DUFFIÉ & THE MONUMENT TO HIS MEMORY
go to page [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] - TRADUCTION FRANCAISE par Jean-Philippe Chereul
On the 9th of August, 1862, the regiment was under fire at
the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., and the value of the drill and discipline
of our new Colonel tested. Under a heavy fire from infantry and artillery the
regiment moved and formed several lines of battle with as much coolness and
precision as upon the peaceful drill ground. The regiment was complimented by
General Banks for its good behavior in action, and from that day was ever ready
to follow with full confidence wherever Duffié might lead.
Near Groveton, Va., Ang. 28, 1862, (the regiment, while acting as advance guard,
became the target o f eighteen guns of the artillery of Jackson's force. One
man appalled by the fury of the burst-ing shells uged his horse to a trot; instantly
Duffié's voice rang out, "Walk that horse; one man run, all run." The order
was obeyed and at a walk the regiment moved to a new position and gave our own
guns an opportunity to answer the enemy. August 29th and 3Oth upon the field
in what has been called the second battle of Bull Run, the engagement having
been on nearly the same ground as that of the battle of 1861, the regiment was
conspic-uous for the precision of its movements. When the army retreated to
Centreville on the South, Duffié fell back slowly, forming successive lines
of battle with his regiment. At Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 1, 1862, the First
Rhode Island deployed a skirmish line and were the first to draw the enemy's
fire. The follow-ing order, a compliment to the regiment, is also a tribute
to the ability of the commander:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY,
POOLEVILLE, MD., October 5, 1862. (Special Order, No. -.)
Calling the attention of the regiment to the late campaign from the Potomac
to the Rapidan and back, your commander wishes to assure you of the high encomiums
which have been passed by officers high in rank and military attainments, upon
the admirable manner in which you performed your part at that ever memorable
retreat from the Rapidan to the Potemac. The last Federal soldiers to leave
the Rapidan; the last to leave the Rappahannock; the last to leave Warrenton
and its vicinity; in several of the severest battles; under fire many times;
at all other times on outpost or other hazardous duty; and in almost every march
the rear guard of the Grand Army of Virginia, or to a main colunm - you never
faltered; you never ever hurried, but, steady and in good order, as upon a parade
ground, you retired, when obliged reluctantly to turn from the superior numbers
of the foe.
Upon the 3Oth of August, at Bull Run, it is especially true that, when thousands
around, in direst confusion, were escap-ing as fast and best as they might,
your evolutions were more steadily and perfectly performed than I have ever
seen them at any other time. That is so true that you here, by your beauti-ful
appearance, attracted the confidence of your brothers with-out command, and
soon behind your ranks were eight hundred seeming to implore your protection.
Generals of divisions have been anxious for our services, and many applications
were made for them. You endured fatigue and privations without murmuring. You
are known and ap-preciated in the proper quarters. Soldiers! Your record is
a proud one. See that it is not blotted!
A. N. DUFFIÉ, Colonel.
The regiment was on picket duty along the line of the Potomac River during the
battle of Antietam, and Oct. 22, 1862, crossed into Virginia with the advance
of McClellan's army. Near Warrenton a part of the regiment engaged on November
11th, in a short skirmish with a force of rebel cavalry, during which Colonel
Duffié emptied a rebel saddle by a carbine shot and afterwards issued the following
order:
(Special Order No. -.)
Officers and Men of the First Battalion and Captain Manchestcr's Squadron:
Your Colonel has great pride in thanking you for gallant con-duct on the 11th
instant. Your charge up the hill, in the face of the enemy outnumbering you
many to one, was an act of courage and heroism seldom seen, and in its results
never excelled. With their ranks completely broken, they were driven more than
three miles in the utmost confusion; and when in their insolence they afterwards
returned, you again attacked and dis-persed them, thus freeing that part of
our lines from annoyance.
The cavalry service is, in the main, a thankless one; the du-ties hazardous
and severe, both for men and horses; and it is only by a manly, self-sacrificing
spirit that we are able to bring about results, so important in themselves,
and which seldom appear on the surface. Our reward is not in the blazing encomiums
of army correspondents, but in the consciousness of having done our duty; that
our blows have been sharp and de-cisive; that we have done our work at the right
time and in the right way; in a word, that we have done the work laid out for
us, and done it effectually; and, depend upon it, that in military circles,
whence praise falls so gratefully upon the ear, we are, and we shall continue
to be, appreciated.
This regiment is both my joy and my pride. I shall continue to give to it my
constant care; and, sure of your cooperation in all that shall raise it to highest
standard of excellence and effectiveness, we may each of us indulge in the fond
belief that, in after years, we shall be proud to say, "I belonged to the First
Rhode Island Cavalry."
I am happy that I can thank Major Farrington, Captain Mati-chester, Lieutenants
Allen and Chase.
A.N. DUFFIÉ, Colonel (Commanding.