John Newton Opie
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 60
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... THE GREAT CAVALRY REVIEW. Our brigade was marched to Culpeper Courthouse, where General Stuart was assembling all of the available cavalry force in Virginia. I suppose we could muster about 9,000 men, forming five brigades, those of Fitz Lee, Hampton, Jones, Robertson and W. H. F. Lee. On the 8th of June, 1863, Gen. R. E. Lee notified General Stuart that he would review his cavalry. This review was held on the level plain below Culpeper, regardless of the growing crops of corn, wheat and oats, which were heedlessly trampled under the iron heels of our galloping chargers. The reviewing officers, General Lee and his subordinate generals, took position upon a slight eminence, in passing which we charged in squadrons (two companies forming a squadron). Meantime the horse artillery kept up a constant firing with blank cartridges, which converted the review, seemingly, into a real battle, making all the noise and clamor and presenting every appearance of a battle except the danger. My horse evidently considered it a real charge and a real battle, for when our turn arrived to charge by the reviewing party, regardless of my caresses and expostulations, and although I had a heavy army bit and curb upon her, she shot out like an arrow, overtaking the squadron in front, made a rear attack upon it, and broke it in two. This episode turned this part of the review into a ridiculous farce. The review, however, was a brilliant affair, and it was a grand sight to behold this splendid pageant, in which nearly 10,000 horsemen, well mounted, and fairly well dressed, took part under one of the greatest cavalry leaders known to history. MY HORSE MAKES ITS LAST CHARGE, AND IS KILLED BY THE EIGHTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. On the 8th of June, while we were having our...