Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-02
The ConditIon or thc Second cavalry.
FoRT SeoTT KAN. Aug. 22nd, 1852.

FORT SCOTT hAS. aug. 2znd, loDz.
As you perhaps already know, the
g Grand Indian Expedition has proved a
failure, no good whatever being accom-
plished, and the whole thing being but an
immense expense from which the Govern
ment derived no possible benefit.
What is the meaning of such wretched
mismanagement why do not the an
thoritiss at Washington investigate these
matters 2 What was meant in the first
place, byerelieving General Doubleday Of
the command of the expedition There is
no doubt thatif he had retained the COM
mand, we never would have returned
without accomplishing somethingc0H he
Missouri is now flooded with armed
rebels, in guerrilla bands, numbering and
assassinating Union Oitlaens, which murz
derers, by our presence, might have been
kept in perfect subjection.
General Prices hOrdes, now also in
Missouri, could easily have been prevented
gaining access to that State, if The troops
used in the afOOl-hardy Indian Expedi-
ton had been quartered near the borders
of Missouri instead.
The treason and vile deeds of Weir have
been delicateIy smoOthed over, and Gen.
Blunt'has caused the charges against him
to be Withdrawn. aaI .aFa.lf
General Blunt has now taken command
of the troops iathis section of the country
in person, and the entire command is with
him, now somewhere off in Missouri. A
report was received from some of the Fort
Scott authorities this morning, that our
troops were marching upon lexington.
said TO be in possession of the rebels-and
a fight would probably take place tonight
No reliance; however, can be placed in
such report, and the first reliable infor-
nation will be sent you in due season.
Those of this regiment who were in any
ways we'll, were compelled to go, with
about an average Of seven mounted men
from each company, the remainder in
wagons or on foot
II To express our sufferiHgs on our march
to, and during oar stay in the Indian
territory by words, is an utter impossi-
bility. Many time have we been glad
to get water thick with 'tfrog- g-spitt1e;n and
One-third hot, which under other circum-
stances would have made US throw up
Immediately. Then the tyranny of some
Of our officers was uncomfortable. i
At one time upon forced march upon
hot day, a party who had stopped at
spring by the wayside, were driven from
the spring without a drop of water to wet
their parched tongues, and forced to march
the remainder of the way under guard.
Among the greatly abused set of men
were several non-commissiOned officers,
nearly all of whom were reduced to the
ranks. Some Of them feeling too deeply
their wrongs and having no means Of re-
Dress deserted The others must grin
and bear until chance for retribution-
which will surely opne-presents itself.
did not intend this letter to be a lengthy
one, but to contain chiefly the statistics Of
our present condition. As you will readi-
ly see our mortality lis is surprising, and
l can assure you that many deaths emu
merated in the lists which shall give
were chiefly the resultof ill-treatment and
care.
A terrible retribution will be dealt out
some day to these men who have so greatly
abused us, and they will learn then, that /
it is dangerous trifing with the feelings |
Of men Of minds and hearts, and men who
are subordinate now for short season, en-
during all the privations and hardships |
incident to soldiers life who are inferi-
or in the army, lin rank only but far SUI
perier at home
No regiment in the United States SER
vice which has done so little fighting as
this regiment, will be able to hand in so /
a report as the ID Ohio cavalry. |
viii now submit to you for your inform
alton a condensed report of the present con-
lition of the I'd Ohio Cavalry: