On the fifth of December the regiment was reviewed by Gen. Chapman, and we were assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, commanded by Gen. Geo. A. Custer. The brigade was composed of the 8^th, 15^th, and 22^nd New York. 1^st Vermont and 1^st New Hampshire cavalry, regiments that had participated in many a hard fought battle, and was commanded by Brig. Gen. Wm. Wells.

The Third Cavalry division was reorganized in the spring of 1864, just before the Wilderness campaign. The second brigade consisted of the following regiments: 8^th New York, 1^st Vermont, portions of the 3^rd Indiana and 1^st New Hampshire, under the command of Col. J.H. Chapman of the 3^rd Indiana. The division was under the command of Gen. Jas. H. Wilson. At the battle of Winchester (Sept. 19, 1864) Gen. Chapman (who had been promoted) was wounded and left the command, only to return for a few days, when he was assigned to the command of Gen. Averill's division. At the time Gen. Chapman was wounded, Col. Wm. Wells, of the 1^st Vermont, succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade, and remained its commander until the close of the war. In November, 1864, Gen. Wilson was retired and Gen. Custer took command of the division. In December the 15^th and 22^nd New York joined the brigade. What became of the remnant of the 3^rd Indiana your historian has failed to find out.

The weather was cold at this time, the snow being four inches deep on the level. Numerous sleigh rides were indulged in by the officers and men, all sorts of contrivances being invented to ride in. The pike offered a splendid place to try the speed of their horses.

On the 14^th of December, Capt. B. N. Hurd, who was then in command of Co. G, mustered out of the service, and shortly after left for home. By his bravery on many a well contested field and by his gentlemanly deportment he had endeared himself to the members of his company, and in fact to the whole regiment, and they were loth to part with him.

December 19^th. - Boots and saddles sounded before daylight and the division started off on a reconnaissance up the valley. Passing through Newtown, Middletown and Strasburg the command halted for the night at Woodstock. Resuming the march on the morning of the 20^th they reached New Market and thence proceeded to Lacey Springs where the command halted for the night, the Second brigade encamping in a field on the right of the pike.

The morning of December 21^st was anything but pleasant for the men and horses. It commenced raining during the night and towards morning it changed into a blinding snow storm. Boots and saddles sounded about 5 A.M. Not over five minutes had elapsed after the call was sounded, before the well known rebel yell was heard and the clatter of hoofs coming down the pike. The men of the 8^th New York cavalry were in the act of mounting their horses when the Johnnies made there appearance. Their sudden onslaught threw them into momentary confusion, as well as the rest of the brigade, but quickly rallying, although it was almost impossible to distinguish friend from foe, they charged the enemy and succeeded in routing them with quite heavy loss. The casualties of the 15^th were twenty nine killed, wounded and missing. Lieut. - Col. Root had a narrow escape, a bullet grazing his forehead. The attacking force was Rosser's and Payne's brigades of cavalry.

An amusing incident occurred to a member of the regiment during the fracas. In the confusion the man got his poncho on wrong. A rebel rode up beside him and seized hold of it intending to pull him from his horse and take him prisoner, but the poncho gave way and he managed to escape. He avers to this day that if it had been put on right he would surly have been captured.

The objects of the expedition having been accomplished the command retraced its steps to Woodstock, the enemy constantly harassing the rear guard. The weather became intensely cold, and before reaching Woodstock a large number of the men had their hands, ears and feet frozen. The march was resumed the next morning and our old camp near Winchester was once more occupied. The suffering endured on that raid will ever remain fresh in the memory of those who participated in it. The pickets were relieved every hour to prevent their freezing to death on their posts.

Christmas was a cold cheerless day. How the thoughts of the men turned to the loved ones at home gathered about the cheerful firesides and wishing that they too might be numbered among them. But it was not to be, and so they made the most of their cheerless surroundings. The only present the men received was a gill of whiskey to each man. Those not addicted to the use of it gave it away, sold it or threw it upon the ground, while those whose appetites craved for it had a high old time.

