May 29th--We left Columbia with 12 days provisions in bulk, and 2 days cooked rations in the haversacks. (Our force consisted of Hambright's Brigade, 7th Penna., 1st Ohio, 5th Kentucky Cavalry, our Battalion, and 1 Battery of Artillery, Starkweather's Brigade, and Lurchin's Illinois Brigade. Altogether some 800(?) troops, under Gen. Negley.) We marched to Fayetteville, where we laid over one day, waiting for a Brigade from Gen. Mitchell.
    Nothing of importance occurred until June 3d, when we were aroused from our slumbers at 2 A. M., and in less than an hour we were in our saddles and on the road. At 8(?) A. M. we dashed into Winchester, routing and scattering Stern's rebel Cavalry in every direction. We captured Capt. Trimble, a notorious guerilla, for whose arrest, Old Stars (as Gen. Mitchell is called by his soldiers,) had offered a large reward. Trimble was accompanied by three other rebels well armed. They were captured by Sergt. Charley VanDusen, Corp. Wm. Jenkins and Adam Mager, three Schuylkill County boys. I am beginning to think that Schuylkill is ubiquitous and invincible, as there are representatives in every battle, from Schuylkill. I even found one in the 19th Ill. Regt. He is from Port Carbon. His name is Banks(?) Boas. Major Wynkoop has received the thanks of Generals Mitchell and Negley, and Gen. Johnson for this bold dash into Winchester.
    Wednesday, June 4th--We came up with General Adams' rebel Cavalry at Sweeden's Cove, (at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains). They were drawn up in line to receive us. We were on the side of the Mountain in a narrow defile. So to give us a chance to form, our Artillery opened fire upon them with shell. We had just formed, and the Major had sung out charge, in a stentorian voice, when the rebels broke and ran. Here ensued a scene which beggars description; the rebels ahead of us full tear; 100 Kentuckians and 200 Schuylkill County boys yelling as only Schuylkill can, after them full jump. The road was strewed with Secesh sabres, shot guns, saddle-bags, hats, pistols, and everything that a Secesh could possibly carry, even to corndodgers by the hundreds. We pursued them 7 miles. We captured a large number of prisoners, horses, and all their ammunition. We buried 28 of their dead. Our loss was 2 killed, 10 wounded and 4 missing. 3 of Company F were slightly wounded. Our men that were killed were shot with buckshot, 15 buckshot entering the bodies of each. Our Cameronian coursers giving out, we had to give up the chase.
    Saturday, June 7th--We arrived at the Tennessee River opposite Chattanooga at 11 A. M. At 2 P. M., the enemy opened on our pickets, when our Artillery opened with shot and shell upon the town batteries and rifle pits. The battle raged until noon of the 8th, when the enemy evacuated. The town was set on fire by a shell. Our loss during the bombardment was 2 killed, 7 wounded. The enemy's loss must have been very heavy, as shell after shell would burst in their rifle pits and batteries. We could see them carrying off their dead and wounded after every explosion. Our Sharpshooters did great execution from behind trees, picking off their gunners. Our Battalion was engaged scouting the brush, as we of course, could be of no use in an Artillery duel. We did not take possession of the town, as we had no means of transporting our troops over the river, and our provisions running short, we were obliged to return. On our march through the country we were met by hundreds of Union men. It would do Brownlow's heart good to see those poor fellows almost starving, coming out of their mountain dens, with our glorious old flag at their head, and going almost frantic with joy to see us coming to relieve them. East Tennessee is all right; and I hope will soon be free. It really did us almost an incalculable degree of good to see the ladies once more wave their handkerchiefs, and wish us "God speed," after being accustomed to be insulted by every Lady? we met in Middle Tennessee.
    Our march, according to Gen. Mitchell, is one of the longest and hardest marches on record. We marched 37- miles in 15 days. We were 19 days without a covering for our heads, sleeping with our armor on, in the roads and by-paths, not knowing what moment we would be called upon to vindicate our devotion to the Union. Our discipline and drill during this excursion were much praised, many of the boys going through the sabre exercise while charging the enemy, and only wishing for the opportunity to display their agility in making cuts and thrusts at the enemy. The Major has labored hard to make his Battalion efficient and if we believe Gen. Negley, "has succeeded admirably."
    I will endeavor to send you the Major's official report of the charges. Last night we had a small "skrimidge." Co. A and Co. F were sent out to look up some roving parties. Co. A succeeded in getting sight of them but they ran, losing 1 man killed, 2 taken. Luke Lannigan of Co. A is slightly wounded.                   B. R.

Source:

B. R., "Letters From Our Volunteers, From the 1st Battalion, 7th Penna. Cavalry," The Miners' Journal and Pottsville General Advertiser, Pottsville, Pa., Saturday, 28 June 1862, page 2, cols. 5-6.