The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-12-12
Special Correspondence Republican.
From the Cavalry.
C,rY OF WASHINGTON, D. c.. !
n.~x~,hou o 1oer

CIrY OF WASHINGTON, ID. C.
December 8. 1861.
Your correspondent yet remains in
the city, not having sufficiently recov-
cred in health to admit of return to
camp and the exposure connected
Herewith. take up my pen to write
more because of the irksomeness of my
idle circumstances, rather than for the
purpose or with the expectation of
catering to the profitable and agreeable
pass-time of your readers. Therefore,
should this letter prove to be rather dry
in point of interest, and thereby fall
short of the expectation of your read
ers, trust that the above explanation,
and 1 may say, expressed cause, will
be duly considered, and-no matter
though, it is immaterial to the SUBJ
scriber, whether, they duly consider
or not. If we give them the benefit of
all the brains we have, they should be
content, and receive the "proliic effu-
sions" thereof for what they are worth,
and without murmur, SO long as they
get them free gratis. Hereafter we
shall make no apologies or amends for
what we write, no matter how stale or
insipid our letter may be. So much
for our good intentions
We, our Regiment-have taken up
arms again and marched-marched,
however, but to another camp ground.
We are now encamped on It'll Street,
(which leads off from Pennsylvania
Avenue,) and about two miles out.
/ have not yet been to the camp, but
I am told it is situated on the side hill,
and among a thick growth of trees.
1t is supposed we will remain there in
our tents, during the winter. We
shall probably be provided with stoves,
or some kind of apparatus for warm
ing our canvass houses. We have re-
ceived our arms. cur sabres and
Colts patent revolvers. l believe we
have yet to receive holster pistols,
which, if such be the case, will give US
twelve shots at least to each man.
The weatehr here is what We should
term very favorable. The nights are
proverbially cold, but during the day,
with the exception of few during the
past week, person is very comfortable
out of doors without an overcoat
However, there is perceptible differ
ence between the people of the North
and South. While the Southerner
goes about all bundled up with over
coat or shawl, you will see the North
erner without either, and apparently as
comfortable, if not more SO, as those
wrapped in their heavy shawl and over
coat.
During the latter part of last week
there seemed to be general movement
among the troops in this District.
Some ten or fifteen Regiments were
ordered to march, and all went across
the Long Bridge into Virginia. What
the object of this general movements,
Of course we know not.
During the past two or three weeks,
we have been temporarily relieved
from the duties encumbent upon us in
our company, on account Of i'll health !;
and for the past week have devoted our
time chiefly to reading as relief from
the weary tedium of the long and lone
ly hours we were compelled to pass
shut up in our room. AS matter of
course it was time for reflection to us,
and we could not help, as we glanced
over the historical pages of even the
two past years, and noticed the chroni-
cled events thereof, but contrast them
with the those of two years previous.
1t is not necessary for me to expatiate
upon the history of the two oventful
years last past. All are mindful of the
epoch inaugurating train of events,
such as ever shall be fresh in the minds
of the present generation, and find a
lasting abiding place in the pages of
our Nations history. But to lay aside
consideration of the immediate caus-
es and effects of this rebellion in our
own land, let us consider the relative
position held toward us by foreign pow
ers, and the inevitable reality of this,
our own family quarrel, upon them.
England, from the first, has been in
sympathy with the South. If she has
not openly proclaimed her desire and
hope for the success of the Southern
Confedsracy, in the overthrow of this
Government, she has in her heart most
devoutly prayed for it. But it matters