The weekly union record., 1865-05-13
Letter from Company A.
DRux BARRAcks, April 9th, 1865.


EDIroR UsIoS REcoRD-Dear Sir: All
is not gold that glitters," and equally true it is
that all which one hears does not always prove
to be correct. Especially is this true in rela-
,ion to military matters. In my last said We
expected to leave this post on our way TO
Arizona by this date. Such was then the un-
dersianding, and We may leave 10 twensyfour
hours, but we may not leave for We know not
how long only one thing is certain, and that
is. We shall start when the proper order directs
Us to march,
Last Friday morning Captain Ledyard re-
ce;ved orders to take seventy men and go on
another short expedition. He started after
dinner with his two Lieutenants, and seventy
two gay cavaliers Of lesser grade, and march
ing out at the north gate of the garrison took
the road toward Los Angeles. Many were the
surmises as to what was 10 the wind, but few
knew the facts, and they knew how to keep
the secret, so We had to wait and learn the
facts of The expedition from its results. After
going about eight miles toward Los Angeles
they took o right hand road in the direction of
the little town of Ell Monte. noted as one Of
the worst sink. of secession on the Pacific
coast. They camped for night two or three
miles this side of the place, expecting free
fight or foot race in the morning. as rumor
said there were three hundred armed rebels
about the town defying the laws of both God
and man, and especially turning up their noses
at the Abolition hrelings elias Federal SOL
diers. The night passed quietly, morning
downed upon them in its beauty, and they ad-
vanced cheeriully to confront the chivalrous
foe who only few short hours before had so
valiantly boasted of their ability and deter
minatiou to make mince- meat of the detested
Yankees. But nary rebel could be found who
desired to be food for powder, or wished to re,
alize the effect OF clashing steel. Disappointed
here they rode over to Los Angeles, where
they spent the remainder of the day and passed
the night, aud the next day returned with
three prisoners, taken at the latter place, two
of whom were white men, and were released
on taking the oath of allegiance, no proof ap
pearing to justify the retaining them in cus,o-
dy. The other is negro barber, said to be
vicious man, and an outspoken, loud mouhed
sympathizar of rebel secessiouists who desires
above all things the enslavement of his race,
and be is still in confinement II what is said
of him be true, and no doubt it is, he ought TO
be hung on general principles yet, there is
more manliness in this audacous negro who
covers not, than in oil the boasting white
rebel horde Of Los Angeles county who sink
away TO their Shiny dens or pu. on the Union
mask to save their trembling carcasses from
deserved punishment when confronted by
few Abolition funatics," as they term loyal
men who are ready to brave the dangers and
horrors of war for the preservation of the
Government handed down to US by the noble
patriots, who, having gone before US, died re-
joicing that they had left to posterity nation
and Government based on the principles of
Universal Liberty. That nation, built up
from the best material of all nations, is ours
that Government culled from the experience OF
all ages, and collected from all cimes, is ours
that liberty which was ordained in the highest
courts of heaven, which penetrates the lowest
depth of the unfathomable abyss, and encircles
the boundless realm OF the universe, is ours
ours to love, cherish, protect and defend, and
that this is the most solemn obligation noblest
ambition, and fondest hope which swells the
heart Of the soldier as be goes forward facing
death for country is written on the crimson
soil Of an hundred battle fields, is whispered
from the lips Of the loyal thousands who have
fallen 10 this cruel war and now nerves the
souls of those who still survive. Long live my
country. Adieu! W. Y. Bliss.
P. s. We march to morrow, April 2Sth,
by order OF Gen. Mason. W. Y. B.