December 26^th - Gen. Torbert with the First and Second Divisions started off on a reconnaissance. Good news was received from Gen. Sherman's army.

December 28^th - The regiment moved camp about a mile and received orders to go into winter quarters. The men immediately went to work constructing log huts for themselves and stables for the horses. Nearly every hut had a fireplace in it and bunks for the accommodation of four, which generally constituted the mess, and when finished were as cozy and comfortable as any one could wish for. The camp was named Camp Russell.

Nothing of importance occurred until January 6^th, when the troops were ordered out to witness the shooting of two deserters belonging to the 3^rd New Jersey cavalry. The scene was one calculated to impress itself on every one present, but they richly deserved their fate as they were captured while trying to desert tot he enemy.

The weather continued cold, making picket duty anything but agreeable. Orders were received from headquarters allowing a limited number of furloughs to be granted in each regiment, and those who were so fortunate to obtain one availed themselves of the opportunity to visit home before active operations in the field commenced.

January 19^th - Col. Richardson resigns and Col. John J. Coppinger takes command.

February 1^st - All of the cavalry in the department of the Shenandoah were reviewed by Gen. P.H. Sheridan. About 10,000 participated, making a brilliant spectacle.

February 2^nd - The 15^th received Sharp's carbines, and were then fully armed and equipped.

February 17^th - The regiment had a snowball fight with the 8^th New York cavalry, and the next day turned their attention to the 1^st Vermont cavalry, driving them out of their camp and causing them to surrender.

On the 24^th and 25^th of February the regiment was busily engaged in sharpening their sabres, an indication that hostilities were to begin soon. Orders were also received to pack up and be ready for another move. Five days rations of pork and hard tack with ten of coffee and sugar were issued to each man and each horse was to carry thirty pounds of grain.

February 26^th - The Third Division was reviewed by Gen. Geo. A. Custer, and orders issued to brigade and regimental commanders for a forward movement the next day.

All day long the steady clatter of hoofs were heard as the column swept forward up the valley. Nothing of interest occurred during the day. Occasionally small squads of rebels were to be seen to the right or left, but they served to keep the men from straggling and no notice was taken of them. Woodstock was reached and the troops halted for the night.

February 28^th - The march was resumed early. The weather had suddenly become stormy and disagreeable. While passing through New Market, men were detailed to cut the telegraph wires. Lacey Springs was reached for the end of the second day's march.

March 1^st - Arrived at Staunton after a hard day's march. The men raided quite a number of houses in search of eatables.

March 2^nd - The Third Division had the advance to-day, for there was work to do, and Gen. Sheridan knew that Custer was the one to do it. Gen. Early was reported to be at Waynesboro, seventeen miles distant, eager for a fight. The weather was stormy and the road from Staunton to Waynesboro was knee deep with mud, the hard valley pike terminating at the former place. But this was no obstacle to the dashing Custer. Forward was the word. Waynesboro was reached, Early's forces found entranced behind breastworks, dispositions quickly made to attack, and before we knew what had happened he was minus eleven guns, 1,600 prisoners and seventeen battle flags. The rout was complete, Gen. Early himself barely escaped being captured. The 15^th with two other regiments were sent to operate on the flanks of the enemy and contributed materially in bringing about a glorious victory.

March 3^rd - The 1^st New Hampshire cavalry was detached from our brigade and sent back to Winchester in charge of the prisoners captured, which left only the 8^th and 15^th New York and 1^st Vermont. Left Waynesboro and arrived at Charlottesville at 11 P.M. in a drenching rainstorm. Our forces capture a big wagon train from the rebels to-day.

March 4^th - Lay in camp all day. The regiment engaged in tearing up railroad tracks and cutting down telegraph wires and poles. We lay here until the 6^th when the march was resumed. Strict orders were issued against straggling. A distance of twenty to twenty-five miles was traveled before a halt was called, and this too despite the incessant rain and mud. This was kept up until the 11^th when the command halted to give the men and horses a chance to get a little much needed rest and to have a brigade inspection.

March 12^th - Resumed the march again, and on the 13^th the Division was engaged in tearing up the tracks of the Virginia Central Railroad. Small squads of rebels were continually coming into our lines and giving themselves up.

March 14^th - Within seventeen miles of Richmond. Another rebel wagon train captured to-day.

March 15^th - Arrived at Ashland, Va. Eight miles from Richmond, where we had a skirmish with a small force of the enemy, losing two men taken prisoners. We then crossed the South Anna river and burned the bridge. Nothing worthy of mention occurred during the next two days, and on the 18^th White House Landing was reached and the troops encamped for the night. Although the men were tired from their constant marching, they must indulge in the sport of tossing the contrabands up in their blankets.

March 19^th - Crossed the Pamunkey river and went into camp.

March 20^th - The regiment went to Cold Harbor, where they surprised a rebel picket post. The Johnnies ran for their dear life, leaving their guns and equipments behind them. Returned to camp the next day in a rain storm. The command lay here for several days, receiving new horses, drawing rations and getting the horses shod.

March 24^th - Left camp and marched to Jones Bridge, on the Chickahominy.

March 25^th - Went to within three miles of Harrison's Landing and encamped for the night. News received of the capture of 3,000 prisoners by our forces in front of Petersburg.

March 26^th - Cross the James river on pontoons.

March 27^th - Arrive at Hatcher's Run and go into camp, having crossed the Appomattox river. During the march to-day Petersburg could be seen off to the left. The enemy sent us their compliments in the shape of shells which luckily passed over our heads, but they made some of the men change color.

March 28^th - The day passed without any event of importance. The men who had become dismounted on the raid rejoined the regiment.

March 29^th - Broke camp and continued the march, which was kept up all day and night.

March 30^th - The rain was pouring down in torrents and the roads were one sea of mud. At noon we again took up the line of march, but after proceeding a mile or two were halted and sent out on picket and the wagon train allowed to pass.

April 1^st - This was a glorious day for the men of the Third Division, for to-day they proved once more their title as being the "fighting division". After being relieved from picket and the wagon train out of the way, the Second Brigade was ordered to the front, the 15^th in the advance. The enemy, under command of Gen. Pickett, were found strongly entrenched at a place called Five Forks. His force consisted of infantry and cavalry. The brigade charged the works twice, but were repulsed both times. At this juncture Gen. Sheridan and staff rode on the field. His presence acted like a charm. Custer rode out in front of his men and gave the signal, and away they went with a rush and a yell to the lively strains of a band of music. They were met with a withering fire from the enemy, but nothing could check them, and over the breastworks they went and the victory was ours. Pickett's infantry was annihilated, and he was shorn of his command. His cavalry scattered in every direction. The 15^th lost eight men killed, wounded and missing. Our troops encamped for the night in the abandoned works.

April 2^nd - Broke camp a 6 A.M., Custer's division being in the advance, and marched in the direction of the South Side railroad. Had a slight skirmish with the enemy at Kepponeck creek. Camped for the night near Appomattox river.

April 3^rd - The Second Brigade in the advance to-day. We overtook the rebels at Namozine and drove them over five miles, capturing several pieces of artillery and hundreds of prisoners, among whom were Gen. Barrenger and staff. We went into camp for the night at Amelia Court House. News was received that Petersburg and Richmond were taken, which caused great rejoicing in camp. The end was drawing near.

April 4^th - In the saddle early and after the fleeing enemy, who kept up a lively skirmish with out advance guard all day long. A brief halt was made in the afternoon, but at night were again on the move, and on the morning of the 5^th arrived at Jettersville where we remained all day, being sent out on the skirmish line.

April 6^th - Part of the Third Division, including the 15^th, were operating on the flanks of the enemy to-day, and therefore were not participants in the brilliant affair at Sailor's Creek, in which the rest of the division was engaged together with the Sixth Corps, and which resulted in the capture of over 7,000 prisoners, thirty-seven battle flags, and a large number of guns. We encamped for the night near Deatonsville, passing over the battlefield during the day.

