25th. Furloughs stopped and pontoon train came up today. The Col.’s leave failed. He was in great trouble, having promised his wife to come home and yet expecting to remain with regt. after leave. Muddy, but pleasant overhead.[1]
[1] Extract From Letter of Brevet Brigadier General Nettleton to Mrs. Luman H. Tenney
Lakeside, Mich., June 20, 1911.
* * * Today in looking over war-time papers I came across the originals and copies of certain letters from General Custer. They relate so closely and importantly to the history, career, and military standing of the Second Ohio Cavalry that it occurs to me that you might like to file copies with the War Records which you are now collating and arranging.
Luman Tenney’s admirable service, his high qualities as a disciplinarian, and as a commander of men in the battlefield, so largely contributed to the good record made by the regiment that that record is in one sense a part of his own. These letters from General Custer, the idolized commander of our Division, are exceptional in the history of Army experience.
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Headquarters 3rd Cavalry Division, Mid. Mil. Division,
Feb. 24, 1865.
His Excellency Gov. Brough:
As Lt. Col. Nettleton of the Second Ohio Cavalry is about to proceed to his home in Ohio with the intention of procuring as many men as possible to fill his regiment, I desire to urge upon your Excellency the propriety of rendering Col. Nettleton all possible facilities for accomplishing this end.
The Second Ohio has been under my command for a considerable period, during which time they have been repeatedly engaged with the enemy. Upon all such occasions their conduct has been most gallant and deserving. I have known this regiment to hold positions against vastly superior forces of the enemy under circumstances which most regiments would have considered as warranting a retreat; and I take pleasure in assuring your Excellency that in my entire division, numbering twelve regiments from different states, I have none in which I repose greater confidence than in the 2nd Ohio. For these reasons I feel assured that the interests of the service would be greatly promoted by filling the regiment to the maximum number.
Your Excellency cannot find among the many gallant sons of Ohio a more gallant or deserving officer than Lt. Col. Nettleton.
Very Respectfully,
G. A. Custer, Bv’t Major General.
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Headquarters 3rd Cav. Div.
Feb. 24th, 1865.
Lt. Col. A. B. Nettleton,
Comdg 2nd Ohio Cav.,
Through 1st Brigade Headquarters. Colonel:
The General comdg Divis. has directed me to express to you his great and entire satisfaction with the manner in which the pickets from your regiment were performing their duties today while he was inspecting the line. Not a man failed to understand and execute the orders issued from these and superior Headquarters, not a man but who did credit to himself and his regiment. The General is much gratified to see that your men on the picket line are anxious, like true soldiers, to keep up the excellent reputation your regiment has won on the battle field.
Very respectfully yours, etc.,
L. Siebert, A. A. Genl.
The incident which called forth the above letter occurred the day before and while Sheridan’s army was in winter quarters at Winchester, Va. Gen. Custer with his staff and escort galloping out the Romney Pike, came suddenly upon the sentinel at the picket post, who ordered “Halt” and demanded the countersign.
An attempt by the General to awe the sentinel, who was told that certainly he knew well who it was seeking to pass, made no difference; and the General proceeding to ride forward was again abruptly stopped before the sentinel’s raised gun and the declaration that he would shoot anyone attempting to pass without first giving the countersign. Thereupon the General dismounted, advanced, gave the countersign and was permitted to pass.
