306 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



Their military leaders were invariably zealous, and 

 their civil leaders unceasing in tlieir encouragement. 

 " We cannot consent to have one star obliterated from 

 our flag " was the sentiment, and with the saving of 

 the Union at heart, the men went into battle. 



During Wheeler's repulse at Strawberry Plains in 

 August, 1864, eight Michigan men were left to guard 

 McMillan's Ford on the Halston. One of these, 

 knowing the danger of his position, deserted, leaving 

 his seven companions to "hold the fort." This hand- 

 ful kept back a brigade under the Confederate general 

 almost four hours, but the Rebels crossed above and 

 below the ford and captured the guard. One of their 

 number, a farrier, was wounded, and Wheeler coming 

 up to hinf began a conversation. Finally Wheeler 

 said, " Are all the Tenth Michigan like you fellows?" 

 "Oh, no," said the other, " we are mostly horse farriers 

 and blacksmiths and not much accustomed to fighting." 

 " Well," said Wheeler, " if I had three hundred such 

 «nen as you, I could march straight through h — 1 ! " 



(Eigljtg-rigljtl) IDag. 



3IcKune House, 



Chelsea, Michigan, 



August Seventh. 



Left Ypsilanti bright and early in order to save 

 time, for although nearly the middle of August, I still 

 felt the intense heat, and the dry dusty roads often 

 made my daily journeys far from agreeable. For 

 several days the mercury ranged between 85° and 90°j 

 and as the route was at this time due west, the sun 

 Ijearly stared me out of couutenaqce in the afterooop- 



