Kentucky Cavaliers in Dixie: The Reminiscences of a Confederate Cavalryman

THE following pages represent the labor of years and the affection of a lifetime.

Old soldiers, Confederate and Federal--they are all old-- are accustomed to salute the one the other, and exclaim: "We are passing away!" When all shall have answered the last roll call, no sculptured marble may perpetuate the memory of their soldierly virtues, but their names shall be enshrined in the remembrance of their countrymen.

The stars and bars are entwined within the folds of the star-spangled banner, and the bravest in time of war show themselves the most orderly and generous when the doves are nesting within the cannon's mouth.

I have written the following pages largely from memory, and, although what I have written is authentic history, I do not pretend to claim that this book contains a complete history of any company, regiment, brigade or division of the Confederate army.

The personages with whom I came in contact were so many, the movements of troops so numerous and complex, that it were impossible for me to remember all of them; and besides, no one soldier or officer of any command ever saw everything, or had the same experience.

Being connected with the adjutant-general's office, and performing staff duty, I was brought in close contact with the rank and file of regiments, brigades and divisions, and was enabled to see much of prominent officers and to acquire information in regard to plans of campaigns, the movements of troops and to witness innumerable interesting incidents; yet I was so young, only eighteen, that I naturally failed to observe the panorama of war as closely and intelligently as I probably would have done had I been past the age of boyhood.

Many personages and incidents, however, impressed themselves indelibly upon my youthful mind, and I have been

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