The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-10
CAMP OF ID 0. v. c., f !
SOMERSET, ny, MAY IL, 1863.(

--- SOMERSET, ny, May II, 1855 4
Editor Democrat: q
Do you ever hear anything from the Sec
ond Cavalry? During our Kansas campaign,
now happily at an end, We. were i'll the habit
of writing you occasionally from those " fan
off desert lands,'' detailing the tolls, priva-
tions and hardships which We then endured.
Since entering Kentucky, nearly two months
ago, we have not been idle. No sooner had
we arrived at Lexington, than orders were
received for us to report to Gen. Carter, com-
lnanding the Union forces at Stanford. Here
we remained few days, but Information be-
ing received that the enemy was in force on.
the south side of the Cumberland, took the
advance for this place. For the past three
weeks our time has been mostly occupied in
scouting, marching and skirmishing. Somer,
set few rods east of our camp, is the coun-
ty seat Of Pulaski county, and before the war
broke out must have been a village of con-
siderable business activity. Twelve miles
south east from here are ex. ensive coal mines
giving in peaceable times steady employment
to hundreds of laborers, and supplying Nash
vile with two million bushels of coal yearly
| The mines are now idle, as no market can be
reached nearer than Nashville, and river com
munieation with that city is at this time a
perilous undertaking. flo .H as.uY
It is reported that John Morgan commands
| the forces on the opposite side of the river,
and various reports reach us in regard to his
strength and Intentions. Many believe, and
it is not improbable, that an invasion of Ken
lucky is intended by the rebel authorities
Gen. Buckner has been assigned to the CON-
mand of all Confederate troops in East Ten
nessee and Southern Kentucky His head
quarters are said to be at Knoxville. Once
we crossed the river, but the rebels fed before
| US like frightened deer We captured few
! prisoners, pursued them some twelve miles
and returned only to be followed by an in.
creased force. The rebel pickets now occupy
the south bank of the Cumberland, ours, o.
course, being on the north. Day before yes.
terday portion of the "rebs I" made dasf
across the river, and attempted to "rope in ,
capturing Capt. Dillon, of the 1st Kentucky
Cavalry, and seven men, their loss being on,
Lieutenant and four men. The day follow
ing considerable firing was kept up between
: the pickets, and orders were issued to drive
the enemy, from the bluffs, where they hac
appeared in large numbers Order has nov
been restored, and our troops rest quietly il
their several camps. '-i'f''i>'
|; Last week over one hundred of those per
secuted, yet staunch Union men from Eas
Tennessee came into this place. They tel
sad tales of suffering among the loyal inhab
itants of that region. Rebel officers are en-
gagged in conscripting all abie-bodied men tina
they can find, and thus many families are lef
without any arm to support them. Many O
the above refugees have been ordered to ap
pear in Stanton with three days rations, pre-
paratory to being forced into the Souther
ranks. They obeyed the summons by leav
s ing the State, and many of them are joinin
the, Second East Tennessee Regiment, which
by the way, is the largest and one of the bes
regiments in the army of Central Kentucky
There are five Ohio regiments at and nea
j Somerset-the Second and Seventh Cavalry
45th. 1oad, and 1o4th Infantry, the 45th be
n ing mounted. rs a's 55t.'Ha
, +, Persons wishing to send letters or package
to either of the above named regiment
Fl should direct them to Lexington, Ky.
Hoping, if opportunity offers, that you wi
, hear good account of the Buckeyes in thi
" department, remain. }a a ST. @
Truly yssSA aI ...9i 6ssTssA