Western Reserve Chronicle

From the Second Cavalry.

CAMP STONEMAN, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
April 26, 1864.

Eds. Chronicle:--Since my last letter
to you, several changes in location have
taken place with our regiment. On April
1st we moved camp from the barracks in
Camp Parole to a large sandy cornfield
about two miles from the former place.
and pitched tents. Thinking the regiment
would remain here a month at least,
most of the boys fixed up their tents quite
comfortable, and settled down to enjoy
themselves for the time that they were to
remain here. Our camp was upon a side
hill, just sloping enough to cause the wa-
ter to run off and leave the ground dry
and in good condition for drilling.-
Though it was sure to rain at least every
other day, the mud that usually in such
times blockades military operations, did
not interfere with us very much, and all
were well pleased with the location. But
we had not long to stay in camp here.-
On the morning of the 21st we struck
tents, and in the evening marched over
to Camp Parole, where we expected to
take the cars; but transportation not be-
ing provided, and our tents being packed,
we made ourselves as comfortable as we
could with nothing but our blankets and
the heavens for a covering. The next
morning at 9 o'clock, we piled into the
cars, and found out that we were going to
Washington, where we arrived about 4
o'clock in the afternoon. We ate supper
in the dining hall of the Soldier's Rest,
and slept that night in the barracks ad-
joining. At 3 o'clock, P. M., the regi-
ment marched down to the ferry, and
took the boat for Camp Stoneman, where
they arrived and pitched tents in the
evening. The next day was Sunday,
when we fixed up and rested from our
labors.
This Camp Stoneman is the Camp for
dismounted cavalry. As fast as the men
can be mounted, they are sent to the
front. There are some horses here, but
nowhere near enough to mount the men
here in camp.
While in Annapolis, a de-
tail of one non-commissioned officer from
each company, was sent to Pennsylvania,
to buy horses for the regiment, and last
evening the horses arrived. They are a
good set of animals, but not quite enough
of them to mount the regiment. Al-
though the Second stands second on the
list of the best regiments--the 4th U. S.
being the first--which list is kept at the
Cavalry Bureau, in Washington, and the
troops are mounted as they come in or-
der. The Government found it impossi-
ble to mount the regiment, and so the
detail was made, for the Second must be
mounted. There are some regiments of
cavalry in camp here which have been
transferred into infantry on account of
the inability to procure horses to mount
them. Contractors only furnish enough
to fill up the vacancies which occur by
disease, and the killing of horses in
battle.
I hear we are to be mounted, equipped,
and leave here for the front in four days;
but I do not think it can be done in so
short a time. Still, if we go with Burn-
side, we will have to start pretty soon, for
the report is current here that his army
has left Annapolis, and last night was
twelve miles from Alexandria, on its way
to the front. Whether this is so or not,
is more than I can say; but is very likely
that the movement has been made.—
Other troops are hurrying to the front,
and in a short time you will hear of work
in the Army of the Potomac.
I see by the paper that Gov. Brough
has called out the National Guard. This
is good news to the soldiers, for it looks
as though the war was to be prosecuted
with energy, and the rebellion put down
this summer, an event in which all soldiers
are interested, and which all hope for.
The war will be finished by next fall.-
The mighty preparations that are now go-
ing on insure this, and these preparations
are not made for nothing.
But I have forgotten to describe the
situation of our camp. On the front in
the distance, the tall dome of the Capitol
looms up, giving the beholder an idea
that he is a great deal nearer to Wash-
ington than he really is, the size creating
the illusion. On our left rolls, or rather
waves the broad Potomac, covered with
vessels, and across is seen Alexandria.-
Camps and forts are on every side, and
it is but a short distance to Fort Greble,
which stands on the bank of the Potomac,
its huge guns pointing in every direction,
in conjunction with other forts, effect-
ually guarding the approach by water to
Washington.
The weather is warm in the day time.
except when the sea breeze blows, when
it is cool and delightful
But this is enough for once. Our ad-
dress is Camp
Stoneman, Washington,
D. C.
Yours truly,
CENTAUR.