 
I 2 
12 
12 
9 
5 
2 
3 
73 
73 
30 
59 
82 
78 
32 
62 
6.8 
6-5 
2-7 
5-2 
2 
3 
3 
1 
91 
92 
i°5 
108 
93 
95 
108 
109 
II 
8 
3 
4 
164 
165 
135 
167 
175 
173 
140 
14.6 
14.4 
11.7 
14.2 
5th Cavalry 
6th Cavalry 
i st Artillery 
2d Artillery 
12 
12 
12 
12 
7 
2 
6 
5 
60 
5^ 
75 
50 
67 
52 
81 
55 
5-6 
4-3 
6.8 
4.6 
2 
1 
1 
90 
106 
116 
ns 
92 
107 
116 
119 
9 
3 
6 
6 
150 
156 
19' 
16S 
159 
159 
197 
13.2 
13.2 
16.4 
14.5 
3d Artillery 
I 2 
2 
39 
41 
3 4 
3 
67 
70 
9.2 
4th Artillery 
12 
6 
87 
93 
7.8 
4 
119 
123 
IO 
]8.o 
5th Artillery 
1st Infantry 
12 
10 
7 
6 
87 
73 
94 
81 
7.8 
8.1 
1 
145 
116 
146 
U6 
8 
6 
232 
240 
20.0 
19.7 
2d Infantry 
10 
8 
88 
96 
9 6 
1 
58 
59 
9 
146 
155 
15.5 
3d Infantry 
IO 
2 
39 
41 
4.1 
- 
48 
48 
2 
87 
8 9 
4th Infantry 
IO 
2 
58 
60 
6.0 
1 
62 
12.2 
5th Infantry 
6th Iifantry 
7th Infantry 
IO 
IO 
IO 
2 
2 
2 
18 
29 
5° 
20 
31 
52 
2.0 
31 
5-2 
2 
1 
3 
35 
43 
56 
37 
44 
59 
4 
3 
5 
53 
72 
106 
57 
75 
5-7 
7-5 
11.1 
8th Infantry 
IO 
I 
15 
16 
1.6 
4 
47 
51 
5 
62 
67 
67 
9U1 Infantry 
10th Infantry 
IO 
10 
3 
83 
86 
8.6 
2 
3 
18 
49 
20 
52 
2 
6 
18 
132 
20 
158 
2.0 
15.8 
•Served on Pacific Coast during the war. 
nth Infantry 
24 
8 
117 
125 
5-2 
2 
86 
8S 
10 
203 
213 
8.8 
f Six co’s. organized by Oct 1861. Date of organization of other co’s. 
1 not known, but all seem to have been organized before the end of war. 
12th Infantry 
l6 
8 
118 
126 
7-9 
3 
190 
193 
11 
308 
3'9 
20.0 
f Organization of ist battalion, completeB by October, 1861. 
1 “ 2d “ “ “ September, 1862. 
13th Infantry 
8 
3 
55 
58 
I 21 
128 
10 
186 
23.2 
J Organization of ist battalion completed in 1861. The other two 
1 battalions do not seem to have been organized till after the war. 
(ist battalion organized before November, 1861. 
j 2d “ “ “ December, 1861. 
(3d “ organization seems to have been completed by April, 1862. 
14th Infantry 
158 
24 
8 
166 
6.9 
2 
206 
208 
10 
364 
374 
n.4 
15U1 Infantry 
f ist battalion organized in 1861. 
2d “ “ beforejuly, 1862. 
(3d “ (4 companies) organized early in 1864. 
Three battalions-all organized. 
20 
3 
J3i 
134 
5-7 
1 
228 
229 
4 
359 
363 
18.1 
16th Infantry 
24 
7 
92 
99 
4.0 
2 
179 
181 
9 
271 
280 
II .1 
17th Infantry 
IO 
9 
92 
101 
100 
11 
192 
O •? 
20.6 
1 ist battalion organization completed in spring of 1862. 
218 
1 2d “ only partially organized (2 cos). 
(ist battalion organization completed in spring of 1861. 
4 2d “ “* “ summer of 1861. 
18th Infantry 
24 
9 
209 
9-i 
6 
246 
252 
15 
455 
470 
19.6 
13d “ “ “ spring of 1862. 
19th Infantry 
11 
3 
55 
58 
5-3 
124 
184 
17.6 
f ist battalion organization completed in spring of 1862. 
12d “ (3 companies) partial!-" organized in spring of 1865. 
TABLE OF LOSSES SUSTAINED BY EACH OF THE REGULAR REGIMENTS DURING 1861-65. 
Compiled by Captain IV. P. Evans, 19th U. S. Infantry. 710 
APPENDIX. 
The order for the abandonment of the post was issued by Major Lynde 
about eight o’clock p. m., on the evening of July 26th, 1861, and was in terms 
as follows : “In accordance with the orders of the Department Commander, 
this post will be abandoned this evening. ’ ’ Many of the officers and their 
families were at supper when they received the order. 
They got up from their tables, leaving nearly everything in their houses. 
Only one or two wagons were allowed each company for officers and men. The 
laundresses and their children were concentrated in a few wagons at the head 
of the train. The terms of the order left it beyond the power of the senior 
officers to dispute it. The command started about one A. M., following the road 
along the Rio Grande to Das Cruces, and thence easterly to the Organ Moun- 
tains, about twenty miles distant, San Augustine Springs being at the foot of the 
easterly slope, possibly three or four miles from the crest. 
Shortly after sunrise, the heat became so oppressive that many of the men 
fell out of the ranks exhausted. The water in their canteens was soon used up, 
and the mesquite bushes afforded no protection from the frightful heat. By 
eleven o’clock there was practically no organized command. 
The writer, with I Company, had charge of the train, and succeeded in 
getting the loaded wagons more than half-way up the mountain. Major 
Dynde’s wagons and those used by the laundresses, being light, got to the 
Springs early in the afternoon. The mules hauling the loaded wagons, being 
utterly used up, were unhooked and sent forward to water. I got about a 
hundred canteens, with which I went forward in an old buggy. Having filled 
them, I returned and gave them to the half-dazed men stumbling on their way 
to the Springs. 
When I arrived, about half a mile from the crest of the mountain, the head 
of the mounted Texas force appeared. 
I turned back down the mountain with the horses at a run, and found about 
ten men of my company who had already aligned themselves with the other 
companies. My recollection is that there were ninety men of the regiment in 
line. There would have been no question of their resisting to the last man, 
except that back of them, huddled around the Springs, there were thirty or 
forty officers’ and soldiers’ wives and children, who would have been nearly all 
killed or wounded at the first volley from the Texas forces, so short was the 
range. 
The whole responsibility rested upon Major Bynde for getting the command 
into the position which made resistance almost impossible. Those in the ranks 
encumbered by the women and children, the remainder scattered for miles 
lying dazed on the ground or struggling along the road, all overcome by the 
terrific heat, were captured by the Texans as they advanced. Space will not 
allow for more details, nor for any mention of the troops of the Rifle Regiment 
under command of Captain Alfred Gibbs. The surrender was not due to any 
want of skill, nerve or discipline on the part of the officers or men of the 
Seventh Infantry, except their commander ; nor was there any time that the 
second in command, Captain Joseph H. Potter, could have intervened to have 
arrested Major Lynde up to the time that the surrender was practically 
complete. 
FRANCIS J. CRILLY, 
Late Brevet-Colonel U. S. Army. 
THE SEVENTH INFANTRY.* 
*See page 502. INDEX. 
Abbot, C. W., Jr. Lieut., 555, 572, 636. 
Abbot, H. L., Bvt. Brig.-Gen.,i 11,703,704. 
Abercrombie, Capt., 405. 
Abercrombie, J. J., Gen., 473. 
Abert, W. S., 232, 234. 
Abrahams, A. D., Quartermr-Gen., 47. 
Adair, L. D., Lieut., 648, 649, 653, 684. 
Adams, H. H., Lieut., 654. 
Adams, John, . . . 33; President, 45. 
Adams, Sam., Sergt., 219. 
Addison, Lieut., 198. 
Adjutant-General, Aide-de-Camp, 3, 4, 5. 
Ahapopha, Lake, Engagement at, 353. 
Alabama, Gov. of, 313. 
Alataya, 419. 
Alburtis, Lieut., 417, 4x8. 
Albuquerque, 538. 
Alden, Col., 463. 
Aldie, 349. 
Alexander, Major, 274, 276. 
Alexander, E. B., Capt., Bvt. Lieut.-Col., 
Gen., 436, 437, 438, 439, 441, 53 L 
532> 533> 535. 536, 537. 
Alexandria, 580. 
Allen, Capt., 324. 
Allen, E. L., Surgeon, 467. 
Allen, G. W., Major, 417. 
Allen, H. T., Lieut., 191. 
Allen, J., Lieut., 153. 
Allen, L. C., Adjt., 633. 
Allen, R., Lieut., 315. 
Allen’s Farm, 360. 
Allyn, A. W., Capt., 630. 
Almy, A., 1st Lieut., 228, 630. 
Alsoto, Chief, 270. 
Alton, 111., 575. 
Alvord, B., Paym.-Gen., no. 
Alvord, H. E., Lieut., 290 ; Capt., 291. 
American Horse Chief, 207. 
American Regiment, 1st. 
Ames, Lieut., 379; Capt., 547. 
Amick, M. J., Lieut., 290. 
Amissville, 321, 324. 
Ammen, J., Gen., 307 
Amory, Lieut., 214. 
Amosville, 234. 
Ampudia, Gen., 458. 
Anderson, Capt. (12th Inf.), 565, 595. 
Anderson, G. B., Gen., 178, 593. 
Anderson, G. T., Capt., 211. 
Anderson, J. W., Capt., 416, 421. 
Anderson, J., Lieut., 654. 
Anderson, L. S., Capt., 319. 
Anderson, R., Gen., 306, 333, 339, 340, 
613. 
Anderson, R. H., Gen., 178. 
Anderson, S. H., Capt., 174. 
Anderson, T. M., Capt., 559 ; Col., 216, 
586, 7°5- 
Andrews, Capt. (6th Inf.), 484. 
Andrews, G., Lieut.-Col., 491. 
Andrews, G., Lieut., 697. 
Andrews, G. L., Col., 580, 581, 634, 635, 
636, 698. 
Andrews, G. P., Lieut., 340; Capt., 342, 
346- 
Andrews, T., Paym.-Gen., 109. 
Angeles, Los, 157. 
Angel Island, 374. 
Ansart, F., Capt., 332. 
Antietam, 55, 93, 235, 306, 307, 321, 322, 
324, 338, 349, 360, 361, 364, 365, 370, 
407, 425, 445, 464, 527, 552, 595, 635, 
658, 693. 
Apache Campaign, 374. 
Apache Canon, 472. 
Apache Indian Expedition, 524, 529. 
Apache Wars, 148, 159, 176. 
Applegate, D. W., Lieut., 566. 
Appomatox, 164, 178, 223, 240, 306, 321, 
325, 363, 370, 396. 
Arbuckle, M., Lieut.-Col., 74, 433; Col., 
510. 
Archer, S. B., Major, 27, 28; Capt., 332. 
Archer, Capt., (5th Inf.) 472. 
Arkansas Post Battle, 577, 680. 
Armes, G. A., Capt., 290, 291. 
Armistead, L. A., Lieut., 485; Gen., 512. 
Armistead, W. K., Col., 332. 
Armour, Sergt., 243. 
Armstrong, F. C., Lieut., 317; Gen., 178. 
Armstrong, J., Capt., 401. 
Army of Cumberland, 371, 385, 387, 388. 
Army of Florida, 404. 
Army of the James, 396. 
Army Medical Museum, 95. 
Army of the Potomac, 396, 407, 591. 
Arnold, A. K., Col., 172. 
Arnold, I., Lieut., 369. 
Arnold, L. G., Lieut., 38, 315; Gen., 307: 
Capt,, 322. 
Arnold, R., Capt., 377, 394. 
Arpieka, Chief, 354. 
Arthur, President, 59. 
Articles of War, 33. 
Artillerists and Engineers, Corps of, 301. 712 
INDEX. 
Artillery Corps of Instruction, 329, 333. 
Artillery School, 319, 325,375. 
Artillery, 301. 
First Regiment, 301. 
Second Regiment, 312.* 
Third Regiment, 328. 
Fourth Regiment, 351. 
Fifth Regiment, 376. 
Ash, Capt., 231. 
Ashby, J., Capt., 174. 
Ashland, 349. 
Ashley, Gen., 481. 
Assinniboine, Fort, 655, 670. 
Atkinson, B. W., Lieut., 497. 
Atkinson, H., Col., 480; Gen., 404, 456, 
467, 481,485* 497- 
Atlanta Campaign, 323, 622, 651. 
Atlanta, 430, 448, 661. 
Atlixco, 340. 
Augur, C. C., Major, 575 ; Col., 561, 566, 
567 ; Gen., 463, 584. 
Augur Camp, 565. 
Aulick, Chief, 416. 
Auman, Wm., Capt., 580; Lieut., 580. 
Austine, G. P., Capt., 341. 
Averell, Lieut., 200, 232; Gen., 201, 321, 
39L 392, 557- 
Avery, E., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Aylett, Wm., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Ayres, R. B., Col., 326; Lieut., 335, 339, 
340; Capt., 377, 380, 381, 393; Gen., 
548, 561, 597. 
Ayres, Robt., Lieut., 660. 
B. 
Bachelder, R. N., Lieut.-Col., Quarter- 
master-Gen., 60. 
Backenstos, J. B., Capt., 193, 195; Lieut., 
197- 
Backus, Col., 443, 492. 
Bacon, J. M., Capt., 282, 284, 285; Lieut., 
488, 596. 
Bad Ax, Battle of the, 404. 
Bailey, C. M., Lieut., 618 ; Major, 628. 
Bailey, G. D., Lieut., 325. 
Bainbridge, Capt., 385, 436; Lieut., 596. 
Baird, A., Col., 29; Insp.-Gen., 32; Div., 
387 ; Gen., 309, 649; Lieut., 477. 
Baker, D., Lieut.-Col., 482. 
Baker, E. L., 364. 
Baker, E. M., Capt., 162, 164; Major, 
583-. 
Baker, Lieut., (3d Cav.,) 200, 201. 
Baker, R. L., Capt., 127; Major, 182, 190. 
Balaklava, 225. 
Balch, Lieut., 131. 
Balder, Lieut.,' 236. 
Balding, Lieut., 467. 
Baldwin, Capt., (10th Cav.), 292. 
Baldwin, F. D., Lieut., 474, 476; Capt., 
478. 
Baldwin, H. H., Lieut., 384, 395. 
Baldwin, J. H., Lieut., 654. 
Baldwin, Lieut., (6th Cav.), 243. 
Baldwin, Thos., Sergt., 354. 
Baltimore, 551. 
Ballance, J. G., Lieut., 690. 
Ball, Capt., 180, 181, 188; Lieut., 178. 
Bancroft, E. A., Capt., 374; Lieut., 366. 
Bankhead, Capt., 292; Col., 316, 317, 
318, 332, 473. 
Bankhead’s Expedition, 354. 
Banks’ Corps, 364, 365. 
Banks’ Ford, 382. 
Banks, Gen., 395, 520, 559, 595. 
Barber, Lieut., 580. 
Barber, M., Adj., 630, 633. 
Barber’s Cross Roads, 234, 240, 324. 
Barbour, J. Hon., 74, 76. 
Barbour, P. N., Capt., 437. 
Barden, T. C., Lieut., 282. 
Barker’s Mills, 390. 
Barnard, Gen., 128. 
Barnes, J. K., Surgeon-Gen., 93-96. 
Barnhart, Lieut., 654. 
Barnitz, Capt., 251, 253. 
Barrett, W. W., 1st Lieut., 630. 
Barri, T. O., Capt., 552, 580. 
Barriger, J. W., Bvt. Brig.-Gen., 67. 
Barry, T. H., Capt., 413. 
Barry, W. F., Gen., 320, 325, 397. 
Bartholomew, W. H., Capt., 630. 
Bartlett, C. G., Col., 530. 
Bascom, Capt., 503. 
Basinger, Lieut., 314. 
Bassford, Capt., 273. 
Batchelder, Lieut., 180. 
Bates, A. E., Major, 173; Capt., 180, 183. 
Bates, J. C., Capt., 667, 669, 670; Col., 
4 31- 
Bates, Kinzie, Lieut., 407. 
Bates, Lieut, (nth Inf.), 547, 552 
Bates, Mr., 145. 
Bates, R. F., Lieut., 654. 
Baton Rouge, La., 404, 456, 667. 
Battery Logan, 410. 
Battle Creek, Battle, 694. 
Battle Mt., 324 
Baxter, J. II., Surgeon-Gen., 96. 
Bayard, Geo. D., Lieut., 211. 
Bayard, W., Capt., 282. 
Baylor, Lieut., 131. 
Baylor, Lieut.-Col., C. S. A., 501. 
Beall, B. L., Capt., 174, 175; Col., 159. 
Beall, Wm. D., Col., 432. 
Beall, W. N. R., Gen., 473; Lieut., 211. 
Bealton, 321. 
Bean, Capt. (15th Inf.), 627. 
Bean, Jesse, Capt., 153. 
Bean, J. L., Capt., 174. 
Bear Creek, 448. 
Beardslee, 144. 
Beaumont, E. B., Col., 2x6; Capt., 217. 
Beauregard, Gen., 120, 147, 564, 616; 
Lieut., 588. 
Beaver Dam Creek, Va., 378. 
Beaver Dam Station, Va., 161. 
Beaver Dams, N. C., Battle, 693. INDEX. 
713 
Beck, W. H., Lieut., 291, 393, 394. 
Beecher, H. B., Lieut., 370, 371, 390, 396. 
Bee, B. E., Capt., 438, 331, 333, 334. 
Belknap, W. G., Col., 471; Capt., 645 ; 
Major, 434, 513, 514- 
Belle Plain, 234. 
Bell, B. F., Lieut., 291. 
Bell, J. M., Lieut., 251. 
Bell, James, Pvt., 508. 
Bell, J. R., Col., Insp.-Gen., 8, 26. 
Bell, Capt. (4th Art.), 351 (15th Inf.), 618. 
Bell, J. D., Lieut. (7th Cav.), 263 (18th 
Inf.), 653. 
Bellows, Lieut., 596. 
Belton, Francis S., Capt., 312; Assist. 
Insp.-Gen., 27 ; Col., 339, 340, 350. 
Bender, G., Capt., 467. 
Benet, S. V., Lieut., 130; Major, 135. 
. Benham, D. W., Lieut., 644. 
Benicia Barracks, 159, 343, 524. 
Benjamin, Calvin, Lieut., 356. 
Benjamin, S. N., Lieut., 323. 
Benner, H. H., Lieut., 584, 654. 
Bennett, Capt., 475, 478. 
Bennett, Lieut., 533, 649. 
Bennett, Quartermaster-Sergt, 641. 
Benson, Capt. (2d Art.), 324, 325. 
Benson, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 219. 
Benson’s Mills, 427. 
Benteen, F. W., Capt., 250, 251, 258. 
Bentick, Col., 591. 
Bent, Governor, 158. 
Bentley, W., Lieut.-Col., 498. 
Benton Brigade, 410. 
Benton, Lieut., 129, 135. 
Benton, Sergt., 590. 
Benton’s Mill, 235. 
Benton, T. IL, Hon., 78, 231. 
Bentzoni., Sergt., 546; Lieut., 547, 552 ; 
Capt., 699. 
Bermuda Hundred, 346, 363, 370, 390. 
Bernard, Capt., 168, 170. 
Berryville, 363, 391. 
Best, C. L., Cok, 375. 
Bethseda Church, 349, 362, 390, 580, 693. 
Betts, W. H., Lieut., 304. 
Beverly Ford, 160, 178, 324, 364, 365. 
Beverly House, 390. 
Beyer, Capt., 286. 
Bickham, Lieut., 659. 
Bickley, A. W., Lieut., 493. t 
Biddle, J., Capt., t68 ; Col., 287 ; Major, 
242, 162. 
Biddle, J. (4th Art.), Capt., 351 ; Asst. 
Insp.Gen., 27. 
Big Bend Engagement, 448. 
Big Bethel Battle, 143, 325, 363. 
Big Creek, Skirmish at, 431. 
Bigelow, J., Lieut., 288. 
Big Foot, Chief, 264. 
Big Hole, 189, 509. 
Big Horn Expedition, 185, 256, 640. 
Big Timbers, Battle of, 448. 
Big Wahoo Swamp, Battle of, 315. 
Biilings, J. S., Major, 95. 
Billy Bowlegs, Chief, 513. 
Bingham, Lieut., 179. 
Birkhimer, W. E., Lieut., 328. 
Birney, J. G., Gen., 390, 282. 
Birney’s Div., 348. 
Bisbee, Lieut., 652. 
Bishop, Sergt., 359. 
Bishop’s Palace, Engagement, 499. 
Bissell, Daniel, Gen., 403. 
Bissell, L., Major, 552. 
Blackburn’s Ford, 345. 
Black, Capt. (17th Inf.), 638. 
Black, H. M., Col., 654. 
Black Hawk War, 53, 88, 352, 404, 415, 
456, 467. 
Black Hills Expedition, 639. 
Black Horse, Chief, 294, 475. 
Black Mts., Engagement at, 276. 
Black Rock, Battle, 693. 
Blackwater, 370. 
Blackwater River Skirmish, 213. 
Bladensburg, 8. 
Blaine, E., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Blair, Lieut. (15th Inf.), 626. 
Blair’s Cross Roads, 348. 
Blake, C., Lieut., 467. 
Blake, E. D., Capt., 520. 
Blake, G. A. IL, Col., 160. 
Blake, J. E., Lieut., 114. 
Blanchard, (2d Cav.), Lieut., 178. 
Blicker, J., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Bliss, Capt. (4th Inf.), 463. 
Bliss, Major, (1st Inf.), 404. 
Bliss, Z. R., Col., 696, 697, 698. 
Blockson, Lieut. (6th Cav.), 246. 
Bloody Knife, Scout, 260, 581. 
Blue Gap, Skirmish at, 364. 
Blue Water, Battle of, 358, 532. 
Blunt, M. M., Capt., 558, 559, 59?. 
Bodamer, J. A., Lieut., 290. 
Boehm, Capt. (4th Cav.), 216. 
