On the 27th of February, 1865, the brigade formed part of the force with which General Sheridan made his movement against General Early's army, and on the rebel communications in the direction of Gordonsville and Richmond, and at that date moved with the cavalry corps towards Staunton, and on the 8th of March participated in an engagement with a part of the rebel cavalry, under General Rosser, near Louisa Court-house, and assisted in routing it and capturing the town, in which a large amount of property was destroyed, including the railroad depot, with rolling stock and telegraph office. It also participated in taking up the track and destroying the railroad property on the line of the Lynchburg and Gordonsville railroad, and in the destruction of the locks, aqueducts, and mills on the line of the James river canal. The command having reached White House Landing, March 19th, in time to take part in the final battles of the Army of the Potomac, soon after, with the cavalry corps, took position on the left of the line of that army, and on the 30th the regiment became engaged with the rebel cavalry and assisted in driving them within their works at Five Forks. It was also engaged with the enemy at the same point on the 31st and on April 1st; and on the 2d at the South Side railroad; and on the 4th at Duck Pond Mills; on the 6th at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, and on the 8th and 9th at Appomattox Courthouse.

Colonel James H. Kidd, 6th Michigan, commanding brigade, in his report of the engagement at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, says:

* * * "The picket line of the 7th Michigan cavalry having been driven in early in the morning, the entire brigade moved out to its support. Found the enemy strongly posted, with artillery in position. We were ordered back, and took possession on the right, and afterwards on the extreme left of the army, repulsing several charges, and driving the enemy until overcome by superior numbers. That the Michigan brigade was engaged the casualties bear witness. One stand of colors and many prisoners were captured. Darkness intervened to prevent perfect success. Kershaw's division, which confronted us, was utterly broken and scattered. All the regiments of this brigade deserve special mention. They never behaved with more consummate gallantry. I regret to report the loss of Captain Shier, 1st Michigan cavalry, who was mortally wounded while leading a charge. A gallant officer, a polished scholar, an accomplished gentleman, his loss is keenly felt by all who knew him."

Captain Shier died of his wounds, October 31st following.

In the report of Colonel Stagg, 1st cavalry, commanding brigade, the following reference is made to the battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865:

* * * "The next morning we moved forward, passing over the ground from which we had been driven the day before. Our brigade being in advance, we soon came upon the enemy, strongly posted behind a large swamp, through which it was impossible to penetrate. Moving to the right, the enemy's cavalry appeared in our front and was driven to his main line of works, occupied by Kershaw's division. In the afternoon the regiment participated in the final charge and capture of these works, taking many prisoners and pursuing the flying enemy until long after dark. In this engagement Lieutenant Orwin M. Bartlett was killed; also, Lieutenant George C. Whitney."

Colonel Kidd, 6th Michigan, says of his regiment, in an engagement near Five Forks: "On the 4th of April the regiment charged the enemy's line of battle, near Beaver Mills, Va., losing in the charge Lieut. S. H. Finney, a gallant officer."

NOTE." On the morning of the 30th of March, 1865, the 7th regiment of Michigan cavalry is found with the gallant Phil. Sheridan on the right flank of the rebel army near Five Forks, Va. For thirty days previous the regiment had, with the balance of Sheridan's cavalry, been constantly on the march, being of the command with which he moved from the Shenandoah Valley on the 27th of February, and undertook his celebrated raid to the James river, and which was attended with such important and brilliant results. Little time had been allowed for recuperating from the effects attending a service so arduous as that through which they had just passed, when, on the morning of March 30th, the 7th Michigan numbering less than three hundred men, and after marching all night in rain and over heavy roads, Colonel Geo. G. Briggs, then commanding the regiment, received orders to move with promptness to the support of the 6th Pennsylvania cavalry and the 2d U. S. cavalry regulars, holding a position on the extreme right of the Union lines, and which was being strongly pressed by a strong force of the enemy's cavalry. Upon reaching the point and reporting to the officer in command, the regiment was immediately placed in position to support a charge which was ordered to be made upon the enemy's line by the two regiments named, and which, although made with spirit and in splendid style, was not only met with firmness by the enen y, but they were forced to retire in some confusion. The enemy seeing his advantage immediately chargod down upon the retreating force confident of success. The 7th regiment being formed in columns of squadrons, sabres drawn, moved gallantly forward for a counter charge. The task before it was a difficult one. Steady was the command as they rapidly passed forward through the lines of retreating men to meet the on-coming and confident foe. A moment, and the charge is sounded, and with shouts of 'Sheridan' and 'Victory,' they dash into the fire of death. Not a man faltered. The veterans of 'Gettysburg,' the Wilderness,' and 'Winchester,' with the names of FIFTY battles on their banners, were on their mission, and victory or death must follow. A moment, and the shock of contending arms and shouts of contestants filled the air. A moment, and the rebel line wavered, then broke and fled the field in a confused rout, leaving in the hands of the 7th the commanding officer of their brigade and a large number of prisoners-the remainder fled for safety behind the fortifications of the infantry, three miles to the rear, closely followed by the 7th.' For the part the regi ment took in this action, it received the compliments of the commanding General."

