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Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding.
LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.From the 7th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding. CAMP THOMAS, BARDSTOWN, NELSON COUNTY, KY.} January 31st, 1862. } EDITORS MINERS' JOURNAL:--I have no doubt our friends at home will be pleased to get a few lines from the 7th Pa. Cav., Col. G. C. Wynkoop. We left Camp Crittenden, Indiana, on Sunday morning, 28th inst., en route for Bardstown, Ky. The Regiment numbers 1057 men, and the same number of horses, with 24 teams of 6 mules each. They marched to the river and commenced crossing at 10 o'clock, and formed on Main street, Louisville. By two o'clock they were all safely over and formed in line when the Col. gave the order to march. After passing down Main to 6th Street, by the Louisville Hotel, where a large number of flags were displayed, they went up 6th to Green, up Green to Broad, by the head Quarters of Gen. Buell, and then out Broad to the Bardstown turnpike. The Regiment made a fine display while passing through Louisville, and was highly complimented by the inhabitants for their gentlemanly and soldierlike appearance. I must say that in that large number of men, there was not one to be seen the least intoxicated. It certainly speaks volumes for its officers. When on the line of march, the men and teams covered two miles of ground. It would have done your hearts good to have seen that fine body of men. I heard more than one Schuylkill County man say, "I wish our friends of Schuylkill were here to see us." The Regt. is in fine health and spirits. There are but 18 in the hospital. We have lost two men from Co. I, Capt. Dair, at the hospital, at Louisville, of Typhoid fever. Peace to their ashes. But such is the fate of all of us, sooner or later. We encamped 9 miles from Louisville, in a piece of woods, and near a fine stream of water. We had our tents all up, and our fire made by seven o'clock. By the by, every tent has a comfortable stove and pipe, thanks to the attention and perseverance of our Colonel. He has obtained for us every thing he could, to make us comfortable. The orders in the evening were, reveille at 4 o'clock, and march at 7, which were frustrated however, by a snow of 3 inches, and a pelting rain storm. Our camp was called Camp Sword, in honor of the efficient Quartermaster, Col. Sword, of Louisville. We laid in camp all day, and on Tuesday morning took up the line of march. We made eighteen miles that day, and then halted for the night. On our line of march we frequently saw the glorious old Stars and Stripes thrown out by the hands of Ladies--God bless them--which act was always recognized by our Col. by uncovering, and the bugles would give a blast. We could tell, as we marched along, the house of every Secesh. The doors and windows were closed; and no person could be seen, except occasionally an old darky, who would stick his head from behind the house and show his ivories. Tuesday was a beautiful day. We encamped at 4 o'clock; pitched our tents and prepared for the night, with orders to march at 7 in the morning. When day dawned it was raining; but our Col. had made up his mind to move, and the orders were onward. You know him well enough, to feel confident that when he makes up his mind, he is not easily turned aside. So we marched all day through a pelting rain, and arrived at Bardstown, at 3 o'clock. The Col. then reported for orders, and we were marched beyond the town some two miles, and decamped in a woods on the land of Mr. W. R. Grigsly, a thorough going Union man, who, with his very excellent lady, is very kind to the soldiers. She is one of the finest of Union women. Would that Kentucky ladies were all like her. After pitching our tents in a very heavy rain--a number being put up after dark--our fires made, and supper being over at 5 o'clock, we turned in for the night and slept sound till Reveille, at which time upon putting our heads out of our tents, we found four inches of snow on the ground. It made muddy ground, yesterday, but to-day we had a beautiful sun, and a delightful day. I must not forget to mention Majors John E. Wynkoop and Seibert. Both of them are good officers, and very attentive to their duties. They are very popular with the Regiment, and have made many friends. Should an opportunity offer, they will make their mark. Major Given is also a very fine officer, and highly respected by the Regiment. One of the unpleasant duties of the commanding officer of a regiment, is to administer punishment, which I do assure you was very reluctantly done by our Col. on the 25th last. The case was that of a private by the name of Jones, of Co. I. After having been repeatedly admonished, without any good results, he was Court-Martialed, sentenced to have his head shaved and drummed out of camp, which sentence was carried into effect on that day. The Regt. was called to witness the punishment. While he was passing along the line, you could have heard a pin fall, so silent and quiet was the command. I never wish to see the like again. How long we shall remain here, it is hard to say. The JOURNAL is received regularly. Many thanks for your kindness. It is a source of great gratification to get a paper from home. I will drop you a line as often as time and leisure will admit. Yours Truly, 7TH PENNA. CAVALRY. [We shall always be happy to hear from the 7th Penna. Cavalry. It is very satisfactory to know the Regiment is in such excellent condition, and we are confident that when the opportunity is given, that it will distinguish itself, under its gallant and capable officers. The JOURNAL will be sent to the new Camp of the Regiment, until further orders.--EDITORS MINERS' JOURNAL.]
Source: 7th Penna. Cavalry, "Letters From Our Volunteers, From the 7th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding," The Miners' Journal and Pottsville General Advertiser, Pottsville, Pa., Saturday, 15 February 1862, page 2, cols. 5-6.
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