Boice, T. A., Capt., 282. 
Bomford, Capt. (8th Inf.), 515, 516, 517, 
518, 521, 523. 
Bomford, G., Lieut.-Col., 126, 127, 130; 
Col., 303. 
Bonaparte, J. N., Lieut., 2oo. 
Bonneville, B. L. E., Col., 434, 442, 443, 
444. 488, 510. 
Boone, Nathan, Capt., 153. 
Booneville, 322. 
Boonesboro, 321, 324, 349, 365. 
Bootes, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 198, 705. 
Bordeaux, Neb., Camp of Ins., at, 524. 
Borden, Lieut. (5th Inf.), 190. 
Boston Charlie, 168. 
Bosworth, G. B., Lieut., 282. 
Bottom’s Bridge, 366. 
Bourke, Capt. (3d Cav.), 199, 204. 
Boustler, C. G., Col., 586. 
Bowie Camp, 245. 
Bowen, E. C., Lieut., 565, 566. 
Bowen, I., Lieut., 305. 
Bowen, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 200. 
Bowman, C. S., Lieut., 408. INDEX; 
Bowman, J. M., Lieut., 153. 
Boyce, Lieut., 537, 539. 
Boyd, J. P., 453, 454. 
Boydton Plank Road, 321, 369. 
Boynton, E. C., Lieut., 304, 305. 
Brackett, A. G., Col., 180, 207. 
Braden, C., Lieut., 256, 684. 
Bradford, Capt. (19th Inf.), 663. 
Bradford, Lieut. (Ord. Dept.), 135. 
Bradley, Capt. (2d Inf.), 415. 
Bradley, J. H., Lieut., 653, 654. 
Bradley, L. P., Col., 450; Lieut.-Col., 
529, 584. 
Bradley, Lieut. (7th Inf.), 185, 507, 509. 
Brady, Capt. (14th Inf.), 600. 
Brady, PI., Col., 415, 422. 
Bragg, B., Lieut., 333. 336; Capt., 337, 
338, 341; Gen., 368, 385, 388, 620, 
645, 647, 649. 
Bragg’s Battery, 356, 358. 
Brainard, D. L., Lieut., 188, 192. 
Branch, Gen., 591. 
Brand, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 644, 649. 
Brandy Station, 160, 237, 321, 325, 349, 
365- 
Brannan, J. M., Col., 374; Gen., 307, 375 ; 
Lieut., 305. 
Bratling, F., Corp., 272. 
Bray ton, G. M., 612. 
Brazos River, 284. 
Brearly, Col., 74. 
Breckenridge, Gen., C. S. A., 614. 
Breckinridge, J. C., Col., Insp.-Gen., 32. 
Brent, Lieut. (4th Art.), 353. 
Brent, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 653. 
Brent, R., Paym.-Gen., 104, 106. 
Brett, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 190, 191. 
Brewerton, H. F., Lieut., 392. 
Breyfogle, R. C., Lieut., 566. 
Brice, B. W., Paym.-Gen., 106, 109, no. 
Bridge Creek, 367. 
Bridgewater, 322, 363, 
Brigade Major, 3. 
Brigadier-General, 7, 39, 40, 41. 
Brinkerhoff, H. R., Capt., 610. 
Brinley, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 424. 
Brisbin, J. S., Capt., 232; Col., 172; 
Major, 292. 
Bristoe Station, 360, 361, 562. 
Bristol, Capt., 472. 
Britton, T., Lieut., 495. 
Broadhead, Lieut, (14th Inf.), 594, 596, 
600. 
Broad Run, 364. 
Bronson, N., Lieut., 496. 
Brooke, Lieut., 484. 
Brooke, G. M., Col., 467, 471. 
Brooke, J. R., Col., 449, 450, 584; Gen., 
264, 265, 266. 
Brooks, Baxter, 631. 
Brooks, E. J., Lieut., 501, 502. 
Brooks, H., Col., 359; Lieut, 3 15, 317 ; 
Gen., 373, 415. 
Brooks, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 415. 
Brotherton, Capt., 262. 
Brown, Capt. (14th Inf.), 594, 597. 
Brown, Capt. (15th Inf.), 625. 
Brown, E. A., Lieut., 23. 
Brown, F. H., Capt., 653. 
Brown, Fort, 270. 
Brown, H., Capt., 1595; Gen., 377, 397: 
Lieut., 337 ; Major, 318, 355. 
Brown, J., Gen., 23, 403, 352. 
Brown, J. H., Lieut., 339. 
Brown, L. F., Lieut., 620, 649, 650. 
Brown, Major (5th Cav.), 227. 
Brown, Major (7th Inf.), 499, 514. 
Brown, N. W., Paym.-Gen., no. 
Brown’s Cross Roads, 368. 
Brown, S. II., Lieut., 232. 
Browne, J. B., Capt., 153. 
Brownell, Lieut., 547. 
Browning, G. L., Capt., 506; Lieut., 
589- 
Brownlow, Capt., 415. 
Bruen, L. B., Major, 555, 558, 562. 564. 
Bruns, Lieut., 318. 
Brunton, W. B., Lieut., 282. 
Brush, D. H., Lieut., 256. 
Bryan, Lieut., 533. 
Bryant, M., Capt., 495. 
Bryant, T. S., Lieut., 174. 
Buchanan, R. C., Col., 547, 550, 556, 561, 
586, 591, 592, 593, 597 ; Gen., 463. 
Buchanan, President, 58. 
Buchanan, W., Dep. Com.-Gen., 68, 69. 
Buckland Mills, 325, 365. 
Buckner, Gen., 613. 
Buckner, S. B., Lieut., 488. 
Buckton Ford, 392. 
Budd, C. W., Lieut., 282. 
Buell, G. P., Col., 627, 663-689; Gen., 
I4L 367> 385- 387. 632, 643, 645, 646, 
657 ; Lieut., 131, 439. 
Buena Vista, 304, 316, 356, 357, 418. 
Buffalo Barracks, 417. 
Buffalo Creek Engagement, 448. 
Buffalo Hump, 223. 
Buffum, Lieut., 625. 
Buford, Gen., 29, 178, 179, 235. 
Bull Run, Battle of, 46, 223, 306, 307, 308, 
320, 322, 323, 324, 325, 345, 347, 361, 
364, 376, 378, 397, 407, 422, 425, 444, 
445> 520> 549, 552> 557, 635, 693- 
Bullis, Lieut., 295. 
Bullitt, Lieut., 216. 
Bullock, E. D., Lieut., 174. 
Bunker Hill, Va., 363. 
Burbank, S., Capt., 467, 594, 600 ; Col., 
426, 429. 
Burbeck, H., Major, 301; Col., 549, 575, 
599; Lieut., 596. 
Burbridge, G. S., Major, 193. 
Burd, Capt., 351. 
Burgen, I. H. K., Lieut, Capt., 
158. 
Burgoyne, Gen., 33. 
Burke, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 428. 
Burke, M., Capt., 336, 339, 341; Col., 
556. INDEX. 
715 
Burke, M. J., Capt., 304, 305. 
Burkettsville, 322. 
Burlington, Vt., 87. 
Burnett, R. L., Lieut., 560. 
Burnett’s Ford, 323. 
Burnham, Capt. (15th Inf.), 627. 
Burnham, H. M., Lieut., 387, 388; Capt., 
397- 627. 
Burnside, Gen., 234, 333, 366, 380, 560; 
Capt., 282. 
Burnside’s Campaign, 348, 347, 446. 
Burns, T., Lieut., 325. 
Burns, W. W., Gen., 473. 
Burrill, J., Mr., 43. 
Burris, Col., 408. 
Burton, H. S., Col., 377. 
Bush, J. C., Lieut. (5th Art.), 376. 
Bush, J. C., Lieut. (10th Inf.) 538, 539. 
Bushnell, D., Capt., 116. 
Butler, B. F., Hon., 78. 
Butler, E., Capt., Major-Insp., 5,22. 
Butler, Gen., 144, 337, 370. 
Butler, I. H., Lieut., 323, 324. 
Butler, Lieut. (3d Inf.), 447. 
Butler, T., Col., 414, 453. 
Butterfield, D., Col., 473, 555, 561. 
Buzzard Roost Gap, 367. 
Byrne, E., Capt., 290. 
Byrnes, R. Gen., 221. 
C 
Caballo Mts., Engagement in, 286. 
Callabosa River, 340. 
Capron, A., Capt., 265. 
Carroll, H., Capt., 282, 284. 
Catlin, L., Major, 612. 
Cavalry, 151. 
First Regiment, 153. 
Second, “ 173. 
Third, “ 193. 
Fourth, “ 211. 
Fifth, “ 221. 
Sixth, “ 232. 
Seventh, “ 251. 
Eighth, “ 268. 
Ninth, “ 280. 
Tenth, “ 288. 
Cedar Creek, 163, 325. 
Cerro Gordo, Siege, 499. 
Chaffee, A. R., Lieut., 135, 236, 237, 244, 
248. 
Chaifin, Capt., 383 ; Capt. S. F., 377. 
Chalmers, Gen., 577. 
Chamberlin, Capt., 415. 
Chambers, A., Col., 639, 641, 651, 680. 
Chambers, T., Col., 404. 
Chambliss, Lieut., 200, 221, 225. 
Champion Mills, 576, 577. 
Chancellorsville, 145, 306, 307, 308, 348, 
360, 361, 362, 369, 382, 427, 446, 464, 
504, 538, 549- 552> 561. 693. 
Chandler, Robt., Capt., 580. 
Chandler, Capt. (3d Inf.), 439. 
Chandler, D., Lieut., 467. 
Chandler, J. G., Major, 59. 
Chantilly, 322, 364, 369. 
Chapal House, Battle, 694. 
Chapel Hill, Skirmish at, 368. 
Chapin, R. H., Capt., 269. 
Chapman, W., Capt., 470, 471; Col., 557, 
559. 591- „ 
Charleston, S. C., 333. 
Charleston, Va., 234, 240. 
Charlestown, W. Va., 360, 364. 
Charlotte Harbor, 404. 
Charlotte Pike, 368. 
Chase, Hon. S. P., 588, 611. 
Chassus Store, Skirmish, 386. 
Chareaugay River, Battle of, 456. 
Chattahoochie, 323. 
Chattanooga, 366, 368, 385, 387, 647, 650, 
651, 659. 
Chapultepec, 304, 317, 320, 340, 357, 421, 
439, 460, 488, 500, 526, 587, 611. 
Chester Gap, 321. 
Cheyenne Agency, 554. 
Chicago Fire, 522. 
Chickahominy, 370, 371, 424, 463, 538, 
548, 551, 556, 564 . ' 
Chickamauga, 215, 336, 367, 368, 371, 
385- 387- 397- 448, 495- 54°, 619, 624, 
627, 649, 659. 
Chickasaw Bayou, 577, 680. 
Chief, Joseph, 169, 191, 373. 
Chihuahua troops, 413. 
Childs, T., Col., 305, 355, 438, 5I5- 
Chilson, Capt., 272. 
Chipman, Capt., 547. 
Chippewa, 302, 586, 587, 693. 
Choctaw Nation, 406, 433. 
Choisy, Capt., 589, 600. 
Cholera at Panama, 461. 
Christopher, J., Capt., 654. 
Chrystler’s Fields, 302, 456, 586. 
Chrysty, W., Sergt., 291. 
Chubb, St. J. C., Capt., 634. 
Church, A. E., Lieut., 333, Benjamin, 84. 
Churchill Barracks, 567. 
Churchill, Lieut., 336. 
Churchill, Major, 28. 
Churubusco, 304, 317, 339, 420, 421,438, 
439- 459- 486, 526. 
Cilley, J., Lieut., 467. 
Cilley, Greenleaf, Lieut., 268, 269. 
City of Mexico, 440. 
Civil War (see Rebellion). 
Claflin, I. W., Lieut., 232; Capt., 236. 
Claiborne, T., Lieut., 194, 196, 201. 
Clapp, W. H., Lieut., 552, 630, 633. 
Clark, J. C., Capt., 364. 
Clark, W. P., Lieut., 188, 189, 190. 
Clarke, N. S., Col., 511, 512,467,469, 485. 
Clarke, A. P., Lieut., 296. 
Clarke, Capt. (3d Inf.), 435, 531. 
Clarke, H. F., Lieut., 317, 321. 
Clay, Henry, 316. 
Clay, J. K., Lieut., 589, 597, 600. 
Clearwater, Skirmish at, 373, 374. 716 
INDEX. 
Cleburne, Gen., 647. 
Clendenin, D. B., Col., 192. 
Clifford, Lieut., 135.' 
Clift, Capt., 578, 580, 581, 582. 
Clinch, Gen., 314, 334. 
Clinton, W., Lieut., 531; Capt., 539; 
Major, 580, 581. 
Clitz, II. B., Major, 555, 557, 562, 591, 593. 
Cloman, S. A., Lieut., 413. 
Closson, 14. W., Col., 375. 
Clode, Mr., 33. 
Clous, J. W., Lieut.-Col., U. S. M. A., 33. 
Clover Hill, 239, 396. 
Clyman, J., Lieut., 133. 
Coacooche, Chief, 572. 
Coal Region Strike, 326. 
Coates, Sergt., 213. 
Cochran, M. A., Col., 497; Major, 570, 
571- 
Cochrane, J., Surgeon-Gen., 86. 
Codding, M. O., Lieut., 580. 
Cody, W. F., 227, 686. 
Coe, J. N., Lieut., 552. 
Colburn, A. B., Lieut., 211 ; Capt., 213. 
Cold Harbor, 306, 321, 323, 369, 390, 391, 
428. 
Cold Spring, 201. 
Cole, R. G., Lieut., 520. 
Coleman, Lieut., 198, 625. 
Collady, Lieut., 295. 
Colliersville, Battle, 577, 680. 
Collins, Lieut. (14th Inf.), 594, 596. 
Collins, J. B., Lieut., 491, 591; Capt., 597, 
600. 
Colonial Army, 328. 
Colonies, Army of, 67. 
Colt, P., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Columbia, 369. 
Columbia Barracks, 199, 462. 
Columbia River, 402. 
Compton, Col., 219, 220; Major, 242, 
243- 
Confederate Army, 141, 307. 
Congress, 1, 2, 3, 14, 21, 23, 31, 33, 39, 
40, 41, 42, 44, 47, 53, 58, 60, 61, 64, 
67, 73, 80, 91, roi, 104, 126, 127, 153, 
174, 376. 
Conn. Heavy Artillery, 547, 548. 
Conrad, Capt., 627. 
Conradi, J. H., Pvt., 219. 
Constant, J., Col., 432; Lieut.-Col., 480, 
489- 
Continental Army, 1, 2. 
Contreras, 304, 339, 356, 419, 420, 438, 
486, 526. 
Converse, O. J., Lieut., 20S, 209, 268. 
Conway, Gen., 12. 
Cook, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 190. 
Cooke, Capt. (3d Cav.), 251, 258, 259. 
Cooke, J. R., Lieut., 520. 
Cooke, P. St. G., Lieut., 153, 482; Col., 
176, 225, 232, 234, 378; Gen., 178, 
179, 190. 
Cook’s Mills, 466, 586. 
Coolidge, Lieut., 509. 
Cooley, F. M., Capt., 552, 630. 
Cooney, M., Lieut., 282. 
Cooper, Bvt.-Col., Asst. Insp.-Gen., 29. 
Cooper, Lieut. (10th Cav.), 295 ; Capt., 
296. 
Cooper, W., Major, 251. 
Coppee, H., Lieut., 530. 
Coppinger, J. J., Capt., 589, 594, 597, 
600; Col., 655. 
Corcoran, Gen., 363. 
Corinth, 214, 323, 367, 368, 407, 409, 644, 
645. 
Cornell, E., Col., Insp., 20. 
Cornwallis, Surrender of, 20. 
Corps of Artillery, 301, 313, 402. 
Corpus Christi, 336, 355. 
Cortelyou, D. H., Lieut., 282. 
Cortinas, 305, 519. 
Cosby, Gen., 221. 
Coster, Lieut., 557. 
Couch, Gen., 323; Div., 371. 
Coulter, W. A., Lieut., 566. 
Counselman, T. H. B., Lieut., 653, 654. 
Cowles, W. H., Quartermaster, 633. 
Cox, C. G., Capt., 291. 
Crabb, G. W., Lieut., 379. 
Craft, E. R., Lieut., 394. 
Craft, Father, 265. 
Craig, H. K., Col., 127, 131, 133, 135, 
332- 
Craig, L. S., Col., 441. 
Craig, Capt. (3d Inf.), 439. 
Craig, J., Lieut., 467. 
Craig, P. O., Lieut., 325. 
Craig, R., Lieut., 432. 
Craig, S. IL, Sergt., 219. 
Craigie, D. J., Lieut., 566. 
Cram, G. C., Capt., 232, 234, 236. 
Crane, C. H., Surgeon-Gen., 96. 
Crane, J., Col., 328; Major, 352. 
Cranston, A., Lieut., 373. 
Crawford, Hon. G. W., 79. 
Crawford, S. W., Col., 429; Major, 575. 
Crawford, Capt. (10th Cav.), 207, 208, 
209,296. 
Crazy Horse, 687. 
Creek Country, 53. 
Crees, 190. 
Crilly, Lieut., 502. 
Crispin, Lieut., 131, 135. 
Crittenden, G. B., Gen., 193, 201, 644. 
Crittenden, T. L„ Gen., 387, 614, 638, 
639, 683. 
Crittenden, E. W., Lieut., 211. 
Crittenden, J. G., Lieut., 260. 
Crittenden Barracks, 429. 
Crittenden Corps, 367. 
Crittenden, Fort, 471. 
Crofton, R. E. A., Col., 584, 627 ; Capt., 
618, 639, 660. 
Croghan, G., Gen., 28, 404. 
Crook, Gen., 184, 186, 187, 204, 205, 206, 
208, 209, 227, 228, 229, 248, 391, 392, 
463. 47 5> 5°7> 5°8> 529- 686. 
Crosby, Lieut., 200. INDEX. 
717 
Crosby, E., Lieut., 6S4. 
Crosby, F. B., Lieut., 366. 
Crosby, J. S., Col., 253. 
Crosman, Lieut., 637. 
Cross, T., Major, 54 ; Col., A. Q. M. G., 
458. 
Cross, C. E., Col., 119. 
Crow Agency, 450. 
Crow Creek, 448. 
Croxton’s Brigade, 371. 
Cuft’s Brigade, 371. 
Culpepper, 160, 321, 323, 349, 383. 
Cumberland, Army of the, 646. 
Cumming, A., Gov., 535. 
Cumming, A., Lieut., 531, 537. 
Cumming, W., Quartermaster-Gen., 50. 
Cummings, Col. (4th Inf.), 416. 
Cummings, Capt. (15th Inf.), 625, 659. 
Cunningham, Lieut., 536. 
Cunningham, T., Pvt., 195. 
“ Curry’s, The,” 543. 
Curtis, Lieut., 270; Capt., 622, 623,625; 
J., 612, 615. 
Cusack, P., Lieut., 282, 284. 
Cushing, T. H., Major, 5, 23. 
Cushing, A. H., Lieut., 360. 
Cushing, H. C., Lieut., 367. 
Cushing, H. B., Lieut., 205. 
Cushing, S. T., Lieut., 135. 
Cushing, Rev. C., 636. 
Cusick, Lieut., 682. 
Custer, Gen., 161, 164, 184, 185, 206, 221, 
229, 251, 252, 253, 256, 257, 258, 259, 
506, 639, 669, 684. 
Custer, T., Lieut., 251, 257, 259. 
Custer Massacre, 411, 475. 
Cutts, R., Supt, 48. 
Cutts, J. M., Capt., 667. 
Cuyler, J., Dep. Com.-Gen., 68. 
Cuyler, J. M., Surgeon, 96. 
D 
Dabney’s Mill, 208. 
Dade, Major (2d Art.), 314,457. 
Dade, Lieut., 174. 
Dade Massacre, 333. 
Dake, A. D., Lieut., 467. 
Dakota, Dept, of, 168. 
Dallas, A. J., Major, 562. 
Dallas, Battle of, 215, 323. 
Daniels, Lieut., 11, 317. 
Danvers, Sergt., 411. 
Darr, F. J. A., Lieut., 570 
Darrington, Col., 455. 
D’Arendt Baron, Col., 13. 
Davenport, Col., 404, 405; Col. W., 485. 
David’s Island, 522. 
Davidson, J. W., Gen., 159, 178,189, 250, 
290, 293, 294. 
Davidson, F. S., Lieut., 282. 
Davidson, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 416, 418. 
Davis, B. F., Capt., 160. 
Davis, H. T., Capt., 290. 
Davis, J. C., Gen., 307. 
Davis, Jefferson, 153, 208, 211, 221. 
Davis, Jeff., Legion, 160. 
Davis, J. M., Capt., Asst. Insp.-Gen., 27, 
29. 
Davis, J. M., Capt. (2d Inf.), 415. 
Davis, Murray, Capt., 269, 
Davis, N. H., Lieut., 415,418 ; Lieut.-Col., 
3°. 32- 
Davis, T., Lieut., 194. 
Davis, W., Capt., 219. 
Davis, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 198. 
Davis, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 649. 
Davis, Fort, 296. 
Davis, Pvt., 506. 
Davison Jas., Lieut., 361. 
Dawson, B., Lieut., 282. 
Dawson, S. K., Lieut., 305. 
Dawson, Major (19th Inf.), 659, 660,662. 
Day, H., Col., 492, 549, 599. 
Day, Lieut. (9th Cav.), 286, 
Day, S., Surgeon, 467. 
Deane, W. W., Lieut., 566. 
Dearborn, IL, Major-Gen., Com.-in-Chief, 
8, 26, 72; Secretary of War, 123. 
Dearing, W. C., Lieut., 319. 
De Butts, H., Capt., 4, 22. 
De Cole, Mill, 586. 
De Coudray, M., Insp.-Gen. Ord., 11. 
De Courcy, F. E., Capt., 580. 
Deep Bottom, 161, 238, 321, 322, 364, 369. 
Deep Creek, 359. 
Deer Creek Expedition, 576. 
Defiance, Fort, 471. 
De Grass, J. C., Capt., 
De Hart, H. V., Capt., 316, 377, 378, 397. 
De Kay, D., Capt., 600. 
De la Balme, M., Lieut.-Col., 12. 
