Year: 1862

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Editors CEron;cLe:-Two or three weeks
illness and confinement at the hospital,
has prevented my communicating with
the friends of the Sixth. We find that
diseases contracted in campare apt to cling
to us with singular tenaelty, often dis
abling the soldier for months, when they
would be hindered at home by apparent
lv the same diseases for but few days
only. This is a matter worth considering,
but | can only call your attention TO IT
Quite number of our boys are sick, but
none dangerously so. We have and shall
loose some six or eight, discharged for
physical disabilities. AT our last write
ing, but few if any thought it possible for
US to get equipped for service as cavalry, at
so late a day in the war, and when all
people knew that the country had been
surfeited with this arm of the service, and
which was doing but little good, and now
our friends of economy ON the Reserve
may think as they please, but we are con-
vinced that nought but the most personal
interests ever brought an order from Z.
NJ. Stanton. for these two Battalions to re-
port to Major Gen. Fremont at Wheeling,
there to be equipped for the field, as soon
as convenient. The most of the people
are aware that there is a big speculation
in getting up cavalry, and somebody
makes the money, who is it? The men
are only too glad to be equipped, for they
did not like to go home without little
practice. But we are as green as when
we left Camp Hutchins, not having drilled
any for months, and many unpleasant
things having occurred in the Regiment,
the men are much demoralized and dis
satisfied, and will not go on with that
zeal and pride or ambition that they
would once have done. But we hope they
will outgrow this feelingso that the friends
of the Regiment may hear a good account
Of them. if called into action We have
already received our sabres, and the boys
are marching up and down the camp IN
grand military style, with sabre and pis-
tol, minus the pistol) by their Sides
Our pistols and carbines we expect to re-
ceive at Wheeling. We are promised
new fix up" of uniform clothing be-
fore leaving here, so thaewe may make
better appearance; many being much
soiled and out at the seat and elbow
We expect to move to Wheeling soon
we are learning to move if nothing else.
We feel about as the western farmers
hens did, who were so used to moving
that when they saw white covered wag-
on coming, they would lay down at once
and cross heir legs to be tied. We will go
as our country calls, but our chance for
fighting will be but slight, as in our opin-
ion, our main fighting with the "hell
hounds" " of our land will soon be done.
God grant that it may be, for our land is
filed with mourners already. There is
quite a change here in regard to sesesh
prisoners-the greater part OF fthem having
been taken to Johnson's Island. None
of them have gone home yet on oath of
allegiance, though many are ready and
anxious to take it. But they are mostly
officers and viii doubtless be kept. They
are much pleased with their kind treat
ment received. and an acquaintance with
northern men and sentiments is doing
them some good, though some are beyond
help, being devoid of every principle Of
patriotism. The sooner our country is rid
of such, the better. The 9th have had no
pay yet. Respectfully, Z. o. B.