has distinguished himself in nearly all of the late severe
engagements of the corps. Michigan cannot boast of a more gallant or
efficient officer than Major Kidd, and I am confident that his
appointment as colonel of the 6th would not only produce entire
satisfaction in his regiment, but would serve to increase the already
high but well earned fame of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade."

"Very respectfully, etc.,
G.A. CUSTER,
Brig. Gen'l Comdg."]

[Footnote 33: The title given to the department over which Sheridan was
to have supreme command, and which included West Virginia.]

[Footnote 34: Torbert had been created "chief of cavalry," and Merritt
assigned to command of the First division. Colonel Charles R. Lowell,
Second Massachusetts cavalry succeeded Merritt in command of the Reserve
brigade.]

[Footnote 35: Attached temporarily to the Michigan brigade.]

[Footnote 36: Second division of cavalry from West Virginia, General
W.W. Averell.]

[Footnote 37: Written in 1886.]

[Footnote 38: The only order I had received at the time was to support
the picket line with the entire brigade. See General Merritt's report,
Official records, Vol. XLIII, series I, part I, page 449.]

[Footnote 39: The Fifth United States cavalry, General Merritt's escort.
General Merritt's report.]

[Footnote 40: General Sheridan's report states that it was Getty's
division of the Sixth corps only that was in this position when he came
up--that the other divisions were farther to the rear but were brought
up to the alignment.

"On arriving at the front, I found Merritt's and Custer's divisions of
cavalry, * * * and Getty's division of the Sixth corps opposing the
enemy. I suggested to General Wright that we would fight on Getty's
line, and that the remaining two divisions of the Sixth corps, which
were to the right and rear about two miles, should be ordered up, * *
before the enemy attacked Getty."--Sheridan's report, Records, Vol.
XLIII, part I, page 53.]

[Footnote 41: "The First brigade, in column of Regiments in line, moved
forward like an immense wave, slowly at first, but gaining strength and
speed as it progressed, overwhelmed a battery and its supports amidst a
devastating shower of canister and a deadly fire of musketry from part
of Kershaw's division, at short range from a heavy wood to our left.
Never has the mettle of the division been put to a severer test than at
this time, and never did it stand the test better.