Camp E. Of Capitol, 9 P. M., May 20, 1863.
I wrote yesterday that General Casey1 had ordered
a review for to-day. In my baby innocence, I prepared him a nice one, strictly
according to tactics, and had rehearsed with my fellows, moving them round by
companies at a walk with successful solemnity; but the naughty Casey, when he
arrived on the ground, directed me to take them round by platoons at a walk,
and then at a trot. I did it, thinking that “’t were done when it were done”
and therefore “’t were well it were done quickly” (Shakespeare) — but it was
not done, — graceless Casey sent me word to take them round at a gallop. I
smiled, — I knew I was well mounted and could keep ahead of my Command,— I knew
I could take round most of my horses and perhaps a few of my men, — I smiled,
for I thought of Casey's probable fate, — one Major-General less, dead of a
review, ridden over by wild horses. When I made the last turn, I glanced
backward, the column was half a mile wide where I could last see it and seemed
to stretch ad infinitum. When I re-formed my line, there were half a
dozen riderless horses, but straight in front in the old place was troublesome
Casey, smiling and satisfied as ever. I was disappointed, I thought nothing
could resist that charge; I have lost half my faith in cavalry, and Casey, an
Infantry General, has lived to see it. Don't blush for us, — we are entirely satisfied
with our own appearances, — and there was only one carriage-load of female
military judges present, so don't blush.
_______________
1
Brigadier-General Silas Casey, U. S. V., a veteran of the Seminole and
Mexican wars and service in the Puget Sound District, was then assisting in
organizing the troops in and around Washington. In the previous year he
distinguished himself as a division commander at Fair Oaks. He was the author
of Infantry
Tactics adopted by the Government in 1862.
The summons sent, nine days later, by General Casey to
Colonel Lowell, preparing him to take the field, showed that he had seen good
promise in the regiment.
SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of
Charles Russell Lowell, p. 240-1, 417
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