James Sullivan O'Connor
As one of the second generation of
American born children, my Grandmother spent most of my childhood not allowing
me to forget the life of my ancestors. Our family descended from Irish gypsies,
horse people, as Grandmother would call them in her brilliant stories. Of
course, the small stable and carriage house, with a blacksmith shop our family
owned in
Beverly
,
Virginia
, did not echo the greatness my Grandmother painted in my mind. I am James
Sullivan O’Connor, descendant of gypsies and son to a hard working blacksmith.
Once I was big enough to hold onto the reins of a team, my father decided that I
no longer needed to attend schooling. I spent the rest of my younger years
running a freight team for my father, bringing hay and straw in from the
farmer’s fields for the stable.
With
Virginia
’s secession from the
Union
, we found ourselves on the border of a new enemy…our neighbors and friends. I
found myself wishing there was something I could do. I found my answer one
morning, while speaking with a young gentleman who stopped for the night. We
spoke as he saddled his horse; he was from Elkins head north to join with the US
Cavalry being formed in
Washington
. I begged him to allow me a few hours, and I would ride with him. He agreed,
mentioning that company would be nice.
After a short discussion with my
father, he agreed to allow me to join. He selected one of our better horses, a
spirited chestnut, Sky, the son of my Grandfather’s horse brought from
Ireland
, and told me to take what I would need for food.
I found myself galloping north
into the night with the young gentleman. After many days hard travel we found
ourselves in
Washington
. The young gentleman was assigned to the 1st US Cavalry, company A.
It was the last that I saw of him. I was attached to the 1st US
Cavalry, company E, a very colorful
unit.
It’s been almost a year, many of
my fellows in the company have been transferred or wounded, there are not many
left in the company, only our 1st Lieutenant, 1st
Sergeant, one Corporal, and a handful of the toughest troopers. It is rumored
that
Washington
may reform us into the 2nd US Cavalry regiment.
