Civil War Letter - Warren Cutshaw - October 1861

 Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, November 13, 1861

Civil War Letter - Warren Cutshaw - 3rd NY Cavalry

Camp Keyes, Upton's Hill, Va., October 30th, 1861

Friend Carpenter:  Thinking that you would like to hear from our quarters, I take the liberty to inform you of our situation and some facts that have occurred. The weather is rather cold here in Va.  Our quarters are very pleasant, and the boys are in good spirits - ever ready and willing to burn powder.

For a while back, we have been encamped at Arlington Heights, in a beautiful spot, where we have enjoyed ourselves nicely.  Our campgrounds were near the Potomac in full view of Washington.  Here we were what we call "lazy soldiers," having no hard work to do, except an occasional walk of five miles to do picket duty.  The residue of our time was occupied in drilling, both as a Regiment and by Company.  

Saturday Sept. 28th, our Brigade, which consists of the 14th Brooklyn Zuaves, 22d, 24th, and 30th Regiments N.Y.S.V., were inspected by General E.D. Keyes, our Brigadier General.  The inspection occupied nearly the whole day, and after we had finished and were enjoying ourselves hugely over a nice supper, the long desired marching orders came to us, and immediately we left our "grub," shouldered our muskets and fell into line. We had no idea where we were bound, nor did we care. We left camp in excellent spirits, all singing the Star-Spangled Banner.  We marched as far as Ball's Crossroads, where we found a large number of soldiers.  We were ordered to take the advance and marched on towards Fall's Church.  We were preceded by two batteries of artillery.  As soon as we left Ball's Crossroads, we were in enemy's country, at least the enemy were there the day before, so all noise ceased and we wended our way slowly along and marched into a large field and were told that we might consider this our lodging place for the night.

We went to work and built a large campfire from secesh rails.  As soon as the fire was started, we made our bed upon the ground, and we had the sky for a covering.  We found sleeping rather cool, for in our haste we had left our blankets at Arlington.  It was a laughable affair to see the different positions men got into to keep comfortable.  But, at last daylight came.  Never was it more welcome. We then found out that our tents would not come up in some time, and we went to work building shanties with rails, covered with secesh wheat. These answered very well for fair weather. But Virginia skies are not always bright, and one night when we least expected it, we were visited by a heavy rain and hailstorm which lasted all night.  Our shanties afforded us no protection from the storm, and the consequence was that we got good and wet. We then gathered around our campfire and tried to dry our clothes and pass the night as pleasantly as we could, but the rain poured down in what we soldiers would call "double quick time," which completely extinguished our fire, making all as dark as Erebus.  A squad of us got together and serenaded Capt. King and his lieutenants, with home sweet home and could you have been in our clothes, you would have thought with us that there was no place like home.  We found the Captain sitting in the middle of his shanty seated on a wash basin, on each side of him sat his lieutenants on pint cups, each. The floor was covered with water. The Captain came to the window and thanked us for our song, and invited us to walk in and partake of the hospitalities of his mansion, consisting of an empty sardine box and an old chase stand, at the same time cautioning those that could not swim not to enter as the water was very deep and still raising.  We then returned and rekindled our fire and dried our clothes the best we could.  Many were the stockings that came out the next morning minus a toe or heel and some perhaps both, while undergoing the process of drying.  But notwithstanding, the rain kept pouring down.  Many was the joke that passed around, each one trying to pass the night the best they could.  With daylight the storm ceased, and men were dispatched to Arlington to bring up our tents. We have now got our tents and have commenced keeping house in good style.

We are now encamped in a beautiful spot on what is called Upton's Hill, about one mile and a half from Fall's Church, where it is said Washington quartered his army one winter in the days of the Revolution, and about one mile from Muson's Hill.

We work every forenoon on our Fort, which has been called Fort Upton, and it is nearly completed.  A week ago last Wednesday, we mounted the first gun, a 24 pounder. After the gun was put in its place, the Engineer told our Lieutenant that he might name the gun, whereupon he declared it should be called the Black Jake.  We than gave three cheers for our new friend.

Thursday afternoon, General Wadsworth, having learned from scouts that the enemy had fallen back, took a squad of Cavalry and a company of infantry and with them, started on a reconnoitering expedition.  He went as far as Wilcox's brick house one mile from Fairfax.  He met no enemy but could see a Regiment of Cavalry near Fairfax drawn up in line of battle.  He remained there all night and returned in the morning.  He made important discoveries and we have extended our picket about two miles the other side of Fall's Church.  Thursday night we expected that we would move on to Fairfax and made preparations accordingly, but Friday morning found us in camp as usual.

Thursday night, Lieutenants Campbell, Gurney and Potts, accompanied by six privates, went out to ascertain the position of the enemy. They made some important discoveries and returned with a contraband of war and a skeleton of a horse, just able to walk.  He is a noble beast and has evidently seen better days.  This is a valuable trophy and is now on exhibition in our camp.  If Barnum only had this animal with his Hippocampus and the Whales, it would be a most valuable collection.

Kind Providence seems to favor our Regiment with health.  Thus far, we have lost but two out of our Regiment, a Lieutenant and a private.

I have had the good fortune to see most of the boys from Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], in the different Regiments and they are all looking fine and seem to enjoy the best of health.  Oneonta has done well for a place of its size.  "Bully" for Oneonta.  yesterday I went over on Hall's Hill to see the Ellsworth Avengers. They are a fine lot of fellows as I ever come across. I saw Homer Brewer, among others that I knew.  They are encamped about one mile from here. They were feeling fine, but perhaps they will find out that all that glitters is not gold sooner or later. We expect to have a fight before long and if we do, you will hear a good report from the old 30th.

I have often thought of you since I become a soldier and of the many times that I have sat in your sanctum and perused your exchanges and then after I had got well posted as regards the news, I would go down and spend a little time with friend Morey.  Those were gay times for me and I hope that the day is not far distant when the present difficulties will be disposed of and peace will again be restored throughout the whole union, so that I can be with you again. But I must close, as I am about as drowsy as if I was about to sleep like the old fellow in the Arabian Stories, or even like the seven sleepers of Christendom, who fell into a doze some centuries back and will come to life again. The Lord knows when, for I don't.  

Yours, &c.   W.C.

___________________________

Adjutant General's Report, 3rd NY Cavalry

CUTSHAW, WARREN J.:  Aged, 25 years, Enlisted December 31, 1863 at Troy [Rensselaer Co. NY]; mustered in as private, Company G, January 20, 1864, to serve three years; transferred to Company A., July 12, 1865; to Company F, First N.Y Mounted Rifles, July 21, 1865.

Born in Oneonta NY, Occupation, mechanic, Physical description:  Blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

Death notice, 1884:  Mr. Warren Cutshaw died at his home in this village [Oneonta] on Monday morning from consumption.  He was forty-eight years of age.  Mr. Cutshaw served as a soldier of the rebellion and was a member of E.D. Farmor post, G.A.R. of this village. [Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, Jan. 17, 1884]