Union News, Union, NY [Broome Co. NY], February 5, 1863
Camp at Winchester, Va., Jan. 20th, 1863
Friend Mart: This is the first opportunity I have had to write you since I received yours. We were ordered out at 4-1/4 o'clock on the 4th, for a two days' scout. We left Camp according to orders and went to Smithfield and back as far as Martinsburg, which place is 7 miles from North Mountain Station, where we then camped. We halted there for a rest, and for the Colonel to make his report to the General of the scout. The General told the Col. that he had just received a dispatch that General Millroy wanted a Regiment of Cavalry immediately, so he ordered us to this place, where we arrived at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 5th, making a distance of 71 miles in 28 hours. What do you think of that kind of soldering? I was tired and it was very cold and to make it more pleasant it commenced raining and snowing after we got in, and we without tents. You have no idea what we have to suffer sometimes. On the 8th we were ordered out on another scout, to find out where the enemy was, but not to draw on any engagement. We went a back road to a place called Woodstock, thirty miles towards Staunton. There we surprised their pickets, capturing eight prisoners and 26 horses. There were but about thirty men in all at that place. The others hid in the town. We did not think proper to stay and hunt them up, and so came back on the pike, passed through Strausburg which is 12 miles from here, I believe. We got back to Camp about 4 o'clock the next morning, being away from Camp nineteen hours and traveling just 60 miles. Our tents have come up, and we have them pitched on the hill just at the north end of the city. On the 17th we were ordered on another scout to Front Royal and Pernville. On this scout we travelled 48 miles in 18 hours. On the 19th we were ordered out again. We went to Newtown, Middletown - crossed from the Staunton pike to the Front Royal pike, and back to Camp, - going 45 miles between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. We have had orders to build stables and fix up winter quarters, which are now finished. I have a wall tent, got a floor laid, bunk built, and table, also have a nice cast iron stove, with an oven - and am fixed up very comfortable.
General Millroy is commanding officer of all the forces here, amounting to about 6,000. He has issued an order and caused it to be posted all over the city, that all negroes held as slaves are free, and advising them to leave, which a great many are doing.
All the railroad buildings here are burnt down. I understand Gen. Banks caused them to be burnt as they were filled with stores, and he could not get them away when he retreated. The citizens here are very destitute of almost every necessary of life. The Gen. won't let them have anything from the Commissary unless they will take the oath. There are some that will almost starve before they will do that. There are but five or six Union families in the city I understand.
I have been quite unwell for the last ten days but am feeling much better at present.
Well, I will close for fear of occupying too much of your time. Hope to hear from you soon again. Direct to Co. C, 1st N.Y. Cavalry, Winchester, Va. in care of Lieut. O.B. Knowles.
Your ob't servant, M.C. Cafferty, 1st or Orderly Sergeant.
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