Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-21
From the 9Th Cavalry.
HEAD QUARTERS 9TH o. V. C..
CAMP NEAR STAFFORD c. II. Va.
January lSt 1863.

HEAD QUARTERS 9TH o. V. Co..
/ CAMP NEAR STAFFORD c. II. Va.
January lSt 1868.
Editors Cy,roaiele:-Wilr you permit u
through the medium Of your excellen
paper to commune for moment with ou
| Friends at home" 1t is the first day O
1863, day Of all others for calm refleC
tion, for sober review, of year gone by, o
acts performed and deeds done that hav,
left their mark, great or small for good o
evil, for though insignificant and unwor
thy as we may be. we must in the nature o
things. exert some influence in moulding
society, its effects spreading and premeat
ing the hearts and minds of those within
our reach down through coming years, a.
the weight falling upon the smooth foun
tain surface, sends sparkling or shadowy
lines far out in every direction. Happy
are they who have lived through the day.
and weeks of the year now numbered
with the past, far from occasion for se{
reproach or merited blame from others, we
should not forget that every act is record,
ed to live forever. s-.-.., ...f
How well and BETTING then for each
and all to lcok back over the year Just
closed, and see what we have done to-
wards accomplishing the great purposes
OF life; can we not select some pure and
bright spot on which our hearts may
dwell with JOY when We shall reach the
last ,'Old year OF our earthly pilgrimage.
They are saints and angels indeed who
have erred not at all. But feeling and
seeing wherein we have stepped aside from
the nobler, brighter, path of rectitude,
aIt1 III NO hasfar tla fha. FIRST
sounds of the gay New Year" are falling
lightly upon us, to make new and high
resolves to live truer, better life, in fu-
ture. Let the contents of the new chap
ter about to be written in our history, be
be of the clearest tinted page. Let us
see how many Of those around US shall
bless and praise US for sympathy, How
many sweet cheering smiles credited to
our account. How many shall arise to
bless us for unselfish kindness conferred to
gladen the hearts of the weary and sad
Many have been the blessings OF the yeul
just closed. Alas alas how many have
been it's sorrows, for the brave, the good,
the blessed have fallen all around us.
They have gone before in their youth and
manhood, breaking the circles of beauty
and love, and we live to mourn, and
bide our time in the fearful dream that
hovers in darkness over our land.
Farewell, then "Old Year" sad and
long farewell. thou hast and must keep
the records of the past. But all that we
have done, what we have lived, must pass
ON and cling to us through all coming
years, and dear friends at home, gentle
readers. who would not, and do not for
get the "soldiers,". may we not wish you
u Happy new year" and more, we'll
spent and useful one, full of love and
virtuous deeds
For why shall We count our life BY years,
cince years are short, and pass sway: l-
Or why, by fortunes smiles and tears.
Since tears are rain, and smiles decay;
ol count by virtues, these shall last. 80
When lives lame footed race Is Ger o.
And these when earthly Joys are past. %.
May cheer US on brighter shore,
1t is "New Year" in camp, far away
from home, and a most lovely day it is
The ground is dry, the sky is clear, and
the sun shines with a peculiar splendor
and warmth, almost equal TO ''loyely
May" all hands appear cheerful and hap
py, though close observer can discover
that it costs an effort, for the expression
oft springs to the lips, what do you sup
pose our folks are doing at home p or, !
should love to be at home to day Surely
it Is but natural for the thoughts to be
directed homewards, for the heart is
there, liveing o'er old scenes, and ming
ling through memory, with fond associ-
ations and loved ones. The soldier"
misses the social gatherings the smiles
and kindly words, the warm and hearty
grasp of friendly hands, of parents, and
children, brothers and sisters, and loved
ones, as they are wont to meet for cheer
ful converse, and partake of the good
things of earth provided by loving hearts
and tender hands, on each recurring
Holiday" It ia on those blessed days
and occasions we miss you, it is then we
feel our priYations and depiais, and all
the horrors and sad trials Of this l0Qr 1t
s then that deep and bitter curses spring
1p from the heart against the utter heart
esspess the Devilish and internal
spirits Of those Fends, who have brought
I1ch Affections and countless SORROWS upon
Is. ..- !
We had hoped that ere this New
Year." they would have been swept from
he face of the earth. But the end is not |
Yet, and We fear it viii not be ere still /
more Holidays come and pass, Our
lhristnias was passed in the most quiet |
manner, as our New Year" is being pass
d, some more bold than others, dared to
.hime in the ''wish you merry Christ
mas" or happy new year." But it
'rought forth few responses, Tor there
vas nought to make merry over, or add |
o our happiness for the moment; several
,arties, made "dashes," out into the sur
country 10 gather in urkey,
hicken, OF goose, or something to make
merry over, and gladden. the stomach. But
he exceeding barrenness of all roosts and
ards, made there "dasbes" generally un-
ruitful, leaving Us but our usual dish Of
ard tacks, pork, or beef and coffee, for
christmas, and coffee, pork and hard
acks, for New Years, with deserts of beans,
z rice, not eraeAy what the good moth
rs, wives and sisters would choose as the
most proper and acceptable for holl-
ay dinner or supper. But we would not
are so much for one or two such danials,
there was a prospect ii our getting
ome in the course of time, or before we
II die or get killed, tev such deRials
light teach US how TO appreciate the rich
lessings with which we have been ever
afO4SA, hAt q iOiAe NoiltahNdiAOCO VI tuS1ll
laketh The heart sad and weary. 1
eleive IL will be year tomorrow since
hese two Battalions of the 9th .. Y.
eft Warren for Camp Denison, many of
ur good friends were there to bid us good
ye, and will remember well our numbers
nd condition then, one year has rolled
way, and it may not be aIniss TO take
light retrospective view of what has
ranspired, though the contrast between
hen and now may be sad one. r /,
We then numbered oyer eight hun
red men, generally enjoying good health
nd full yigor of manhood. After des-
ltory camp life of about four months at
amps Dennison and Chase, our favorite
General Fremont called us to Wheeling, .
here we were equipped. and went forth j
lto the field of strife for Union and Lib
rty Since leaving Wheeling our duties /