, 1863-03-06
THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAV
ALkY.
Condition Of tho KeGfmcnt-Col. Gam
bIc-Gen. Farnssyo fh-Gcn. Hooker.
NEAR STAFFORD CorRT HOUSE. Va, |

NEAR STAFFORD CornT HOUSE,. VA.,l
February II, 1863 {
Editors Chicago Tribune:
i word about the condition Of this rcgi-
ment may be Interesting to some OF your
readers in Chicago a1d Northern Illinois.
The regiment has been on constant duty al
winter; in flct, since the 10th day Of last
March, when Gen. Mcclellan made his move
ment on Manassas, 1t has not been in camp
more than two months all combined. It has
had the honor Of leading a1l advances, and
covering all retreats made by the army Of
the Potomac; and wherever there was 4 dan
the Sth Illinois cavalry, away out IN front.
Our regiment made the longest march, in one
day, on record, when it clased Stewart during
his raid into Pennsylvania, having trs-e,ed
ui,f<:ytxo miles in twenty-four hours,
seventeen miles Of the distance being
over the mountains. It has always been
eager to fight the rebels wherever found, ne
nlatter what their prepouderance in numbers,
and was neyer yet whipped. 1t has suffered
more hardships and priyations, made more
disagrceable and unexpected marches, done
more and received less credit than
any regiment Of cavalry in the
service. While others hare been in
camps, sheltered with tents and favored with
Leaves Of absence, the officers and men of this
regiment have been on picket with no tents,
poor clothes, short ratons and no privileges.
Under one commander the regiment has been
on the right, under another on the left, and
within the past week, in the dead Of winter,
and with snow six inches deep on the ground,
roads In such condition that eight
st5o1e horses .sould y not g SEsg g,,a AZ
per day, it was agnin ordered back to the
right, and has, in the face Of these difficulties,
made march Of over fifty miles, and is now
engaged in corduroying roads, carrying for
age on horses backs, and doing picket duty
ties, there are no, 09Sers, no strasgglers, 10
deserters in or f<7k4 \ command, and there
is no regiment in the I4y with stronger or
healthier Organization than ours. There may
be some gEumbling in camp, but notify the
men that the rebels are near, chance for 4
fight, Of. even march, and all complaints
cease, and a cheer is the answer. What Is the
reason of.this? Why is the Sth Illinois cay
airy 50 thoroughly organized? Because Col
Gamble is strict, good discipllnarlan, does
what he can for the Interests Of his regiment,
and Is IN downright earnest in lighting the re-
bellion. His soldicrly bearing and radical ideas
peryadc throughout his cou,msnd. He Is
constantly with his men, looking after their
health, wants and welfare, though his own
health and constitution IL much impaired by
camp exposure and the terrible wound he re-
ceiVed IN fight with the rebels In the Chicka-
homany swamp5 last summer. It is in his
power as Colonel to avoid many hardshlp5,
ret be voluntarily cndu1cs the same pri1a-
| tions that all hare to undergo. In word, IS
be expresses it, 'he Is not feather bed sol
der" He Is proud Of his regiment and his
regiment Is proud Of him.
In saying this much Of our present Colonel
it Is due to truth to state thst officers and men
ofour regiment, without exception. feel warm
attachment for their eirlcadec-Geu. ], Il. Farms