everywhere conspicuous, rallying the desponding and leading them again and again to the conflict. General Porter more than once ordered the old hero from the field, but he could not obey such orders! He would share the destiny of the regiment he loved!

As the army withdrew across the Chickahominy, the 8th was relieved from duty on the picket-line, and found opportunity for a daring exploit which rang through the country. Two or three weeks previously, it made a raid on the enemy's communications, cutting the railroad north of Richmond, capturing a train of cars, destroying supplies, and in every possible way making itself disagreeable to the enemy. Now the foe was attempting to rush in and sever the Federal line of communication. About two miles from Bottom's Bridge were two hospitals unapprised of our retreat, and soon the rebels would be upon them. The 8th would not suffer them to be captured. A squadron fell back to the hospitals, and then coolly marched to meet the advancing columns and engaging them at narrow places along the road they had studied in their raids, fought them as though supported by a whole army, until time was gained for the removal of the inmates and hospital supplies, and then laughing their enemy to scorn, rejoined their comrades!

During the retreat, the 8th was pushed through to Haxall's Landing, in advance of all the troops, and joined in the battle of Malvern Hill, and on the day following, in the retreat from Haxall's Landing to Harrison's Bar, constituted the extreme rear, exposed, of course, to assaults of the enemy. In the incessant skirmishes of the next month, the 8th was constantly engaged. Its sabers were ever drawn, and its tally ho! was learned and dreaded by the bravest of their enemies. When again retreat was ordered, and the grand army of the Potomac marched from Harrison's Bar to Yorktown, the 8th was the extreme rear-guard, again between the flag and the foe.

After coming up the Potomac from the Peninsula, the 8th Illinois, 8th Pennsylvania, and 6th U. S. Cavalry were the advance, marching against Lee at Frederick, Md. Each day they fought, and each day they drove the rebel cavalry before them. The charge of those three regiments was terrible as destiny. Near Poolsville, the 8th captured the colors of the vaunted 12th Virginia Cavalry, a regiment composed of scions of the chivalry.

The flag of the 8th was seen in the thick of the conflicts at Katocin Pass, Middletown, South Mountain, Boonsboro and Antietam. It shared largely in the daily skirmishes which preceded the advance of the army under Burnside, and when the army did move, the cavalry was thrown forward to clear the way. It was no child's play. The 8th fought along that line of march with brave enemies at Purcelsville, Philemont, Union, Upperville, Piedmont, Markham, Barbee's Cross Roads, and Aimsville. At Little Washington, the 8th Illinois. and 3d Indiana Cavalry-regiments worthy of being associated, as they were, in many a weary march and desperate battle, in reverse and victory-under command of Col. Farnsworth, without artillery, met, engaged, and drove back Hampton's brigade, with its artillery. It was bravely done. After one or two more skirmishes, Col. Farnsworth's command reached Falmouth with Burnside's advance. They were the only cavalry on the terrible field of Fredericksburg, under fire, but not actually engaged.

Winter brought the 8th little rest, for between skirmishing and picket duty, it was constantly busy. In the spring it joined the cavalry movements, and after raiding toward Richmond, returned in time to witness the closing contest of Hooker's army at Chancellorsville. During this spring, when rapid marches, incessant fighting, and short rations had so reduced most of the cavalry, the fine condition of the horses and the fire of the men of the 8th were commended by officers and admired by spectators. This was owing both to the skill and care of the officers, and the superior morale of the men.

Again, at Beverly Ford, the 8th distinguished itself by especial bravery, and was highly complimented upon the field by General Pleasanton. Never was the approval of a commander more richly

won.

These bold troopers rode fearlessly into the face of death. After this they were placed in General Buford's division, in which they remained until the death of that gallant commander. They commenced the terrific battle of Gettysburg, and it was a proud movement for the boys when General Doubleday thanked them for saving his division from slaughter in the first day's battle. They engaged in the many cavalry skirmishes preceding the crossing of the Potomac by Lee at Falling Waters. At this point Buford's cavalry captured great numbers of the rebel rear-guard of infantry.

Another rapid campaign and the army was again upon the Rapidan, Buford's cavalry leading the way.

The 8th claims the honor of originating veteran enlistments. As early as July, 1863, a majority offered to re-enlist as a regiment. Strange to say, the War Department refused permission until nearly November. It is a marvel how constantly the people and the army have been beforehand with the War Department, and how often brave men have been compelled to beg for the privilege of service. In November a few were sworn in, but the work of making out the veteran rolls delayed the re-enlistment of the regiment until January 1, 1864, when the 8th was again in service.

