[288] in making himself a master of cavalry tactics and in studying also the higher principles of military science. His talent and assiduity attracted the admiration of every officer of his regiment; and, even before he had had the opportunity of showing his sagacity and courage in action, his colonel had come to look on him as ‘the best officer appointed from civil life he had ever known,’ and honored him with the command of a squadron. The regiment moved in March, 1862, with the Army of the Potomac, and was engaged, as a part of General Stoneman's command, in the Peninsular campaign of the ensuing season. During the whole of Lowell's career as a soldier, with the self-contained dignity of character for which he was conspicuous in all periods of his life, and which was now re-enforced by a severe principle of military propriety, he kept in his letters, and (unless pressed by questions) in his speech, a perfect silence concerning his performances,—drew no battle-pieces, seldom even mentioned having been in battle, never so much as dropped a hint of any act of wit or bravery of his own, and professed continually that he could find nothing to ‘narrate.’ We are therefore forced to rest for most of the facts which created his brilliant reputation on the memory of his companions in arms; and we may, in some instances, have failed to recover or even have misapprehended important details. In the advance of the army towards Richmond, and especially after the evacuation of Yorktown, Lowell was constantly in action, and his gallantry was everywhere conspicuous. ‘For distinguished services at Williamsburg and Slatersville,’ he was nominated for the brevet of Major.
‘I heard yesterday of a narrow escape which Charley had,’ writes Lieutenant James Lowell, on the 29th of May, referring to the affair at Slatersville. ‘He was charging, and came upon a man who aimed a double-barrelled carbine at him. C——called out to him, ‘Drop that!’ and he lowered it enough to blow to pieces C——'s coat, which was strapped on his horse behind him.’Captain Lowell further distinguished himself in a reconnoissance on the 15th of May, and in the battle of Hanover Court-
