long.
To a cavalry man these orders mean business.

Then we mounted again, and a few noticed a flag off to the right
signaling. The colonel noticed it and coolly gave the order, "fours
right, march." We went off towards the fighting, then right down by our
own cannon and formed in line behind the infantry, that was at work with
the enemy, the artillery firing over our heads at the confederates in
the woods. The noise was so loud that one could not hear his neighbor
speak; but above it all came a buggle note, and glancing to the left,
another cavalry regiment, and another, formed on our left. Another bugle
note, and to the right another cavalry regiment formed, and for half a
mile there was a line of horsemen, deafened by the waiting the command
of some man, through a bugle. If the rebels had time to notice those
four regiments of cavalry, fresh and ready for a gallop, they must have
known that it was a good time to get away. Finally, our artillery ceased
firing and it seemed still as death, except for the rattling of infantry
in front of us. The rebel artillery had ceased firing also, and a great
dust beyond the woods showed that they were getting away. The bugle
sounded "forward" and that line of cavalry started on a walk. The
infantry in front ceased firing, and went to the right of us at a
double-quick, and the field was clear of our men. While our cavalry was
walking, they kept a pretty good line, each man glancing to the
right for a guide. As we neared the place where our infantry had been
stationed, it was necessary to break up a little to pass dead and
wounded without riding over them, and when falling back to keep from
hurting a wounded comrade, a look at the line up and down showed that it
was almost a mob, with no shape, but after get-ing forty rods, we
passed the field where men had fallen, and the order to "close up, guide
right," was given, and in an instant the line was perfect. Then came the
order to trot, and we went a short distance, until the rebels could
be plainly seen behind trees, logs, and in line, firing. We halted and
fired a few rounds from carbines, and then dropped the carbines, on
orders. For a moment nothing was done, when officers ordered every man
to draw his revolver, and when the six charges had been fired, after
near-ing the enemy, to drop the revolver in the holster, and draw
sabers, and every man for himself, but to rally on the colors, at the
sound of the bugle, and not to go too fa