The Michigan Cavalry Brigade had fought throughout the rebellion and was in at its death, being gallantly engaged at Sailor's Creek April 6th, 1865, the last great day's fighting of the war. Mr. Greeley says of that day: "Crook now holding Sheridan's left (facing eastward) advanced to Deatonsville, where Lee's whole army was moving rapidly westward. He immediately charged, as directed by Sheridan; well knowing the inferiority of his force, but determined to detain the enemy, at whatever cost, until supports on our side could arrive. The result justified the daring, Crook was repulsed; but meantime Custer, with his division of horse, struck again farther on, gaining the road to Sailor's Creek, a petty tributary of Appomattox, where Crook and Devin, coming promptly to his support, he pierced the rebel line of march, destroying 400 wagons and taking 16 guns with many prisoners. Ewell's corps following the train, was thus cut off from Lee. Its advance was now gallantly charged by Colonel Stagg's Brigade, (Mich.;) and thus time was gained for the arrival of the leading division of the 6th corps pursuing the Confederate rear, when Ewell recalled, fighting stoutly till Wharton's division also came up, and a part of our infantry advancing, were momentarily repelled by a deadly fire. But the odds were too great. Ewell's veterans, inclosed between our cavalry and the 6th corps, and sternly charged by the latter, without a chance of escape, threw down their arms and surrendered. Ewell himself and four other Generals were among the prisoners, of whom over 6000 were taken this day."

THE SECOND CAVALRY.

On November 14, 1861, the 2d cavalry, raised by Col. F. W. Kellogg, moved from their rendezvous at Grand Rapids, destined for St. Louis, Mo., and on their arrival there, Captain Gordon Granger, U. S. A., assumed command as colonel. The regiment was stationed during the winter at Benton Barracks, near that city. Early in March, 1862, it left that point to take part with the forces of General Pope in the operations against Island No. 10, a strongly fortified position near New Madrid. The 2d first encountered the enemy near Point Pleasant, Mo., March 9th, and was soon after

Q *

wards engaged in the siege of the island, which continued from March 14th until April 7th, when it was surrendered. After the reduction of that stronghold, the regiment moved with General Pope's command, and joined the army under General Halleck in front of Corinth, where it was actively engaged in operating on the flanks of the rebel army, until the evacuation of that place by the rebels.

Colonel Granger, having been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, March 26, 1862, Captain P. H. Sheridan, of the regular army, was commissioned by Governor Blair as colonel of the regiment on the 25th of May following.

Throughout the long and arduous services of this gallant regiment in the field, which terminated with the rebellion, it was the terror of rebels whenever it came in contact with them. Being always superbly armed and equipped, and the men being brave, and all of them most excellent shots, it seldom attacked without defeating and routing them, and never without severely punishing them, even when compelled to retire before immense odds.

Perhaps none of its many engagements will awaken in the minds of the members of the regiment more vivid recollections than those of Boonville, July 1, 1862, and Dandridge, December 24, 1863, where on both occasions it most signally distinguished itself.

During the last week of June, 1862, Colonel Sheridan, while his regiment was stationed at Corinth, was ordered with his brigade, consisting of the 2d Michigan, (his own regiment,) the 2d Iowa cavalry, Colonel Hatch, and two pieces of artillery, supported by two companies of infantry, to relieve a brigade stationed at Boonville, Miss., some twenty miles south of Corinth on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, being at that time the extreme outpost of the army in that direction. The movement was duly accomplished so far as the cavalry were concerned, but the artillery and its support did not arrive at their destination until in the evening of the 1st of July. The rebel General Chalmers, then in that vicinity, gaining information from citizens regarding the strength of the command at Boonville, and expecting to make an easy conquest, attacked Sheridan's pickets at 8 A. M., on July 1st, with (as was afterwards ascertained) 7,000 mounted men. At that hour there was but one company on picket, company K, 2d Michigan cavalry, commanded by Captain A. P. Campbell. Taking advantage of the cover of the woods, he checked the enemy long enough to receive a reinforcement of three companies, numbering only from thirty to fifty men each. The ground, although presenting advantages for defence in woods and small hills, yet had one disadvantage, in having numerous roads centering on Boonville, by which the enemy could approach in almost any direction. The 2d Michigan cavalry was armed at that time with Colt's revolving rifle and pistol, making twelve shots to a man, either of them very destructive at from twenty-five to eighty rods. The men of the regiment had been drilled by Colonels Granger and Sheridan to fight mounted and dismounted, either as cavalry or sharp-shooters, as the nature of the engagement might demand. When, therefore, they were attacked by Chalmers, and his fire returned with so much power and effect from troops on foot, he thought he had been misinformed as to the strength of the force at Boonville. He advanced with double lines dismounted, and double columns on either flank, mounted, with lines extended far enough to swing round on either flank, rendering the position of Captain Campbell in great danger of being surrounded and his force captured, while a solid column charged in the centre on the road. Their charge was met gallantly, by comparatively a mere

handful of men, with such effect that they staggered back, and many fell almost at the muzzle of the rifles. Taking advantage of their momentary wavering, a new position was chosen a few rods to the rear, and Campbell was again in readiness to meet them. Inch by inch the ground was contested by the desperate fighting of the 2d Michigan, nobly protected on the flank by the 2d Iowa. Every man seemed to know his strength, and to take pride in using it to the fullest extent. When a charge was made by the enemy, instead of taking to their horses, which were kept under cover a few rods in the rear, they emptied their rifles of six shots at long range, then drew their revolvers, and before they had given them six more, the enemy never failed to turn to the rear in confusion.

This continued until about 2 P. M., the command having fallen back about a mile and a half, and to within half a mile of the camp, when Col. Sheridan, finding the enemy most determined, and affairs becoming critical, viewing at a glance the situation, ordered one battalion by a circuitous route to charge the enemy in the rear-200 men to charge 7,000!-yet they did it gallantly. At the same time, a supply train arriving from Corinth, Sheridan ordered the engineer to give a lively and cheering blast with his whistle, and the reserve to yell with a will, thus leading the enemy to believe that reinforcements were arriving, he withdrew his force to Tupelo, and left Sheridan and his handful of brave men masters of the field.

Next day 125 of the enemy's killed were buried, and numbers of his wounded were left at houses in the neighborhood, and he carried off full loads of wounded in his ambulances. The 2d Michigan lost forty-one in killed and wounded.

