rvation only of the few--sometimes of the individual--which, little
in themselves and seemingly inconsequential, help to make up the grand
story. It is an old, old story now, but the story has become history. A
full and true history of the late war has never been written--never will
be. But little links can be picked up--even as we pick up battered
bullets on old battle-fields--and these may be welded together to make a
completer chain. And this is, perhaps, our duty, the duty of those who
are permitted to enjoy the present. Let us also make it a pleasure.

I call this paper "Bugle Blasts" simply because that seems as
appropriate as anything. It refers to some incidents and experiences in
the cavalry; exciting and sometimes thrilling to those engaged, if not
interesting to him who hears the tale told.

Late in the winter of '62, when the movement on Fort Donelson was begun,
Buell began his movement on Bowling Green. The Third Division had the
advance and was commanded by General O. M. Mitchell, or "Star Mitchell"
as he was called in those days. February 10th Mitchell broke camp at
Bacon Creek, Kentucky, made a forced march to Bowling Green, driving the
rebel Hindman before him, and on February 22d started for Nashville. The
Fourth Ohio Cavalry, his advance regiment, was before Nashville on the
evening of the 23d, and received from the Mayor the surrender of the
city. The Third Division went into camp and the Fourth Ohio Cavalry was
placed _eight miles_ in the front, at the outposts, on the Murfreesboro
pike.

The cavalry of Buell's army had not received that attention requisite
for the most efficient service, and the Fourth Ohio was no exception.
There were no carbines in the regiment--only sabers and some unreliable
revolvers. One company, however (that of the writer's), was armed with
Colt's revolving rifles. These had been secured, some weeks before,
while the company was on special duty at Upton, Ky., by requisition on
Louisville, accompanied by considerable diplomacy, etc.--the "etc" to be
literally translated, and not given too liberal a construction. I say
the company was _armed_ with this formidable weapon. Perhaps it were
better to say _loaded_. The horse certainly was loaded when the trooper
mounted with this instrument slung on his back, clanking saber at his
side, and pistol in holster. It was cruelty to add the canteen and
haversack! But in those days we had no "S. P. C. A."

About three o'clock in the a