CHAPTER XIII. Mementos to Officers.- Col. O. DeForest. - Col. John Hammond. -Surgeon Lucius P. Woods.- Major A. H. Krom.— Major E. J. Barker. Capt. L. L. O'Connor. No pains have been spared by the author to secure documents in which honorable mention had been made of officers and privates for meritorious conduct in battles, but with only partial success. Such as have been obtained are inserted, though many names ought to have been added to this list, whose deeds were glorious, and would embellish the pages of any history. COLONEL O. DEFOREST. We have been furnished with an interesting account of the presention of a horse to Col. DeForest, clipped from a New York daily, which we are pleased to give in this place. It is as follows: "The friends of Col. DeForest met yesterday (October, 1861), in front of his dwelling, No. 97 East Forty-ninth street, and presented him with a very acceptable token of their appreciation of him as an officer, and also of his unequaled efforts in raising the brigade to which he is attached. The present was a splendid light dappled gray stallion, well known as the 'General Jackson' of Cherry Valley. He is seven years old, a noble animal, and was purchased specially for his new owner. About 1.500 men of the brigade almost entirely from the country, fully uniformed, and preceded by their own splendid band of twentyeight pieces, were drawn up in front of the block in which Col. DeForest resides, the intended present held by a groom, being immediately in front. The Hon. D. B. Taylor then stepped out upon the front steps of the building and formally presented to the colonel, who was standing by his side, the donation, accompanied by the following remarks: "Colonel De Forest: The kind partiality of your immediate friends and neighbors have imposed upon me the pleasing duty of presenting to you in their name something which shall be calculated to keep their memories ripe with you in the midst of the excitements and dangers to which you have so gallantly dedicated your immediate future. * * "These men, you will in a few short days lead into a battle field such as the good people of this heretofore favored land would give all but their country's life to avoid. But the sad fiat has gone forth; it is a struggle between our country's existence, with all the bright hopes of returning happiness, and its death with the surest certainty of everlasting woe and ruin. Terrible is the issue, but we must contemplate it solely with the stern eye of philosophy, and that, too, quickly. Our independence was achieved by precious blood and countless treasure, and by the same consideration can it now only be preserved. It seems that the tree of Liberty must be nourished by the blood of its subjects; to this conclusion, however sad, must every honest conviction turn. You, sir, will soon lead your column to its position in the long line of battle, and to bear you proudly on, we, whose every pulse beats high with hopes. 19 for your success, place you upon the back of this field horse and pray that the God of Battles may hold the rein, until victory shall be proclaimed throughout our whole country. Should Providence, in its inscrutable wisdom, cause you to perish in the great conflict before you, we feel a holy assurance that you will fall with your face to the heavens, and your feet to the foe. Go on, then: adieu! but the living God grant that your mission may be fulfilled, and your glorious and happy return give us cause for a day joyous, far more joyous than this; let this be the day of hope, that the fulfillment. "Col. DeForest then mounted the horse as the band struck up an appropriate air, and when the music ceased, evidently with a good deal of emotion, very happily returned his thanks for the manifestation toward him, and fully pledged himself that if the God of Battles spared his life he would faithfully fulfill the wishes of his friends. "After the cheering had ceased, a call was made for Sen. Ira Harris of Albany, after whom the Guard take their name. He soon appeared upon the balcony, and, being presented by Mr. Taylor, addressed the officers and soldiers for a few moments with much feeling, telling them that although he was too far advanced in life to join them as a soldier, he felt great satisfaction in being able to send his name. He doubted not it would be seen where rebellion was strongest and treason most defiant, and he was perfectly willing to trust it in the keeping of such officers and such men. COL. JOHN HAMMOND. The application of Col. Hammond for muster out was endorsed as follows: HEAD QUARTERS, Third Cavalry Division, [Respectfully forwarded, approved]. Col. Hammond is a most valuable and worthy officer and has served with great credit to himself and benefit to the service but the regiment would be left in the hands of a good officer 1 should he be mustered out, while the reasons urged by Col. Hammond for his leaving service are of so grave a character as to deserve the serious consideration of the major general commanding the department. J. H. WILSON, Brig. Gen'l. HEAD QUARTERS, Cavalry Forces, Middle Military Division, Charlestown, Va., Aug. 30th, 1864. I am constrained to approve this application under the circumstances; but I am pleased to mention from personal observation that he is one of the most accomplished officers I have known in service, and the country can ill afford to lose the services of such an officer at this time. Respectfully submitted, A. T. A. TORBERT, Brig. Gen. Vols. Com'd'g Cav'y. A few days after Col. Hammond took leave of his command, he received the following letter: HEAD QUARTERS, Third Cavalry Division, Near Berryville, Aug. 31st, 1864. My Dear Colonel: I am sorry you took your final farewell from the division without letting me see you again; I cannot, however, allow your absence to prevent my sending 1 Lt. Col. Wm. P. Bacon |