Demerest, Lieut., 198. 
Denman, C. L., Lieut., 194, 196. 
Dennin, T. G., Sergt., 406. 
Dennison, Capt. (18th Inf.), 645, 648. 
Dennison, N., Lieut., 321, 324. 
Denny, E., Ensign, 3; Lieut., 4. 
Dent, T. F., Capt., 527. 
De Rudio, Lieut., 258. 
De Russy, G. A., Lieut., 357; Gen., 372, 
375- 
Deshler, J., Lieut., 531. 
Des Moines, Fort, 154. 
De Trobriand, P. R., Col., 581, 584. 
Detroit Barracks, 417, 433, 467. 
Detroit, Skirmish near, 402. 
Devereaux, C. H., Sergt.-Major, 497. 
Devil’s Den, 447. 
Devin, T. C., Gen., 163, 207. 268. 
Dewees, Lieut., 178 Capt., 180. 
De Wolf, Lieut., 347; J. M., Surgeon, 
260. 
Diablo, Chief, 523. 
Dickenson, G. W., Lieut., 364. 
Dickey, C. J., Major, 689. 
Difficult Canon, Engagement at, 276. 
Dilworth, Lieut., 405. 718 
INDEX. 
Dimick, J., Major, 304, 305 ; Col., 308, 
319; Capt., 438. 
Dimmick, E. D., Lieut., 282. 
Dimon, D., Capt., 1. 
Dinwiddie, C. H., 164, 321, 325, 363. 
Dix, J. A., Ensign, 587 ; Lieut., 332. 
Doane, G. C., Lieut.,186, 260,180,191,192. 
Dod, A. B., Capt., 619, 622. 
Dodge, Henry, Col., 153, 154. 
Dodge, F., Lieut., 232. 
Dodge, F. S., Capt., 282, 285. 
Dodge, R. I., Col., 373, 451, 553; Major 
(12th Inf.), 566. 
Dodd, Capt. (17th Inf.), 635. 
Doebler, Lieut., 596. 
Donahue, Pvt., 686. 
Donaldson, Lieut. (7th Cav.), 266. 
Donaldson, J. L., Lieut., 305. 
Doniphan, A. W., Col., 155, 157. 
Doolittle, Senator, 231. 
Dorst, Lieut., 217. 
Doubleday, A., Gen., 305,361, 597,634,696. 
Dougherty, J., Capt., 174. 
Doughty, J., Major, 21, 301. 
Douglas, H., Capt., 599, 644, 648 ; Lieut., 
596. 
Douglass, Capt., 301. 
Dove, W., E., Lieut., 566, 570. 
Do wall’s Tavern, 446. 
Dowling, Lieut., 637. 
Downey, Capt., 597. 
Draft Riots, N. Y., 447, 464, 521, 562, 
580, 599, 636. 
Dragoons, 153 (see “ Cavalry ”). 
Drewry’s Bluff, 390. 
Drexel Mission, 266, 287. 
Drifting Goose, 640. 
Drum, R. C., Gen., 526. 
Drum, Lieut.-Col., 572, 573: Lieut., 424. 
Drum, S. H., Capt., 357. 
Drury’s Bluff, 306. 
Dry Springs, 423. 
Dryer, Lieut., 198; Capt., 595. 
Duane, Lieut., 118. 
Du Barry, B., Col., 82; Lieut., 333. 
Dubois, Lieut., 200. 
Dudley, N. A. M., Col., 168, 531, 532, 624. 
Dugan, Lieut., 208. 
Dull Knife, 207, 218, 663. 
Duncan, Jas., Capt., 28, 41 c;, 1516, 717, 470. 
Duncan, M., Capt., 153. 
Duncan, T., Lieut., 194, 201; Major, 202. 
Dunder and Blixin Creek Fight, 694. 
Dunham, C., Lieut., 531. 
Dunkelberger, Capt., 161. 
Dunker Church, 380. 
Dunn, T. S., Major, 568, 569; Capt., 561. 
Dunning, Gen., 364. 
Dunning, S. V., Adjt., 633. 
Dunovant, J., Capt., 531, 532, 537. 
Du Pont, H. A., Lieut., 377; Capt., 391, 
392- 
Durham, C., Lieut., 654. 
Dutton, A. H., Col., 119. 
Dutton, C. E., Major, 126. 
E. 
Eagle Creek, 450. 
Early, Gen., 161, 162, 163, 164, 349, 391; 
Lieut., 333. 
Easley, T., Lieut., 420, 421. 
Eastman, J. E., Lieut., 267, 269. 
Easton, Capt., 378. 
Eaton, A. B., Gen., 81,82. 
Eaton, J. H., Gen., 451 
Ebenezer Church, 369. 
Eckert, Gen., 145. 
Eckerson, Lieut., 262. 
Edenton Road, Skirmish at, 363. 
Eden Valley, 270. 
Edgar, J. C., Lieut., 282. 
Edgerton, W. G., Capt., 552. 
Edie, Lieut. (Ord. Dept.), 135. 
Edie, John R., Major, 612, 621. 
Edson, Lieut., 131, 200. 
Edwards, T., Gen., 33. 
Edwards, A. G., Lieut., 153. 
Edwards, J., Capt., 346, 347. 
Edwards’ Battery, 592. 
Egan, Gen., 393. 
Egan, C. P., Lieut., 568. 
Egan, J., Capt., (2d Cav.), 180, 183. 
Egelston, R. S., Lieut., 654. 
Egbert, Capt., 566, 568, 570, 572 ; Major, 
641. 
Elder, Capt., 363, 39c, 547 ; Lieut., 235. 
Election Troubles, 326. 
Eleventh Infantry, 545. 
Elk Creek, 294. 
Ellingwood, Lieut., 425. 
Elliott, J. PL, Major, 251, 252, 253. 
Elliott, W., Gen., 194, 207, 652. 
Elliott, S., Lieut. (4th Cav.), 219. 
Ellis, Capt. (15th Inf.), 626. 
Ellis, Fort, 181, 189. 
Ely, Col., 396. 
Elzey, A., Capt., 319. 
Emory, W. H., Major, 211, 232; Gen., 
240; Col., 407. 
Emucfau, Battle of, 432. 
Engineer Corps, in, 125. 
English, Lieut., 510. 
Enos, H. M., Lieut., 200, 232. 
Equipment Board, 66. 
Ernst, Lieut., 488. 
Erving, Col., 308, 317. 
Eskridge, R. I., Lieut., 268. 
Estes, C. A. M., Capt., 654. 
Eustis, Gen., 334; Col., 303, 351, 352. 
Eustis, Mr., 76. 
Eustis, W., Lieut., 153. 
Evans, Lieut. (10th Cav.), 295. 
Evans, R. K., Lieut., 572. 
Evans, Gen., 221. 
Evans, Lieut, (nth Inf.), 547. 
Evans, A. W., Capt., 232. 
Evans, W., Pvt., 508. 
Everglades, Florida, 33c. 
Ewell, Gen., 383, 563. 
Ewell, T., Lieut., 194, 209 ; Capt., 195, 197, INDEX 
719 
Ewen, C., Surgeon, 582. 
Ewing, E. S., Lieut., 630, 633. 
Expedition to Mexico, 698; St. Johns, 
416; Utah, 535; Vicksburg, 575, 576. 
Eyster, Capt., 652. 
F 
Fairchild’s Ranch, 373. 
Fairfax Court House, 224. 
Fair Oaks, 306, 325, 360, 369, 557, 591. 
Faison, Lieut., 412, 413. 
Falling Waters, 234, 321, 324, 365. 
Falmouth, 366, 381. 
Fanning, Col. (4th Art.), 312, 351, 354. 
Farmington, Skirmish at, 214. 
Farmington, 323. 
Farmville, 321. 
Farnsworth, Lieut. (8th Cav.), 272, 276. 
Farragut, Admiral, 140, 146. 
Farrelly, P. A., Lieut., 471. 
Farry, Lieut., 339, 340. 
Fauntleroy, Col., 137, 158, 159. 
Fechet, Capt., 276. 
Fenian Raid, 310, 397. 464. 
Fenwick, J. R., Col., 72, 353. 
Fessenden, Lieut. (5th Art.), 387, 388. 
Fessenden, Capt. (19th Inf.), 656. 
Fetterman, Capt. (15th Inf.), 625; (18th 
Inf.), 645, 653. 
Field, Gen., 178, 221. 
Field, Capt. (3d Art.), 342, 
Field, Capt. (4th Art.), 362. 
Field, G. P., Capt., 437. 
Field, S. G., Lieut., 333. 
Field, F. A., 552. 
Fifteenth Infantry, 610, 628. 
Fifth Artillery, 376. 
Fifth Infantry, 466. 
Finaughty, M., Sergt., 539. 
Finley, C. A., Surgeon-Gen., 90, 91. 
Finley, Lieut., 295, 296. 
Finney, Fort, 4. 
Finerty, Mr., 186, 206. 
First Infantry, 401, 413. 
Fisher’s Hill, 163, 306. 
Fisher, B. F., Col., 146. 
Fisher, J. H., Pvt., 374. 
Fisher, Lieut., 160. 
Fisher, O., Lieut., 467. 
Fisher, T. H., Capt., 689. 
Fisher, W. J., Lieut., 539. 
Fitzmorris, Sergt., 546. 
Five Forks, 239, 325, 363. 
Flandreau, Agent Indians, 535. 
Fleming, Edw., Adjt.-Gen , 1. 
Fletcher, Capt., 667. 
Fletcher, J. S., Capt., 630. 
Fletcher, Lieut. (10th Inf.), 547. 
Fletcher, W., Lieut., 552. 
Fletcher, Sergt., 547. 
Flint, F. F., Capt., 491. 
Flores, Governor, 157. 
Florida Territory, 52. 
Florida War, 154, 175, 303, 330, 331, 333 
335. 
Floyd, R,, Lieut., 367. 
Floyd, Sec’y, 131 ; Gen., 137. 
Floyd-Jones, De L., Col., 448, 450, 451, 
546, 547, 660, 661, 662. 
Fogarty, Lieut., 659. 
Foote, R. W., Capt., 490. 
Foote, Capt. (r4th Inf.), 597. 
Forbes, Lieut., 622. 
Force, M. F., Gen., 614. 
Ford, L., Capt., 153. 
Forney, J. H., Lieut., 531. 
Forrest, Gen., 215, 216, 387. 
Forsyth, G. A., Gen., 218, 257, 282, 473. 
Forsyth, G., Lieut. (2d Drags.), 174. 
Forsyth, J. W., Major, 290, 292; Col., 
170, 263, 265, 266; Gen., 267. 
Fort Abercrombie, 639. 
“ Adams, 375, 432. 
“ Andrews, Battle, 485. 
“ Apache, 172, 570. 
“ Assiniboine, 670. 
“ Atkinson, 405. 
“ Barrancas, 443. 
“ Bayard, 172, 248, 696. 
“ Belknap, 242. 
“ Bidwell, 168. 
“ Bisland, 306. 
“ Bliss, 200, 479. 
“■ Boise, 170. 
“ Bowyer, Defense of, 414. 
“ Brady, 415. 
“ Breckenridge, 159. 
“ Bridger, 200. 
“ Brooke, 434, 457. 
“ Brown, 499, 542, 669. 
“ Buchanan, 159. 
“ Buford, 581. 
“ Casper, 179. 
“ Chadbourne, 216, 406. 
“ Clark, 216, 321, 443, 656, 664. 
“ Cobb, 254. 
“ Coeur d’Alene, 431. 
“ Columbus, 352, 354, 355,460. 
“ Concho, 294, 295. 
“ Craig, 159, 200. ' 
“ Crawford, 405. 
“ Custer, 168, 171, 172, 189, 190. 
“ Custis, 168. 
“ Crawford, 405, 456. 
“ Dallas, 416~ 
“ Dearborn, 402. 
“ Dodge, 179, 242, 448. 
“ Donelson, 385. 
“ Douglas, 632. 
“ Drane, 334; Fight at, 353, 498- 
“ Duncan, 216. 
“ Erie, 116, 466; Battle, 693; Defence 
of, 302 ; Siege of, 403. 
“ Fauntleroy, Skirmish near, 537. 
“ Filmore, 200, 201. 
“ Fisher, 346. 
“ George, 302, 480, 586; Battle, 693. 
“ Gibson, 292, 293, 661. 720 
INDEX. 
Fort Grant, 172. 
“ 376. 
“ Griffin, 217. 
“ Halleck, 168. 
“ Hamilton, 353, 377, 397, 398, 443, 
541, 551, 558, 565. 
“ Hancock, 270. 
“ Harker, 179. 
“ Harrison, 454 ; Battle, 498. 
“ Hatteras, 321, 363. 
“ Hays, 242. 
“ Hays, 179. 
“ Howard, 433. 
“ Independence, 545. 
“ Inge, 199, 200. 
“ Jefferson, 401. 
“ Kearney, 179, 213, 422, 538, 653. 
“ Keogh, 256, 475, 690. 
“ King, 314, 498, 512. 
“ Lafayette, 637. 
“ Lapwai, 169, 430, 431. 
“ Laramie, 179, 183, 537. 
“ Larned, 179. 
“ Las Lunas, 200. 
“ Leavenworth, 211, 213, 289, 290, 
31?, 655, 670. 
“ Lewis, 627. 
“ Lyon, 662, 179, 244. 
“ McDermott, 168. 
“ McDowell, 165. 
“ McHenry, 194, 353, 358, 359, 372; 
Defense of, 302. 
“ McIntosh, Fight near, 405. 
“ McKavett, 632. 
“ McPhefson, 179. 
“ Madison, 403. 
“ Maginnis, i(>8, 172. 
“ Maitland, Defense of, 354. 
“ Marcy, 200, 543. 
“ Marion, 294. 
“ Mason, 222. 
“ Meade, 263. 
“ Meigs, 302. 
“ Millen, Defense of, 354. 
“ Missoula, 699. 
“ Morgan, Siege of, 395. 
“ Myers, 172, 471. 
Niagara, 586; Battle of, 456. 
“ Oswego, 302. 
“ Parole, 551. 
“ Pickens, 306, 324, 443. 
“ Preble, 634, 636. 
“ Randall, 411, 681, 698. 
“ Recovery, 432. 
“ Reno, 166. 
“ Rice, 256, 580, 639, 680. 
“ Richmond, 377. 
“ Riley, 177, 179, 212, 250, 264, 266, 
267, 291, 473, 632. 
“ Russell, 229. 
“ Sanders, 179, 322. 
“ Sedgwick, 179, 654. 
“ Shaw, 449; Headquarters, 505. 
“ Sill, 217, 267, 293, 294. 
“ Smith, 203. 
Fort Snelling, 172,405, 533, 535, 541,668, 
698. 
“ Stansbury, 435. 
“ Stanton, 192, 200. 
“ Stedman, Attack on, 395. 
“ Stevenson, 541, 682. 
“ Stockton, 283. 
“ Sully, 638, 639. 
“ Sumter, 306. 
“ Tejon, 159. 
“ Thomas, 247. 
“ Thorn, 200, 201, 442. 
“ Totten, 639. 
“ Towson, 156. 
“ Trumbull, 159, 590. 
“ Union, 200, 203, 244, 543. 
“ Vancouver, 165, 167. 
“ Wagner, 132, 346. 
“ Walla Walla, 158, 168, 170, 191. 
“ Wallace, 179. 
“ Warren, 308. 
“ Washington, 414. 
“ Washita, 212. 
“ Wayne, 155, 156, 201, 411, 543, 685. 
“ Whipple, 167, 523. 
“ Winnebago, 405. 
“ Wise, 201, 213. 
“ Wood, 520. 
“ Yates, 411. 
Fortress Monroe, 355, 397,424. 
Forts, New England Coast, 303. 
Forwood, Surgeon, 236, 237, 594, 596. 
Foster, Gen., 120, 396. 
Foster, Lieut.-Col., 483. 
Foster, W. L., Capt., 467. 
Fountain, Lieut., 273; Capt., 690. 
Four Lakes, Battle of, 344. 
Fourth Artillery, 351. 
Fourth Infantry, 452. 
Fourth Sub-Legion, 452. 
Fowler, S. H., Lieut., 471. 
Fowler, W. H., Lieut., 304. 
Fowler, H. W., Capt., 174. 
Fowler, J. L., Capt., 192. 
Fox, Col., 637. 
Frankfort, 386. 
Franklin, 11 ; Battle of, 215, 371, 363. 
Franklin, W. B., Gen., 120, 555, 588, 611. 
Franklin, W. S., Lieut., 555. 
Franklin’s Corps, 366, 369.. 
Fraser, U. S., Lieut., 334. 
Erederick the Great, 14. 
Fredericksburg, Battle of, 144, 234, 306, 
322, 324, 347, 348, 360, 361, 362, 365, 
366, 369, 381, 382, 383, 407, 426, 445, 
464, 493. 504, 538.549. 552> 56i> 59L 
635, 636, 693. 
Freedly, Capt., 447. 
Freeman, H. B., Capt., 505. 
Freeman, E., Lieut., 471. 
Freeman, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 648,649,651. 
Freiner, Capt., 161. 
Fremont, Gen., 120, 193. 
French, W. H., Gen., 305, 307, 325, 373, 
374, 492- INDEX. 
721 
French, Lieut. (9th Cav.), 286. 
French, T. H., Lieut., 261, 540, 541. 
French, J. W., Capt., 699. 
Frenchman’s Creek, 580. 
Frohock, W. T., Capt., 282. 
Front Royal, 322. 
Frost, D. M., Lieut., 194. 
Fry, J. B., Gen., 307, I. 
Fry, S. S., Gen., 647. 
Funkstown, 361, 36?; Battle of, 321, 34Q. 
Fuller, A. H., Lieut., 188. 
Fulmer, Capt., 618. 
G. 
Gadsden, J., Col., Insp.-Gen., 27. 
Gage, Gen., 33. 
Gageby, J. H.. Capt., 573; Lieut., 659. 
Gaines, E. P., Gen., 72, 74, 154, 457, 484, 
512. 
Gaines’ Farm, 370. 
Gaines’ Mills, 160, 223, 225, 231, 321, 322, 
347» 377- 378, 399. 425. 444, 463, 5°°, 
552, 557, 565> 59L 593, 635, 693- 
Gainesville, 361, 425. 
Gaither, H., Col., 432. 
Gall, Chief, 475. 
Gallagher, J. H., Lieut. 268, 269. 
Galt, Major, 317. 
Galloway, Lieut., 620. 
Gamble, G. H., Capt., 282. 
Gamble, W., Major, 268. 
Gansevoort, P., Quartermaster-Gen., 47. 
Gansevoort, Lieut., 380, 381. 
Garibaldi Guards, 384. 
Garadeau, J. B., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Gardener, Lieut., (19th Inf.), 663. 
Gardiner, Capt. (2d Art.), 314. 
Gardner, F., Capt., 531, 533. 
Gardner, Lieut., W. M., 420, 421. 
Gardner, C. K., Major, 8, 26, 433. 
Gardner, J. L., Major, 319, 355, 366. 
Garesche, Col., 205. 
Garfield, President, 327. 
Garita de Candelaria, 357; Ninio Per- 
dido, 439 ; San Cosme, 340. 
Garland, Gen., 339, 593; Col., 436, 521. 
Garland, J., Col., 519. 
Garlington, E. A., Lieut., 265; Major, 
251- 
Garnett, L., Lieut., 499, 500. 
Garnett, R. S., Capt., 211, 526. 
Garrard, Major, 202. 
Garrard, Gen,, 221. 
Garza, 210, 267. 
Gates, H., Gen., 2. 
Gates, Col. (3d Art.), 334, 338, 340, 343. 
Gates, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 649, 650. 
Gates, W., Major, 304, 312. 
Gates, L., Capt., 304. 
Gatewood, C. B., Lieut., 208, 209. 
Geary, Gen., 362, 365, 385. 
Geary, W. D., Lieut., 568, 570. 
General in Chief, 4, 401. 
Gentry, Col., 483. 
Geronimo, 191, 219, 248, 273, 462, 524, 
543. 573- 
Geronimo, Campaign, 148, 208, 296, 412, 
4i3- 
Gettysburg, 140, 160, 236, 306, 307, 308, 
321, 322, 323, 324, 330, 348, 349, 360, 
362, 363, 365, 366, 383, 427, 446, 464, 
494, 5°4> 5°5> 52I> 539, 561, 57b 58o> 
589, 598, 636, 693. 
Getty, G. H., Gen., 333, 366, 370, 375, 
377, 448- 
Ghent, Treaty of, 73. 
Gibbon, J., Gen., 181, 185, 186, 189, 259, 
36i> 37 2, 5°6, 5°7, 5°9, 5ro- 
Gibbs, A., Lieut., 194, 197, 251 ; Capt., 
195, 200, 201, 502. 
Gibbs, T. K., Lieut., 390. 
Gibson, G., Major, 50, 76,77; Col., 75, 
79, 80. 
Gibson, G., Lieut.-Col., 473, 479. 
Gibson, J. B., Lieut., 305. 
Gibson, H. G., Capt., 343, 344, 347. 
Giddings, J., Hon., 589. 
Giddings, G. R., Major, 589, 590, 692. 
Gilbert, C. C., Capt., 405, 407; Gen., 
510, 639, 646, 660, 661. 
Gilbert, W. W., Lieut., 657, 661. 
Gilbert, Corp., 368. 
Gill, J. H., 134. 
Gillem, A. C, Gen., 168, 307, 553. 
Gillespie, Capt., 157. 
Gillette, Capt., 625. 
Gillis, J., Lieut., 379, 389. 
Gillott, C., Lieut., 268. 
Gilman, J. II., Major, 665. 
Gilpin, W., Lieut., 174. 
Gilpin, T., Capt., 174. 
Gittings, Lieut., 346. 
Glasscock, Gen., 73, 74. 
Glassford, W. A., Lieut., 136. 
Gleason, J., Lieut., 467. 
Glendale, 306. 
Godfrey, E. S., Capt., 262, 267. 
Goe, J. B., Lieut., 575. 
Golding’s Farm, 322. 
Goodhue, Capt., 580. ' 
Goodrich, Lieut., 428. 
Goodwin, Sergt., 356. 
Goose Creek, Attachment, 529, 448. 
Gordon, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 214. 
Gordon, Lieut.-Gen., 392. 
Gordon, J. W., Major, 545, 552. 
Gordon, W., Capt., 174. 
Gordon, D. S., Lieut., 178; Col., 179, 
180; Major, 181, 190. 
Gordon, G. A., Lieut., 178, 229. 
Gordon, G. H., Lieut., 194, 195. 
Gordonsville, 238. 
Gorgas, Lieut., 129, 132. 
Gouvion, du, Major, in. 
Gove, J. A., Capt., 531. 
Grace Creek Battle, 694. 
Gracie, A., Gen., 473. 
Grafton, H. D., Lieut., 305. 722 
INDEX. 
Graham, W. M., Gen., 398. 
Graham, G. W., Lieut., 290, 291, 292. 
Graham, J., Liaut., 174, 176. 
Graham, J. D., Lieut., 580. 
Graham, L. P., Col., 291, 292. 
Graham, Capt. (3d Cav.), 204. 
Granger, R. S., Col., 552; Lieut.-Col., 
630, 631, 633; Gen., 473. 
Granger, G., Capt., 645; Col., 627 j Lieut., 
194- 
Grant, U. S., Gen., 140, 141, 221, 317, 
348, 349. 370, 388, 391, 393- 409, 4io, 
428, 459, 461, 463, 510, 571, 576, 613, 
614, 620, 621. 
Grant, F. D., Col., 257. 
Grattan, Lieut., 489, 535. 
Grau, Gen., 552. 
Gravelly Run, 362. 
Gray, Lieut, (nth Inf.), 547. 
Gray, T., Lieut., 620. 
Gray, R., Lieut., 290. 
Gray, D.C.G.S., 69. 
Great Britain, war with, 126, 173. 
Greble, J. T., Lieut., 325. 
Green, J., Major, 168, 169, 373 ; Capt., 
180, 568. 
Green, J. M., Lieut., 580. 
Green, P. R., Lieut., 467. 
Green Briar River, 366. 
Green Lake, 400. 
Greene, Maj.-Gen., 40, 41, 42. 
Greene, J. D., Col., 495, 634, 635, 636. 
Greene, G. S., Lieut., 332. 
Greene, O. D., Lieut., 324. 
Grier, W. N., Col., 203. 
Gregg, Gen., 235, 240, 323, 348. 
Gregg, J. I., Capt., 232; Col., 268. 
Gresham, J. C., Lieut., 265. 
Gridley, R., Col., hi, 328. 
Grier, W. N., Major, 160. 
Grierson, B. H., Col., 289, 290, 295, 
296. 
Griffin, Gen., 548, 600; Capt., 376, 377, 
. 397- . 
Griffin, Lieut. (13th Inf.), 577. 
Griffin, G. H., Lieut., 484. 
Griffin, Sergt., 423. 
Grimes, W. M„ Chaplain, 290. 
Grimsley, T., Lieut. 174. 
Groome, H., Lieut., 174, 176. 
Grose, Gen., 367. 
Grose’s Brigade, 367. 
Gross, F. P., Lieut.. 282. 
Ground Squirrel Church, 361. 
Grover, Gen., 205; Col., 168, 170, 171, 
53L 695. 
Gruard, Scout, 186. 
Grummond, Lieut., 653. 
Guard at Elberon, 327. 
Guard at the White House, 327. 
Guenther Lieut., 386, 387; Capt., 388, 
648. 
Guiteau, 327. 
Gunnison, J. W., Capt., 119, 200. 
Gunther, Capt. (4th Cav.), 216, 217. 
Guthrie, J. B., Lieut., 580. 
Gwynne, Capt., 511, 512. 
H. 
Hacienda, Nalvarte, 421. 
Hacquahalla, Engagement at, 271. 
Haefling, C., Sergt., 215. 
Hagan, Sergt. (nth Inf.), 546, 552. 
Hager, Capt., 597. 
Hagerstown, 324, 364, 365. 
Hagner, Lieut., 128, 129, 135, 304= 
Hains, Lieut., 325. 
Hale, D. E., Lieut., 304. 
Hale, H. C., Lieut., 573. 
Hale, O., Lieut., 251; Capt., 262. 
Hale, C., Lieut., 630. 
Hall, J. C., Lieut.-Col., 526. 
Hall, R. H., Lieut.-Col., 497, 540. 
Hall, Lieut. (1st Cav.), 161. 
Hall, C. S., Lieut., 584. 
Halleck, Gen., 114, 120, 141, 615. 
Halleck, Camp., 269. 
Haller, Capt., 462. 
Hamburg, 408. 
Hamilton, A., Major-Gen., 6, 16. 23. 
Hamilton, C. S., Gen., 472. 
Hamilton, J., Col., 346, 398. 
Hamilton, J. M., Lieut., 281. 
Hamilton, J. W., 153,174. 
Hamilton, Lieut. (1st Inf.), 403, 539. 
Hamilton, L. M., Capt., 251, 253. 
Hamilton, Mr., 77. 
Hamilton, S. T., Lieut., 180, 187. 
Hammond, W. A., Surgeon-Gen., 91, 92, 
93. 95- 
Hammond, Lieut. (1st Cav.), 157. 
Hampson, J. A. P., Lieut., 539; Capt., 
572; Major, 573. 
Hamtranck, J. F., Col., 401, 402. 
Hancock, W. S., Gen., 347, 362, 389, 390, 
393- 394 5 Lieut., 427, 485. 
Hancock, E., Paym.-Gen., 100. 
Hancock Barracks, 521. 
Hand, E., Gen., 3. 
Hand, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 198. 
Hanna, Lieut., 243, 244, 245, 246. 
Hanover, Va., 224, 232, 324, 349, 364, 365, 
377, 591- 
Hanovertown, 322. 
Harbach, Lieut., 552, 580, 667. 
Hardee, Gen., 78, 221, 222, 386, 647. 
Hardie, J. A., Col., 29, 30. 
Hardie, Capt. (3d Cav.), 210. 
Harding, Lieut., 649. 
Hare, Lieut., 185. 
Harker, C. G., Lieut., 612; Capt., 622. 
Harmar, J., Lieut.-Col., 4, 22. 
Harmon, W. R., Lieut., 291. 
Harney, W. S., Gen., 175, 176, 197, 419, 
437, 438> 462, 489, 532; Lieut., 303; 
Col., 404, 
Blarney Lake, Fight at, 344. 
Harper’s Ferry, 129, 335, 359, 426, 558. INDEX. 
723 
Harpeth River, Skirmish at, 368. 
Harrison, President, 60, 402. 
Harrington, G., Lieut., 203 
Harrington, H. M., Lieut., 259. 
Harris, G. M., Lieut., 373. 
Harris, M., Lieut., 162, 164. 
Harris’ Cavalry, 237. 
Harrison, W. H., Lieut., 178. 
Harrison, J., Lieut. (5th Cav.), 221,224. 
Harrison, J. F., Lieut., 531, 533. 
Harrison’s Landing, 378, 425, 464, 557. 
Hart, Lieut., 659. 
Hart Island, 637. 
Hartsuff, Lieut., 318. 
Hartwell, Lieut, (nth Inf.), 547, 548, 552. 
Hartwell, Capt. (8th Cav.), 272. 
Hartz, Lieut., 519, 625, 627. 
Haskell, J., Major, 5. 
Haskell, Lieut. (1st Inf.), 406. 
Haskin, J. A., Lieut., 305. 
Haskin, W. L., Major, 30r, 704. 
Hasson, Lieut., 278. 
Hatch, J. P., Gen., 191, 194, 215. 
Hatch, E., Cal., 281, 283- 
Hatchee Lustee, Battle of, 354. 
Hatcher’s Run, 325, 362, 369, 370, 393, 
694. 
Hatfield, Capt., 219. 
Hatheway, J. S., Capt., 304, 305. 
Hawk River, Engagement at, 4x7 
Hawkins, J. P., Col., 82. 
Hawkins, G. W., Lieut., 194. 
Hawkins, H. S., Capt., 496 
Hawley, W., Lieut. 667. 
Hawthorne, H. L., Lieut., 265, 266. 
Hayden, J., Lieut., Col., 625. 
Hayden, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 421. 
Hayden, Lieut. (3d Art.), 347, 351 - 
Hayes, President, 325 ; Gen., 397. 
Hayes, H. B., Capt., 232. 
Ha/man, Col., 368 ; Major, 540. 
Haymarket, 360, 361. 
Haymond, Capt., 645, 648, 649. 
Hayne, Col., Insp.-Gen., 27. 
Hays, W., Gen., 320, 360. 
Hays, Texas Rangers, 515. 
Hazen, W. B., Gen., 496, 695. 
Hazlett, Capt., 379, 380, 381, 384, 385. 
Hazlitt, R., Lieut. (3d Inf.), 437. 
Hazzard, G. W., Capt., 360, 361. 
Hazzard, Sergt., 355. 
Head, Lieut., 547, 552. 
Head, Chief, 172. 
Heald, Capt., 402. 
Healy, Lieut., 214, 215. 
Heath, Capt., 490. 
Heaton, Lieut., 322. 
Hebert, P. O., Col., 587. 
Heckman, Gen., 370. 
Hedberg, Capt., 625. 
Hedges, J., Lieut., 215. 
Heilman, Capt., 619, 620,625. 
Heileman, Capt., 312, 313, 314. 
Heintzelman, S. P., Col., 634, 635. 
Heintzelman’s Corps, 369. 
Heitman, F. W., 451. 
Henderson, Lieut., 314. 
Henderson’s Brigade, 354. 
Hendrickson, Lieut., 488. 
Henely, A-, Lieut-., 244, 245. 
Hennessy, Frank, Pvt., 413. 
Hennissee, Lieut., 275. 
Henry, Lieut. (Rifles), 201. 
Henry, G. V., Col., 186, 266, 267, 287. 
Henry, Sergt., 499. 
Henry House Hill, 379, 380. 
Hentig, Capt., 247. 
Henton, Lieut., 590, 594, 596. 
Herbert, A., Lieut., 304. 
Heron Lake, 534. 
Hesse, Sergt., 520. 
Heth, H., Lieut., 531, 532, 536; Gen., 564. 
Hewitt, Lieut., 657, 663. 
Heyl, Capt., 216, 282, 285. 
Hibbets, Lieut., 653. 
Hicks, J. W., Lieut., 667. 
Higbee, G. H., Capt., 547, 583. 
Hill, A. P., Gen., 305, 307, 348, 377, 393* 
563. 564- 
Hill, Lieut. (Ord.), 135- 
Hill, B. H., Lieut., 305. 
Hill, Lieut. (2d Drag.), 176. 
Hill, D. H , Lieut., 357. 
Hill, J. H., Lieut., 533, 537. 
Hill, J. U., Lieut., 511. 
Hillsboro, 234. 
Hindman, Major, 312. 
Hinks, E. W., Col., 697, 698. 
Hinman, L. S., Lieut., 566. 
Hinton, C. B., Lieut., 654. 
Hitchcock, Lieut (18th Inf.), 648. 
Hitchcock, E. A., Major, 511; Col., 422, 
435- 436- 
Hitchcock, Surgeon, 89. 
Hoag’s Bluff, Engagement at, 275. 
Hobart, C., Lieut., 269. 
Hobart, Capt., 351. 
Hodgden, S., Gen., 44. 
Hodges, Gen., 463. 
Hodgson, B. H., Lieut., 260. 
Hoffman, Col., 445, 448, 519. 
Hoffman, Lieut., 304, 305.' 
Hoff, J. V. R., Capt., 265. 
Hoff, J. J., Capt., 667. 
Hoff, W., Capt., 485, 486. 
Hogan, Lieut., 682. 
Holabird, S. B., Col., Quartermaster- 
Gen., 60. 
Holbrook, Lieut., 620. 
Holden, L. IE, Surgeon, 200. 
Holding, J. W., Lieut., 407. 
Hollow Ash, Battle, 489. 
Holloway, Lieut., 515, 517, 520. 
Holman, Lieut., 392. 
Holmes, T. H., Lieut., 153. 
Holmes, Theo., Major, 174, 520. 
tiolt, J., Judge, Adv.-Gen., 36, 37. 
Hood, Gen., 215, 221, 225, 371. 
Hooker, J., Gen., 140, 178, 305, 307, 348, 
358, 360, 369, 380, 383, 561, 597. 724 
INDEX. 
Hooker, E. A., Capt., 282. 
Hoops, Dep. Com. Gen., 69. 
Hoover, Lieut., 592. 
Hoover’s Gap, 387, 648. 
Hoppin, Lieut., 189. 
Horne, Van, Major, 440, 441. 
Horse Artillery Brigade, 320, 323. 
Horsehead Hills, 284. 
Horton, T. H., Major, 612. 
Hospitarke, Chief, 512. 
Hough, A. L., Col., 530, 633, 687, 689. 
Houghton, Mich., Riot at, 411. 
House, J., Col., 312. 
Houston, Senator, 231. 
Hovey, H. W., Lieut., 695. 
How, J. L., Lieut., 580. 
Howard, Gen., 131, 132, 169, 189, 260, 
360, 373, 374, 5°8, 5I0> 569, 623. 
Howard, G., Lieut., 570, 572. 
Howard, R. V. W., Capt., 370. 
Howe, A. P., Col., 358, 375 ; Gen., 372, 
382, 383. 
Howe, M. S., Lieut., 174; Col., 202. 
Howe, Lieut. (4th Art.), 373. 
Howell, J. W., Paym.-Gen., 102. 
Howland, Capt., 202, 203. 
Hoya, La, 304. 
Hoyer, Lieut., 161, 162. 
Hoyt, G. S., Lieut., 654. 
Hualapais, 270, 271. 
Huamantla, Skirmish at, 340. 
Hubbard, S. L., Lieut., 370. 
Hudson, Lieut., (1st Inf.), 405. 
Hudson, E. M., Capt., 600; Major, 625. 
Huey’s Brigade, 349. 
Huger, Gen., 129, 132, 333, 592. 
Huggins, Capt., 190. 
Plughes, Capt., 653. 
Hughes, B. M., 193. 
Hugo, Lieut., 286. 
Hull, Gen., 402, 454, 455. 
Hull, Capt., 644, 648, 632, 6153, 654. 
Hulbert, W., Lieut., 485. 
Humason, S. D., 2d Lieut., 631. 
Humphrey, Capt. (4th Art.), 351. 
Humphreys, A. A., Gen., 118, 120, 315, 
367, 446. 
Humphreys, Capt. (15th Inf.), 627. 
Hungry Hill, Battle of, 159, 343. 
Hunt, H. J., Gen., 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 
333. 348, 364, 379- 384. 397, 398, 
463- 
Hunt, L. C., Col., 669. 
Hunt, J. S., Lieut., 370. 
Hunter, D., Gen., 153, 232, 240, 391, 444, 
472. 
Hunter, Lieut. (8th Cav.), 270. 
Hunter, Lieut. (10th Inf.), 
Hunter, Lieut. (12th Inf.), 541, 566, 567. 
Hunterstown, 324. 
Huntington, Lieut., 551; Sergt., 547. 
Huntsville Barracks, 429. 
Hurst, Lieut., 570; Capt., 573. 
Huston, D. H. Col., 407, 479, 552. 
Hutchins, B. T., Lieut., 232. 
Hutcheson, Lieut., 280. 
Hyer, Lieut., 653, 654. 
I. 
Ide, W. C., Capt., 580. 
Ilges, G., Major, 478, 554; Capt., 594, 
597, 600. 
Illinois Vols., 408. 
Independence, Mo., 408. 
Indian Bureau, 250. 
Indian Skirmishes, 477, 478. 
Indian Territory, 663. 
Indiana Vols., Sixty-sixth, 577, 639. 
Indians: 
Apaches, 148, 159, 176, 191, 200, 218, 
223, 227, 245, 248,249, 252, 270, 271, 
273> 295> 296,370,374. 472, 542,543- 
Arapahoes, 182, 183, 252, 529. 
Bannocks, 229, 274, 430, 478, 533, 369. 
Cherokees, 155, 156, 315, 334, 335, 354, 
458. 
Cheyennes, 182, 183, 218, 226, 228, 229, 
242, 244, 252, 263, 272, 276, 291, 
294, 372, 413, 474, 475- 505, 529, 
632. 
Choctaws, 406, 433. 
Comanches, 176, 217, 223, 242, 252, 
273, 275, 276, 293, 294, 474, 542. 
Creeks, 333, 353, 416, 432, 670. 
Crows, 260, 479, 507. 
Dakotas, 572. 
Floridas, 154, 175, 303, 305, 330, 331, 
333, 335- 
Kickapoos, 295. 
Kiowas, 242, 252, 272, 275,279, 293, 294. 
Klamaths, 343. 
Lipans, 295, 542. 
Miamis, 401, 414. 
Modocs, 568. 
Mohaves, 491. 
Navajoes, 441, 442, 537. 
Nez Perces, 169, 189, 229, 260, 261, 
373, 412, 430, 439, 477, 478, 523. 
Piegans, 180, 583. 
Piutes, 169, 374. 
Pottawattomies, 354. 
Pueblos, 442. 
Puget Sound, 343. 
St. Carlos Agency, 245. 
Sacs and Foxes, 403. 
Seminoles, 73, 88, 314, 333, 341, 353, 
358, 417, 456, 457, 471. 
Sheep-Eater, 430. 
Sioux, 182, 183, 186, 190, 226, 229, 245, 
248, 252, 263, 264, 287, 358, 373, 431, 
450, 478, 505, 507, 522, 529, 533, 
632, 641, 682, 690. 
Umatillas, 37, 343. 
Utes, 229, 248, 510, 632, 689. 
Wichita Agency, 293, 474, 698. 
Yakimas, 343. 
Yanktons, 534. 
Yellow Medicine Agency, 344, INDEX. 
725 
Infantry, First Regiment, 401. 
“ Second “ 414. 
“ Third “ 432. 
“ Fourth “ 452. 
“ Fifth “ 466. 
“ Sixth “ 480. 
“ Seventh “ 498. 
“ Eighth “ 511. 
“ Ninth “ 526. 
“ Tenth “ 531. 
“ Eleventh “ 545. 
“ Twelfth “ 555. 
“ Thirteenth “ 575. 
“ Fourteenth “ 580. 
“ Fifteenth “ 610. 
“ Sixteenth “ 629. 
“ Seventeenth “ 634. 
“ Eighteenth “ 643. 
“ Nineteenth “ 657. 
“ Twentieth “ 666. 
“ Twenty-first “ 673. 
“ Twenty-second “ 680. 
“ Twenty-third “ 692. 
“ Twenty-fourth “ 695. 
“ Twenty-fifth “ 697. 
Infernal Caverns, Battle, 694. 
Ingalls, Quartermaster-Gen., 60. 
Inge, Lieut., 176. 
Ingersoll, Lieut., 467. 
Ingham, Lieut., 547. 
Ink-pah-du-tah, Chief, 534, 535. 
Inspector-Gen’s., Dept., 5, 6, 12, 24, 32, 
123. 
Irish Bend, 306, 322. 
Irish Brigade, 362. 
Iron Star, Chief, 688. 
Irons, J. F., Lieut., 304, 305. 
Irvin, M., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Irvine, Lieut., 198. 
Irvine, R. J. C., Lieut., 353. 
Irving, Capt., 351. 
Irwin, Gen., 381. 
Irwin, D. S., Lieut., 437. 
Irwin, J. R., Lieut., 304. 
Iverson, A., Lieut., 211. 
Izard, G., Capt., 23, 123. 
Izard, J. F., Lieut., 153, 155. 
J- 
Jack, Capt., 373. 
Jackson, T. J., Gen., 224, 305, 307, 322, 
576, S77» 588, 593, 600. 
Jackson, G. A., Gen., 73, 456. 
Jackson, R. H., Gen., 307, 378, 380, 382. 
Jackson, T. K., Lieut. (8th Inf.), 520. 
Jackson, Lieut. (15th Inf.), 623. 
Jackson, W. H., Lieut. (3d Cav.), 200, 201. 
Jackson, Major (2nd Cav.), 192. 
Jackson Barracks, 448, 698. 
Jackson Camp, Capture, 322. 
Jackson’s Cavalry, 367. 
Jackson, Fight near, 370. 
Jackson, Mt., 392. 
Jackson, Siege of, 348. 
Jacobi, J. C., Chaplain, 282. 
Jacobs, G. W., Lieut., 467. 
Jacobs, I. K., Lieut., 467. 
Jalapa, Mexico, 356. 
James City, 325. 
James, Army of the, 370, 371, 389. 
Jaquette, Surgeon, 596. 
Jarvis, C. E., Lieut., 418. 
Jasper, Skirmish at, 368. 
Jefferson, President, 6, 46, 402, 625. 
Jefferson Barracks, 198, 2x1, 405, 433, 
458, 512, 575- 
Jerome, Lieut., 275, 688. 
Jerome, L. H., Lieut., 188, 189. 
Jesup, T. H., Gen., 50, 52, 55, 315, 334, 
353. 404- 
Jewett, Capt., 612, 622, 625, 626; Major, 
633- 
Johnson, President, 58, 503. 
Johnson, R. M., Hon., 78. 
Johnson, Gen., C. S. A., 563, 600, 
Johnson, R. W., Gen., 221, 339, 346, 368, 
613, 622. 
Johnson, A. B., Lieut., 498. 
Johnson, J. B., Lieut., 195, 207, 234, 263. 
Johnson, C. P., Lieut,, 297. 
Johnston, J. E., Cob, 29, 30; Gen., 211, 
346. 
Johnston’s Surrender, 321. 
Johnston, A. S., Gen., 221, 222, 482, 535, 
644. 
Johnston, Capt. (1st Drag.), 157. 
Johnstone, J. P., Lieut., 305. 
Jones, S., Gen., 236, 307, 600. 
Jones, L., Lieut., 193. 
Jones, R., Capt., Adjt.-Gen., 9, 332. 
Jones, J. P., Lieut., 319. 
Jones, W. G., Capt., 540. 
Jones, Chief, Sam., 513. 
Jones, T. M., Lieut., 520. 
Jones, W., Com.-Gen., 47. 
Jonesboro, 448, 624, 651, 661. 
Jordan Creek, Battle, 694. 
Jordan, C., Lieut., 631. 
Jordan, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 424, 435. 
Jordan, Sergt., 286. 
Joseph, Chief, 189, 260, 262, 462, 508, 
523- 
Judah, Gen., 463. 
