Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-02
From the Cavalry Regiment.
Yours, &c,
T. ABEL CHASE.

1OlA VIZ Wv ItAA y &bSS AAAAChb'
MIDDLErowN, Va, April IA, 1862.
FRIEND EARLE.-Snce last wrote
you the Vermont cavalry has passed the
ordeal of formal introduction to the
land of seces sia, as we have marched
nearly sixty miles direct from Harper's
Ferry up the Shenandoah Valley, to
Woodstock, Va. can't give the details
of our march, as it would not be inter-
esting, for nearly all marches are attend
ed with the same routine of duties and
hardship&
At Ha'per's Ferry we were all very
forciby impressed with the destruction
of war; in that town thirty millions of
government property have been destroy
ed, and il can't fall far short of that
amount Of private property and railroad
bridges. For wild, picturesque, and ro-
mantle scenery it surpasses anything |
have ever witnessed, and as a military
point, could easily be made almost inn
pregnable
4 great deal has been said and written
about the Union feeling of the citizens
living in his valley; but have been
here a fortnight, and | fail to see or find
any such feeling as has been represented.
There are but few men left here, every
man able o bear arms is in the rebel ar
my, and some volunteers and others were
drafted. Those who are left, and espec-
tally the women, are strongly tinctured
with secesh. The men, having little
more prudence, say they are DESTROYS of
peace, but would not mind which way
the affair went-uRion or secesb. The
women are ready al all times to declare
for jeff Davis anG the Southern Con-
federacy."
They say 'this nay be war of exter
mination, but they can never be subju-
gated" Every kind Of falsehood ard
scandal has been told these people to
cause them to hate the northern people
with the most intense hatred, and when
they become loyal and law abiding ctl-
zens, it will be when they are compelled
to and not by voluntary action.
This is the greatest land of widows
| ever saw. Go to a house and ask the
lady where her her husband is,-"Dead,'
is the blank and cbeerless answer, but
upon further investigation, it will APP
pear that he is a member Of Jackson's
army.
Doubtless you have learned that our
esteemed aud able Colonel, Holiday,
took his own life while the regiment was
on the march from Strasburg to Wood
stock.
No harder blow could have been given
to our regiment, which has been divided
into squadrons and companies, and will
probably remain so until we get another
colonel.
My company was ordered to this place
about an hour after Capt Sawyer left
with the remains of Col. Holiday. Our
duties are to patrol the roads, amounting
in all to about thirty miles, besides, we
have to do picket dnty for several miles
along the Shenandoah, as Ashley's cav
airy are in the habit of crossing the riv-
er. Sergeant Mason, with a squad OF
men captured one of them yesterday,
and Corporal Foster had a run after a
couple Of them last night. The men are
crazy 10 have them cross and meet them.
They are on guard four nights in five,
but they do not complain, and are ready
to 90 at all times for instance, l have
an order to destroy two boats tomorrow,
which the enemy use in crossing the
Shenandoah, and all l have to say is,
Come" and have all the men l need
for the work.
| am not at liberty to say much of the
army, but Jackson is to be captured or
driven from this valley.
The health of the company is good
none from our company are sick except
Ira S. Drew, and | am panied to say
that he has lung fever; but he has every
care and attention that he could at home.
| obtained room in the house of a wild
ow, as there is no hospital here, and she
is real mother to him. She says she
has attended the sick of both armies, and
does it as cheerfully for one as the other.
The surgeon tells me that Ira is i'm
proving, and will get along.
Yours truly,