Civil War Experiences under Bayard, Gregg, Kilpatrick, Custer, Raulston, and Newberry, 1862, 1863, 1864

A New York cavalry officer who answered the Union’s call in the summer of 1862 recounts his early days in the war. He describes the enlistment, the long march to his regiment, the nervous first picket duty on the Virginia front, and a daring raid on Fredericks Hall. Compiled at the request of his former commander, the account blends letters and diary notes into a vivid portrait of life in the ranks.

He narrates the night after the fierce clash at Cedar Mountain, recalling the grim aftermath and the loss of Captain Walters at the Rapidan. The subsequent retreat is described with stark honesty, showing the strain on men and horses alike. At Brandy Station, the cavalry’s thunderous charge and the smell of gun‑powder leave an indelible imprint on his memory. Through these episodes he captures the camaraderie, fear, and steadfast resolve that defined the early Union cavalry experience.