General Averill, born in Cameron, Steuben County, N. Y., November 5th, 1832, was graduated at the United States Military Academy in June, 1855, and assigned to the mounted riflemen. He was promoted to be first lieutenant of the mounted riflemen, May 14th, 1861, and was on staff duty in the neighborhood of Washington, participating in the battle of Bull Run and other engagements, until August 23rd, 1861, when he was appointed colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was engaged with the Army of the Potomac in its most important campaigns. In March, 1863, he began the series of cavalry raids in Western Virginia that made his name famous. His services were continuous up to May, 1865, whn he resigned, having been brevetted major general in the meantime. - Frank Leslie, 1896