I’ve been doing a good bit of research lately on Colonel Benjamin F. Davis and the cavalry breakout from the siege of Harper’s Ferry in September 1862. I was reviewing one of my favorite cavalry studies on the war yesterday morning, and saw a note I’d made when I initially read the book. I made the note because the book mentioned something I hadn’t seen in any other source on Civil War cavalry.

You see, Alfred Pleasonton wasn’t Hooker’s first choice to command the newly-created Cavalry Corps after George Stoneman left the Army of the Potomac. Hooker initially offered the post to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. Much like Philip Sheridan, Hancock was a career infantry officer, not a cavalryman. He did have an excellent reputation by that point in the war, however, and among those who encouraged him to accept the position were Davis and John Buford. Hancock reluctantly agreed to accept the position, but circumstances intervened before he could notify General Hooker. When Major General Darius Couch asked to be relieved of command of II Corps, Hancock was the senior division commander, and assumed command of the Corps. The Cavalry Corps command went to Pleasonton.

Now, all of the above is related in a much more entertaining fashion in Eric’s The Union Cavalry Comes of Age. I bring it up, because the note set me to wondering: how different might things have been had Hancock instead of Pleasonton led the Union cavalry during the Gettysburg campaign? Would Hancock have retreated at Brandy Station? Would he have kept better tabs on Lee’s forces moving north? And, since there’s been a bit of discussion lately on the Union pursuit of Lee at the end of the campaign, how different might the Union pursuit have been if the cavalry had been led by a more aggressive commander?

This, of course, isn’t getting me any closer to finishing the Harper’s Ferry project (sorry Brian), but it did get me thinking so I thought I’d share it with you all. I’m not too much for revisionist history, but it did make me scratch my head and ponder a bit. And who knows it might even generate a comment or two.

Note: In which Bates describes initial reports on the battle of Hanover Courthouse and the issue of new carbines.
The Smith carbine a rifled, breechloading .50 caliber carbine issued to Union cavalry units early in the war. 7,000 of them were delivered in 1862. More will be posted here on the Smith carbine in the near future. It is interesting that McClellan’s escort was issued the carbines while in regiments such as the 6th US Cavalry only one squadron was equipped with carbines and not simply saber and pistol.
The Ammi Hull that Bates refers to was Corporal Ammi F. Hull of Company G, 1st Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery. He survived the war and died on September 19, 1890.

Don

Camp 7 miles from Richmond
May 27th 1862, in a hurry
Dear Parents,

I have just received Johnson’s letter which was written on the 12th but I am glad to hear from you all and hope no misfortune has hapned (sic) since. I am in excellent health. The weather is fine now but last night we had a heavy rain, not enough to stop the march of the troops on to Richmond however. Our troops are within five miles of the Secesh Capitol and some heavy and rapid firing is being done now on the right. I suppose Genl Stoneman’s Brigade is in action. Tomorrow I am sure the fight will come off, and we march to Richmond or — get wounded not death if I can help it. (adjourned for sta)

(5 Oclk PM) Hurrah. Three cheers and Tigers, splendid news. Three hundred secesh killed and wounded one hour and a half later from the seat of the war; the firing which I referred to in the beginning of the letter was from Genl Porter’s Division. He advanced to Hanover Court-house on our right where the secesh were to the number of 13,000 and drove them out, followed them to the railroad crossing where they made another stand and routed them from there also. He is still following them; this is official we have orders to have three days rations cooked and be ready to start in no time. Our company is on General McClellan’s body-guard and I am doing duty in the company now. I was one of the staff orderlies for a while but got relieved. I suppose you got the letter I wrote day before yesterday, and found how I came to be paying the seat of the secesh government a visit. Our troops are nearer now than when I got fired at, and everything is ready to fight. If the papers are to be believed we will have all the fighting we want to do for a few days but I think Jeff Davis & Co will run away to night (sic) and go up into country, probably in search of that much vaunted “last ditch” (underlined) to die in. Bully for them, the southern chivalry. We had some new rifles issued to us yesterday of Smith’s new patent they are beauties, and J.D.’s legions had better look out the day this Squadron is let loose at them. All the regular troops are held in reserve with five days rations cooked in their haversacks, I suppose to follow the retreat if we start the secesh running.

My time will be up in 7 months and two days, but if there is any fighting to be done you can count on my taking another blanket (i.e.) reenlisting. I am going to get a furlough when it gets cool weather. I saw the first Connecticut siege artillery at Yorktown, but don’t know where they are now. I did not know Ammi Hull was in it or I would have seen him. I found lots of old acquaintances in the Third Infantry. By the way let me know if you get 50 dollars all right in my last letter. If you did I will send more. I have not much news until Richmond is taken, but then look out for a Humser.

I wrote a letter to Julia day before yesterday and tore it up because I didn’t know how to direct it, tell me how to. It is now dark so I shall wind up goodbye for a time.

Affect.
Charles E. Bates

Unfortunately, there was no winner, as no monument received more than one vote. Or if you’re an optimist, several monuments won. The winners are: 1st MA, 1st VT, 6th NY, 6th PA, 8th PA, and 8th NY.