Judd, Lieut., 339. 
Judge Advocate-General’s Dept., 33, 37. 
Juniper Canon, Battle, 694. 
K. 
Kamiarkin, Chief, 462. 
Kansas City, 408. 
Kansas Troubles, 358. 
Kansas Vol. Cavalry, 254. 
Kauffman, Capt., 275. 
Kautz, A. V., Gen., 232, 234, 463, 523, 
525, 626. 
Keais, J. L., Lieut., 334. INDEX. 
Kearny, S. W., Lieut.-Col., 153, 154, 155, 
156, 157 ; Major, 433, 435. 
Kearny, W., Lieut., 531. 
Kearneysville, 325. 
Keeler, S., Lieut., 467. 
Keeling, W. H., Lieut., 580. 
Keifer, J. M., Gen., 392. 
Kellogg, L. M., Lieut., 531, 533. 
Kellogg, W. C., Lieut., 539; Capt., 542, 
644, 653, 654. 
Kelly, Gen., 364. 
Kelly, H. B., Lieut., 531. 
Kelly, J., Capt., 630. 
Kelly, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 214. 
Kelly’s Ford, 364, 365. 
Kelly, W., Capt., 269, 271. 
Kelly, Sergt., 270. 
Kendall, Lieut., 620. 
Kendrick, H., Capt., 315, 317, 318. 
Kenesaw Mountain, 323, 448, 622, 624, 
651, 660. 
Kennedy, W. B., Lieut., 290. 
Kennington, Sergt., 546. 
Keogh, M. W., Capt., 251, 259. 
Ker, C., Lieut., 174. 
Kerin, Lieut., 233, 234, 235. 
Kerns, Capt., 378. 
Kernsville, 363. 
Kerr, Lieut. (17th Inf.), 641. 
Kerr, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 201. 
Ketcham, H. H., Lieut., 681, 684. 
lvetchum, W. S., Capt., 490; Col., 552. 
Keteltas, H., Capt., 622, 625; Col., 612, 
615. 
Keyes, 4 E. D., Gen., 307, 333, 343. 545- 
552, 596, 600. 
Kid, Indian Chief, 296. 
Kidd, M. H., Major, 290. 
Kidd, W., Lieut., 425. 
Kidder, Lieut., 180. 
Kilpatrick, J., Gen., 307, 349, 365. 
Kimball’s Brigade, 364. 
King, Capt. (1st Inf.), 405, 594, 657, 658, 
659- 
King, C. L., Capt., 563. 
King, E. A., Col., 495. 
King, Gen., 387, 388, 622, 651. 
King, J. H., Capt., 528, 529, 612, 613, 
616, 617, 618, 619. 
King, J. K., Gen., 649. 
Kingsbury, Lieut., 378. 
Kingsbury, C. E., Lieut., 174. 
Kingsbury, G. W., Lieut., 568, 570. 
Kingsbury, J., Col., 403. 
King’s Division, 361. 
Kinney, Lieut., 381, 644. 
Kinzie, D. H., Lieut., 381. 
Kinzie, J., Lieut., 266. 
Kirby, E., Gen., 307. 
Kirby, R. M., Capt., 304. 
Kirk, Gen., 614. 
Kirkland, Lieut., 649. 
Kirkman, Capt., 543. 
Kislingbury, Lieut., 190. 
Klamath Fort, 568. 
Klinbrans, G. Pvt., 413. 
Kline, J., Capt., 654. 
Kneass, Capt., 648. 
Knipe, Gen., 215. 
Knox, H., Gen., 328, 421. 
Knoxville, 322, 347. 
Kramer, A., Capt., 246. 
Krause, Lieut., 449, 594, 600. 
Ku Klux Klan, 631. 
Kyle, Lieut., 168. 
L. 
Labor Riots, 374, 654. 
Lacey, F. E., Major, 424, 425 ; Capt., 428. 
La Cole Mill, Battle of, 456, 693. 
Lafferty, Lieut., 270, 275. 
Lagnel, J. A. de, Lieut., 319, 
Laidley, Lieut., 129, 135. 
Lakes, Four, Engagement, 529. 
Lake Frontier, 403. 
Lake Okeechobee, Engagement at, 458. 
Lambert, Lieut., 638. 
Lame Deer, Chief, 412, 476, 687. 
La Motte, R. S., 405, 570, 572, 580, 581. 
Landan, Pvt., 541. 
Landers, Div., 364. 
Lane, John F., Capt., 174. 
Lane, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 649. 
Lane, Lundy’s, 526. 
Lane, W. B., Major, 195, 196, 198, 199, 
201. 
Larned, B. F., Paym.-Gen., 109, 467. 
Lassiter, W., Quartermaster, 633. 
Latimer, A. E., Capt., 552. 
Laurel Hill Battle, 346, 364, 693. 
Lava Beds, The, 373. 
Lawless, Capt., 178. 
Lawler’s Brigade, 410. 
Lawrence, J., J.A.G., 33. 
Lawrence, Major, 415; Col., 467. 
Lawson, Thomas, Surgeon Gen., 88-90. 
Lawson, Capt., 207. 
Lawton, A. R., Gen., 307. 
Lawton, H. W., Capt., 218, 219, 296, 524. 
Lay, Capt., 447. 
Layton, C. R., Capt., 630; Major, 670. 
Lazelle, H. M., Capt,, 182, 527; Col., 
655, 688. 
Lazelle, W., Pvt., 410. 
Leadbetter, D., Gen., 307. 
Lear, Major, 436. 
Learned, S., Col, 526. 
Leavenworth, H., Col., 415, 432, 433, 481. 
Leavenworth, M. H., Lieut., 232. 
Lebo, T. C., Capt., 296; Lieut., 290. 
Lee, R. E., Gen., 58, 120, 178, 219, 221, 
222, 321, 348, 363, 369, 380, 381, 382, 
383. 385. 389. 393- 395- 396, 562, 583, 
599- 
Lee, A. T., Major., 428. 
Lee, F. H., Gen., 221, 223, 225, 520. 
Lee, F., Col. (2d Inf.), 422. 
Lee, J., 543. INDEX. 
727 
Lee, J. F., Capt., Jdg.-Adv.-Gen., 34, 
128, 132, 304. 
Lee, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 214. 
Lee, P. L., Lieut., 290, 291. 
Lee, W., Col., 2. 
Leesburg, 234. 
Lee’s Mill, 321. 
Leetown, Engagement near, 595, 635. 
Legate, Capt., 312. 
Legion of the United States, 301, 401. 
Leitendorf Mountains, 245. 
Lendrum, Lieut., 339, 340. 
Leonard, Patrick, Sergt., 181. 
Leoser, Col., 178, 179. 
Lewis, Capt., 402. 
Lewis, Col. (19th Inf.), 207, 663. 
Lewis and Clarke Expedition, 402. 
Lewis, G., Lieut., 243, 472, 474, 537. 
Lewis, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 192. 
Lewis, M., Quartermaster-Gen., 47. 
Leyden, J. A., Lieut., 452. 
Liberty, 322. 
Libby Prison, 552. 
Lieber, G. N., Lieut., 545, 547, 552. 
Lincoln Barracks, 567. 
Lincoln, Lieut., 511. 
Lincoln, President, 95, 117, 131, 213, 444, 
447. 503. 545. 588- 61 ■0. 
Lind, Lieut., 649. 
Lindsay, A. J., Col., 194, 201, 316. 
Lines, W. E., Sergt., 389. 
Linnard, W., Quartermaster-Gen., 47. 
Lipansi, 295, 542. 
Little Bat, Scout, 266. 
Little Big Horn, 257, 507. 
Little Big Horn, Monument, 267. 
Little, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 649. 
Little Muddy Creek, 188. 
Little Rock, 661. 
Little Rock Mt., Skirmish at, 569. 
Little Salmon River Battle, 694. 
Little Turtle Chief, 414. 
Livingston, L. L., Capt., 347, 349. 
Livingston, M., Lieut., 348. 
Livingston, W., Com.-Gen., 671 - 
Lloyd, T. J., Lieut., 580. 
Lobos Island, 418. 
Lochahatchee, Fight at, 354. 
Locke, Capt., 594, 596, 597, 599. 
Lodor, R., Lieut.-Col., 327. 
Logan, Capt., 510; Gen., 196. 
Lomax, L. L., Lieut., 211,212; Major, 
129. 163. 
Lone, Wolf, Chief, 254. 
Long, A. L., Lieut., 319. 
Long, Eli, Capt., 214. 
Long, O., Capt., 38. 
Longstreet, Gen., 346, 384, 385, 515, 517, 
518, 619. 
Lookout Mountain, 624, 650, 652. 
Lookout Valley, 387. 
Loomis, G., Capt., 387; Col., 471,473; 
Lieut.-Col., 485; Major, 416. 
Loosley, Lieut., 594, 596; Sergt., 590. 
Lorain, L., Lieut., 345. 
Lord, G. E., Surgeon, 260. 
Lord, J. H., Lieut., 268, 321. 
Lord, Lieut. (15th Inf.), 621. 
Lord, R. S. C., Capt., 164. 
Loring, W. W., Capt., 193, 197, 199, 438; 
Col., 200, 201. 
Loud, J. S., Capt., 282, 287. 
Louisiana, Gov. of, 402. 
Louisiana Purchase, The, 402. 
Louisiana Tigers, 592. 
Louis, St., Mo., 156. 
Louisville, 386. 
Love, G. M., 2d Lieut., 631. 
Lovejoy Station, Battle of, 215. 
Lovell, C., Lieut., 420, 421. 
Lovell, Surgeon-Gen., 87, 88. 
Lowe, Capt., 547 ; Major, 221. 
Lowell, Camp, 244. 
Lowell, C. R., Capt., 232, 238, 240; Col., 
163. 
Ludlow, Capt., 257 ; Lieut., 386, 387, 388. 
Lugenbeel, P., Lieut.-Col., 411, 469; 
Major, 660, 662. 
Lundy’s Lane Battle, 587, 693. 
Luning, Lieut., 540. 
Lupton, L. P., Lieut., 153. 
Luray, 322. 
Lyford, Lieut., 135. 
Lyman, Capt., 243, 272, 474. 
Lynchburg, 391. 
Lynde, Major, 201, 501, 502, 503. 
Lynn, D. D., Lieut., 492. 
Lyon, N., Gen., 213, 407, 423; Lieut., 
419, 422, 592. 
Lyster, Capt., 664, 665; Lieut., 658; 
Major, and Bvt.-Lieut.-Col., 497. 
Lytle, C. S., Sergt., 272. 
M. 
MacAdams, Capt., 180, 192. 
McAllister, Lieut., 130, 135. 
McAlpin, J., 1st Sergt., 214. 
McCabe, R. K., Ensign, 402. 
McCall, G. A., Gen., 28, 347, 424. 
McCall, Capt. (14th Inf.), 597. 
McCann, B. Pvt., 687. 
McCleave, Lieut., 271. 
McClellan, Gen., 114, 120; Capt, 211, 
213, 214, 223, 346, 361, 366, 367, 380, 
588. 
McClellan’s Creek, Engagement at, 276. 
McCleary, J., Lieut., 490. 
McCleery, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 645; Capt., 
653. 
McClernand, Gen., 614. 
McClernand, E. J., Capt., 179. 
McClintock, Capt., 597, 602, 603. 
McCloud River, Expedition to, 343. 
McClure, O. W., Lieut., 153. 
McComas, Judge, 208. 
McConnell, Lieut., 384, 648. 
McCook, A. McD., Gen., 366, 385, 496, 
523, 613, 614, 617, 646, 647. 728 
INDEX; 
McCoy, J., Lieut., 451, 630. 
McDonald, W., Capt., 27. 
McDougall, Capt., 578. 
McDowell, Irvin, Gen., 205, 305, 361, 
364,444, 445, 547, 588, 611 ; Lieut. 
Irvin. 
McElhone, Lieut., 592. 
Macfeeley, R., Maj. 2; Gen., 463. 
McGilvray, Capt., 325, 362, 395. 
McGinnis, J. T., Lieut., 580. 
McGowan, A. B., Lieut., 566. 
McGrath, P., Lieut., 232. 
McGregor, Lieut., 163. 
McGuire, Lieut., 445. 
McHenry, Secretary, 87. 
McIntosh, L., Col., 467, 469, 470. 
McIntosh, D. Lieut., 260. 
McIntosh, J., Lieut., 211, 212, 224. 
McIntosh, J. B., Capt., 221, 223. 
McIntosh, Capt. (18th Inf.), 592. 
McIntyre Lieut. (2d Inf.), 430. 
McIntyre, J. B., Lieut., 211, 214, 215. 
McKavett,'Capt., 511, 515. 
McKean, T. J., Lieut., 153. 
McKee, S., Capt., 161. 
McKee, S. A., Capt., 425, 427, 428. 
McKee, Dr., 199; Asst.-Sur., 501, 502. 
McKee, G. W., Major, 135, 338. 
McKee, W. R., Col., 338. 
Mackenzie, R. S., Col., R. S., 216, 217, 
218, 220, 294, 695, 698; Gen., 326, 
373- 496> 542, 632. 
McKibbin, D. B., Gen., 589, 593, 594, 595, 
692 ; Capt., 592, 601, 602, 605. 
McKibbin, C., Capt., 596, 597, 600, 602, 
605, 609, 626, 627, 628. 
McKibbin, J., 597. 
McKim, J., Lieut., 493. 
McKinney, Lieut., 218. 
McKinstry, Lieut, 416. 
McKmght, J., Capt., 377, 392 ; Capt., 397. 
McKnight’s Battery, 391. 
McLanburg, Capt., 635. 
McLane, G., Lieut., 194, 195, 201, 209. 
McLaughlin, Capt., 216. 
McLean, H. T., Lieut., 232. 
McLellan, C. B., Lieut., 232, 233, 239; 
Capt., 242, 244, 246; Major, 192. 
McLellan’s Fork, 243. 
McLoughlin, Lieut., 425, 428. 
McLoughlin, G. IP., Sergt., 423. 
McMasters, C., Lieut., 163; Capt., 178; 
1st Sergt., 214. 
McMillan, Capt., 158. 
McNab, J., Lieut., 531, 532. 
McNally, Lieut., 200, 201. 
McNally, Capt. (Texas Rangers), 274. 
McNeal, J., Major, 467. 
McNeil, J. W. S., Lieut., 174. 
McNeill, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 201. 
McPherson, J. B., Gen., 119. 
McPherson Barracks, 429, 654. 
McQuade, H., Lieut., 232. 
McQuesten, Capt. (2d Cav.), 178. 
McQuiston, Lieut., 235. 
McRae, J. H., Lieut., 202, 209; Capt., 
432- 
Mackall, W. W., Gen., 307 ; Capt., 305. 
Mackanootney Village, Fight at, 343. 
Mackey, Capt., 207. 
Macomb, A., Gen., 124, 320, 332, 404. 
Madden, Lieut., 232, 235, 246, 654. 
Maddox, Asst. Surgeon, 273. 
Madigan, T., Sergt., 424. 
Madison, President, 7, 8, 27, 47, 48, 73. 
Madison Barracks, 554, 571. 
Madison, C. H., 349. 
Madrid, Capture of, 407. 
Magnetic Instrument, 144. 
Magruder, J. B., Gen., 305, 307. 
Maguago, Battle of, 301, 402, 434. 
Mahon, S. K., Lieut., 630. 
Mahony, Pvt., 541. 
Major, 561, 565, 566. 
Major-General, 48. 
Maloney, M., Major, 409, 410, 487. 
Malvern Hill, 160, 321, 322, 324, 325, 347, 
360, 369, 377, 378, 425, 444, 464, 538, 
548, 552, 557, 592, 635, 693. 
Manassas, 160, 378, 428, 539, 547, 593. 
Maney, Lieut., 286. 
Mangres, Chief, 296. 
Manigault, G. PI., Gen., 27, 146. 
Manly, Sergt., 197. 
Mann, J. D., Lieut., 267. 
Mansfield, J. K., Gen., 29,119, 120; Capt., 
366, 370, 394. 
Mansura, 306. 
Meany, J., Col., 434. 
March, T. J., Lieut., 253. 
Marcy, R. B., Capt., 536; Gen., 29, 30. 
Markley, Lieut., 425. 
Marpool, Sergt., 541. 
Mars La Tour, Battle of, 225. 
Marsh, S. S., Capt., 426, 427. 
Marshall, L. H., Lieut., 531, 537 ; Major, 
692. 
Marshall, E. G., Lieut., 491. 
Marshall, H. Corp., 541. 
Marston, Capt., 407. 
Marston, M., Maj., 467. 
Martin, J. G., Lieut., 304, 305, 307, 387, 
381, 383. 39L 393.416, 516. 
Martin’s Mass. Battery, 548. 
Martinsburg, 324. 
Maryes Height, 362. 
Mason, E. C., Col., 450. 
Mason, J. S., Col., 529, 530, 626. 
Mason, Julius, Major, 227. 
Mason, J. S., Lieut., 413. 
Mason, Capt., (4th Art.), 351. 
Mason, S. T., Capt., 193, 196. 
Mason, Major R., B., 153, 154, 156, 158. 
Massachusetts, Prov. Congress of, 83. 
Massachusetts Volunteers, 13th, 546. 
Massacre, Grattan, 489. 
Massacre at Fort Mimms, 432. 
Matagorda Bay, 443. 
Matamoras, Skirmish at, 340. 
Matedequin Creek, 322. INDEX. 
729 
Mauck, Lieut., 214. 
Maumee Rapids, Battle of, 401. 
Maumee River, Engagement at, 414. 
Maury, D. H-, Lieut., 194, 195. 
Maury, Z. M. P., Lieut., 174, 195, 196, 
201. 
Maus, Lieut., 209, 412. 
Maxwell, J. E., Lieut., 442. 
May, C. A., Lieut., 174, 175, 514- 
May, J., Lieut., 194. 
May, J. H., Lieut, (nth Inf.), 566. 
Maynadier, Capt. (Ord. Dept.), 128, 135; 
Gen., 221. 
Maynadier, H. E., Lieut., 531, 532, 536; 
Majpr, 562, 565, 566, 567. 
Mazzatzal Mountains, Battle, 694. 
Meade, Gen., 120, 140, 330, 333, 389, 393, 
447. 548, 593. 597- 
Meadow Bridge, 161, 325, 362. 
Meade’s Division, 380, 382. 
Meagher, Gen., 492. 
Meagher, P. L., Lieut., 580. 
Mebane, Lieut., 318. 
Mechanicsville, 161, 321, 347, 349, 362, 
377. 424, 492- 
Medcaife, Lieut. (Ord. Dept.), 135. 
Medical Dept., 83, 99. 
Meeker, Agent, 207, 230. 
Meigs, Governor, 454. 
Meigs, M. C., Gen., 59, 307, 588. 
Meigs, J. R., Major, 119. 
Meinell, P., Lieut., 348. 
Memphis, 409. 
Mendenhall, Col., 327. 
Mentges, F., Col., 20; Insp. So. Army, 
20, 22. 
Merchant, C. S., Col., 359. 
Merchant, A., Lieut., 319. 
Meredith, Capt., 62c. 
Meredith, Mr., 344. 
Merriam, H. C., Col., 430, 695,. 
Merrill, L., Major, 257; Capt., 469, 471 ; 
Col., 640. 
Merritt, W., Gen., 161, 162, 163, 164, 178, 
179, 228, 230, 236, 238, 282, 283, 392. 
Mesilla, Battle of, 201. 
Mesilla, Engagement, 501. 
Metcalf, R., Lieut., 389, 390, 393, 394, 
397- 
Mexico, War with, 10, 54, 55, 79, 89, 90, 
116, 117, 129, 135, 156, 157, 158, 175, 
274, 3°4, 335- 35°. 405, 587- 
Mexico, City of, 304, 317, 338, 340, 356, 
357. 4i7. 436. 526- 
Mexico, Raid into, 542. 
Miami, Battle of, 301,432. 
Miami Rapids, 452. 
Miami River, Engagement, 401. 
Micanopy, Fight at, 314, 315. 
Micanopy Chief, 457. 
Michaelis, Lieut., 135. 
Michie, Lieut., 192. 
Michigan, 17th Regiment, 425. 
Michler, Lieut. (5th Cav.), 227. 
Middleburg, 349. 
Middleton, Battle of, 215, 234, 364. 
Mifflin, T., Gen., 16, 39, 40. 
Miles, N. A., Gen., 169, 188, 189, 190, 
192, 218, 219, 242, 260, 261, 262, 294, 
374, 412, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477. 478, 
479, 569, 663, 687. 
Miles, D. S., Col., 422, 426; Capt., 499, 
516. 
Miles, E., Lieut., 562, 565. 
Milford, 322. 
Military Telegraph, 145. 
Mill Creek, Engagement at, 229. 
Miller, John, Col., 433. 
Miller, Jas., Col., 454, 455, 466. 
Miller, M. P., Captain, 374.375- 
Miller, Capt. (14th Inf.), 597, 600. 
Miller, W. A., Lieut., 654, 659. 
Miller, S. A., Lieut., 561. 
Milligan, Major, 141. 
Mills, M., Surgeon, 90. 
Mills, A., Lieut., 644; Capt., 649, 652, 
653,654; Major, 186, 207; Col., 208. 
Mills, S. C., Lieut., 570. 
Mills, J., Major, 4, 5, 22. 
Milne, Lieut., 360. 
Milroy, Gen., 383. 
Mimmack, B. P., Lieut., 555, 56°. 
Mine Run, 361, 362, 428, 447, 550, 551, 
562, 599, 636. 
Minn, N. G., 451. 
Missionary Ridge, 448, 624, 627, 649, 659, 
680. 
Missouri Vols., nth, 409. 
Missouri River, 402. 
Mitchell, W. G., Col., 255, 
Mitchell, Major, 332. 
Mitchell, John, Lieut., 362. 
Mix, Lieut., 178; Capt., 180. 
Mizner, J. K., Lieut., 232; Col., 297. 
Mizner, H. R., Col., 567, 641 ; Capt., 645, 
651, 652. 
Moale, E., Lieut., 657, 665. 
Mobile, 625. 
Modoc War, 168, 345. 
Moffatt, J. F., Lieut., 282. 
Mohave Fort, 567. 
Molinard, Capt., 323. 
Molino del Rey, 317, 340, 357, 421, 439, 
459. 487. 526> 587> 611. 
