Getting to the Peninsula, Part 1

On this day in 1862, the 6th Cavalry began embarking on ships to move with the rest of the Army of the Potomac to Fortress Monroe on the peninsula in Virginia. Captain August Kautz of Company B provides an account of the move from his diary, which will be featured here for the duration of their trip.

“March 27. – The regiment marched down to the wharves at Alexandria to-day and after much delay, a portion were embarked. My company was first embarked on two schooners, I with a portion of the company on the North Halifax and Balder on the Kasbee. We were hauled out into the stream but did not get off. Captain Savage’s family was here to see us embark but bade us good-bye in the afternoon. The weather is very fine and we should be making the best of our way down the river. A portion of the regiment had to camp on the wharves.” (Supplement to the OR, Volume 1, page 113)

2nd Lt Christian Balder was temporarily attached to Company B this month, in the absence of both of the company’s assigned lieutenants. He was normally assigned to Company G. Lieutenant McQuade had died in prison in December, and Lieutenant Herbert M. Enos was still in New Mexico at Fort Union. Captain Savage commanded Company H.