Identifier: ourpioneerheroes01kels (find matches)
Title: Our pioneer heroes and their daring deeds
Year: 1887 (1880s)
Authors: Kelsey, D. M. (from old catalog)
Subjects: Pioneers Indians of North America
Publisher: Philadelphia, St. Louis, Scammell & company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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general was retired from the command.Nor was this all; for months he was simply awaiting orders;then he accepted a position on Gen, Pleasantons staff; later stillcame his golden opportunity. When Lee, changing to the offensive, began the northerlymovement which was finally checked at Gettysburg, the greatestconsternation prevailed among the people of the threatened dis-trict. At first his purpose was not clearly understood, but as itbecame clear, the Federal forces began the pursuit. June 16th,1863, a portion of the cavalry of the two armies met at Aldie,Virginia. By slow degrees this branch of the service in the Fed-eral armj^ had attained efficiency. At first regarded as merelyfor scouting and similar purposes, they had won no battles; andit seemed on this June day they were again to justify Hookerstaunt: Who ever saw a dead cavalryman ? The Federals charged down the road, Stuart was repulsed forthe moment, and Kilpatrick brought another regiment to the GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER. 479
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ajINERAL OEOROE A. CUSTER. 480 GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER. assistance of the first. But the fiery Southerners had not yetknown defeat, and advanced again upon the enemy. The Federalswavered, the men were mostly raw recruits, and the situation atrying one. Cols. Kilpatrick and Douty rode forward, com-manding, imploring their men to follow. There was no responsebut confusion. Forward from the broken ranks dashed Custer,his long bright hair streaming over his shoulders. Waving hissword, he shouted: Come on, boys ! Clear as a bugle-note his voice rang out above the turmoil;and only the clatter of hoofs and a wild enthusiastic shout answer-ed as they followed the new leader. Onward rode the three, stillin advance of the others. A moment more, and Col. Douty fell;Col. Kilpatrick was dismounted • still Custer rode onward.Closer and closer they drew to the enemy. Before long it was ahand-to-hand combat; and then Stuarts cavalry was fairly de-feated. The fury and heat of the battle were over,

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