Cole's
Cavalry; or Three Years in the Saddle
In the Shenandoah Valley
By C. Armour Newcomer
Read Chapters Twenty-five - Twenty Eight
Chapter 29: Battle at Keedysville
Colonel Cole was now in command of his full Regiment,
all the men being mounted, and Captain Zimmerman's
Company K, had been provided with proper accouterments.
General Hunter, who had returned from his famous raid to
Lynchburg, was now in command at Frederick. On August
4th, 1864, Hunter received information that Early was
again advancing upon Maryland, and ordered Cole's
Cavalry to Hagerstown; the Regiment left Frederick in
command of Lieutenant Colonel Vernon, Colonel Cole
having been detained at headquarters on business,
expecting to overtake the command when they went into
camp a few miles outside of Frederick. Lieutenant
Colonel Vernon hearing from a citizen that the
Confederates had established a picket post at Boonsboro,
concluded to take the Regiment to the summit of the
South Mountain, where he encamped for the night. Our
advance, under command of Captain Zirninennan, stationed
his pickets at the foot of the mountain, three miles
from Boonsboro. On the following morning, Lieutenant
Colonel Vernon concluded to make an early start. One of
our trusted scouts, who had left camp during the night
had returned and reported the enemy in large numbers at
Keedysville, five miles south of Boonsboro. We were
ordered to mount, and took up our line of march in that
direction; the Confederates had stationed a vedette on
the road leading into Boonsboro, who fired upon our
advance and fell back. Captain Zimmerman, with his
company following, and on the outskirts of the town of
Keedysville, met the enemy's first line of skirmishers;
Captain Zimmerman deployed his men. Lieutenant Colonel
Vernon hearing the firing in his front, ordered the
Regiment up on the trot, and taking in the situation at
a glance concluded a larger body of Confederates were
confronting him than he had supposed were on the north
side of the Potomac River. Vernon immediately formed his
entire command in line of battle and attacked Vaughn's
advance Brigade of Tennessee Cavalry, and drove them
back upon Early's Infantry, then in position on the
south bank of the Antietam; in this engagement the
Regiment lost heavily. Captain Louis M. Zimmerman and
the members of his Company K, deserve special mention
for their bravery; they held the enemy's line of battle
in check until Colonel Vernon brought the Regiment up.
This Company alone lost eighteen men, out of a
membership of thirty-five.
After Lieutenant Colonel Vernon had defeated this
Brigade of Cavalry, and having retarded the advance of
Early's Rebel Army for a period of four or five hours,
the command retreated in good order under a heavy fire
of artillery, over the South Mountain, bringing off our
wounded and a large number of prisoners.
Those captured could scarcely credit that they were
fighting only a single Regiment and said they knew it
was Cole's Cavalry, but supposed it was a Brigade
instead of a Regiment. The command fell back to
Middletown, where they encamped for the night.
Colonel Cole, who had been detained at General
Hunter's headquarters in Frederick, hearing the
Artillery firing, hastened to join his Regiment;
arriving at Keedysville too late to engage in the fight.
The Colonel made a narrow escape from being captured by
the enemy's Cavalry, and joined the command at
Middletown during the night. Lieutenant Colonel Vernon
sent the writer with a dispatch to General Hunter, at
Frederick, who was much surprised to know the enemy had
crossed into Maryland in such great numbers.
The General was gratified at Lieutenant Colonel
Vernon's report, and remarked to his Adjutant General,
that "Cole's Maryland Cavalry were the flower of his
Division."
I remained at General Hunter's headquarters over
night and joined the Regiment on the following day.
General U. S. Grant came to Frederick the same evening
and stopped with General Hunter, and for the first time
I saw the great Commander-in-Chief.
At Keedysville, the young bugler of Company K, Alien
Greer, a mere boy, was at the head of the Company with
his Captain, when the Company made the charge on the
enemy's line, and when soldiers were being shot all
around him, he continued blowing his bugle, sounding the
various calls, such as "Charge and rally," &c., the
sound of this young bugler's trumpet could be heard
above the din and roar of musketry and artillery firing.