April 7^th - On the march all day in the direction of Lynchburg. It was a tedious march. Gen. Gregg of the Union Army captured to-day.

April 8^th - Got an early start and came up with the enemy at Appomattox Station. Our division charged and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a large wagon train, and four trains of cars laden with supplies, the 15^th losing two men killed during the day. Our regiment covered itself in glory by capturing seventeen pieces of artillery, and being complimented later by the following order:

Headquarters Second Brigade,

Third Cavalry Division,

June 19^th, 1865

During the campaign of March and April, 1865, the Fifteenth New York Cavalry was present at the under mentioned engagements under command of Col. John J. Coppinger, viz:

On March 15^th at Ashland

On April 1^st, Battle of Five Forks

On April 2^nd, Battle of Kepponeck Creek

On April 3^rd, Battle of Namozine Church

On April 8^th, Battle of Appomattox Station, (the regiment capturing seventeen guns)

On April 9^th, Battle of Appomattox Court House.

Signed, George Matthews,

A true copy: Capt. And A.A.A. Gen.

D.C. Shanks,

2^nd Lieut. 18^th., Post Adjutant

But their rejoicing was turned into sorrow in the evening. Lieut. - Col. Augustus I. Root, than whom no braver man ever drew sword, while out on a reconnaissance towards the front, accompanied by several of his men, was shot down by the enemy in the streets of Appomattox in front of the Court House. His body was found the morning after the surrender, lying in the road where he fell, stripped of all outer garments. His remains were temporarily buried near by, and eventually taken up and forwarded to Syracuse, N.Y., where they now repose in that's city's beautiful cemetery.

April 9^th - The cavalry corps moved out early. The 8^th New York, which had the advance, were ordered out as skirmishers, and the balance of the division, with Gen. Custer leading and the 15^th New York in advance, charged to the front amid a shower of bullets. Suddenly making a detour, the division camp up in the rear of the rebel army and were about charging, when a flag of truce hove in sight. Gen. Custer sent the bearer of it to Gen. Grant, and while waiting for his return the skirmishers were driven in by the enemy. The 15h immediately made a charge and drove the Johnnies pell mell, inflicting a heavy loss on them. Again the flag of truce appeared when all tumult ceased and the announcement was made that Lee was about to surrender.

The news soon spread from regiment, and from thousands upon thousands of throats went up cheer after cheer. The men danced, hurrahed and hugged each other in their delight, for they knew that their trials and privations as a soldier were nearing the end.

In concluding this chapter I find no more appropriate place than this to give Gen. Custer's farewell address to his division, issued on the day of the surrender.

Appomattox Court-House, Va. April 9,1865

Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division:

With profound gratitude toward the God of battles, by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled and our arms rendered triumphant, your commanding general avails himself of this his first opportunity to express to you his admiration for the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles which today resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army. The record established by your indomitable courage is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies.

During the past six months, although in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy in open battle 111 pieces of field artillery, 65 battle-flags, and upward of 10,000 prisoners of war, including 7 general officers. Within the past ten days, and included in the above, you have captured 46 pieces of field artillery and 37 battle-flags. You have never lost a gun, never lost a color, and have never been defeated, and notwithstanding the numerous engagements in which you have borne a prominent part, including those memorable battles of the Shenandoah, you have captured every piece of artillery which the enemy has dared to open upon you.

The near approach of peace renders it improbable that you will again be called upon to undergo the fatigues of the toilsome march, or the exposure of the battlefield, but should the assistance of keen blades, wielded by your sturdy arms, be required to hasten the coming of that glorious peace for which we have been long contending, the general commanding is proudly confident that in the future, as in the past, every demand will meet with a hearty and willing response. Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blessed with the comforts of peace, we may soon be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of home and friends.

For our comrades who have fallen, let us ever cherish a grateful remembrance. To the wounded and to those who languish in Southern prisons, let our heart felt sympathies be tendered.

And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended and the task of the historian begins; when those deeds of daring which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's history, I only ask that my name be written as that of the commander of the Third Cavalry Division.

G. A. Custer

Brevet Major General