The veteran furlough having expired, it was ordered to the East and again engaged in scouting in Northern Virginia. When Early's invasion came, the 8th was active in repelling him. With others, it contested the ground foot by foot, fighting heroically and successfully at Middletown and Monocacy Junction. At Urbana the 8th held in check two brigades, opposing a wall of steel to their approach, and so saved the bleeding army of Major-General Lew. Wallace from being destroyed in detail. The service then rendered can hardly be overestimated.

It has been, sorely against its will, retained in the department at Washington, where it has had fatiguing scouting, heavy marching and hard riding, with but small opportunity for distinction. But the record of the 8th is made, and a glorious one it is! The cavalry annals have none brighter. Its deeds have the glitter of romance, and yet the hard granite of substantial fact.

A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, writing Feb. 1, 1865, says:

"The 8th Illinois numbers about 1,100 men fit for duty, and is occasionally receiving new recruits. After traveling through the Army of the James and the whole extent of General Grant's lines, noticing all the various camps, I am sure the 8th will compare favorably with any regiment in the service, while the appearance of the camp certainly does credit to the men as well as their officers. Some of the best officers have resigned and gone home to their families. They were almost necessitated to leave, for the simple reason that they could not maintain their families on their pay, which every one

knows to be too small for the exigences of the times; but this regiment has about five months' pay due them, and this delinquency is quite an item with an officer who has family incumbrances dependent on his salary for support."

General Jno. F. Farnsworth was the first Colonel who commanded the gallant 8th cavalry. He was a lawyer, residing in St. Charles, and had represented his district (then including Chicago), in Congress. Subsequently Hon. I. N. Arnold was nominated and elected.

Mr. Farnsworth was an intense hater of slavery, and when the slaveholder's rebellion came he had but one thought; viz., to put it down at once and forever. Throwing all the energy of his nature into the work, the 8th cavalry was raised and filled with noble fighting material. He led it to the field and participated in its hardships, battles and skirmishes.

He was soon placed in command of a brigade and attracted the attention of his superior officers by his ability and bravery. He was promoted Brigadier-General of volunteers December 5, 1862.

Especially was there much tenThey were not to be harbored. should be restored to the prowl

While in command of the 8th, he came home on furlough, and reached Chicago on a day when a vast and enthusiastic war meeting was being held in the court-house square. His presence became known, and incessant cries were made for him. At length he came forward upon the steps of the north front, wearing his dusty blouse, evidently worn with campaigning and travel. It was before the kid-glove policy of fighting had been wholly abandoned, and when one of the worst fears of some commanders seemed to be that of “ exasperating our Southern brethren." derfootedness in reference to slaves. If they came within our lines they ing rebel who might claim them. With this the General dealt as matter of fact. It was folly to fight and yet leave slavery to provide Southern food. It was the Southern commissariat and must be broken up. Beside that, Northern soldiers were not to be degraded into Southern slave-catchers. "But," he added, "you cannot keep the negro out of this war. The only question is, who shall use him? He will dig their trenches or ours; he will build their breastworks or ours. Aye," and he drew himself to a loftier hight as he said, in ringing tones, "he will fight in this war; he will cut the throats of

us or the rebels, and we must soon decide which." The effect was positively overwhelming.

In the fall of 1862, the Congressional districts having been changed, he was nominated to represent the 2d district, and elected by a large majority. In 1864 he was re-nominated, and elected by the largest majority of any representative in the United States. He resigned his commission March 4, 1863.

He is an uncompromising hater of slavery. It is with him a hate bitter as gall and relentless as death. He lost no chance to deal it a blow from his sinewy arm, and none rejoiced more heartily when Congress declared the day had come when it must die.

Gen. William Gamble, a native of Ireland, was a practical engineer, having been, from fifteen to twenty years of age, engaged in the Queen's surveying office and in the survey of the North of Ireland. Landing at New York when twenty years of age, he enlisted in the 1st U. S. dragoons (regulars). He was soon promoted to Sergeant-Major and so served five years. He was in the Florida war, and was stationed at Forts Leavenworth and Gibson engaged in guarding against the Indians.

He left the army, and removing to Chicago, engaged again in the profession of civil engineering. When war came he resided in Evanston, though his business was in Chicago. He knew his military experience would be of service, and leaving a lucrative business, he enlisted in the service of his adopted country. His services in drilling the 8th were of great value, and did much to make it what it became, a model of discipline and terribleness. He was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Sept. 5th. He was early thrown in command of the regiment and the men knew he was fearless and capable. On the promotion of Col. Farnsworth, he became Colonel. He was through the battles of the Peninsula, and leading a charge at Malvern Hill, August 5, 1862, narrowly escaped with his life, receiving a severe wound in the breast, which for some time disabled him. When the regiment came home to re-enlist, its fame called young men by hundreds to its torn flag. A peril being again upon the capital, the 8th was ordered back to service before its veteran furlough expired, a circumstance which called out a characteristic order from the Colonel.