September, Colonel William Wells, who had been in command of the regiment from the 3d of June, was placed in command of the Second Brigade, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel John W. Bennett. In February, 1865, Colonel Wells was breveted Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious service, and on the 19th of May was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers. Colonel Wells reported, that while the regiment was under his command, "the field, staff, and line officers of the regiment rendered most valuable service, and that no regiment in the Division marched more miles, or fought more battles, than the First Vermont."

On the 19th of October the regiment was again engaged with the Brigade commanded by General Custer, in a desperate fight with the enemy, displaying great coolness and courage. They captured one hundred and sixty-one prisoners, a large number of horses, wagons, and a large amount of other rebel property. Lieutenant Colonel Bennett reported that "every officer and man under his command, who participated in that charge, conducted himself with such gallantry as to merit special mention."

On the 22d of October, 1864, the original members of the regiment, who had not re-enlisted, returned to Vermont, and were mustered out on the 18th of November. They left in the field about four hundred

men and three officers, under command of Major William G. Cummings. On the 20th of December the division to which the Vermont Regiment was attached, while on a reconnoissance, was attacked in camp just before daylight. The attack was made upon the Eighth New York. The First Vermont, hearing the firing, moved at once in its direction, skirmished for a while with the enemy, and then made a charge, capturing about thirty prisoners, without losing a man. On the 22d the regiment went into winter quarters near Winchester, Va., where they remained until the opening of the spring campaign. On the 1st of February, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Hall rejoined the regiment and assumed command.

On the 27th of February the regiment broke camp, and started on the spring campaign, forming a part of General Custer's Division of General Sheridan's command, the history of the movements of which, during the closing month of the war, is well known, and will be long and gratefully remembered by the loyal people of the country. The conduct of this regiment throughout was such as any Vermonter may well be proud to remember. They were at Appomattox Court House on the 9th of April, and in line of battle while the terms for the surrender of Lee's army to General Grant were being arranged.

On the 9th of June the regiment left Washington

for Vermont, arriving at Burlington on the 13th. Those recruits whose terms of service would expire before the 1st of the next October, were mustered out of service on the 21st, and the remainder of the men were consolidated into six companies, and Lieutenant Colonel William G. Cummings placed in command, Colonel Hall having been mustered out. Two companies were stationed at St. Albans, and the others at different points in Northern New York, with headquarters at Champlain. The battalion was finally mustered out of service on the 9th of August, 1865.

The history of the marches, skirmishes, charges, and battles of the Vermont Cavalry alone would make a most thrillingly interesting book, of dimensions much larger than this one. No organization in the army, it is believed, endured more exposure and fatigue, without a murmur or complaint; fought more battles without straggling and flinching; made more desperate and successful charges into the ranks of the enemy, or deserved more honor, than the First Vermont Cavalry.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GENERAL GEORGE J. STANNARD.

THE design of this book would not be carried out without a particular notice of Brigadier General George J. Stannard, of St. Albans. He was identified with the Vermont troops from the commencement to the close of the war. He served in several different organizations and in many capacities, from Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Vermont Regiment to commander of the First Division of the Eighteenth Army Corps, showing himself in all of them, and on all occasions, a most capable, intelligent, cool, brave, and faithful officer. To him, as much as to any single man, is due the enviable reputation which the Vermont troops obtained and enjoyed for patience, faithfulness, and soldierly conduct in camp, and gallantry on every field, during the whole four years of the great struggle of loyalty with treason.

General Stannard was born at Georgia, Franklin