Monahan, Adjt., 204. 
Monroe, J., President, 9, 50, 72, 74, 76. 
Monroe, Major (2d Art.), 317, 318. 
Montemorelos, 417. 
Monterey, 304, 316, 324, 336, 355, 405, 
4i7. 436. 437. 458- 
Montevallo, Fight at, 368. 
Montgomery, W. R., Capt., 511, 514, 517 
Montgomery, Ala., 625. 
Mooney, Capt., 660. 
Moore, Surgeon-Gen., 96, 97. 
Moore, E. D., Lieut., 153. 
Moore, F., Lieut., 284; Major, 281. 
Moore, S. W., Lieut., 153. 
Moore, O. H., Major, 490, 496. 
Moore, J. N., Capt., 232. INDEX. 
Moore’s Cavalry, 392. 
Mordecai, A., Capt., 128, 130, 132. 
Morgan, C. 11., Gen., 372. 
Morgan, J., Surgeon-Gen., 84, 86. 
Morgan, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 208. 
Morgan, H. C., Capt., 563, 566. 
Mormons, 177, 319, 442. 
Moro River Skirmish, 442. 
Moroney, Lieut., 596. 
Morris, A., Lieut., 360. 
Morris, W. W., Col., 320; Gen., 325, 
326. 
Morris, L. T., Lieut., 660, 661 ; Major, 
665. 
Morris, R. M ., Lieut., 194, 197, 200, 201. 
Morris, R. L., 644, 651, 653, 654. 
Morris, Capt. (2d Inf.), 420. 
Morris, L. N., Capt., 436. 
Morris, J. L., Sergt., 272. 
Morrison, P., Col., 519, 521. 
Morrison, J. T., Lieut., 290. 
Morrison, T. W., Lieut., 631. 
Morristown, 2. 
Morrow, Col. (13th Inf.), 581. 
Morrow, A. P., Major, 208, 282, 285. 
Morton, Gov. of Indiana, 553. 
Morton, J. St. C., Brig.-Gen., 119. 
Morton, Lieut., (3d Inf.), 447. 
Morton, Chas., Capt., 193. 
Morton’s Ford, 321, 325. 
Mosby, Gen., 163, 163; Col., 363. 
Mosquito Inlet, Fight at, 315. 
Mott, Gen., 390. 
Moulton, Lieut., 160. 
Mountfort, Capt., 312. 
Mt. Jackson, 349, 364. 
Mt. Vernon Barracks, 429. 
Mower, J. A., Col., 697; Capt., 407. 
Moylan, S. Col., Quartermaster-Gen., 
40. 
Moylan, M., Lieut., 251 ; Capt., 171, 261, 
262. 
Muddy Run, 322. 
Mudge, P. R., Lieut., 334. 
Muhlenberg, C. P., Lieut., 380. 
Muhlenberg, E. D., Lieut., 365. 
Muir, Lieut., 641 ; Major, 454; Capt., 
684, 685. 
Mullany, J. R., Major, 692. 
Mulligan, Capt., 618, 659. 
Mumford, W. G., Dep. Com.-Gen., 69. 
Mumfordville, 385. 
Munroe, Capt., 483. 
Murfreesboro, Battle of, 214, 386, 387, 
448, 658, 659. 
Murphy, M., Sergt., 214. 
Murray, R., Surg.-Gen., 96. 
Murray, A. M., Lieut., 322, 325. 
Murray, A. (10th Inf.), 531, 534. 
Murray, F. K., U. S. Navy, 343. 
Muscleshell River, 581- 
Myers, A. J., Gen., 136,137, 138, 139, 142, 
143, 144, 145. h6. 
Myers, J. W., Lieut., 290. 
Myrick, Lieut., 290, 346, 347. 
N. 
Nacogdoches, 625. 
Naglee, Gen., 366. 
Namozine Church, 325. 
Nance, Lieut., 192. 
Napoleon, 143. 
Nashville, 386, 388. 
Natchez, 218, 524. 
National Guard, Cal., 413. 
Nauman, G., Lieut., 304; Capt., 305. 
Navy, The, 139. 
Neil Dow Station, Battle of, 624, 660. 
Neill, T. IL, Gen., 294, 382, 473, 552. 
Neill, Lieut., (18th Inf.), 649. 
Negley, Gen., 368, 646, 647. 
Nelson, A. D., Col., 293, 531, 370, 367. 
Nelson, R„ Lieut., 424. 
Nelson’s Division, 386. 
Nelson’s Farm, 363. 
Nelson’s Line, 367. 
New Sergt., 273. 
Newberry, S. S., Capt., 564. 
New Bridge, 320, 321, 322, 347. 
Newburg, 21. 
Newby, Capt., 194. 
New Hampshire (1st Inf.), Cont. Line, 3. 
New Hope Ch., 448, 622, 624, 651, 660. 
Newman, T., Lieut., 580. 
New Madrid, Capture of, 323. 
Newmarket, 391. 
New Mexico, 345. 
New Orleans, 394, 662. 
New Orleans, Election Riots, 583. 
New Orleans, Battle of, 302, 401, 431, 498. 
Newport Barracks, 417, 428, 429, 575. 
New River, Skirmish at, 367. 
Newtown, 322. 
Newton, N., Lieut., 194. 
New York Harbor Forts, 303. 
New York Vol., 548, 599. 
Niagara, Battle of, 302, 403, 326, 368, 369, 
Nicholas, R. C., Col., 403 
Nicholls, M. H., Lieut., 531. 
Nichols, Lieut., 161. 
Nicodemus, Major, 145, 146. 
Nicodemus, W. J. L., Capt., 566. 
Nicoll, A. T., Col., 8, 24, 26. 
Noble, C. II., Lieut., 630. 
Noel, Capt., 483. 
Nolan, N., Capt., 290, 295; Lieut., 237. 
Noland, C. F. M., Lieut., 153. 
Nolan’s Ford, 324. 
Nolen, L., Lieut., 566. 
Nordstrom, C. E., Lieut., 291. 
Norfolk, Capture of, 363. 
Norris, Major, 141. 
North Anna, 362, 369, 390, 464, 552, 601, 
693- 
North Carolina, 2d Regt., 160. 
Northwestern Territory, 22, 23. 
North, W., Major, Adjt.-Gen., 6, 7, 21. 
Northern Army, 2. 
Northern Cheyenne Agency Fight, 688. 
Northern Pacific Surveyors, 182. INDEX. 
731 
Northern Virginia, Army of, 377. 
Northrop, L. B., Lieut., 153. 
Norton, Capt., 597, 180, 186. 
Norvell, J. M., Lieut., 567, 568. 
Norwood, Capt., 190. 
Notson, Surgeon, 236. 
Nottoway, C. H., 362. 
Nourse, Chas. J., Capt., 9, 312. 
Nowlan, H. J., Lieut., 251. 
Noyes, Capt., 180, 184, 188. 
Nugent, R., Capt., 580, 581. 
O. 
Oakes, Capt., 221. 
Oak Mill, 321. 
O’Beirne, Lieut.-Col., 62S. 
O’Brien, Capt., 337 ; Lieut., 356. 
Oceleston, Lieut., 618. 
O’Connell, J. D., Capt., 589, 590, 591, 
592> 593. 596, 597- 
O’Connell, Major (17th Inf.), 638. 
O’Connell, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 216. 
O’Connor, C. M., Lieut., 268. 
O’Donohoe, Lieut., 362. 
O’Fallon’s Creek, 190. 
Offiey, Lieut., 408; Capt., 410; Col., 
641. 
Ogden, Capt. (18th Inf.), 653,654; Lieut., 
645, 648. 
Ogden, Lieut. (1st Cav.), 161. 
Ohio, Army of the, 646. 
Ohio Vols., 409. 
Okalona, Battle of, 215. 
Okeechobee, Battle of, 404, 483. 
Oklahoma Lands, 670. 
Olustee, Fight at, 346. 
Olustee, 306, 308. 
O’Mara, J., Q. M. Gen., 44, 45. 
O’Mara, Lieut. (5th Cav.), 221. 
O’Neale, J. M. P., Lieut., 174. 
O’Neill, Col., 475. 
Opequan, Battle of, 325. 
Orange, C. H , 361, 580. 
Ord, E. O. C., Capt., 343, 345 ; Gen., 372 ; 
Lieut., 333. 
Ordnance Department, 126, 135, 329, 330. 
Orleman, L. M., Lieut., 290. 
O’Rorke, P. M., Col., 119, 384. 
O’Ryan, Sergt., 244. 
Osage Indians, 155. 
Osborne, N. W., Capt., 580; Col., 479; 
Lieut.-Col., 497. 
Osceola, Chief, 354, 457. 
Ostrander, Lieut., 649 
Otis, Elmer, Lieut., 211; Capt., 214; 
Col., 475. 
Otis, E. S., Col., 551, 669; Lieut.-Col., 
680, 686, 687, 689. 
Otis, II. G., Lieut., 373, 374. 
Ovenshine, Lieut.-Col., 628. 
Overton, Capt., 596, 598. 
Owen, W. K., Lieut., 269. 
Owyhee Canon Battle, 694. 
p. 
Pacific Coast, The, 343. 
Packard, Nichols, 632. 
Page Trumpeter, 182. 
Paint Creek, 242. 
Palfrey, William, Paym.-Gen., 100, 101. 
Palmer, I. N., Gen., 22, 178; Col., 189; 
Lieut., 194-197. 
Palmer, J. M., Gen., 622, 651, 652. 
Palmer’s Division, 371. 
Palo Alto, 304, 316, 336, 355, 417, 436. 
Pamunky River, Skirmish on, 564. 
Paradise Valley, 270. 
Parke, Gen., 393. 
Parke, J. B., Major, 633. 
Parker, Alex., Col., 466. 
Parker, C.. Capt., 286 ; Lieut., 282. 
Parker, Daingerfield, Col., 451 ; Lieut., 
447- 
Parker, D., Adjt. and Insp.-Gen., 8,26; 
Paym.-Gen., 106. 
Parker, Lieut., (2d Inf.), 424. 
Parker, R. C., Capt., 565, 566. 
Parker’s Stone, 360. 
Parnell, W. R., Lieut., 268, 269. 
Parr, Sergt., 546. 
Parrott, R. P., Lieut., 332. 
Parry, E. R., Capt., 667. 
Pascoffer. Chief, 435. 
Pasteur, E., Col., 432. 
Patriot War, 315. 
Patten, G. W., Capt., 418. 
Patterson, Capt. (20th Inf.), 667. 
Patterson, Gen., 339, 417, 444, 588. 
Patterson, J. H., Capt., 545, 547. 
Patterson, Major (3d Inf.), 451. 
Patterson’s Command, 365. 
Paul, C. R., Lieut., 654. 
Paul, G. R., Capt., 500, 501. 
Paulding, T., Lieut., 232, 236. 
Pawnee Fork Bluff, 448. 
Pawnee Killer, Chief, 226. 
Pay Department, 100, no. 
Payne, M., Capt., 351 ; Col., 355; Major, 
316, 319, 352. 
Peace of Paris Signed, 20, 25. 
Peach Tree Creek, 651, 660. 
Pealock, Sergt., 541. 
Pearce, Lieut., 659. 
Pea Ridge. 
Pearson, J. E. O., Lieut., 635. 
Peck, Gen., 363. 
Peck, L., Lieut., 520, 589. 
Pecos River, Fight at, 406. 
Pegram, Gen., 178. 
Pelham, Peter, Capt., 467. 
Pelouse, L. H., Lieut., 612. 
Peninsular Campaign, 324, 424. 
Peninsula, The, 444. 
Penna. Reserves, 380. 
Penna. Vol., 599. 
Pennington, Lieut., 325. 
Pennock, Lieut., 161. 
Pennsylvania, First Continental Line, 3. 732 
INDEX. 
Pennypacker, G., Col., 630, 633. 
Penrose, J. W., Capt., 418. 
Penrose, W. H., Capt., 571, 572, 633. 
Pensacola, 322. 
Pensacola, Capture of, 433. 
Peoples, S., Lieut., 384. 
Pepoon, S., Lieut., 291. 
Peralto, Battle of, 472, 538. 
Perkins, B. R., Capt., 566. 
Perkins, D., Capt., 153. 
Perrine, H. P., Capt., 248. 
Perry, Capt. (8th Cav.), 168, 169, 374. 
Perry, D., Capt. (5th Inf.), 467. 
Perry, Lieut. (14th Inf.), 589, 600. 
Perry Munday’s Ferry, Fight at, 374. 
Perryville, Battle of, 367, 368. 
Perryville (Ky.), 386, 646. 
Petersborough, Battle, 693. 
Petersburg, 306 346, 362, 364, 369, 371, 
391, 393, 540. 
Petersburg, R. R., 370, 393. 
Peterson, Capt., 615. 
Pettit, Lieut., 412. 
Phelps, E., Capt., 660; Lieut., 270, 275, 
. 657- 
Philadelphia, Tenn., 2, 348, 352. 
Philamont, 234, 240. 
Phil Kearney Massacre, 179. 
Phillips, Capt., 409, 410. 
Phister, Capt., 652. 
Phisterer, F., Lieut., 645. 
Pickell, Lieut., 353. 
Pickens Fort, 377. 
Pickering, T., Col., 2, 41, 42, 43. 
Pickett Camp, 344. 
Pickett, Gv Capt., 462, 517, 518; Gen., 
360, 385. 
Pickett, G. B., Lieut., 631. 
Pickett’s Charge, 384. 
Picolata, 416. 
Piedmont, 321, 391. 
Piegan Indians, Expedition, 180, 583. 
Pierce, B. K., Major, 304; Capt., 351. 
Pierce, J., Paym.-Gen., 101, 102. 
Pigeon’s Ranch, Engagement at, 159. 
Pike, J. M., Major, 480. 
Pike, R., Sergt., 536. 
Pike, Z. M. B., Col., 610; Major, 480. 
Pillow, Gen., 439, 470, 526, 587. 
Pickney, Gen., 24. 
Pine Run, 361. 
Pine Ridge Agency, 264, 412, 413, 431, 
524, 641. 
Pinkney, N., 433, 466, 481. 
Piper, A., Capt., 343; Col., 398. 
Pitcher, M. S., Capt., 531, 533. 
Pitcher, T. G., Capt., 520, 559; Col., 411, 
412. 
Pitt Fort, 3, 36. 
Pitt River, Expedition to, 343. 
Pittsburg Landing, 214, 385. 
Plattsburg, Siege of, 302, 415, 456, 480. 
Pleasant Grove, 395. 
Pleasant Hill, 306. 
Pleasanton, Gen., 178, 179, 341, 560, 595. 
Pleasanton’s Brigade, 234. 
Pleasants, Lieut., 547, 580. 
Plenty Horses, Chief, 413, 690. 
Plum Creek, 660. 
Plummer, Capt., 405, 407, 704. 
Plympton, Lieut., 467; Major, 417 ; Lieut.- 
Col., 499. 
Pocotaligo, Engagement at, 246. 
Pohlman, Lieut., 650. 
Poinsett, Secretary of War, 316, 329, 335. 
Point Isabel, Engagement, 499. 
Point of Rocks, 363. 
Poland, J. S., Lieut., 425; Col., 641. 
Poland, Lieut. (Ord. Dept.), 135. 
Polk, President, 513, 614. 
Pollock, O. W., Capt., 693. 
Ponca Agency, 411. 
Pond, R. H., Capt., 566. 
Pope, Brig.-Gen., 255. 
Pope, Gen., 120, 213, 271, 379, 380, 445, 
473. 549> 593. 595- 
Pope, H. C., Capt., 193. 
Pope’s Army, 140, 361, 365, 407. 
Poplar Creek Agency, 554. 
Poplar Spring Church, 637. 
Poppenberg’s Band, 635. 
Po River, 362. 
Portail, Chevalier du, Brig.-Gen., hi, 116. 
Port Conway, 364, 365. 
Porter, A., Lieut., 194, 196, 197; Gen., 
444- 
Porter, Capt. (14th Inf.), 596, 597. 
Porter, Col. (1st Art.), 303. 
Porter, F. J., Gen., 224, 377, 378, 379, 380, 
611; Lieut., 367, 537, 591, 595. 
Porter, G., Capt., 304. 
Porter, H., Lieut., 131. 
Porter, J. E., Lieut., 259. 
Porter, Lieut. (4th Inf.), 458. 
Porter, S. A., Lieut., 268. 
Port Pludson, 306, 307, 308, 322, 394. 
Port Republic, Engagement at, 364. 
Port Royal (Va.), 139, 346, 349. 
Potomac, Army of, 93, 306, 320, 370, 378, 
383. 389. 39L 447- 
Potter, Capt. (15th Inf.), 625. 
Potter, C. H., Lieut., 654. 
Potter, J. H., Capt., 501, 660; Col., 510, 
696. 
Pourier, Scout, 186. 
Powder River Expedition, 218, 529,684. 
Powell, A. M., Capt., 682. 
Powell, J. E., Lieut., 406. 
Powell, Lieut. (14th Inf.), 591, 592, 649. 
Power, John, Capt., 630. 
Pratt, H. C., Lieut., 580. 
Pratt, J., Capt., 467. 
Pratt, J. P., Lieut., 552. 
Pratt, R. H., Lieut., 290, 294. 
Prentiss, J. H., Lieut., 304. 
Presidential Election, 310. 
President’s Proclamation, 543. 
Presidio (Cal.), 164, 168, 191, 208, 32 c. 
394. 398- 
Preston, Lieut., 265, 266. INDEX 
733 
Prevost, Surgeon, 89. 
Price, J., Mr., 67. 
Price, Sterling, Col., 158; Gen., 213. 
Price, W. R., Major, 268, 272, 273, 274, 
275, 276, 278. 
Prime, N., Lieut., 635. 
Prince, Capt. (4th Inf.), 463; Gen., 559. 
Prince, Lieut. (Ord. Dept.), 135. 
Prince, W. E., Major, 408. 
Prior, Capt., 402. 
Proctor, Lieut., 644. 
Proctor’s Creek, 370. 
Prophet, The, Indian Chief, 453. 
Pueblo, Siege of, 317, 339, 357, 419, 438. 
Puget Sound Indians, 343. 
Pulaski, 368, 371,372. 
Purcellville, 324. 
Purchase of Alaska, 325. 
Purington, G. A., 282. 
Putnam, H. S., Col., 119. 
Putnam, J. E., Lieut., 565, 566. 
Pyne, C. M., Lieut., 492. 
Q. 
Quartermaster-General’s Dept., 38, 66. 
Queenstown Heights, Battle of, 26, 302, 
480, 693. 
Quirk, Lieut., 178. 
Quitman, Gen., 337, 339, 340, 357, 421, 
439- 
R. 
Racoon Ford, 321, 322, 325. 
Radiere, de La, Lieut.-Col., hi. 
Raguet, Llewellyn, Lieut., 194. 
Raid into N. C., 370. 
Railroad Troubles, 383. 
Rains, G. R., Major, 343, 510. 
Rain in the Face, Chief, 257. 
Ramsey, Geo. D., Gen., 133, 135, 307. 
Ramsey, W., Lieut., 135. 
Randlett, Capt., 273, 274, 287. 
Randol, Capt., 380. 
Randolph, W. F., Lieut., 383. 
Rangers, Battalion of, 153. 
Rankin, W. G., Capt., 681. 
Ransom, Capt. (5th Art.), 384. 
Ransom, D. R., Capt., 343 
Ransom, R., Lieut., 211. 
Ransom’s Battery, 379, 381, 382. 
Ransom, T. B., Col., 526. 
Rapidan Station, 321. 
Rapidan, The, 349, 389, 580. 
Rappahanoclc, The, 234, 235, 347, 361, 
364, 382, 389, 464, 550, 562, 580, 636. 
Rappahanoclc Station, 360, 447. 
Rathbone, H. R., Capt., 566. 
Rathbone, J.L., Lieut., 566. 
Raulston, G. F., Lieut., 290. 
Raven Little, Chief, 252. 
Rawles Battery, 396. 
Ravvles, J. B., Capt., 377, 394, 395, 398. 
Rawn, C. C., Capt., 505. 
Rawolle, Capt., 184. 
Read, A., Mr., 260. 
Read, J. G., Capt., 558. 
Read, O. B., Capt., 554. 
Reams’ Station, 362. 
Rebellion, The, 56,80,90, 96, 117, 131, 
132, 138, 139, 145, 331, 343, 491. 
Reconstruction, The, 638, 661. 
Rector, W., Lieut.-Col., 174. 
Red Cloud Agency, 183, 263, 374, 476, 
523- , 
Redmond, N., Lieut., 368. 
Red River, 217, 394. 
Red River Expedition, 533. 
Red River Tom, 543. 
Red Rock Mountains, Battle, 694. 
Reed, J., Col., 2. 
Reed, Lieut. (10th Inf.), 540. 
Reese, A. A., Lieut., 277, 278. 
Reeve, I. V. D., Capt., 520; Col., 579, 
580, 581. 
Regimental Bands, 353. 
Regimental Losses, Civil War, 308, 701. 
Regular Brigade, The, 647. 
Regular Division, The, 637. 
Reilly, W. Van, Lieut., 259. 
Relief Camp, 447. 
Remilina, 542. 
Reno’s Div., 364. 
Reno, J. L., Lieut., 130, 132. 
Reno, Major, 185, 255, 257, 259, 260, 474, 
5°7- 
Resaca, Ga., 323, 448, 660. 
Resaca, de la Palma, 304, 316, 336, 355, 
417, 436, 458. 
Reserve Brigade, The, 590, 591. 
Return of the Army, 403. 
Review at Washington, 447, 541. 
Revolutionary Army, 3. 
Reynolds, J. F., Gen., 183, 207, 343, 345, 
361, 366, 379, 473, 583, 661, 692; 
Lieut., 336. 
Reynolds, J. J., Col., 203, 698. 
Reynolds, Scout, 260. , 
Rhett, T. G., Lieut., 194. 
Richards, W. V., Capt., 629,633 ; Quarter- 
master, 630. 
Richardson, Fort, 241, 242. 
Richardson, Gen., 595. 
Richardson’s Div., 360. 
Richmond, 360, 361, 364, 390, 552. 
Richmond, Raid on, 349. 
Rich Mountain, 366, 367. 
Ricketts Battery, 376. 
Ricketts, J. B., Gen., 307 ; Lieut., 305. 
