Year: 1862

nall 20. OF our cavalry, that were out
on picket duty. We have alarms every
now and then. Sometimes our horses
stand in the harness all night, but the
enemy have never yet been near enough
to disturb us, here in camp, further than
to make us prepare for them. "Why,
you will ask, do you not go and drive
them away?" have asked myself that
question hundred times but am yet un-
able to answer it. AS far as my opinion
goes, you are welcome to it. l do not be-
lieve there is any considerable force of
the enemy in the state. I believe ten
thousand would include every rebel SOL
dier in Mississippi. And we're there five
times that number, it need not deter us.
We have plenty of men near at hand, to
clear them out: men, too, that have not,
nor never will be defeated by the skulk-
ing hounds; men that fought the rebel
Price, and his horde of assassins, indians,
and all, at Pea Ridge; men that held
overwhelming numbers at bay, all one
day, at Pittsburg, after being surprised,
and many of them slaughtered in their
tents and the next day drove them like
sheep; men that the rebels, after months
preparation, dare not meet-brave hardy
men Of the West. Then why not lead
them on to new victories? Would they
not sooner yes thousand times sooner,
60 now, even though it is warm weather,
and meet the dangers that must come
sooner or later, than to lie here inactive ;
or employed in what they esteem the use
less labor of throwing up entrencbments,
or guarding the families, or property of
Secesh owners; who are now engaged in
this unholy war guarding families, whom,
did they dare, would creep up to the
guards back and cut his throat ? To-day,
if the truth could be known, | would bet
money, there is not five honest unionists,
of either sex, in Mississippi.


Then what is to be done? / answer,
inaugurate different policy. Confscate
their property; use their negroes; forage
their country; hang or shoot spies and
guerrilla parties; in word, adopt any
measure that is in accordance with the
rules of warfare, that has a tendency to
weaken them, and strengthen us. Now
doubtless they are laughing in their sleeves
at our humane prosecution Of the war.
They say, let us not think of faltering
whilst the yankees are guarding our prop,
erty feeding our families; building our
roads and bridges, that are very essential
to the future prosperity of our country
Now then, let our government arouse and
take new stand let our generals move
on to new victories, with new born alac.
rity then three hundred thousand men
yes, double that number will, if wanted,
spring to arms without a murmur.


have since writing the above, had to
leave to take the horses out to water.
feel better this evening and shall doubt.
less be as well as usual tomorrow. My
duties keep me employed most Of the
time now. I have entire charge of the
horses, in camp and out unless on drill


They are watered, fed and taken out tc
Craze at my command. We have lie
horses, and they have to be taken mile
to water twice day, and once day they
are taken out to Craze. l can detail q
man to take my horse, and sergeant tc
take command, and stay in camp, if | dc
not wish to go, but | usually go, as there
are fine orchards of apples and peaches
along the road, also plenty of blackberries
and plumbs, in fact, there is no end tc
them; but / must now close.
\ i. N. KELLER.


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