History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1865 SHERIDAN'S RAIMS. 751
On the 26th of July the command, numbering three hundred and twentysix, moved with a considerable force of infantry and cavalry across the Appomattox and the James. A sharp engagement occurred on the Charles City
Road, in which the Sixth lost six wounded, Adjutant Lanigan severely, and
one mortally. Returning to the south side of the river, it was ordered to proceed with other reinforcements to the army in the Shenandoah Valley. On
the 11th of August the cavalry encountered the enemy upon the Opequan, and
was hotly engaged with Gordon's Division of infantry. The Sixth, led by
Major Starr, moved steadily forward under a, severe infantry fire, and held the
ground gained until relieved by infantry. On the 24th company A, and four
days later company B, were mustered out of service. Near Smithfield, on the
29th, the regiment was again engaged, losing two killed and sixteen wounded.
On the 8th of September the Sixth was ordered to Re-mount Camp in Pleasant Valley, Maryland. Major Starr was placed in command of the camp.
Here, as the terms of service of the men expired, they were mustered out.
Surgeon John B. Coover, who had been appointed Medical Inspector of the
Middle Military Department, while on his way from the front to Harper's Ferry, was shot and mortally wounded by guerrillas. About the middle of November the regiment went into winter-quarters at, Hagerstown. In January,
its ranks, which had become much reduced, were strengthened by the addition
of a hundred recruits, and towards the close of the month broke camp and rejoined the brigade near Winchester. Eight hundred more recruits were here
received, and Major Leiper was mustered as Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain
Morrow as Major.
On the 20th of February Sheridan received the following instructions from
General Grant: "As soon as it is possible to travel, I think you will have no
difficulty about reaching Lynchburg with a cavalry force alone. From there
you could destroy the railroad and canal in every direction, so as to be of no
further use to the rebellion. Sufficient cavalry should be left behind to look
after Mosby's gang. From Lynchburg, if information you might get there
would justify it, you could strike south, heading the streams in Virginia to
the westward of Danville, and push on to join Sherman." Accordingly on
the 27th Sheridan moved from winter-quarters with the First Cavalry Division
under General Merritt, the Third under General Custer, one brigade of the
old Army of West Virginia under Colonel Koephart, and two sections of artillery, and proceeded rapidly over an excellent turnpike to Staunton, meeting
little opposition. At Fishersville the enemy's pickets were encountered, and
were driven in upon his main line, well posted, with seven pieces of artillery,
at Waynesboro'. Deploying two regiments as skirmishers, and following up
with his entire line, by one impetuous charge, Sheridan swept the foe before
him, capturing nearly the entire force. The work of destruction now commenced. The iron railroad bridge at South River, depots of military stores,
wagon trains, and everything that could yield aid or comfort to the enemy were
given to ruin. At Charlottsville the force was divided. Merritt proceeded
direct to Scottsville and commenced the destruction of the James River Canal,
which he followed to Duguidsville, and Custer proceeded down the line of the
Lynchburg Railroad to Amherst Court House, leaving ruin in his track. At
New Market, the two columns united, where Sheridan purposed to cross the
J ames, proceed to Farmville, and destroy the Southside Railroad towards Aplomalttox Court House; but the river being high, and the pontoons insuffi