Ridgeley, R., Lieut., 336, 337. 
Rigby, Capt., 383. 
Riley, Bennett, Major, 482; Gen., 405. 
Riley’s Brigade, 356, 419, 422. 
Ringgold, Battle of, 215. 
Ringgold, S., Lieut., 332, 335, 336; Capt., 
5T3- 
Rio Grande, 283. 734 
INDEX. 
Roys, E. G., Lieut., 216. 
Rucker, Capt., 286. 
Rucker, D. H., Col., 59, 60; Major, 232. 
Rucker, J. A., Lieut., 245, 346, 248. 
Rucker, L. H., Lieut., 282. 
Rudolph, M., Major, 22. 
Ruff, C. F., Capt., 193, 194, 196,197, 201. 
Ruff’s Mills, 323. 
Ruger, T. H., Col., 654; Gen., 655. 
Ruggles, D., Gen., 473. 
Rush, B., Surg.-Gen., 86. 
Raisin River, 402. 
Russell Barracks, 566. 
Russell, Capt. (2d Inf.), 416. 
Russell, C. S., Capt., 547, 552, 553. 
Russell, D. A., Lieut., 462 ; Gen., 463. 
Russell, F. D. L., Lieut., 371. 
Russell, G. C., Col., 432, 433. 
Russell, J., Lieut., 202. 
Russell, J. P., Surgeon, 467. 
Russell, N. B., Major, 444, 445. 
Russell. W., Col., 498. 
S 
Sabine Cross Roads, 395. 
St. Augustine, 477. 
St. Carlos Agency, 245. 
St. Clair, A., Gen., 2, 4, 22, 44, 401, 414. 
St. Mary’s Church, 321. 
St. Patrick’s Bayou, 395. 
Sacket, D. B., Gen., 29, 176, 211. 
Sackett’s Harbor, 52, 415, 693. 
Sacrificios, 417. 
Sailor’s Creek, 164, 239, 325, 363, 370, 
396- 
Sal em Church, 238, 322,361 
Salient Point, The, 397. 
Saline River, Engagement at, 291. 
Salmon River, Skirmish at, 373. 
Salade, Camp, 440. 
Salt Lake City, 536. 
San Antonio, 281, 326, 339, 340, 420,486, 
526, 632. 
San Augustine, Engagement, 502. 
Sanborn, W. Q., Lieut., 580. 
San Carlos Agency, 247. 
San Cosmo Gate, 588. 
Sand Hills, Engagement at, 448. 
Sanders, W. P., Gen., 232, 233, 240. 
Sanderson, J. P., Col., 577, 579, 612, 613. 
Sanderson, Lieut. (7th Inf.), 416. 
Sanderson, W. F., Capt., 193. 
Sands, Lieut. (6th Cav.), 247. 
Sands, Capt. (4th Art.), 351. 
Sanger, J. P., Lieut., 346; Insp.-Gen., 12. 
San Geronimo, 419. 
Sanford, Major. 168, 169. 
San Francisco, Loss of the, 342, 343. 
San Juan Island, 344, 462. 
San Juan d’Ulloa, 418. 
Santa Anna, Gen., 90, 337, 340, 41S, 420, 
440, 459, 486. 
Santa Fe, 441, 689. 
Riots, Labor, 447, 451. 
Ripley, E., Lieut., 467 ; Major, 128, 129, 
133, 135* 
Rittenhouse, Capt., 385. 
Ritter, J. D., 2d Lieut., 612. 
Ritzius, H. P., 699, 
Roach, Capt., 312. 
Roanoke Creek, 362. 
Robbin, S., Lieut., 251. 
Roberts, B. S., Lieut., 193, 194, 195, 196, 
197, 201. 
Roberts, J. C., Col., 373. 
Roberts, Surgeon, 89. 
Robertson, E. B., Capt., 526. 
Robertson, Capt. (6th Inf.), 490. 
Robertson, J., Capt., 320, 322. 
Robertson, B. H., Gen., 178, 236 ; Lieut., 
183, 191. 
Robertson’s Ford, 349. 
Robinett, Chas., Lieut., 408, 667 ; Capt., 
4°9- , „ 
Robinson, G. T., Capt., 290. 
Robinson, J. C., Gen., 472. 
Robinson River, 321, 322. 
Robinson, S., Lieut., 467. 
Rochester, W. B., Paym.-Gen., no. 
Rockford, Lieut., 580. 
Rock River, Engagement at, 403. 
Rockwell, C. F., Lieut., 135. 
Rodenbough, T. F., Lieut., 178; Gen, 
609, 704. 
Rodgers, J. L., Lieut., 322. 
Rodman, Capt., 128, 135. 
Rodman’s Division, 380. 
Rodman’s Gauge, 131. 
Rodney, G. B., Lieut., 368, 374. 
Rodney, J. W., Lieut., 369. 
Roe, J., Com.-Gen., 69 ; Capt., 185. 
Rogan, P., Sergt., 509. 
Rogers, D., 543. 
Rogue River, 227, 343. 
Rogue River War, Oregon, 159. 
Roland, Capt., 318; Lieut., 515. 
Roler, Dr., 578. 
Roman Nose Chief, 207. 
Romayne, Lieut., 477. 
Romeyn, Lieut., 262. 
Roost, Buzzard’s, Engagement, 622. 
Root, Capt., 354. 
Roper’s Church, 369. 
Rose, Col., 631. 
Rosebud River Engagement, 529. 
Rosecrans Corps, 368. 
Rosecrans, Gen., 221, 366, 367, 385, 386, 
387, 576, 618, 620, 627, 646. 
Rosecrans, M., Lieut., 471. 
Rosencrantz, F., Lieut., 631. 
Rossell.W.H., Capt., 538 ; Lieut., 531, 537. 
Ross, S., Capt., 389. 
Rosser, Gen., 163. 
Round Top, 383, 427, 447, 504. 
Rousseau, Gen., 613, 614, 617, 647, 648. 
Rousseau’s Brigade, 385. 
Rowalt Sergt., 279. 
Royall, Col., 186, 220, 221, 225. INDEX. 
735 
Santa Rosa Island, 322, 324, 443. 
Santa Maria River, Engagement at, 275. 
Sargent, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 192. 
Sargent, W., Gen., 4, 22. 
Sartle, Lieut., 626. 
Satanta, Chief, 252, 254. 
Satterlee, R. S., Surgeon, 94. 
Saunders, H., Lieut., 415. 
Saunders, T. R., Lieut., 415. 
Saussure, W. D. de, Capt., 211. 
Savage Station, 225, 360, 464. 
Savage, J., Capt., 232. 
Scammel, A., Gen., 2, 3. 
Scanlan, Bartley, Muse., 424. 
Scar-faced Charlie, 168. 
Schenck, Capt. 
Schindel, J. P., Lieut., 492, 706. 
Schoepf, Gen., 646. 
Schoeppe, Gen., 368. 
Schofield, Gen., 213, 228, 253, 294, 307, 
37L 695. 
Schofield Camp, 655. 
Schrader, Von, Lieut., 573. 
Schriver, E. P., Col., 29, 30, 315, 545, 
546, 547, 552- „ „ 
Schuyler, P., Gen., 1, 67, 84. 
Schuyler, Mr., 41. 
Schuylkill Arsenal, 63. 
Schwan, Lieut., 541. 
Schwatka, Lieut., 207. 
Sconchin, 168. 
Scott, Gen., 29, 50, 72, 89, 129, 158, 175, 
195, 196, 313, 314, 316, 337, 338, 343, 
353. 356, 405, 415. 437> 438- 439. 456- 
457. 459. 462, 486, 499. 5i6> 547. 587. 
588. 
Scott, R. N., Col., 463; Capt., 591. 
Scott, M., Major, 468, 469, 470, 471. 
Scott, D. P., 2d Lieut., 631. 
Scott, H. L., Lieut., 267; Capt., 29. 
Scott Cross Roads, 363. 
Screven, Capt., 515, 516. 
Seawell, W., Col., 491. 
Secessionville, 346. 
Secretary of War, 584. 
Sedgwick, Gen., 211, 212, 219, 315, 381, 
382, 383. 
Seeley, F. W., Lieut., 369. 
Selden, Lieut., 178, 472, 488, 515, 520. 
Sellers, Lieut., 539. 
Selma, 216, 369. 
Seminole War, 353, 417,457. 
Semple, Capt., 625. 
Seven Days’ Fight, 444. 
Seyburn, S. V., Lieut., 531, 543. 
Seymour, T., Gen., 305, 307, 346, 377, 
379- 
Shackelford, Lieut., 317. 
Shatter, Col., 295, 412, 542, 695. 
Sharp’s Carbine, 131. 
Sharpsburg, 445. 
Shaumburg, J. W., Lieut., 153. 
Sheels, Judge, 582. 
Shelby, Isaac O., 2d Lieut., 631. 
Shelbyville, 215, 387. 
Shenandoah Valley, 349, 389, 391. 
Shepherd, Lieut., 515. 
Shepherdstown, 321, 322, 349, 407, 426, 
538, 635. 
Shepherd, O. L., Capt., 439; Major, 443; 
Col., 386, 451, 611, 617, 625, 626, 627, 
643, 646, 647, 648. 
Sherburne, Lieut., 406. 
Sheridan, P. IL, Gen., 124, 161, 162, 163, 
164, 179, 180, 236, 238, 239, 253, 257, 
280, 291, 292, 321, 349, 363, 387, 412, 
463, 474, 475, 581,667; Lieut., 344; 
Capt., 575, 680. 
Sheridan, M., Capt., 251. 
Sheridan’s Cavalry, 368, 396. 
Sheridan’s Farm, 369. 
Sheridan’s Raid, 321, 322, 325, 362. 
Sherman, T. W„ 139, 333, 337, 341, 344, 
346, 368, 377, 397. 
Sherman, W. T., Gen., 228, 253, 285, 288, 
292, 293, 338, 345, 346, 388, 447. 575. 
577. 579. 614. 644. 651, 657, 680. 
Sherman, Willie, 577. 
Sherman’s Battery, 356. 
Sherman Camp, 430, 576. 
Sherrin, John, Blacksmith, 272. 
Shields, Gen., 196. 
Shields, Lieut. (3d Art.), 339, 340. 
Shields, Dennis, Pvt., 496. 
Shields’ Division, 364. 
Shiloh, 367, 448, 614, 624, 627, 644, 657, 
658. _ 
Shipp, Lieut., 296. 
Shippen, Wm., Surgeon.-Gen., 86. 
Shiras, A. E., Col., 82. 
Shorkley, Capt., 625, 629. 
Shoup, F. A., Gen., 307. 
Shunk, Lieut., 131, 135. 
Sibley, Gen., 178; Lieut., 186, 187; 
Major, 443. 
Sickles, Gen., 348, 369, 384. 
Sidell, W. H., 612. 
Sierra Almagre, Engagement at, 442. 
Sierra Carmel Mts, 270. 
Sierra Madres Expedition, 247. 
Sigel, Gen., 391. 
Signal Corps, 136, 149. 
Sill, J. W., Gen., 616. 
Silvey, W., Capt., 308. 
Simon, Lieut., 383. 
Simonds, J., Col., 480. 
Simons, Lieut., 645, 648. 
Simonson, Col., 193, 201, 202. 
Simpson, W. A., Lieut., 312. 
Simson, Lieut., 215. 
Sinclair, Lieut., 592, 594, 596; Capt, 597. 
Sinclair’s Battery, 326. 
Sioux Campaigns, 358, 431, 450, 641. 
Sitting Bull, 260, 262, 264, 451, 475, 
479. 554, 573, 58i, 687. 
Sixteen Mile Creek, Skirmish near, 582. 
Skinner, Lieut., 54.0. 
Slatersville, 321. 
Slaughter, J. E., Gen., 309. 
Sleephack, IL, Sergt.-Major, 485. 736 
INDEX. 
Slemmer, A. J., Gen., 307; Major, 617, 
618, 627. 
Slim Buttes, 183,187, 529. 
Slocum, H. W., Gen., 307, 365, 366. 
Smalley, Capt., 324. 
Smart, Chas., Surgeon. 
Smead, J. R., Capt., 377, 378, 380. 
Smedberg, C. G., Lieut., 589, 594, 595, 
600. 
Smedberg, W. R., Lieut., 589. 
Smith, P. F., Gen., 193, 195,196, 198, 437, 
468, 499. 
Smith, Col. (14th Inf.), 183. 
Smith, Major, (12th Inf.), 561. 
Smith, Lieut. (9th Cav.), 287. 
Smith, Lieut. (3d Art.), 342. 
Smith, A. E., Lieut., 251, 259. 
Smith, A. J., Col., 251. 
Smith, C. F., Major, 444; Capt., 316, 
317, 468, 499; Lieut., 315; Col., 531, 
533- 535- 537- 
Smith, Constantine, Lieut., 577. 
Smith, C. S., Capt., 575, 577. 
Smith, Campbell, Judge Adv.-Gen., 33. 
Smith, E. L., Capt., 659, 662. 
Smith, F. G., Lieut., 368. 
Smith, F. W., Lieut., 282. 
Smith, G. W., Gen., 120; Capt., 648, 649, 
650, 651. 
Smith, J. E., Col., 627. 
Smith, J. F., Lieut., 631. 
Smith, Lieut. (12th Inf.), 570, 572. 
Smith, J. L., Col., 433, 467. 
Smith, J. L. K., Bvt. Col., 119. 
Smith, J. M., Capt., 439. 
Smith, J. P., Lieut., 471. 
Smith, J. R., Capt., 421. 
Smith, Kirby,Gen., 58,221,615; Capt.,223. 
Smith, Larkin, Major, 520. 
Smith, Lemuel, Sergt., 384. 
Smith, O. M., Capt., 680. 
Smith, R. B., Lieut., 546, 552. 
Smith, W., Gen., no. 
Smith’s Division, 366, 367. 
Smither, PC G., Lieut., 291. 
Smithsburg, 324, 349, 365. 
Smyrna Station, 651. 
Smyser, Lieut., 386. 
Smyth, A., Col., 25, 26. 
Snake Canon, Battle, 694. 
Snelling, J., Capt., 454; Col., 467. 
Snelling, J. G. S., Capt., 531, 532. 
Snelling, Lieut. (8th Inf.), 517, 518. 
Snickers Gap, Battle, 693. 
Snow, Pvt., 215. 
Snyder, S., Col., 543. 
Soley, Lieut., 354. 
Solomon River, Engagement of, 212. 
Somerby, Lieut., 270, 271. 
Sorass Lake, Fight at, 373. 
South Bend, 347. 
South Fork, Maliker River, 694. 
South Mountain, 132, 321, 322, 324, 361, 
364, 380, 658. 
South Warner Mountains, Battle, 694. 
Southworth, Lieut., 325, 392. 
Spangler, J. W., Lieut., 232 ; Sergt., 231. 
Spaniards, The, 52. 
Spaulding, Lieut., 174, 178; Capt., x8o. 
Spencer, J. C., Sec. of War, 28. 
Spencer, T. J., Lieut., 290. 
Spicers’ Brigade, 370. 
Spokane River, Battle of, 344. 
Spooner, Lieut., 383, 388. 
Spotted Tail, 435, 462, 522. 
Spottsylvania, 161, 362, 369, 389, 464, 
540, 552, 563. 
Sprague, J. T., Col., 552, 693. 
Spring Creek, Attack, 686. 
Springfield, 368, 423; Armory, 129. 
Sprole, Lieut., 270; Capt., 278. 
Squirrel Level Road, Battle of, 541, 565. 
Stacey, M. H., Lieut., 557; Capt., 566. 
Stafford, Lieut., J. S., 580; Capt., 627. 
Stagg, J., Chief-Clk., War Dept., 22. 
Stager, Anson, Col., 145, 146. 
Stambaugh, C. B., Lieut., 180. 
Standing Rock Agency, 639, 640. 
Stanhope, Capt., 557, 566, 593. 
Stamford, Thos., Col., 434, 515. 
Stanley, D. S., Lieut., 211, 212; Capt., 
213; Gen., 214, 256, 409, 684. 
Stanley, W., Sgt.-Maj., 539; Lieut., 540. 
Stansbury, D., Lieut., 402. 
Stanton, Hon. E. M., 81, 95, 96, 114. 
Staples, Lieut., 580. 
Starr, J. M., Major, 236; Lieut., 282. 
Starring, Lieut., 135. 
State Rangers, 274. 
Steadman, Gen., 646. 
Steadman’s Brigade, 368. 
Steele, F., Col., 668; Major, 545, 552; 
Lieut., 422, 423 ; Capt., 490. 
Steelhammer, Capt., 626, 627. 
Steen, Enoch, Lieut., 153. 
Stephens, Pvt., 541. 
Steptoe, Capt., 338. 341, 526; Major, 344. 
Steuben, Baron, Major-Gen., 6,14, 16, 18, 
19, 20, 21, 24. 
Stevens, I. I., Gen., 119, 120. 
Stevens, G., Lieut., 175. 
Stevenson, C. L., Capt.. 471; Gen., 473. 
Stevenson, J. D., Lieut., 277, 278. 
Steward, Pvt., 541. 
Steuart, G. H., Lieut., 211. 
Stewart, C., Gen., 68, 69. 
Stewart, Gen. (C. S. A.), 593. 
Stewart, Capt. (15th Inf.), 625. 
Stewart, J. (5th Art.), 336, 361. 
Stewart, Lieut. (3d Art.), 344, 346. 
Stewart, J., Capt. (18th Inf.), 654. 
Stewart, R. T., Lieut., 227. 
Stockney, Sergt., 275. 
Stille, L. R., Lieut., 268. 
Stimpson, 637. 
Stockton, Commodore, 157. 
Stokes, W. A., Major, 644. 
Stoll, Lieut., 235. 
Stone, C. P., Col., 130, 588. 
Stone, Capt. (5th Art.), 395, 396. INDEX. 
737 
Stone Calf, Chief, 475. 
Stone River, 367, 371, 386, 624, 647. 
Stoneman, Gen., 179, 202, 204, 221, 233, 
32°> 347- 
Stoneman Raid, 235, 365. 
Stonewall Jackson, Gen., 463. 
Stony Creek, 302, 321, 693. 
Stony Point, 693. 
Strawberry Hill, 325; Plains, 348. 
Stringer, Samuel, Surgeon, 85. 
Strong, Gen., 132 ; Lieut., 131. 
Strong, E. B., Lieut., 471. 
Strother, L. II., Lieut, 413. 
Stuart, J. E. B., Gen., 178, 200, 211, 212, 
232, 237, 520. 
Stuart, Jas., Lieut., 194, 197, 199. 
Stuart, B., Pvt., 508. 
Stuart Raid, 383, 548. 
Sturgis, Gen., 255, 260, 262, 264, 260, 261, 
263, 292; Capt., 211, 213. 
Sturgis, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 415. 
Sturgis, Lieut. (7th Cav.), 259. 
Sturgis, Lieut. (4th Art.), 374. 
Sturgis Division, 364. 
Sub-Legion, 4, 401, 414. 
Subsistence Dept., 67, 82. 
Suffolk, Siege of, 363, 370. 
Sugar Loaf Mountain, 234. 
Sullivan, Gen., n. 
Sullivan, Sergt., 213. 
Sully, A., Col., 448; Capt., 423. 
Sulphur Springs, 360, 361. 
Summit Point, 325, 363. 
Summit Springs, 226, 231. 
Sumner, E. V., Capt., 153; Major, 176, 
195, 197; Col., 211, 219; Gen., 348, 
360, 490. 
Sumner, E. V., Jr., Capt., 161, 267, 268, 
269, 451. 
Surrender of Lee, 447. 
Sutherland, C., Surgeon-Gen., 97 ; Lieut., 
652. 
Sutherland Station, 363. 
Swaine, P. T., Lieut., 531, 6x2, 680. 
Swan, C., Paym.-Gen., 103, 104. 
Swartwout, R., Quartermaster-Gen., 48. 
Swartwout, Capt. (2d Art.), 316. 
Swartwout, Capt. (17th Inf.), 638. 
Swayne, Lieut., 536. 
Sweeney, T. W., Lieut., 421. 
Sweet, A. J., Lieut., 699; Capt.. 225. 
Sweitzer, N. B., Capt., 161, 162; Gen., 192. 
Swift, E., Lieut., 271. 
Swigert, Lieut., 2d Cav. 180. 
Sword Bearer, 168, 264, 450. 
Swords, T., Lieut., 153. 
Sykes, Gen., 347, 378, 380, 385, 422, 424, 
444, 445, 446, 538, 547, 548, 556, 557, 
589> 59°. 592» 593> 595’ 658 i Col., 668, 
669. 
Symmes, J. C., Capt., 531. 
T. 
Tait, Mr., 73. 
Talcott, G., Lieut.-Col., 127, 130, 131. 
Tall Bull, Chief, 226. 
Tallahatchie, Battle of, 215. 
Tampa Bay, 416. 
Tampico, 338. 
Tassin, Capt., A. G., 566. 
Taylor, Z., Gen., 89,116,158, 175, 316, 331, 
335. 336> 337. 338, 355. 404, 405, 4i7, 
433- 457. 458. 459. 467, 468, 483, 510, 
513, 514 ; Capt., 498. 
Taylor, Lieut. (9th Cav.), 265, 286. 
Taylor, F. B., Lieut., 644, 654. 
Taylor, W. W., Lieut., 193, 194. 
Taylor, J. P., Lieut.-Col., 80. 
Taylor, Capt. (18th Inf.), 649. 
Taylor, F. (Capt.), 304, 305, 337, 342. 
Taylor, J. H., 211, 232. 
Taylor, J. G., Capt., 520. 
Taylor’s Battery, 358. 
Taylor’s Fight, 354. 
Taylor’s Ridge, 660. 
Tecumseh, 453, 454. 
Telegrafo, 418, 419, 438. 
Temple, Lieut., 597 ; Capt., 636. 
Ten Eyck, Capt., 649, 650, 653. 
Terrett, B. A., Lieut., 153. 
Terrill, W. R., Capt., 377, 385, 386; Gen., 
397- . 
Territt, Lieut. (1st Inf.), 405. 
Terry, Gen., 184, 185, 187, 191, 259, 370, 
475, 496, 508, 640, 685, 686. 
Thatcher, Capt., 594, 596, 597. 
Theaker, Major, 627. 
Thebaud, Q., Sergt., 494. 