Sergeant John G. Maynard, of Company K, also deserves
special mention for his bravery and gallantry, and I
regret not to have space to mention each and every
officer and man in the command personally, as they
deserve.
Chapter 30: Rebels Recross into Virginia
The Confederates started to recross the Potomac River
at Shepherdstown, on the following day, August 6th.
Colonel Cole was now in command of the Regiment and
again advanced in the direction of Boonsboro. We
encamped for the night on the same ground we had stopped
at two days before, on the summit of the South Mountain;
on the following day Colonel Cole with his orderly and
myself left camp for the purpose of getting information
in reference to Early's movements. The three of us
charged into Boonsboro and exchanged shots with some
half a dozen Rebels, who left the town in the direction
of Keedysville. After following them for some distance
we returned and remained at Boonsboro during the
remainder of the day, getting back to camp late at
night. A loyal citizen from Sharpsburg reported that
Early's command had re-crossed the river and only
straggling Cavalry remained in Maryland. On our return
to camp, after having advanced to the foot of the
Mountain, we came upon our outpost. The vedette had
dismounted, seated himself on the ground, and had fallen
asleep, with his horse standing by his side. The penalty
of a soldier sleeping on his post, in the face of the
enemy, is death. The Colonel on discovering that the
picket was asleep, drew his saber from the scabbard and
struck the soldier across his shoulder, who awoke and
for the moment supposed that he was in the hands of the
enemy. The soldier was placed under arrest and taken to
the reserve picket post, the Sergeant of the Guard
receiving orders to bring him before the Colonel in the
morning. The boy, for he was not more than eighteen
years of age, belonged to one of the new companies, and
had no thought of sleeping. He was completely exhausted
from being in the saddle for so long a time, but had
committed the fatal error of dismounting, and sitting
down. I felt deeply interested in the young soldier and
knowing the kindness of heart of our generous and
gallant leader, thought I would exert myself in his
behalf on the following morning, so I spoke to the
Colonel and urged upon him not to prefer charges against
the prisoner, as he had been in the service but a short
time and did not know the great responsibility resting
upon a man on picket duty. By giving him a severe
lecture it would have its effect. Whether the Colonel
had decided upon this course before I spoke to him I
know not. The young man was let off, and for the
remainder of his service in the Army he proved himself a
good soldier.
Chapter 31: Under Sheridan in Shenandoah Valley
General Sheridan had now superseded General Hunter,
and later on Cole's Regiment was assigned to duty under
General Merritt, in the Shenandoah Valley, participating
in the battles with Sheridan at Charlestown, Halltown,
Summit Point, Berryville, Opequan Creek, Winchester,
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, where it is reported in
verse and song that Sheridan made his famous ride from
Winchester, which is cited at the close of this chapter.
The command was with Sheridan in all his campaigns up
the Valley, and lost a large number of its membership.
The latter part of August and the first part of
September, 1864, the few survivors who had not
re-enlisted when the Battalion had been raised to a
Regiment, had now served three years. Their time having
expired, they were now mustered out of the United States
service. Captain Frank Gallagher and Lieutenant Sam
Sigler of Company D, took their honorable discharges,
after serving for three years; their records had been
honorable ones. Lieutenant Samuel Mills, of Company D,
was acting Quartermaster of the Regiment until a regular
Quartermaster was appointed; the former quartermaster
having been dismissed the service. Company D had been
greatly reduced in killed and wounded, and after the few
men had taken their discharges, left but a small portion
of Company A, without commissioned officers.
Captain Tappan Wright Kelly, a son of General B. F.
Kelly, had command of an independent Company, and had
seen some service in the western part of Maryland and
West Virginia, was assigned to Cole's Regiment and took
command of Company D, with Henry A. Bier as first
Lieutenant and Columbus F. Benchoff as second
Lieutenant.
SHERIDAN'S RIDE.
By Thomas Buchanan Reed
Up from the South at break of day, Bringing to
Winchester fresh dismay, The affrighted air with a
shudder bore, Like a herald in haste, to the
Chieftain's door, The terrible grumble and rumble and
roar, Telling the battle was on once more, And
Sheridan twenty miles away.
