Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-15
From the 9th Cavalry.
HEAD Quarters. 9th o. V. c.,
Camp near Potomac Station,
Stafford On Va. Anril LIST 'c3

4 fTOIn luc OiA SoNeAAJ
HEAD Quarters. 9th .. V. c.,
Camp near Potomac Station,
Stafford ca. Va, April LIST, Go.
Ma. EDITOR: Dear S;r-Havins a few
leisure moments, take this opportunity
of writing you a short letter, stating a few
facts in regard TO the 9th Cavalry. which
was partly organized from Trumbull and
adjoining counties and al>o giving a few
hlnts to some of those loyal men al
home.
We are encamped rs above stated. near
Potomac Station, Va, an the north side
of one of those Virginia Hills. When
we first came here there was considerable
timber standing, but every tree and shruh
is now fallen to the ground and made use
of for FIRE wood So that the wood IL very
scarce at present. IN other respects the
regiment is finely situated, being near q
railroad station, so that there Is but little
difficulty in procuring rations and forage
for u horses.
We II a DACoCit ~ AOCAAAShh oNN
strict discipline. We are in the LIST Brig
ade, and End Division, Cavalry Corps
Our Brigadier. A. N. Dufie, is a French
man by birth. and a well disciplined off
Ger, but great for style. We have drill
twice a day; viz: from 9 to IL A. NJ, and
and from l to 8 P. M, and Dress Parade
at 6 P. NJ; also water calls at ii A. NJ.
and 3 P. NJ, at which hours every mount
ed man must see to the watering of his
horse. Our horses are recruiting finely
since we came to this camp; the orders
are very strict in regard to the watering
and grooming of horses; and this IS the
only way to keep cavalry horses in good
trim.
Our mail comes very regular; but often
times we become discouraged when we
do not receive a letter every two or three
DAYS. Letters are a great consolation to
a soldier in the field. Were it not for the
medium of the pen, dreary indeed would
be q soldiers life. 1t sometimes seems to
me that our friends at home do not real
ize a soldiers life, or they would be more
punctual in writing. At times a good
cheering word from a dear friend at home
is of far more value than those powders
and pills which are so common to soldiers.
We ever keep in mind the n great
object that we are fighting for-the Good
Old Constitution, which our forefathers
established, and for which the chivalrous
sons of the sacred soil so nobly bled and
died and to think that these Southern
Bloodhounds of War, are putting forth
their utmost exertions to tear asunder
and construct one to their own s~atisfac-
ton; they are aiming to establish a rul-
ing power of their own; viz: a monarchy.
Are we true Americans and suffer such
dishonor? Hen, and wash not away the
stain in blood? Shall We stay at home
enjoying the luxuries of life, hugging the
delusive phantom of hope, until those
southern fellows shall have accomplished
their long wished for desire. Shame on a
man who is not willing and ready to put
some exertion to the putting down
of the present existing rebellion. If we
suffer those traitors to 60 on and estab-
Iish their independent government, then
the East has the same right to secede
from the West, and one State from an
other, until this once glorious Republic
would he divided worse than Central
America. If we are men, let us be true,
loyal men. Men who will stand up as
bold soldiers and fight for their country
and its rights.
| know that we are oftentimes accused
of fighting to abolish Slavery. | assert
we are not fighting TO abolish Slavery,
but for the old flag and we want to see
ii onee more wave over southern soil; but
if Slavery be the root of this rebellion,
and it be necessary that it he abolished
in order to the restoration of the Union,
then | say eradicate the cause and free
the slave. The South have indeed held
out well against such an army "a the
North has in the field. They say that
they are not going to be under our sub
; that they are going to subdue
and conquer us. But they must amend
this expression, in my estimation. before
long. But they are strong headed, and
determined to conquer if it is in the book.
They know no motive but interest; and
for the last five months have acknowl-
edged no criterion but success. But l
hope this summer campaign will turn the
wheel in a different direction. Our men
have been too negligent; we should all
have an interest in this national affair,
and not be neutrals, as a great many are
Be a man. For or against. Not ~inaetce.
B. ID. KEEFER.
Ofnaia RSnOrt of Cant n w Smith |