The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1866-08-02
lNOrresPohuehceo VI tue Ne"b'
The 1lth o. ". Cavalry Its
HOlneward March, &c, &c.
SUGAR TREE RIDGE,
Highland Co., Ohio, July, 1866.

| SUGAR TREE RIDGE,
T Highland Co., Ohio, July, 1866.
EDITOR HIGHLAND NEWS Dear Sir -
| Agreeably to the promise made to you a
few days ago, hasten to give your readers
short account of the 18th Ohio Cav. Vols.
and their trip across the Plains on their re-
turn to the States. Before proceeding fur
ther, would just make one remark to all
whom it may concern, viz: that the time
has come when I can speak or write pri
vate opinion publicly, without the fear of
being swung up to the flagstaff or incar-
cerated in guard house with a ball and
chain to my leg. Thank God, the day of
inquisition has nothing to do with me
now. am once more a free man, and as
such shall speak my mind in the plainest
terms and in language that cannot be mis-
understood. A word to the readers of the
News. The reason why did not write Of
tener for the News and other papers can be
given in few words. Ipreferred to remain
silent unless could tell "the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the TRUTH"
and this / dared not do under the military
despotism of the West.
On the 18th of June, the 1lth Ohio moved
out of the Post at Fort Laramie to let the
lst Battalion of the 18th Regular Infantry
and two Companies of the I'd Dragons
move into the quarters. On the morning
of the 18th our march toward home COM
menced. We had waited long and patient
ly for the time to arrive when we should
turn our backs to the Mountains, and our
faces toward home and the dear ones who
were so anxiously awaiting our return
We had been held so much longer than we
were led to expect, that we naturally came
to the conclusion that instead of being the
11th Regiment for 8 years, we were the Sd
Regiment for IL years. But the 18th was
a day of joy and gladness. We entered on
the march with liveliness and spirit. The
second evening we reached Fort Mitchell,
SIS miles East of Laramie, where we were
joined by Companies z & II, of our Reg't.
On the fourth evening we were encamped
at Mud Springs, los miles East of Laramie.
At this place the first and only trouble be-
bNSSh SAllolSu lASh oAAA VI VIC OAAAbSA9
occurred. The result was that three of the
Company L boys were tied up to wagon
during the evening, and then kept under
guard, and part of the time in irons, be-
sides being made to march on foot to Leav-
enworth, a distance of nearly 600 miles,
The trouble originated in taking part of the
roof from the stable, which the boys con-
sidered they had right to do, as it had
been put there by the men of the 18th
Ohio. Yet Capt. Jacob L. Humfreville,
who was in command Of the Reg't,, was
determined that there should be no prop
erty injured. He passed around to the
different Companies and requested the
boys TO carry the poles back to the build
ing and place them whore they got them.
The boys, with one exception, complied
with the request, Some one in Company
L, who had carried pole to camp, did not
take it back. 1t. Hanna, who was in
command of the Co., ordered another man
to carry it back. The man demonstrated,
as he had carried back the pole he got and
replaced it, and did not think that it was
fair that he should have to repair the dam
age done by others. 1t. Hanna ordered