And wider still those billows of war Thundering
along the horizon's bar, And louder yet into
Winchester rolled The roar of that red sea
uncontrolled, Making the blood of the listener cold,
As he thought of the stake in that firey fray, With
Sheridan twenty miles away.
But there is a road in Winchester town, A good,
broad highway leading down; And there through the
flash of the morning light, A steed us black as the
steed of night,
Was seen to pass as with eagle flight, As if he
knew the terrible need, He stretched away with the
utmost speed; Hills rose and fell but his heart was
gay, With Sheridan fifteen miles away.
Still sprung from those swift hoofs thundering
South, The dust, like the smoke from the cannon's
mouth, Or the trail of a comet sweeping faster and
faster, Foreboding to traitors the doom of disaster;
The heart of the steed and the heart of the master
Were beating like prisoners assaulting their walls,
Impatient to be where the battlefield calls; Every
nerve of the charger was strained to full play, With
Sheridan only ten miles away.
Under his spurning feet the road Like an arrowy
Alpine river flowed, And the landscape sped away
behind Like an ocean flying before the wind; And the
steed like a bark fed with furnace ire, Swept on with
his wild eye full of fire; But, lo! he is nearing his
heart's desire, He is snuffing the smoke of the
roaring fray, With Sheridan only five miles away.
The first that the General saw were the groups Of
stragglers, and then the retreating troops: What was
done what to do a glance told him both, And striking
his spurs with a terrible oath, He dashed down the
line 'mid a storm of huzzahs. And the wave of retreat
checked its course there became The sight of the
master compelled it to pause. With foam and with dust
the black charger was gray, By the flash of his eye,
and his nostril's play He seemed to the whole great
army to say, "I have brought you Sheridan all the way
From Winchester, down to save the day!"
Hurrah! hurrah for Sheridan! Hurrah! hurrah for
horse and man! And when their statues are placed on
high, Under the dome of the Union sky, The American
Soldier's Temple of Fame, There with the glorious
General's name Be it said in letters both bold and
bright: Here is the steed that saved the day By
carrying Sheridan into the fight from Winchester
twenty miles away"
Chapter 32: Brigaded by General Sheridan, Objected by
Colonel Cole, and objections sustained by the Secretary
of War
General Sheridan had brigaded the Regiment and had
intended taking the command with him when he moved from
the Shenandoah Valley. Colonel Cole objected to being
Brigaded, claiming that inasmuch as the Battalion had
been an independent command, raised by special act of
Congress, the Regiment should remain the same. The
matter was reported to the Secretary of War who
sustained Colonel Cole. General Sheridan refused to have
independent Regiments in his command, and ordered
Colonel Cole with his Regiment to West Virginia to guard
the lines of communication, where he remained until the
close of the war.
The command was mustered out of service at the close
of the war, at Harper's Ferry, on the 28th day June,
1865.
During the term of service of Cole's Cavalry, from
1861, to the time of its being mustered out, it has to
its credit over one thousand prisoners captured; had
fought in nearly two hundred battles or skirmishes, had
wounded or killed more men than it numbered itself; and
had captured or destroyed an immense amount of the
enemy's property.
But a small fragment of the original Cole's Cavalry,
the first or Veteran Battalion, remained. Had the first
Battalion not been increased to a Regiment, their
percentage of loss would have been greater than
nine-tenths of the Regiments in the service, but by
adding eight new Companies in 1864, the full Regiment
was credited with the entire loss, which greatly reduced
the percentage of losses. The majority of the survivors
of the Old Battalion were maimed and scarred. The bones
of the most of the brave Marylanders, who left Frederick
City in 1861, and cheered the flag and their gallant
commander, whom they were ever ready to follow, in the
paths of duty and glory, were strewn from Gettysburg to
Lynchburg, and many reposed in the graveyards of Belle
Isle, Salisbury and Andersonville.
On the following page will be found a poem from
"Frank Leslie" in regard to Cole's Cavalry.
