Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/145

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an hour Captain Kennon returned, with a piece of paper in his hand, with words to this effect: I would consider myself in arrest, and con- fine myself to within so many miles charges: sedition, conspiracy, with an effort to thwart his efforts signed by order of Thomas L. Rosser. Upon his return a military court was convened and I was actually tried upon these charges. The court acquitted me honor- ably, and in dismissing the charges, recommended that charges be not made again against officers without sufficient foundation.

General Early in a recent publication has said, had he had the in- formation at the time, which has subsequently come to his knowl- edge, he would not have allowed the court to act upon the case. Winter in earnest was now upon us. About this time General Averill made his raid towards Salem, Roanoke county, Virginia, and we were hurried through Rockbridge and Botetourt hoping to inter- cept him; having failed to get in his rear in time to head him off, we moved back to Callahan's, where, as my regiment was near their homes, we were given a short furlough to remount. When we re- assembled at Lynchburg to join the army, I moved back with six hundred and twenty-three sabres. Thus ended our winter campaign.

Hampton at Fayetteville. By E. L. WELLES.

Early in the war the Confederate cavalry was much "chaffed" by the infantry. One distinguished General was said to have jocosely offered a reward "for any dead man found with spurs on." Soon, however, the point of such jokes was effectually destroyed by " Jeb" Stuart's exploits, and afterwards Hampton's masterly handling of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, demonstrated to friend and foe that this arm of the service was safe for neither, and by him Sheridan was taught whatever he knew of mounted infantry man- oeuvres. Yet the remorseless forgetfulness of history bids fair to overlook the cavalry while the memory of "Lee's incomparable in- fantry" will deservedly be blazoned on her pages as long as hearts exist capable of being thrilled by the record of world -renowned battle- fields. As a compensation in part for this, the nature of the cavalry service permitted of more individuality, and thus the personal dash and prowess of a leader were more frequently instrumental in accom- plishing very important results. This was the case in the incident I am about to relate.