Oxford Times, December 3, 1862
Letter from the 10th N.Y. Cavalry
Camp of Recruits, Near Alexandria, Va., Nov. 16, 1862
Dear Sir: We are all very well, and enjoying life as well as could be expected. We have been here two weeks today, but expect to leave here soon for Washington for the winter on patrol duty, to guard the city. There will be detailed out of our Battalion the President's body guard. We all would like to go. I don't have much time to write, for we have to drill from nine till eleven o'clock A.M., and then from half past one till four o'clock P.M., we have to bring our wood or most of it and water about one-half mile. We are nearly equipped. Horses, Rifles or Carbines and Pistols are wanted.
There was a serious occurrence here last night. As the sentinels were leaving their posts for a new guard, some one of the boys of the Pa. 8th Cavalry had got into trouble when stacking their guns, when one says to the other, we will settle this some other time. When one went to his tent and got his dirk and met his brother soldier at the tent and stabbed him near the heart through the lungs. He only lived long enough to go some six rods to the commanding Lieut. Col's, Quarters and related what was done, and what he wished to have done with his remains. it occurred near our tent.
We are all most thunder struck at a very large light about south of us. It is now nine o'clock P.M. and the light streams up tremendous, and think it some large city burning. We have heard heavy firing today.
We have received our sabers. They weigh three and one-half lbs, and are about three and one-half feet in length. W.D.C.
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Other correspondents writing from the same place, Nov. 21st, say:
Mr. Editor: Thinking perhaps a few words from this camp would be acceptable, although very poor, I have taken the liberty to address you. But first let me, in behalf of all the Chenango Boys, thank you for that dear old paper, the Oxford Times. It would repay you for much trouble and labor, to see the welcome your paper receives in this camp. All must have a look, as at some old friend. You will be anxious to know how we are, and where and what we are doing.
You have received letters from abler pens than mine, but the Widow's vote was accepted, and perhaps mine will be. We are still in Camp Recruits, which, by the way, we have improved very much, and are now very comfortable. We have received our Sabers and are improving fast in the exercise, and we flatter ourselves, it would take several "Rebs" to frighten us now, and when we get our horses, Carbines and Revolvers, we'll never mind what. But if ever we get into battle, old Chenango shall never have cause to blush for her soldier Boys.
We are in a very pleasant country, or it was once, at least, but is very badly used now. There is one very nice house on the hill, owned by a Widow Lady (by the way, they are nearly all widows in this part) that is now used for a Beer Saloon, the marble steps and fire places broken, the walls marred, and the veranda used for fire wood. There was once a beautiful grove by it, and now there is not a tree left. nothing but stumps, mud and a shell of a house, of a once miniature paradise And the same is the case all over the country. Forts, camps and rains are plenty.
We are in plain sight of the Capitol, and on a clear day have a fine view of Washington and Alexandria. The latter is quite a town, about the size of Binghamton I think. It has a very forsaken look, but there is an extensive military trade done there. There are plenty of Rebels living there, but the large mouths of the many cannon on every side seems to whisper "keep quiet," and they think best to heed the warning.
But I must close. We are all well, and have lots of fun, and we all brag on our Lieut. that weighs two hundred, and that we are from old Chenango.
Yours in haste. A Soldier
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Dear Times: I thought perhaps you would like to hear from us again, as our Company, was one that gave your committee a deal of anxiety, and as we're now fast preparing to meet Stonewall Jackson, or any other man that may dare to raise his hands against the old flag, I suppose that before this line reaches you, that it is possible that we may have a chance to try our hands at fighting the enemies of our country. But be it as it may, there is stirring times ahead, all men who are able are by an order from the proper authorities to be ready for an advance to the front and to be ready at a moment's notice. All of the 1st and 6th army corps are ordered to leave in the morning. The men and officers are all ready to fight under the old man (Burnside) as he is called by his men. They all have unbounded confidence in him. The only difficulty I can see in the way of something startling is Gen. McClellan's old enemy, Va. mud. It has rained here for the last 48 hours a perfect torrent. But you may depend upon one thing, there, that Gen. Burnside will either "make a spoon or spoil a dollar." and we say Bully for Burnside or any other man who will crush out this wicked and unholy rebellion on a double quick. I am sorry to say that we have some men absent in your town and county, without leave, and we hope all men who are authorized to arrest and sent to their Reg't all deserters, will take special pains to see that they are not allowed to remain at home, and away from their company. Their names are William Leach, Riley K. Seaman, Nehemiah D. Palmer, Marcus A. Palmer, of Oxford and Isaac Cole of East Greene.
Yours truly R.
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