226

sities of General Lee's army, a portion of which supplies, as before said, having
been sent out to meet the army, and captured by the enemy near Appomattox
Court House on the 8th.

After feeding, another council was held, and the chances and best means of
reaching Johnston's army discussed. Without coming to any definite conclusion,
it was determined to move to the north side of the James River and seek supplies
until some news from General Joseph E. Johnston's army could be obtained, and
then unite with that army.

Colonel Dorscy marched to the neighborhood of Waynesboro', where the
kindness of the people to the soldiers had been before experienced, and there
awaited orders. In about ten days he received a dispatch from General Munford
to move up the Valley, by way of Lexington, toward Salem, on which route all
the cavalry were to march, and to make their way to General Joseph E. Johnston's
army. The First Maryland was immediately on the march, and arrived at Clover-
dale, in Botetourt County, on the twenty-eighth day of April, where Colonel
Dorsey, learning that General Munford was confined to his bed by sickness, rode
to the house at which the General was lying, and received from him the following
letter, which he had prepared to be read to the First Maryland, and which speaks
for itself, the General expressing his regret that his sickness prevented him from
saying farewell to the battalion in person :

CLOVERDALE, BOTETOURT COUNTY. VIRGINIA, April 28, 1865.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dorsey, Commanding First Maryland Cavalry:

I have just learned from Captain Emack that your gallant band was moving up the
Valley in response to my call. I am deeply pained to say that our army cannot be readied,
as I have learned that it has capitulated. It is sad, indeed, to think that our country's future
is all shrouded in gloom. But for you and your command there is the consolation of having
faithfully done your duty.

Three years ago the chivalric Brown joined my old regiment with twenty-three Mary-
land volunteers with light hearts and full of fight. I soon learned to admire, respect and love
them for all those qualities which endear soldiers to their officers. They recruited rapidly,
and as they increased in numbers, so did their reputation and friends increase, and they were
soon able to form a command and take a position of their own. Need I say when I see
that position so high and almost alone among soldiers, that my heart swells with pride to
think that a record so bright and glorious is in some part linked with mine? Would that
I could see the mothers and sisters of every member of your battalion that I might tell them
how nobly you have represented your State and maintained our cause. But you will not be
forgotten. The fame you have won will be guarded by Virginia with all the pride she feels
in her own true sons, and the tics which have linked us together memory will preserve. You