A Fightin’ With Cole
By Harry Shellman
That boss! Why, yes, he's the knowin'est mind; He
knows Decoration an' Fourth of July; An' whenever the
bugles, or things of that kind, Comes 'round, both his
head an' his tail git up high, An' he goes cavortin'
in a way that'll win ye; He knows the music. Why, Lord
bless your soul! We was together down there in
Virginia; Down in the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
Ain't worth nothin'! No; he's too old for the plow,
Or the carriage, or such like. Just do for the boys,
The young ones, to climb on. That's all that he now,
Amounts to, 'cept prancin' around at the noise Of
music an' guns. Would I sell him? Why, no; No man's
thousand dollars will ever come nigh him. While I've
got a spot where that old hoss kin go, No fellow has
got enough money to buy him.
Never heerd tell of Cole's fightin' battalion,
Maryland cavalry? Well, now, I declare! We went in
together, me an'that stallion, Right from the farm a
lively young pair. All through the Rebellion together
we scouted, At Winchester, Leesburg, Loudoun, a whole
Grist of fights, where sometimes we won or was routed
Down in the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
We both belonged to blue-blood a'istoc'acy, An'
inclined to be wild, then, was Lion an' me, So we
skipped from our home here on the Monocacy, An' went
in the fight for the flag of the free. Excitement! We
got enough. Many's the close call We had. Why, the
thought even now takes my breath. Me an' that hoss, we
went plumb through it all An' came out all right from
that cyclone of death.
The swish an' the swash an' the jinglin' of spurs,
The clang of the sabers, the carbine's dull rattle;
The rush an' the crush when the fierce charge occurs;
'The mad, wild excitement of bloodshed an' battle.
The scout an' the bivouac, the long raid; what's in
ye Shows up when alone on a midnight patrol; An' they
showed they was men that was down in Virginia; Down in
the valley a-fightin' with Cole.
Once, worn out, we stopped by the roadside a
sportin' An' I went to sleep. I woke with a cry; That
hoss was a lickin' my face an' a-snortin'; The boys
had rode on an' the rebels was nigh, I jumped in the
saddle, an' he was so glib he, Dashed off 'fore I
fairly got fixed in my seat; He knowed that for me it
were leg it or Libby, An' he knowed how to dust w'en
we had to retreat.
Yes, we was together a-scootin' an' scoutin';
Sometimes we was comin', sometimes we was goin'; One
day it was Mosby's men doin' the routin', Another to
us their heels they was showin'; Daehin' an' fightin',
you bet we was, down there. Me an' old Lion went in
heart and soul, Ripe for the chase, charge, or
scrimmage we foun' there, Down in the valley a-fightin'
with Cole.
One day up at Winchester we got surrounded; The
Johnnies was thick an' they charged like a storm;
Minie-balls whistled an' big boss-guns pounded We had
to hustle; you bet it was warm.
Three comes right at us, w'en Lion, he wheels, Gits
on his hind legs an' paws, then comes down; One I
shot, while fie let fly with his heels, Then we
scooted off out of Winchester town.
There is the mark of the bullet that caught him,
Right on the flank us we galloped away. The rebs tried
to down him, but they never come nigh him, For we
wasn't born to be killed by the gray, Why, stranger,
for truth, I have nothin' to say, But you can't git
that hoss to save your soul; Why, we was together down
there in Virginia, Down in the valley a-fightin' with
Cole.
Conclusion:
And now Comrades of Cole's Independent Cavalry and
old Soldiers, whose friendships were formed and welded
in the strifes and turmoil of that faithful struggle
which raged for four years to maintain the unity of the
States and the preservation of our liberties, let us be
thankful for all the favors and blessings we have
received under the shade of "Old Glory," and the
beneficence of a kind and overruling Providence, and
with the hope of recalling to your memories the years
gone-by I close my labors.
The Author.
Interested in Cole's Cavalry? Then try our archived
edition for a complete listing of Emmitsburg &
Gettysburg names:
The
Solders of Company C, Cole’s Cavalry 1861-1865
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