Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-05-11
From tIae SECOND CavaIry.

From the Second Cavalry.
CASPSToNEMAS. WAsHINGroS. D. c.,
April 26. 1864.
EDs CHRONIcLE:-Since my last letter
to you, several changes in location have
taken place with our regiment On April
lst we moved camp from the barracks in
Camp Parole to large sandy cornfeld
about two miles from the former place,
and pitched tents. Thinking the regi-
ment would remain here amonth at least,
most of the boys fixed up their tents quite
comfortable, and settled down TO enjoy
themselves for the time that they were 10
remain here. Our camp was upon side
hill, just sloping enough TO cause the wa
ter to run off and leave the ground dry
and in good condition for drilling
Though it was sure to rain at least every
other day. the mud that usually in such
times blockades military operations, did
not interfere with us very much, and all
were well pleased with the location. But
We had not long TO stay in camp here
On the morning of the 2lst We struck
tents, and in the evening marched over
to Camp Parole. where we expected TO
take the cars; but transportation not be-
ing provided, and our tents being packed,
we made ourselves as comfortable as We
could with nothing but our blankets and
the heavens for a covering The next
morning at 9 o'clock, we piled into the
cars, and found out that we were going to
Washington, where We arrived about 4
o'clock in the afternoon. We ate supper
in the dining hall of the Soldiers Rest,
and slept that night in the barracks adj
joining. At 3 O'CLOCK. P. NJ, the regi-
ment marched down 10 the ferry, and
took the boat for Camp Stonemsn, where
they arrived and pitched tents in the
evening. The next day was Sunday,
when we fixed up and rested from our
labors.
This Camp Stoneman is the Camp for
dismounted cavalry. As fast as the men
can be- mounted, they are sent to the
front. There are some horses here. bat
nowhere near enough TO mount the men
here in camp While in Annapolis, a de-
tail of one non-commissioned officer from
each company, was sent TO Pennsylvania,
10 buy horses for the regiment, and last
evening the horses arrived They are a
good sci of animals, but not quite enough
of them to mount the regiment. Al
though the Second stands second on the
list of the best regiments-the 4th Z. s.
being the first-which list is kept at the
Cavalry Bureau, in Washington, and the
troops are mounted as they come in or
der. The Government found it inpossi-
bic TO mount the regiment. and so the
detail was made, for the Second mast be
mounted. There are some regiments of
cavalry in camp here which have been
transferred into infantry on account of
the inability to procure horses TO mount
them. Contractors only furnish enough
TO fill mp the vacancies which occur by
disease. and the killing of horses in
battle.
hear we are to be mounted, equipped,
and leave here for the front in four days;
but do not think it can be done in so
short a time still. five golwith burn
side, We viii have to start pretty soon, for
the report is current here that his army
has left Annapolis, and last night was
/ twelve miles from Alexandria, on its way
to the front. Whether this is so OF cot.
is more than | can say but is very likely
that the movement has been made
Other troops are hurrying to the front,
and in short time yoa will hear of work
in the Army of the Potomac
see by the paper that Gov Brough
has called out the National Guard. This
is good news 10 the soldiers, for it looks
as though the war was to be prosecuted
with energy. and the rebellion put down
4 this summer. an .eventin which all soldiers
are interested, and which all hope for.
The war aciH be finished by next fall
The mighty preparations that are now GO
Ting on insure this, and these preparations
are not made for nothing
But have forgotten to describe the
situation of our camp. On the front in
the distance, the tall dome of the Capitol
looms up, giving the beholder an idea
that he is great deal nearer to Wash
ington' than he really is, the size creating
the illusion On our left rolls. or rather
waves the broad Potomac, covered with
vessels, and across is seen Alexandris-
Camps and forts are on every side, and
it is but a short distance to Fort Greble,
which stands on the bank of the Potomac.
its huge guns pointing in every direction,
in conjunction with other forts, effect
ually guarding the approach by water TO
Washington.
The weather is warm in the day time.
texeept when the sea breeze blows, when
/ it is cool and delightful.
But this is enough for once. Our adj
dress IS Camp Stoneman, Washington,
D. C. Yours truly,
CENTAUR.
RzIN, Sxow, Erc-Rain is caused by
cloud moving into a stratum of cold
air, by which its particles are condensed,
and run into drops too heavy 10 float IN