Lieut.-Colonel Albert V. Colburn, a favorite Aide-de-Camp of General
McClellan's.--Here is the bold soldier of the Green Mountain State who
bore despatches about the fields of battle during the Seven Days. It was
he who was sent galloping across the difficult and dangerous country to
make sure that Franklin's division was retreating from White Oak Swamp,
and then to carry orders to Sumner to fall back on Malvern Hill. Such were
the tasks that constantly fell to the lot of the despatch bearer.
Necessarily a man of quick and accurate judgment, perilous chances
confronted him in his efforts to keep the movements of widely separated
divisions in concert with the plans of the commander. The loss of his life
might mean the loss of a battle; the failure to arrive in the nick of time
with despatches might mean disaster for the army. Only the coolest headed
of the officers could be trusted with this vital work in the field.
[Illustration: AVERELL--THE COLONEL WHO BLUFFED AN ARMY.
_Copyright by Patriot Pub. Co._]
Colonel W. W. Averell and Staff.--This intrepid officer of the Third
Pennsylvania Cavalry held the Federal position on Malvern Hill on the
morning of July 2, 1862, with only a small guard, while McClellan
completed the withdrawal of his army to Harrison's Landing. It was his
duty to watch the movements of the Confederates and hold them back from
any attempt to fall upon the retreating trains and troops. A dense fog in
the early morning shut off the forces of A. P. Hill and Longstreet from
his view. He had not a single fieldpiece with which to resist attack. When
the mist cleared away, he kept up a great activity with his cavalry
horses, making the Confederates believe that artillery was being brought
up. With apparent reluctance he agreed to a truce of two hours in which
the Confederates might bury the dead they left on the hillside the day
before. Later, with an increased show of unwillingness, he extended the
truce for another two hours. Just before they expired, Frank's Battery
arrived to his support, with the news that the Army of the Potomac was
safe. Colonel Averell rejoined it without the loss of a man.
[Illustration: OFFICERS OF THE THIRD PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY]