National Tribune Aug. 9, 1906

The 11th Pa. Cav.

extract from The Time That It Did Not Go into Richmond

Editor National Tribune: I was much pleased and amused with Comrade Daniel's screed. The 8th Ill. must have been in some respects like Duryea's Zouves. It is said that one time the Colonel of the Zouves came along and found his regiment weeping and wringing their hands. The Colonel was somewhat excited, and asked what was wrong, when one of the men replied, "Colonel, here is a sawmill, and we can't carry away with us." I hope Comrade Daniels will tell us more about the 8th Ill.

I was a member of the 11th Pa. Cav. and I thought perhaps the comrades would like the hear about some of its work. Lieut. Kempster, in his "Early Days of Cavalry," is mistaken in regard to the organization of our regiment. He says it was composed of companies from five states. The facts are, Co. A was from Iowa, Co. I was from Lancaster County, Pa., with some New Jersey recruits, Co. M was from Ohio, and the rest of the companies were from Pa., though there doubtless were recruits from some of the other states. Gov. Curtin had the regiment accredited to Pennsylvania, and commissioned Harlan as Colonel; Spear as Lieutenant-Colonel; Stetzel, First Major; Wetherell, Second Major, and Runyon, of Ohio Third Major. The regiment first went to camp at the head of the 7th Street, Washington, D.C., at Camp Harlan. While Colonel Harlan came out from Washington to see how his men were getting along, he had the regiment out for inspection and parade. His first command, "Draw Sabers." The rattling of the scabbards and flash of sabers scared the horses, and the Colonel, who was in front, had to fly for his life. That was the end of our first parade.