Letters from Two Brothers Serving in the War; For the Union to Their Family at Home in West Cambridge, Mass (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... was used by the " Independent Order of Red Men." There is a room up-stairs full of Indian dresses, masks, bows, arrows, war clubs, etc. The boys amuse themselves by dressing up in native costume and enacting Indian dances, sitting in council, smoking the pipe, etc. In the same building the "Odd Fellows" have a hall; there are also rooms occupied by the "Winchester Virginian" printingoffice. This part of the building we use for our cook-room. I like the town very much; but it is strong for secession. We, however, take no notice of this. The main streets are quite wide, so that we have a battalion drill and dress parade almost every day. Last Saturday morning they took us out for a walk, for our health I suppose, before breakfast, of between sixteen and seventeen miles; we were woke up at four o'clock, but did not start till daylight. It was a reconnoissance. We had five companies from the Thirteenth, 200 cavalry, and a battery of four Parrott guns, rifled, the whole under command of Lieutenant-colonel Batchelder of our regiment. We started on the Strasburg Turnpike at a stunning gait. The road was in good condition, being very firm and hard; and as we were in light marching order, the march was rather exhilarating. After we had proceeded about five and a half miles, we came in sight of a company of rebel infantry and one of cavalry, drawn up in line on the side of a hill. Our cavalry being in front shut out a view of our other troops from the rebels; one of our guns was unlimbered and hauled near to the front; when all was ready the cavalry opened right and left, and we sent a shell whizzing amongst them. This seemed to surprise them, and the infantry scattered. The cavalry, being under the command of the noted Colonel Ashby, stood their...