Camp of 2^nd Brigade                          

 Gen^l Shield's Division                      

Near Winchester Va March 17^th/62

 

Dear Marshall

                                    Last evening I received yours of the 4^th inst. agreeable to your request I answer it now being the first opportunity I have had since then. I was delighted to hear that you were all well. Yours came in good time as I was very anxious not having heard from you in so long a time. I wrote to you while I was in Martinsburg Gen^l Shields came then on the 10^th and ordered us forward to Winchester we left town on the morning of the 11^th leaving our trains behind had our knapsacks and 3 days rations with us. marched 18½ miles and camped for the remainder of the night the road still bears evidence of the weight of the engines and cars which have been drawn over it four deep furrows where the wheels sunk into the macadam is ingr[?] the entire length of it. on the morning of the 12^th we expected a fight until about 9 A.M. when 3 deserters came in to our Brigade from Winchester and told us that Jackson with all his forces had left the night previous. An orderly then rode up and told our Brigade Gen^l that the advance guard of Banks was then in town. we were all disappointed as we had hoped that Jackson would show us that day some of his extraordinary fighting qualities of which his friends have so much to say. his generalship like that of Price appears to be in conducting masterly retreats the secesh of Winchester tell us that Jackson (or the stone wall as they call him) formed his troops in line of battle when he heard of our coming and retired in disgust on finding us so slow in coming up / this getting into him was all bounce got up for the gratification of his force and the citizens of the place while we were a days march from him. his excuse for leaving the town to the mercy of the Yankees was a strategic movement just to draw us in a bit. the town is in very good condition and the R.R. to Harpers Ferry with its rolling stock is in good order Jackson's forts and intrenchments for the protection of the city are very flimsy affairs I could go over the best of them at a double-quick. We are camped about a mile from town. far and wide around Winchester the white tents of the invading host cover the beautiful valley in which it lies, along the eastern horizon stretches the chain of the Blue Ridge Pike a great rugged wall of indigo as it appears in the distance. I went into town yesterday for the first time it being Sunday there was very little going on I notice that the best houses in town are used for quarters and hospitals their former tenants having joined the fortunes of King Jeff 1^st the most of the middle and poorer class still remain and seem to be quite at home among the Blue Bellies. here for the first time I met the New York troops and for the first time saw a real live Zouave they look very gay but I can tell that they have not had much rough campaigning to do they are much better equipped than we are and look better than we do but I doubt as to their standing as much hardships. As Gen^l Lander told the Mass Reg^t that wanted to go with him into Western Va, that they could not stand his style of campaign he wanted western troops who were accustomed to hardships such as he was about to encounter and who wanted no other shelter than a blanket / no matter what the weather. After Lander took command out here we were furnished with rubber blankets which can if necessary be joined and formed into a little squatty kind of tent big enough for two to sleep in. since we received them we do not take our tents when going on a march. And the blankets serve to lie on while in tents when there is no straw to be got. our cavalry go out frequently toward Strasburg where Jackson now is and have a tilt with some of the chivalry. two days ago they brought in 15 Confeds and a large number of horses. there is a Md. cavalry Reg^t here. I think we will move forward as soon as arrangements are made for forwarding our supplies if we follow the secesh to where they say they will make stand, we have a tramp of about 80 miles before us. there is a report in camp tonight that our division is going to Roanoke to join Burnside. I wish it may be true. I was surprised and grieved to learn of the death of my friend William and that of Dr Williams. it was sad news to me.

 

            Gen^l Shields is well liked by the troops under his command Our Reg^t was highly complimented by him and Brig^dr Gen^l Sullivan when leaving Martinsburg.

 

            The conclusion you come to in regard to that I is I am happy to say quite correct there is a 5^th Reg^t Ohio Cavalry which that I distinguishes us from. you will please give my respects to all the friends of Your Sincere friend & Brother

                                                                       

James Clarke

Comp'y D 5^th Reg^t O.V.I.

Gen^l Shield's Division

Winchester Va /

 

            Morning of the 18^th 7 A.M. about midnight we reced orders to march at 9 A.M. this morning. we have got 3 days rations and will be off in 2 hours

                                   

good bye J.C.

                       

write to the address below my signature

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