[This tells about my father (Glover's) fearlessness, etc in

battle & the field from his commanding officer. B E O'Keefe

Decription of him reminds me of my Son.]

 

H^d Q^s 7^th Mich Cav.

In the field near Warrenton Junction V^a

6 Nov. 1863.

 

D.W.C. Gage Esqr

Dear Sir.

           Yours of Nov 2^d is just rec^d and having a few moments to spare I hasten to reply. I have long been thinking to write you but one duty has followed another so rapidly, and we have been hurried about from place to place so continuously I have found but little time to devote to matters that could possibly be put off. I joined my Regt. in time for the advance to Culpeper and have been on duty ever since.

 

            Glover joined us at Robinson's River 13 miles beyond C—at our farthest point of advance. When he joined he was in quite poor health, from his privations and ill treatment while a prisoner. The management of the Parole Camp at Annapolis is a disgrace to the government and ought to be abolished as a nuisance. The men rec^d there instead of recruiting their health are so badly treated they are unfit for service when exchanged and in many instances have to be sent to hospital instead of the field. Then too Glover spent some time in dismounted Camp, the location of which was bad for one in his health—but nevertheless, after the first two weeks in the field he began to gain ground, and now / reports himself nearly sound. his diarrhea is not cured but is doing much better, his appetite and general health are good, and I think he will hear his diarrhea out, and my reason for so thinking is that a large percentage of prisoners come back with it and recover in time. And, besides, as I have said he is getting stronger and fatter daily. I shall be careful that he is not exposed to inclement weather more than absolutely necessary till he is fully relieved from it.

 

From the day he entered the Co. he has ever been faithful to duty, respectful and gentlemanly. You know his natural disposition so much better than I, that I need hardly say that he has suffered some what from coming in contact with the rough and uncultivated characters of which the Army is so full. I do not mean in point of morals and manly character, but in this way, that he naturally shrank from meeting or coming in contact with them, and rather preferred for that reason, to take his place as private and do his own individual duty, rather than take any responsibility that would place him in authority over such. Harsh words, [?], and ill natured actions are entirely foreign to his nature, & he naturally preferred to have nothing to do with such.

 

Had he possessed a little more of the quality called brass he would have met these things more easily but has done his duty well and is respected and well thought of by every one who knows him / I never have seen or heard of any evil thing in his conduct—And this is saying a good deal for one who has been in Cavalry service a year. He picks up the Theory of Military easily and quickly—but from his natural shyness and modesty as I have already said, fails to get credit always for what he really knows. But he is outgrowing this and since he has come back I notice much improvement in this direction. He speaks with more firmness and authority when on duty and takes his duty and performs it more easily, and with more self confidence. He is now acting as Quarter Master Sergeant, and will be made such, as soon as we get where it can be done. My Q.M. Serg^t is transferred to Invalid Corps—His name was Bliss—of Montrose, one of the best men in the Co. but a very poor officer. A man of family and property and the leading man in his township but afraid of bullets. And here I might add that Glover's courage and coolness in battle are unsurpassed. I do not think he knows what fear is—I never saw the slightest indications of it during the whole year, but I never heard him say a word about his bravery in my life. In another year Glover will grow up to be a thorough soldier, and well worthy and fit to hold a commission. He might do so now much better than many who do. And if there are now Regts forming in the state this winter under the last call I should recommend that one be secured for him by all means— / And he could fill one in a new Regt. with credit. O Judge Martin has a boy in the Regt. came in as Commissary Sergt, in Co. I. & the Gov. lately sent him a commission as 2^d Lieut. He is a fine boy—but no soldier, quite unobtrusive but and not at all fit to command. There is no place for him in the Regt. but 'tis arranged that he shall go on to Gen Custers Staff as soon as he can be mustered in but until we receive our share of the Conscripts he can not muster for it requires 82 men in a Co. to muster a 2^d Lieut. Col. Mann has a project on foot for raising a Brigade of Infantry to be mounted in covered wagons and armed with the 7 shooting Spencer Rifle and drilled to fight on foot to accompany Cavalry in raids advances and grand reconnaissances. It is novel and has received the highest approval of Gen. Custer, Gen Kilpatrick, Gen Pleasanton and Gen Meade. He is now in Washington & will consumate the arrangement with the War Department if possible. If he does—some of the officers of the 7^th will go with him I hope to myself and if I do will take Glover with me if possible & it will be if you approve it. In that case he will get a commission, and whether I should go or not, if the Brigade is raised, I should recommend you to secure Glover a place. It can be done. The proposition now is to raise one Regt in a state and the novelty of the thing is so attractive no difficulty will be found in enlisting the men—in face of a draft. But in time he will meet with no difficulty in securing a place in this Regt. /

5

I spoke to him early in the spring of these prospective matters and urged him to do all he could by studying his "tactics" & other military books as well as by close attention to duty to prepare himself for advancement. I have spoken to him since & purpose to do so as I may see any need, and help him along as I may be able. The place he is now filling is the 2^d in rank among the non commissioned officers, and of the most responsibility and trust. He has control of all the horses and horse equipments, arms amunition & clothing of the Co. beside issueing all forage.

 

He takes the duties easily and readily, and what he undertakes is done and I have no further trouble about it.

 

                        The Campaign is about over I hope though we know as little about it as you. The Army now lies along the R.R. from Warrenton Junction toward Rappahannock Station. There is a rumor that we are to advance to Gordonsville, but I hardly believe it. What would be gained All hope of taking Richmond from this direction is long since abandoned by military men who ought to know and if so, why go farther than the Rappahannock especially as the season is so far advanced—and the Army of the Potomac only an army of observation. But 'tis useless to speculate for the things most unlikely are most likely to be done. I only pray that something fortunate may befall us before another Presidential / Campaign else I know not what will become of us. But I must not write about this for I have already wearied you with a long letter I have to write in the open air and the wind is blowing today very hard & cold, so cold my fingers are numb. Cha^s Voorhies is a good boy I was very agreeably disappointed in him. I liked him very much. Poor fellow I am sorry for him, and would do all I could to get him a furlough or discharge most willingly, but till we get into winter Quarters I fear nothing could can be done. While I was in Washington I tried all I could to get a furlough for Glover, and a communication from the Commissary Gen. was received but it availed nothing, and here in the field we can do nothing. They pay no attention to applications or requests, but in a few weeks we will be in winter Quarters where I hope something can be done & will surely do all I can.

 

                        I wish you would write me when you can I shall be very grateful for such favors and as soon as possible will write you something of what we have done, are doing and how we live—With my best wishes and kind remembrance to Mrs. Gage. I am

 

Very Respectfully Yours &c.—

D. H. Darling.

 

I have very much more of a more personal character I would like to write you of and some time if acceptable I may inflict somewhat of it upon you

 

Capt Darling

SOURCES