The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-06-13
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM THE 2ND OHIO CAVALRY.

FROM THE ZND OHIO CAVALRY.
Fort SooTT, Kansas, May 26,h, 1863.
Several months have now elapsed since
my last communication 10 the Democrat
and, having few spare moments this
pleasant May afternoon, have resolved
10 furnish you with lew items ,hat l
hope will prove interesting TO the general
reader Of army correspondence.
The Cd Ohio has been the marching
Regiment OF the United States Army. We
have marched several hundred miles in
Kansas and Missouri, and are now
ordered 10 the Indian Territory, in the
vicinity of Texas when next heard
from, will probably be fishing for mer-
maids of Key West.
We have, for some weeks past, been
watching the bushwackers and jawhaw-
kers ir the States Of Missouri and Arkan-
sas. Our FIRST trip was from Fort Scott
to Nevada, where we surprised several
Secesh ciizens, with arms in their hands
During our march, we had to cross many
streams, which were much swollen by the
spring rains. In many instances, the
mule teams got "stuck," and were with
difficulty extracted from their murky
bed. In such cases, stout clubs Of hard
wood, loud bowling aud tail swearing
were the principal implements used for
their redemption. 1t is as impossible
for man to drive team Of six mules
without swearing, as it would be for him
to raise himself clear of the ground by
the seat of his breeches. Several trips
made from Nevada 10 Montavalla, where
we took number of prisoners. among
them Capt. Ball. the gentleman who
jawhawked the Government OF 80 mules,
last fall, from this post; we also took
Capt. billiard. Of bush whacking notoriety.
Many amusing incidents occurred during
our trip 10 the above town. At one
place which we visited, we found the
gentleman OF the house sick and in bed,
who strongly protested that he had uevor
taken sides with either party; that he
had no arms, and only one old horse. An
examination was accordingly made Of
the barns and out-buildingS, when long
rifle, powder, ball and three good horses
were discovered and con6scated. Re-
turning to the house, we found every
thirg in comnotion, caused by the howl
ing Of dogs. the squalling of youngsters,
whom the good woman was mauling most
numerically, while the angry voice Of
the "old man" could be heard above the
whole, cursing "tbe lady" for telling
where the things were concealed. Open
ing the door, we found the "feeble gen.
tleman" piling the agony upon the wife,
holding her by the hsil, while she, in
turn, was slashipg away at youngster,
whom she held by one arm, while with
the other hand she brandished large
whip. Another youngster was helping
'the drog" out of :he window by assail-
ing him in the year with large cudgel.
Small children were scattered around the
floor, all yelling and bawlrg, which,
added TO the barking Of dogs. squalling
Of cats, growing o.! cocks. cackling OF
hens, squealing Of pigs, neighing OF horses,
and the no less musical voice OF "our
boys" who enjoyed the scene, awakened
an echo seldom heard, for variety and
musical cadence upon the praries oI
Missouri. Thinking it would be shame
not to part such happy family, we
ordered the "sick man." who now was
SO strong, 10 stake up his bed and walk, =
with us, which he did but | cannot tel
=, whether he event on bis way rejoicing
or moi.
AGer stay Of days, we proceeded
TO Lomar, and from thence to Carthage
where Gen. Seigel, on the 9th of las
y july, engaged the $4,000 Rebels, uudel
), command of Rairs and Jackson. for mint
hours with l 400 men, retreating ovel
twelve miles, and slaughtering the Rebels
with his artillery. The Rebels lost. II
killed and wounded, 1000. Seigel's loss
was 46 killed, wounded and missing
While at Carthage. an expedition wa'
= fitted out to 90 to Neosho and Cowskiu
d Prairie, where it was reported large
: number OF Secession troops had concen
= trateG. We started under the commant
J. OF Major Purington, who took with hin
n s companies of the ed o. V. c., and
companies OF the Wis. eth (German) In
fan.ry. the latter being packed int.
wagons to enable them to keep up will
the cavalry. We started about 2 o'clocl
in the afternoon. arrayed in all th'
glorious pomp and circumstance Of war,
many being mounted upon unshod horses
while others we're so poor that the sui
had % shine through the ribs Of Two o
: them, In order to make one. shadow
"Fours right, right forward !" came th'