Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-20
From the 9Th ohio Cavalry.
CAMP NEAR CITY PoINT, XA.sl
-.---- Ill IL 90 4 =.

4
DEAR LEADER Seated in the shadow
of gnarled Beech tree, almost the first
one have seen in Virginia, by the way,
with the sweat pouring from me in tor
rents, with the Thermometer at hundred
in the shade, and higher than gold in
New York in the sun, have been vain.
ly striving for the last half hour, to COM
pose something that would interest your
readers.
It is of no use, heat prevents thought
and must rattle on as it comes into my
head and if my scribbling brings up at
last in your waste basket there is no harm
done. .a. s5
After a short delay on the North bank
of the James we crossed and went into
Camp near Fort Powhatten hoping to get
brief interval of rest.
Pay Rolls, Monthly Reports, Inyento-
ries and Final statements of diseased SOL
diers were commenced, when all at once
came an order to break camp and be read
y to move in an hour. Sonr looks and
muttered curses did no good. We started
little before dark and travelled all that
night and till noon of the next day when
We found ourselees on the left flank of cur
army and southwark, east of Petersburgh.
Then we learned the object of the move
ment. Gen. Wilson with the Sd Division
Of our Corps and Gen. Kautz with Brig
ade of Gen. Buffers cavalry, had cirOled
about Petersburg, while we were at Cor
donsville and had made terrible havoc
with the railroads south and west of Rich
mond; returning they were attacked by
the entire Rebel cavalry force and BY two
Divisions of infantry and only made good
their escape by sacrificing their cannon
and baggage wagons. 1t is mystery
how they escaped at all, as their horses
were worn out by the fatigues of the heat
ed dusty march they had undergone and
almost exhausted for want of water, which
Is very scarce in the country through which
they travelled.
As it was, they cut through after desper-
ate Bghtfng, but lost their guns, baggage |
and about thousand men killed, wound |
ed and prisoners.
We were sent out to check the rebel |
pursuit, as well as to assist any straggler |
that might find their way into our lines |
The rebels ceased pursuit before we came |
out and we only succeeded in assisting |
few stragglers, and capturing few rebels |
who had vsntured too far
After remaining in the vicinity of the |
battle ground for three days, we made our |
way back, and at last, fatigued with the
march, half stifed with dust and nearly |
used up for want of water, we reached our /
present camp, where we have been resting
and rehtting for the last ten days.
We are about ready again, and oSuld we
have rain to lay the dust and cool the air
we would be glad of the order to march.
We would not object to visit from the
pay master, as the regiment has four
months pay due, and some of the men have
not been paid for six and eight months
past.
Rumor says we are going to Maryland,
but Rumor lies SO often we don't believe
her; but it may be true
Cannonading is heard at intervals along
the lines about Petersburgh, and there is
fierce fighting almost every night some
times lasting nearly the whole night
through.
Our infantry must suffer terribly from
he heat, compelled as they are to be in the
the entire day.
A party of our troops with q surgeon
lave visited the battlefield Of the 23rd of
Tuno, whore Gregg's Division fought the
ebel cavalry and infantry combined
They brought off seven of our wounded,
Who were left at houses in the vicinity
The rebels left their dead to be buried BY
he citizens and their wounded to be cared
or in like manner, and hurried south of
he James to attack Wilson.
By their own statements, their loss was
early double ours. Their killed left on
be field and their wounded left in the vi
inity exceeded our whole loss in killed,
rounded and prisoners.
must close: there is thunder-cloud
,oming up in the northwest, and if mis-
Ike not, I hear artillery not of earth.
Yours truly,
N A RARRFTT