Theller, E. W., Lieut., 169. 
Thiemann, A., Lieut., 566. 
Third Sub-Legion, 432. 
Thomas, B. M., Gen., 473. 
Thomas, G. H., Gen., 221, 222, 231 ; 
Lieut., 333, 336, 341, 354, 386, 387, 
388, 588, 617, 620, 644, 645, 646, 647. 
Thomas, F. J., Lieut., 336. 
Thomas, E., Capt., 362, 373. 
Thompson, Gen., 314. 
Thompson, J. K., Lieut., 692. 
Thompson, O. A., Lieut,, 580, 582. 
Thompson, L., Capt., 180. 
Thompson, Capt. (2d Art.), 324. 
Thompson, W., Capt., 251. 
Thompson, A. R., Lieut.-Col., 482. 
Thompson, Capt. (18th Inf.), 645, 648. 
Thoms, F. J., Lieut., 339. 
Thornburg, Major, 207, 229, 230, 510. 
Thornburg Command, 286. 
Thornton, Lieut. (2d Drag.), 174, 175. 
Thornton, Capt. (Ord.), 128, 135. 
Thruston, Capt., 644, 648, 652. 
Ticonderoga, 84. 
Tidball, J. C., Gen., 320, 321. 
Tidball, J. L., Lieut., 531. 
Tidball Battery, 378, 425, 559, 595. 
Tilden, Lieut., 420. 
Tilford, Capt., 263. 
Tilton, J., Surgeon-Gen., 87. 
Tipton, S. S., Lieut., 194. 738 
INDEX. 
Todd, G. H., Lieut., 135, 654. 
Todd’s Tavern, 161, 321, 322, 325, 361, 
362. 
Toll Gate, Engagement at, 275. 
Tolopotomy, 362, 564. 
Tompkins, D. D., Capt., 304. 
Tompkins, W. W., Capt., 174. 
Tompkins’ Division, 369. 
Tongue River, Engagement, 529. 
Tonti Basin, Battle, 694. 
Torbert, Gen., 238, 393, 473. 
Torbert’s Division, 161, 162, 163, 164. 
Torbet, F. H., Capt., 654. 
Torrey, Capt., 580, 583. 
Totten, J., Gen., 29; Capt., 323, 423. 
Totten, J. G., Gen., 124. 
Tower, Gen., 120, 419. 
Towle, J., Capt., 467. 
Town Creek, Engagement at, 323. 
Townsend, E. F., Col., 572, 589. 
Townsend, F., Major, 643, 645, 646, 648. 
Townsend, E. D., Lieut., 315. 
Towson, N., Paym.-Gen., 106, 109, 312. 
Trabue, Gen., 614. 
Tracy, A., Major, 621, 625; Capt., 531. 
Tracy, G. H., Major, 612. 
Treacy, Lieut., 200. 
Treadwell, Lieut., 131, 135. 
Trenor, E., Capt., 153, 156. 
Trent Affair, 635. 
Trevilian Station, 238, 306, 321, 322, 325. 
Trimble, J. R., Gen., 307 ; Lieut., 160. 
Trolinger, A. M., Lieut., 566. 
Troup, G. M„ Hon., 73. 
Trousdale, W., Col., 587. 
Truckee River, Fight at, 344. 
True, Lieut., 653. 
Truman, Lieut., 649, 650. 
Trumbull, J., Com.-Gen., 67, 68, 69, 116. 
Tucker, Lieut. (6th Cav.), 236. 
Tucker, S. S., Capt., 193, 197. 
Tudor, W., Judge-Adv.-Gen., 33. 
Tullahoma, 368, 371, 388. 
Tupper, Lieut., 235, 246; Capt., 247; 
Major, 249. 
Turkey Bend, 322, 347, 557. 
Turnbull, Lieut., 348. 
Turner, Capt., 157. 
Turner, J. W., Gen., 307. 
Tuscawiila Pond, Engagement at, 354. 
Tuscumbia Creek, 367. 
Tustenuggee, Chief, 417, 458. 
Twiggs, Gen., 174, 19c, 222, 313, 318, 319, 
336, 337» 339. 353. 406, 437. 438. 443. 
468, 513, 519, 555. 
Twiggs’ Brigade, 417, 418, 419. 
Two Strikes, Chief, 522. 
Tyler, D., Gen., 307, 333. 
Tyler, W. W., Lieut., 282. 
Tyler, C. R., Adjt., 633. 
Tyler, Capt. (2d Cav.), 181. 
U. 
Umatilla Agency, 37. 
Umatilla Indians, 343. 
Underwood, E., Lieut., 198; Major, 643. 
Union Mills, 369. 
Uniontown, 234, 240. 
Upper California, 405. 
Upperville, 234, 324, 349. 
Upton, E., Col., 374, 654; Gen., 397; 
Lieut., 322. 
Urmston, T. D., Lieut., 565. 
Utah, Expedition to, 358, 471. 
Ute Jack, 230. 
Utes, 229, 248. 
Utoy Creek, Battle, 624, 651. 
V. 
Valencia, Gen., 356, 419. 
Vallandingham, C. L., 576. 
Valley Farm, 370. 
Valley Forge, 14, 16. 
Valois, Lieut., 287. 
Valverde, Battle of, 472, 503, 538. 
Van Buren, A., Lieut., 153, 196, 197; 
Capt., 198. 
Van Buren, M. E., Lieut., 194, 197; Capt. 
200. 
Van Camp, Lieut., 221; Capt., 223. 
Van Cleve, H. P., Gen., 472, 647. 
Vance, D. M., Capt., 630. 
Vancouver, 167,692. 
Van Derslice, Lieut., 596. 
Van Derveer, J. S., Lieut., 133. 
Vande Wiele, Capt., 290. 
Van Dorn, E., Major, 223; Col., 443; 
Capt., 221. 
Van Duzer, C. F., Lieut., 557. 
Van Horn, J. J., Col., 525, 699; Capt., 
537- 
Van Ness, D., Capt., 304. 
Van Reed, Lieut., 380, 384, 393. 
Van Rensselaer, Lieut. (14th Inf.), 591. 
Van Rensselaer, Major-Gen., 26, 29. 
Van Swearingen, Capt., 484. 
Van Valzah, Capt., 699. 
Van Vliet, S., Lieut., 333, 336, 337. 
Van Vliet, Major (10th Cav.), 296. 
Van Voast, Col., 529; Lieut.-Col., 633; 
Major, 653, 654. 
Varnum, C. A., Capt., 265. 
Vasques, Lieut., 403. 
Vaughn Plank Road, 321. 
Vera Cruz, Siege of, 4, 124, 304, 316, 320, 
338. 339. 356> 403, 4i8, 436, 437. 440, 
499. 5»7. 
Vernon, Capt., 597 ; Lieut., 589. 
Veteran Reserve Corps, 629. 
Vicksburg, Siege, 323, 348, 409, 680. 
Victoria, Chief, 295, 296. 
Viele, Capt., 295. 
Villard, Lieut., 415. 
Villers Plantation, Battle, 498. 
Vinal, W. H., 1st Lieut., 630, 633. 
Vincennes, 453. 
Vincent, F. R., Lieut., 282, 285, 322. INDEX. 
739 
Vincent’s Brigade, 384. 
Vinton, J. R., Capt., 336, 337, 338, 515. 
Vinton, F. S., Lieut., 210. 
Viven, J. L., Lieut., 566, 567, 569. 
Vodges, I., Gen., 307. 
Voltigeurs, The, 587. 
Von Luettwitz, Lieut., 207. 
Von Schrader, W. F., Lieut., 570, 572. 
Vose, J. S-, Col., 434; Capt., 467. 
Vose’s Battery, 396. 
Voris, Lieut., 638. 
W. 
Wade, J. F., Col., 230, 282; Lieut., 232, 
235- 
Wade, R. D. A., Major, 339. 
Wade, W., Capt., 127, 128, 130. 
Wadsworth, J., Gen., 68, 69. 
Wadsworth, D., Col., 126; Major, 123. 
Wagner, H., Lieut., 552. 
Wagner, J. P., Lieut., 563. 
Wagner, O, G., Bvt.-Major, 119. 
Wahoo Swamp, Battle of, 334, 353, 498. 
Wainwright, Lieut., 128, 135 
Wainwright, R. P. P., Capt., 153. 
Wainwright, S. A., Major, 633. 
Waite, C. A., Col., 406, 411, 471 : Major, 
517; Lieut., 515 
Walbach, J. De B., Major, 303, Col., 8, 
354. 358, 359- 
Walcutt, C. C-, Col., 289. 
Walker, W. S., Col., 211. 
Walker, Lieut. (6th Inf.), 484. 
Walker, J. S-, Lieut., 162. 
Walker, Lieut. (14th Inf.), 594, 596. 
Walker, W. H. T., Capt., 486; Major, 531. 
537- 
Walker, S. H., Capt., 193. 
Walker, J. G., Lieut., 194, 196, 197, 198, 
199, 200. 
Walker’s Springs, 274. 
Wall, Lieut., 202 ; Capt., 338, 339. 
Walla Walla, Fight at Fort, 527. 
Wallace, Gen., 614. 
Wallace, G. W., Major, 566; Col., 567. 
Wallace, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 185, 192. 
Wallace, Lieut. (3d Inf.), 449. 
Wallen, Gen., 463; Col., 429. 
Walnut Grove, Engagement at, 279. 
Walnut Plills, 576, 680. 
Walsh, Lieut. (4th Cav.), 219. 
Walsh, F. W., Capt., 290. 
Wann, W. L., Lieut., 581. 
Wapping Heights, Fight at, 505. 
Ward, H. C., Lieut., 630, 633. 
Ward, Lieut. (1st Cav.), 161, 174. 
Ward, Lieut. (6th Cav.), 235. 
Ward, Lieut. (3d Inf.), 438. 
Warner, W. H., Capt., 119. 
War of 1812, 301, 302, 303, 313, 328, 329, 
332, 402, 432, 586. 
Warren, Gen., 393, 492, 548, 549, 555, 563, 
590, 591, 597. 
Warren, J., Paym.-Gen., ioo. 
Warren, Lieut. (Engrs.), 157. 
Warren, Capt. (17th Inf.), 638. 
Warrenton, 361, 428. 
Warrenton Springs, 322. 
Washington, Gen., 1, 4, n, 13, 14, 16, 21, 
23- 39» 4b 43> 44, 67, 100, 191, in, 
423. 
Washington, Capt. (4th Art.), 356; Major, 
342- 
Washington, C., Capt., 576. 
Washington Barracks, 326. 
Washita, Battle of, 252 ; Monument, 269. 
Waterbury, Lieut., 583. 
Waterford, 234, 240. 
Watkins, Col., 667, 668. 
Watson, J. L., Lieut., 153. 
Watson, G., Lieut., 304. 
Watson, Capt., 382; Lieut., 384, 397. 
Watson, Capt. (14th Inf.), 594, 596. 
Watts, Lieut., 201. 
Wayne, H. C., Lieut., 305 ; Gen., 307. 
Wayne, A., Gen.-in-Chief, 4, 5, 22, 301, 
402, 414, 432, 452. 
Waynesboro, 164, 322, 325. 
Weaver, Lieut., 327, 669; Sergt., 296. 
Webb, A. S., Gen., 384. 
Webb, H. L., Col., 526. 
Webb, C. A., Major, 633. 
Webb, J. A., Sergt., 392. 
Webb, N. S., Capt., 531. 
Webb’s Brigade, 360. 
Webster, Lieut. (Art.), 684. 
Webster, L. B., Capt., 305. 
Webster, Sergt.-Major, 214; Lieut. (4th 
Cav.), 216. 
Wedemeyer, W. G., Capt., 630. 
Weedon, G., Col., 2. 
Weed, Gen., 385, 397. 
Weed, L. H., Capt., 377, 380, 382. 
Weed’s Battery, 378. 
Weed’s Brigade, 384. 
Weeks, Lieut., 273. 
Weir, Capt. (14th Inf.), 597. 
Weir, Lieut. (Ord), 135. , 
Weir, G. V., Lieut., 381, 393. 
Weir, T., Lieut., 251. 
Weir’s Battery, 384. 
Weitzel’s Division, 364. 
Welch, Lieut., 339. 
Welcker, Lieut., 132. 
Weld, Lieut., 636. 
Weldon, R. R., 321, 540, 551, 552, 637, 
693- 
Wellington’s War in Spain, 340. 
Wells, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 178, 180. 
Wells,Capt. (8th Cav.), 270, 271, 278. 
Wenie, T. M., Lieut., 664. 
Wessells, Col., 653'; Capt., 207, 419, 420. 
West, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 208. 
West, F., Lieut., 243, 245. 
West, R. M., Capt. (7th Cav.), 251. 
Western, C. B., Lieut., 268, 269. 
Westover, 321. 
West Point, 21, 86, 112, 124, 142, 355. INDEX. 
Wham, Paym., 696. 
Whartenby, Major, 404. 
Wharton, Capt., 153, 490. 
Wheaton, F., Col., 429; Gen., 431; 
Lieut., 211. 
Wheaton, H., Judge-Adv.-Gen., 34. 
Wheelan, Capt., 188, 192. 
Wheeler, J., Lieut., 201, 618. 
Wheeling, Headquarters, 611. 
Wheelock, T. B., Lieut., 153, 154, 155. 
Whipple, A. W., Major-Gen., 119. 
Whistler, J. N. G., Col., 478, 627,639, 669, 
680, 683. 
Whistler Chief, 226. 
Whitall, S. R., Lieut., 631. 
Whitehead, F. F., Lieut., 654. 
White House, 349, 362. 
Whiteley, R. H. K.,Lieut., 128; Gen., 135. 
White Oak Swamp, 360, 362. 
White River Agency, Massacre, 529. 
White River, Skirmish at, 249. 
Whiting, Gen., 593. 
Whiting, H., Lieut. (5th Inf.), 467. 
Whiting, H., Capt. (1st Art.), 303. 
Whiting, L., Major, 305. 
Whiting, C. J., Capt., 225. 
Whitman, Lieut., 205. 
Whitney, Lieut., 363. 
Whitsiae, Major, 265. 
Whittemore, Major, 573; Capt., 626, 627. 
Wichita Agency, 293, 474, 698. 
Wichita, Battle of, 474. 
Wichita, Little, 242. 
Wichita Mts., Expedition to, 223, 231. 
Wickham, Gen., 163; Col., 233. 
Wickliff, C., Major, 587. 
Wikoff, C. A., 6x2, 615. 
Wiicox, C. M., Gen., 157, 510. 
Wilcox, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 653. 
Wilderness, 161, 322, 348, 349, 360, 369, 
377» 389. 428, 464, 540, 548, 552, 563, 
599, 636, 693. 
Wilkin, Capt. (17th Inf.), 637. 
Wilkins, J. D., Capt., 445; Col., 479. 
Wilkins, Capt. (14th Inf.), 591, 595. 
Wilkins, Quartermaster-Gen., 45, 47. 
Wilkinson, J., Gen.-in-Chief, 414. 
Wilkinson, Lieut. (8th Cav.), 274. 
Wilkinson, B., Lieut., 366. 
Willard, Major, 600. 
Willcox, O. B., Col., 567, 569, 571. 
Willet’s Point, 119, 124. 
Williams, Mr., 74. 
Williams, S., Gen., 307, 397. 
Williams, W., Major, 589. 
Williams, L. A., Major, 232. 
Williams, Capt. (7th Inf.), 510. 
Williams, G. A., Capt., 408, 409, 410. 
Williams, W. G„ Capt., 119. 
Williams, J., Col., 123. 
Williams, L. A., Lieut., 531. 
Williams, S-, Lieut., 305. 
Williams, Lieut. (5th Inf.), 620. 
Williamsburg, 84, 160, 240, 306, 307, 320, 
321, 324, 347, 377, 557, 565. 
Williamsport, 321, 324, 349. 
Willis, H , Pvt, 272. 
Willow Creek, 373. 
Wills, Lieut., 539. 
Wilmington, N. C., 565. 
Wilson, J. II., Gen., 215, 216, 362, 368, 
368. 
Wilson, H., Lieut.-Col., 405, 435. 
Wilson, D. B., Lieut., 699. 
Wilson, G. S., Lieut., 568. 
Wilson, Lieut. (3d Cav.), 203. 
Wilson, J. K., Sergt., 519, 520. 
Wilson, L., Capt„ 660. 
Wilson’s Creek, 213, 323, 407, 423. 
Winchester, 163, 306, 307, 322, 349, 363, 
364, 365, 383. 
Winder, W. H., Gen., 8, 26, 586. 
Winder, E. S., Capt., 174. 
Winder J. H., Capt., 305. 
Windsor, 363. 
Wingate, Lieut., 198. 
Winn, Capt., 192. 
Winnamucca, Chief, 344. 
Winslow, C., Col., 548. 
Winthrop, Col., Jdg.-Adv.-Gen., 37. 
Winthrop, F., Capt., 560, 561, 564. 
Wisconsin, N. G., 451. 
Wistar, Gen., 370. 
Withered, Capt., 664. 
Withlacoochee, Battle, 314, 334. 
Witters, J. M., Col., 526. 
Wood, T. J., Capt., 211 ; Gen., 120, 178, 
189, 615. 
Wood, E. D., Col., 119. 
Wood, W. H., Col., 411, 553, 634. 
Wood, C. E. S., Lieut., 170, 236, 407,653, 
654- 
Wood, P. G., Lieut., 573; Capt., 644, 648. 
Woodall, Z. T., Sergt., 243. 
Woodbury, T. G., Quartermaster, 633. 
Woodruff, Lieut. (2d Art.), 325. 
Woodruff, Lieut. (6th Inf.), 510, 705. 
Woodruff, Lieut. (2d Inf.), 416 
Woodruff, D., Major, 561. 
Woods, C., Col., 429, 473, 474, 483. 
Woods, J. S., Lieut., 417. 
Woodward, G. A., Col., 627. 
Wool, Gen., 27, 28, 89, 337, 355,363, 
562. 
Woolperths Cross Roads, 349. 
World’s Fair, Chicago, 451. 
Worth, W. J., Gen., 127, 128, 175, 196, 
303,316, 317, 336, 337, 339, 340, 355, 
4io, 435, 439, 468, 469, 476, 486, 511, 
5t3, 515, 516, 519. 
Wotherspoon, Lieut., 570, 572, 573. 
Wounded Knee, 311, 524. 
Wright, Gen., 346, 389, 447. 
Wright, Gen. (C. S. A.), 592. 
Wright, Lieut. (7th Inf.), 506. 
Wright, Lieut. (9th Cav.), 285. 
Wright, D., Lieut., 200. 
Wright, T. F., Lieut., 567. 
Wright, I. B., Lieut., 552. 
Wright, W. M., Lieut., 414. INDEX. 
741 
Wright, G., Major, 470; Lieut.-Col., 344, 
526, 528. 
Wright, E. H., Major, 232. 
Wright’s Expedition, 159. 
Wyllis, Major, 401. 
Wyncoop, Col., 196. 
Wyoming, N. G., 641. 
Wyse, Capt., 340, 341. 
Y. 
Yard, J. E., Major, 291 ; Col., 655. 
Yates, G. W., Capt., 259. 
Yazoo Pass, 410. 
Yeaton, Lieut., 204. 
Yellow Jacket Pass, 230. 
Yellow Medicine Agency, 344 
Yellow Station, 161 - 
Yellow Tavern, 237, 322. 
York, Battle of, 26, 302, 480. 
Yorke, Capt., 618, 625. 
Yorktown, Celebration at, 543. 
Yorktown, 112, 233, 321, 322, 324, 366, 
369, 370, 444, 463. 548, 556, 59b 596, 
635- 693- 
Young, Brigham, 177, 535. 
Young, Capt. (8th Cav.), 270, 273, 276, 
274, 278. 
Young, Lieut. (4th Inf.), 183. 
Young Mule, Chief, 172. 
Young, W. C., Lieut., 332. 
Z. 
Zantzinger, Capt., 312. 
Zara Zara, Attack on Fort, 448. 
Zaragoza, 542. 
SUPPLEMENTAL 
A. 
Abraham Lincoln, Fort, 689. 
B. 
Beall, L. J., Lieut., 194. 
Benedict, Capt., 706. 
Birdsall, E. B., Capt., 511. 
Bonnell, J., Capt., 511. 
Brooks, Col., 15. 
Browne, W. C., Lieut., 511- 
Buel, Lieut. (Ord.), 131. 
Buell, D. C., Gen., 141, 367, 385, 387, 439, 
632, 643, 645, 646, 658. 
Byrne, C., Lieut., 480. 
C. 
Cabaniss, C. H., Lieut., 643. 
Cadwallader, Gen., 15- 
Carey, A. B., Col., 100. 
Carter, W. H., Capt., 232. 
Casey, Lieut., 188, 687, 688. 
Crowley, Lieut., 705. 
D. 
Daveiss, C. C., Lieut., 511. 
Davies, Col., 15. 
Dyer, A. B., Lieut., 351. 
E. 
Ebstein, F. H. E., Capt., 673. 
G. 
Gates, C. R., Lieut., 511. 
H. 
Harvie, J., Lieut., 511. 
Hayward, W., Lieut., 511. 
Holtzendorf, Baron, 15. 
Hutchinson, Lieut., 649, 650. 
J. 
Johns, T., Lieut., 511. 
Johnson, T. S. J., 511. 
K. 
Kello, W. O., Lieut., 511. 
King, C., Capt., ix. 
Kingsbury, Lieut. (2d Cav.), 184. 
L. 
Lee, A., Gen., 16. 
Liscum, E. H., Lieut., 565. 
Luipler, C. S., Lieut., 566. 
O. 
O’Brien, L., Lieut., 511. 
Ogden, E. A., Lieut., 511. 
P. * 
Phillips, J. A., Lieut., 511. 
Powell, Lieut. (18th Inf.), 649. 
R. 
Riell, J. H., Lieut., 511. 
Robinson, F. U., Lieut., 183, 192. 
Roe, C. F., Capt., 185. 
S. 
Selden, Lieut. (8th Inf.), 511. 
Sheppard, A. L„ Lieut., 511. 
U. 
Ury, A., Lieut., 153. 
V. 
Van Horne, Major, 440, 441. 
W. 
Whipple, J. H., Lieut., 511. 
Wilson, R. H., Lieut., 511. 
Wood, H. C., Col., 704.