After the affair at Boonville the regiment was engaged in skirmishes with the enemy at various points in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee in 1862. Colonel Sheridan having been commissioned as brigadier-general of volunteers July 1st, he was succeeded in command of the regiment by Lieut. Colonel Archibald Campbell, who was promoted to the coloneley. During February and March, 1863, it was stationed at Murfreesboro' and Franklin. It made many important reconnoissances on the roads leading out of these places, and had numerous skirmishes with the rebels. In February it was engaged on the 18th near Milton, on the 19th at Cainsville, and on the 27th near Spring Hill. On the 4th and 5th of March it had a severe skirmish with the enemy under Generals Van Dorn and Forrest on the Columbia Pike, the regiment losing one killed, four wounded, and one captured. From the 8th to the 12th it participated in an important reconnoissance, during which the enemy were driven across Duck river. March 25th it had a sharp encounter with a large force of rebels under Stearns and Forrest, killing and wounding a large number of the enemy, and capturing fifty-two prisoners and a number of wagons loaded with arms, ammunition, and baggage, with a loss to the regiment of one died of wounds, six wounded, and two missing. On the 4th of June, while returning to Franklin from Triune, it had a brisk skirmish, with a loss of two killed and three wounded. Marching to Triune on the 6th, it remained at that point until the advance of the army from Murfreesboro', when it moved forward with the cavalry division to which it was attached. On the 23d it was engaged at Rover. On the 24th it drove the enemy through Middletown, and on the 27th charged the rebels into Shelbyville. On the 2d of July it aided in driving the enemy from Elk River Ford, and on the 3d from Cowan. In the early part of September the regiment was actively engaged in scouting among the mountains near Chattanooga and in northern Georgia. On the 18th, 19th, and 20th it was in the great battle of Chicamauga. Leaving Rankin's

Ferry, on the Tennessee, October 3d, the regiment participated in the chase after the rebel cavalry under General Wheeler, who were then engaged in making a raid on the communications of the army. During the pursuit of Wheeler the regiment crossed the Cumberland Mountains, marching on the 3d, 4th, and 5th of October one hundred and three miles, and on the 6th, 7th, and 8th eighty-two miles, the greater portion of the distance over rough and mountainous roads. October 31st the regiment was encamped at Winchester, East Tennessee.

Capt. James Hawley, of this regiment, was killed in action at Chicamauga September 20th, while serving on Gen. Stanley's staff.

Near Dandridge, East Tennessee, December 24, 1863, Col. A. B. Campbell, in command of a brigade of cavalry, composed of the 2d Michigan, 9th Pennsylvania, and 1st Tennessee, attacked and drove a portion of the enemy's cavalry through that place, and then halted north of the town with no enemy in sight. At 2 P. M., same day, the rebels, under cover of the hills and by a curve in the road, rapidly pushed in, in rear of the command with two brigades of cavalry, cutting Colonel Campbell off from his only source of retreat. The enemy, at the first dash, captured two pieces of artillery, but they were immediately recaptured and pushed to the rear. Colonel Campbell at once determined to cut his way out by the left flank, which, by a bold and gallant dash, was accomplished. The command then fell steadily back before this superior force, fighting desperately on foot, and so closely followed by the enemy that for four hours it was found impossible to bring the artillery into position. Just at dark the guns were brought to bear and opened with much vigor, checking the enemy, thereby giving the brigade an opportunity to form in good shape, when it mounted and unpursued thereafter by the enemy reached its camp at New Market, with a loss of twenty in killed, wounded, and missing.

This stubborn and close fighting exhibits the strength of men when drilled to rely upon themselves and their superior arms instead of being entirely dependent upon officers, who may not always be able to communicate orders to every part of the field in a running fight. In this affair all knew the dangers incidental to a retreat before a superior force, and fought steadily and with true courage. Mounted men with sabres could do nothing dismounted at such a time, and of course were compelled to keep out of the way; so that during the hottest of the fight only a portion of the 2d Michigan cavalry were engaged out of the whole brigade, and not to exceed four hundred men. The engagement will be recognized by all who were in the regiment at that time as one of the hardest fights in which it had participated and one calculated to excite panic and disaster.

Pressed strongly by an overwhelming force through broken woods in a strange country, hardly knowing which direction to take, many of the offi cers and men not having received a command from headquarters during the entire fight, yet preserving almost a perfect line, together with the persistent fighting throughout the affair, reflects credit upon every man engaged.

On the 25th the regiment encamped at Mossy Creek. It remained at and near this place until the 14th of January, 1864, having on the 29th of December a skirmish with the rebels, in which its casualties were 1 killed, 1 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners. On the 14th of January the regiment marched to Dandridge, and on the 17th skirmished with the enemy, who were advancing on Knoxville, under General Longstreet. On the 19th the regiment fell back to Knoxville, and again crossing the Holston river, it bivouacked on the 23d on Flat creek, and on the 26th on Pigeon river. Marching at midnight on the 26th, it participated in an