The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-16
Special Correspondence of the Republican.
From the First Michigan Cavalry.

AOAAA shO n AlSt MACuISdu CdVdlIys
HRAD-QUARrERs 1sr MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
- 60 FAIRFAX CoURr-Houss, Va, y
~ April 9Th, 1868. =
After somewhat protracted silence,
l again essay to write you. My alb.
sence from the Regiment on visit in
Michigan, will satisfactorily explain the
cause of that silence, which otherwise,
probably, would not have occurred.
We are now encamped at Fairfax,
G. H., some fourteen miles from Alex-
andria,-are in the I'd Brigade, Caval-
ry Division, commanded by General
Stahl, in the Department of Washing.
ton. We are Brigaded with the LIST
Vermont and I'd Pennsylvania Caval.
ry, with Col. Price of the latter regi.
ment, commanding. The 5th, 9th and
7th Michigan Cavalry Regiments are
Brigaded together, and are also in our
Division. The cavalry force in this
Department, consists of FIVE Brigades,
| believe, all under the immediate com
mand of Gen. Stahl, formerly of Sigel's
corps, and most reliable, vigorous
officer. - sP i
Day before yesterday, the 4th inst.
heavy fall of snow visited this region,
accompanied with heavy wind. The
storm lasted from night until the fol
lowing morning, the snow falling to
the depth of ten or twelve inches; il
being the heaviest fall of snow known
in Virginia for many years, and that
too, on the 4th of April.
have nothing to write concerning
any movements of the army. In fact
there is no probability of any move.
ment in force, so long as the roads
continue in the miserable plight they
now are. They are almost impossible
for horsemen, and for an army to un.
dertake to move, would be simply pre-.
posterous and absurd. The campaign
will open this year at least two months
later than it did last.
On the 2sth of February, 1862, ouI
regiment crossed the Potomac, at Har-
per's Ferry, into Virginia, and was in
active service until the close of the
campaign in the fall. Two weeks, land
perhaps, longer time, must necessar'
lily elapse before active operations car
commence in Virginia, at least in any
force, save by cavalry. We are look
ing forward, however, to stirring times
and hope the elements will not conspire
to delay those movements which are
now on the tapis.
While on my visit in Michigan, had
occasion to converse with a number O
individuals commonly termed by the
press at the North, Copperheads. A
better and far more appropriate ap
pellation for that class of persons,
should think, would be DoNgh-hedds
In my intercourse with them, l found
that they were not only opposed to the
Administration but to the Government
also-at least, some of them. They
want peace; a compromise an igno
minious surrender of our national hon
or; and, what must sooner or later fol
low, our national existence. These
vile praters, land l believe you have
not few of them in your midst fol
peace and compromise, are the mean
est set of unscrupulous, nefarious trait
ors and towards that were ever per
mitted to 60 unhung. While they ar,
privileged to enjoy all the blessings and
immunities vouchsafed to them by THU
free and benifcent Government
Government fraught with more free in
situations, civil, religious and other
wise, than any other Government under
the sun-enjoying the cheering infuen
oes of home, of society and friends,-
they, with that sneaking mendacity ant
apostacy only equalled by the devi
himself, are at the same time laborins
assiduously and necessarily, by exam
pie and precept, and by every othel
means in their power, to destroy tina
government to which they owe thei
allegiance, and to which they are in
debted for every farthing they possess
aye, the very apparel that covers thei
ungrateful, dastardly, traiterous car
casses. Is there no yawning abyss
dark, mysterious and appalliug-nt
fiery furnace, livid with the lurid glar,
of flashing fire and birthstone, await
ing these miserable, mendacious mis-
creants? An echo from afar, from tn,
throne of justice and equity, break
upon our ear, as it comes reverberatiDs
through the vast vortex of HEAVIER
above, answering, "yes."
One of the favorite themes upor
which these pickering peace. makerl
love to expatiate, is that, if the (" Crit
4 a