The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1863-04-16
Army Correspondence.
Letter from the 0th Ohio Cavalry.
FoRr HALLEcK. IT.
March 2d, 1868.

ISAAC GRIFFITH, Esq-Amanda Ohio
Sta: Tie company 10 which yodr
brother John Griffith. was Corporal
left Fort Laramie on the 24th of Februa-
ry under my command. Under orders 10
proceed to the relief Of this post. Our
p'Ogtess hiiher was satisfactory un,il
wrhia ten miles Of this post, when we
encountered an exceeding severe wind
and snow storm accompanied by severe
cold. Our coutse compelled US to face
the storm, there being no timber or other
shelter, We were compelled TO push ON
TO the fort. The air being full of snow
we lost our toad, and encounterng ma.
ny snow drifts, it took us six hours 10
accomplish the ten miles. Upon arri
wing at the fort, it was found that your
brother was so benumbed with cod as To-
be- unable to dismount from lis horse
lie was lifted from his horse immediate
y aid carried into the suffers room and
evs'y effort which kind friends and the
surgeon couId make or suggest. was
made TO resuscitate him. but we're una
vailing, and be sunk gradually away to
death. His death was calm, peaceful
and apparently without pain, and occrr.
red about three quarters Of an hour afler
his arrival. 1t will be a consolation to
you and his relatives aud friends to
know that no effort was spared which in
dicalod hope Of revving him. Indeed,
no friends, not even bis mother, could
have done more for him than was done
He was not well when he left Fl Lara
nie, but this was unknown to either of
the officers Of the company uutil the af-
ternoou Of the day Of his death (Feh'ry
28lh, when be mentioned it 10 Li-ut.
Reeyes-remarking at the time that ne
tn ught there would be fight with the
Indians, and II he permitted the cohdT-
ticn Of his health to be known, be would
not be allowed to 90 with the company.
Privste F. w. Courtright. also Of your
county. lost his life at this same time and
in the same manner. Lieut.. G l. Collins
who was with US, was badly frosted
indeed all of US we're more or lees frost
bitten; and considering the severity and
duration Of the storm, il is truly repsrk
able that ary of us escaped.
Your brother and Courtright we bur
led today side by side in the same grave
with the houors Of war. l have much
satisfaction in saying that your b oth-
er's conduct on all occasions since have
known him has been unexcep ionable- D.
having always proved himself faithful
and efficient soldier, and the manner oi
his death should be held as honorable as
though it had occurred at the oannon's :
mouth.
In leaving Ft Laramie we left all our
comp my records behind SO that cannot
give you any Information as to what il
due him from The Government, or as 10
the value Of his effects. AS soon as the
Company returns to Laramie or our lee
ords come up. l will make out the pa
pers REQUIRED by the Revised Regula IONS
(page 2 so that bis legal representa-
lives can recover What i. due him.
Regretting the necessity which com
pas me 10 Communicate such sad he VS..
| am very respectfully yours
THus. P. CLARKE,
fst Lieut.. Co. c, 9Th Owl.
Thus have two gallant hearts perlshed
in the great and good cauSe-away from
home, away from friends they did by rhe
hands of the pitiless storm in the patri-
olic effort to stay the death agony Of a
periShing land. In their lives aud deeds
they have proven themselves Americans
worthy Of the amt-facing the cannon 8
mouth, breas ing the bayouet, wrestling
with winter winds and stofrIs, they dared
all aud suffered all to preserve and per.
petuate the country their gran dfathers
won and fathers loved. Peace to their
ashes, honor 10 their names.
Letter from the 62d o. seg'I.
HEAD Q'Rs 62 RECT. 0. v. |.
CAMP ON THE lsIAND OF ST HELENA,
South CAROLINA, March 81, 1868.
EDs GAzEtTE:-Ons might suppose ii
qnite an easy task 10 sit down here IN the
land of Dixie" and wri'e an article
wnrth tho edi6cation Of the public, Eut