Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-10
PROM THE eRAYs.

FhON TIE GHAKbs
LAEoAsTER, Pa, May 9, 1861.
DEAR FRED The weather has been very
bad for few days, but on Saturday some of
our Lancaster friends sent us ton of coal
and stove, so the Grays are now cOmforta-
BILE. We had, on Friday evening, sixteen
on the sick list, nine or ten of them In the
hospital. All are now much better, and last
night seven or eight of the invalidS reported
themselves ready for duty. With the ex-
ceptiOn of those who are actually sick, we
are hearty as bears, and from the effects of
exposure have grown so black that you
would take US for an army Of quadroons.-
As for myself, the principal result Of the
hardships which we have undergone, has
been to increase my weight about Eve
pounds, and may say that I feel-to use a
fayorite expression with US just now-vsry
like fighting g-eock. tell you, Fred, that
I actually pity the unlucky fellows that are
to come opposite to US on the field; not that
1 feel at all inclined to boast, but we are get
ting under admirable discipline, and the
greenest of the company are getting to han
die muskets like old soldiers. Tomorrow,
we exchange the old O. 8. muskets, which
were given to US by Pennsylvania, for either
Minnie or Enfield rifles from our own Ohio,
nAtl- A4s--;Lis---s..t-o.ss,- Pieood
in the Light Infantry, and have the sdvan-
tage of most others, from the fact that we
have got to be pretty sharp in the zouave
deploy movement, This, for skirmishing,i is of
the highest importance, as twoor three good
companies Of skirmishers will keep dozen
regiments "on their muscle" for hours. 1
write this from what 1 have learned by ac-
tusl observation in our regimental drills,
where have good opportunities to see how
it works. Flying from place to place, q
small number of men absorb the attention
of large body, while tho heavy infantry
advance in solid column to do the heavy
work.
am able to speak with considerable GER
tainty of our movements for few days to
come. From this point we go to Philadel-
phia to join Gen. Patterson's brigade, prOba-
bly, on Thursday; thence we march to the
village of Baltimore, ts0snty thousand strong,
in two detaehments of ten thousand each,
the Grays heading the first division. The
city is to be approached from four directions,
taken and held until after the Maryland
election. hardly think that we shall meet
with any resistance, but if we do, the mis-
srable city viii be doomed. sherman's
battery, one of the most terrible of sll
things in the line of artillery, accompanies
US. In case of an attack, Fort McHenry,
which is garrisoned by Massachusetts, boys,
will open, and then let the "Plug Uglies"
look to themselves; for they shall l..
b. l's HSee, like band of brothers tried,
Battalions wheeling side by side"
When matters are set to rights we shall
probably move on to Washington. Iexpect
to look upon the Capitol dome in ten or
twelve days. The Union men in Maryland
say that they can carry the State by large
majority if fair chance is afforded them,
and we intend that it shall be.
It is 5 source of great comfort to me to
knew that the dear ones I left at home are
becoming reconciled to my course, which
feel sure is the true one. Every day feel
stronger, bravsr and better. have no fears
whatsoever, for all is now well and will con-
tinne well. cannot express my gratitude
to my friends in Cleveland for the interest
they have shown for my welfare since left
home, but be assured that if opportunity is
offered me will try to prove not unworthy
of it. Be assured that their prayers in my
behalf are answered every day. I feel It'll
know it; and feel, too, that the cause in
which am engaged is the cause of human
ity, and when the conflict comes, no man
shall be before me in devotion. 1 hght for
home and for friends, and for loved and low
ing ones; for my country and for my God /;
and may He grant that finch not nor hes
itate even at the cannon mouth.
We attended church last evening, and for
the first time in my life marched away
from the sanctuary to the music of fife and
drum. They played that glorious old tune
" Coronation" and can assure you that ii
lost none Of its grandeur.
Please tell B. that there are no " whis-
ky ratiOns" served ont to anybody.
Remember me to all. s,s N J. B. D.
PRESENTATION OF REEoLvERs.-on Tuesday
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