The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26
GENERAL BLEMkER's DIVISION.
OUR HUNTERS CHAPEL (vA.) CORES
PQNnENCE

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OUR HUNTERS CHAPEL (vA.) CORES
PONDENCE.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH NEW YORK CAvALRY,
CAMP HuSrKR's CHAPEL, Va, Dec n, 1851.
Iypsaroncs Of Virginia in the Vicinity Of Our Cdmps7As
Nep York Capalry-Colona Dickel1 Reoimest- Narro0
Escape Of His Wife During SxirmisA at Dc Ostposts-
me Accommodations for the SoIdias-A Prsvats Buried
IN Cornfeld-Rumoys Of a Baale-A Curious Pair Of
Ssuvs-TAe Weather, dc.
when last wrote to you II was from point nearly
two thousand miles distant from New York city Since
then have rovsd considerably, and am employed in
making private reconnaissance tho "sacred soil
the greater portion OF which Affords present. tho ap.
peasnce of having boon by cohorts Of locusts
and woodchoppers Fields present the aspect Of perma.
ncnt barrenness; houses unless within the limits Of
. camp, entirely deserted, and where heavy woods
be beheld only vast sweep Of land, plentfuy
besprnkled by CHASTITY looking sumps trees grees the
curious vision Notwithstanding these mournul evidences
OF the devastations Of war, the part of the State
IN which am writing furnishes the eye with many
rugged beauties Of nature and almost coantcss absorb
ing pictures Of active military life. AS far as
look from the highest emnences are seen the various
camps the streets and lines Of tents being dotted here
and there picturesque confusion and wing the behoder
avivid idea of many towns built of pyramils Of snow
Wherever you 60 the roll OF the drum buglo calls tho
eloquent music Of full brass bands the voices of drill
officers giving the word of command the noise of cannon
carbine and musket praclccthese almost entirely
predominant
The camp from whence I date this letter is occu-
pied by the Fourth New York cavalry New York
Mounted Rles) under the command OF Col c. f. Dicke
and part Of General Blenkers division. But little has
been said in the public journals am told, concerning
this regiment and yet is one of tho most effective of
any yet sent out 1t is quartered upon piece Of table
land about Ave miles from tho city of Washington and
is really in most eligible and envabe posi-
ton. The camp is the most cleanly and comfort
abo in the vicinity, although it s surrounded by many
Others fine view of which aords from every quarter
Of its limits The about half composed Of Ger.
mans the majority of whom have service differ
sn European cavalry corps and understand all that be-
longs TO the equine of the military service. There
nevertheless three full companies or troops
Of Americans and English and all of these THINKS con
slant and competent drill have already become clever
and useful soldiers as could be expected. dwell thus
particularly these truths because, hitherto very
little any real attention has been given in Amer
cavalry tactcs very sparse encouragement for tho
nation Of mounted battaons, and light wagons and
other wheeled vehicles have generally been preferred to
the saddle for purposes OF pleasure riding Yet without
well drilled and organized cavalrysuch the Mounted
Rifles and two other recent regmenta formations
Of similar character which rapidly coming into the
held-socaled battles are but skrmishes q large
scale.
Many a hard fought battle has been won by a single
charge Of few thoroughly disciplined horsemen. Cen
Mcclellan, Of this, has very largely upon
Colonel Dckes regiment for picket guards and places
the upon every outpost duty that may happen to b.
extra hazardous and responsible They have noby
sustained the honorable position thus assigned them
notable circumstance recently occurred to Mr. aud
Mrs. Dckel; and both well known in New York il
may not be amss to state the principal points thereof
Mrs. Dicke paid her husband visit in camp Monday
last and Tuesday being beautiful day, the Colonel
concluded 10 give his lady trip to Anandale church,
guard on the lines, the infantry lying behind. When
there no proceeded to explain tho different posi-.
ttons Of the forces to her. and while doing so
observed that some OF his troopers commenced
70 move in circle to the left. Skirmishers
arc instructed TO mako this movement whenever they see
anything they do not understand that seems danger.
ous. II appears that they body of the enemy a
short distance OIL, and after making the above move
with the seceshers and then to report TO their
respective officers The Colonel and his lady near
Anandae church during the firing, the enemy sending
about dozen twelve pound rifle shot without OF.
feet Mrs Dicke stood very well until fourth shot
was red This passed about ten feet directly over her
ID into fragments. Tho shot is ugly looking sto
e., and would leave but small remnant OF any object
that Mrs. Dckcl suddenly found convenient to assure
the Colonel that she had quite enough OF fighting
and to ask him the question, Hadn better 20 honc
4 far sample OF the recreations hereabouts
BY the way think the government could make great
improvement IN the sleeping accommodations OF its sol
ciers II no joke for five TO lie down upon tho ground
" tent designed for only two. Five in Of these
canvass tents, with their knapsacks accoutrements,
Kitchen utensils &c, leave very little spare room, as
sure ycu and how the poor fellows 70 dress
wash, shave &c, without walking each other, is
mystery cannot account for The officers fare ,rao
better in this respect but it is nothing make fuss
about think many OF them feel tho loss OF their
former luxurious hotel accommodations yery sensbly
put the CORY bod Of glory must always be preceded
by the bed OF hay and the single army blanket. Al |
though the mon, not only in this camp but ia Others
hereabouts are cheerful and generally healthy think
their spirits and physical condition would exhibit a ma
terial improvement i our Washington folk would con-
descend to care for them with more kndness Another
po1nt claims passing remark Regiments AZ rra.
?ueniy left for weeks without arms For Instance the
Adutant Of the Mounted Rifles tells that thew h.d 10
40 the severes kind OF outpost duty exposed "a ths
imminent peril at best with only ton sabrcs and M
carbnes They arr rr9w well supplied, only tho new |
corners being deficient.
During the week we have buried one private. His |
name was F. Dams, phiadephian by birth, but re-
cruited in New York, where he has friends The grave
was dug by his comrades at the extremity Of what had
once been cornhsd upon General Lees property, anu
there, with appropriate soemnities, the body was de-
posted but to remain how long who tel7 There is
something awful IN military funeral out In camp Nine
months ago the tllcrs OF that corntcd did dream
shat II would be converted into graveyard with the
for the dead in full uniform and armed with
deaely weapons, and not civilian TO witness the cerc
monies
There arc rumors this morning that wo are to have
another skirmsh Bailey g Cross Roads today
or tomorrow. Tho artillery has gone out there, aud
there considerable hustle among the "boysH who have
not yet had an opportunity OF smelling powder. Several
OF the officers brushing themselves up part in
the anticipated row. one has taken thu rowcs his
spurs and substituted silver half dollars for what reason
cannot inform you. have no doubt his horse will ao
preciate this act OF kindness and munilccnce.
We are waiting for the Long Bridge ut Washington 10
be completed, and then expect get the remainder OF
our allotment q horses As these con.s ye shall
DC sont to the extreme outposs, aud will have scy0rer
outy IMAM ever. But at this we do not srunblc.
IL IS bitter cold here this morning. and | yrta witi,
Doth my brain and my fingers benuinbei BY the cold
The Rocket Battalion.
Major Lyons Rocket battalion, which organized in |