I had changed my vote to the 8th New York, and my impartial judge (wife) picked the 8th Pennsylvania. I didn’t tell her what I’d voted, just included that picture in the mix. The 6th Pennsylvania nearly received the tiebreaking vote, but lost it when she discovered they didn’t have their lances at Gettysburg (I said the judge was impartial, not rational…. 8^P). Thanks to all who voted and made comments.

I stumbled across this site yesterday, thanks to a link on Chris Swift’s Yankee Tirade. I don’t know why I had never come across it before, but it’s definitely worth a visit. I’ll add it to the links at right when I do the much-needed site maintenance to sort the websites from the blogs over the next couple of days.

The Civil War Cavalry Forum is “a place to discuss the issues, events, and interests of those involved with the equestrian aspects of American civil War reenacting,” according to the banner on the homepage. Far from focusing solely on reenacting, however, there are discussion forums focusing on everything from history (cavalry, federal or confederate) to units and organizations to tactics to horse artillery to (of course) horses and tack.

I’ve decided to extend the votes for favorite Gettysburg Cavalry monument for one more week. I’ve received several additional nominees, and hope to have those posted here later today. We currently have a wide open race, as no monument has received more than one vote.

I was just paging back through blog entries and found a wonderful response from a reader named Allan. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any contact information for him. His comments include some incredible details (with notes and references, huzzah!) that truly deserve wider dissemination. Allan, if you’re still reading and with your permission, I’d like to re-post this as an actual blog entry.

Technically challenged as I am at times, I found the function on the blog that emails me when I get comments…finally.

I discovered this evening that one reason I hadn’t received any comments or votes recently was due to a problem with the comments settings for this blog. This should be fixed now. Thank you Chris Swift for bringing this to my attention.

Note: In which a cavalryman secedes from his horse.

Camp Winfield Scott
May 5th, 1862
Dear Parents,

I have been so busy since we came here that I have not had time to write to you and I only have half an hour now. You have heard before now that Yorktown is evacuated, I suppose, but you have not heard that General Keys (Keyes’) Division is at present surrounded by the secesh (sic) and a terrible fight is going on. Intenting (sic) to cut off their (sic) rear guard, or harass them on their retreat, he advanced yesterday nearly to Williamsburg and this morning he woke up and found himself in as bad a fix as the Irishman who caught a Tartar. This at least is the rumor that is about headquarters at present. It is also said that one of the aids (sic) on McClellan’s staff is killed. The General himself is reported to have actually shed tears when he heard of it, but you can believe it or not.

You need not have any fears about my being snuffed out by these secesh (sic) for I am reserved for the hangman I think, from my lucky escape from a watery grave this morning, the way I came so near going under was this. I went down to Cheeseman’s landing with six wagons after forage, and riding rather close to the edge of the landing my horse took a notion that a cold bath would be rather of an agreeable thing; or perhaps he is part sea horse. At any rate in he went taking to the water as natural as a Duck; I did not like to play Neptune in that style so I seceded from the brute, but won’t I take satisfaction from him some day.

Still later.
Its (sic) all a sham about General Keys (Keyes’) Division, at last accounts he was in possession of Williamsburg and giving them Jessie. Two secesh (sic) colors were taken yesterday by the Berdan Sharpshooters.
But I shall have to close for the present, goodbye,
Affectionate Son,
Charles E. Bates

I want you to let me know exactly how to direct anything to you by in case I send something by Adams Express Co.

Latest.
I have just heard that our Gun boats are up James river where they have the secesh (sic) fleet penned up and the retreat of the rebels cut off. I hope its (sic) so. I’ll write again soon. Direct a letter to me as follows:
Company “E”, 4th Cavlry General HeadQuarters
Yorktown, Virginia

I finally gave in and took the Which General Are You? quiz. The link for those who might not have seen this is here. As it turned out I am James Longstreet.

As I was scrolling through my pictures of the cavalry monuments at Gettysburg, I decided to post a few. While nowere near the photographer that Mannie is, I was pretty happy with several of the shots.

At the same time, being in an interrogative frame of mind lately, I thought I’d ask peoples’ opinions on the best cavalry monument at Gettysburg. After a good bit of deliberation, I narrowed my list down to these six. All votes count, and I’ll determine who the winner is on Wednesday. If you have a nomination that isn’t shown below, simply send a picture, and I’ll add it.

The nominees are listed in numerical order, with the exception of the first one:

17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The carbine barrel has been replaced, but I didn’t think it fair to hold that against it. The monument for the 16th PA is the same with the original barrel, but I can’t seem to find that one.

1st Massachusetts Cavalry. I liked the relief of the horse’s head, and it’s the only horseshoe that I recall seeing on one of the monuments.

6th Ohio Cavalry. I thought this image might have been more appropos on the 1st Vermont Cavalry monument, given their relative roles during the battle.

8th New York Cavalry. I liked this one, and wanted to include at least one monument with metalwork relief instead of marble. I really liked the inscribed motto of “Discovering the Enemy” as well.

8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Definitely one of my favorites, though I’m not sure how he’s going to get his horse off of that tree stump….

12th Illinois Cavalry. Very similar to the monument for the 8th Illinois, but I preferred the side view of the saddle to the frontal view at the top of the monument. There will be more about this regiment on this blog in the future, as they were one of the regiment that broke out of Harper’s Ferry prior to Antietam.

Once again, all votes are welcome, and feel free to nominate others. East Cavalry Field is not currently represented, I think they were eaten when my hard drive crashed.