Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/campbell-james/
Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Oc-coquan
Prince William Co., Va
Ap 8-63
Mr. & Mrs. Snook
Being off duty today I am improving it with all my might in writing letters, thot
I would drop you a short one. I wrote you when on Meridian Hill, since which time we have
been moving from place to place, hunting the rebble bands, collected in this and the adjoining
counties. The regiment at present are stationed at the different points, two Co.s here, one eight
miles south west, and the rest at Warrenton. We may move again at any moment. This week
our two Co.s have been guarding the tellegraph lines part of the way between here and
Fredericksburgh. For a number of days the cannonading between our army and the rebbles at
that city and above it has been terifiic, and the conflict still rages, but before this reaches you,
the particulars will be known through the papers. I have been within good, tho safe hearing
distance of the strife. At times the roaring of the contending artillery was or is like continuous peels of thunder.
If I know it, my own heart beats higher and truer as I engage in the services and
realities of this dreadful conflict. Only let the north be united and inflexible in their purpose
to chrush the rebellion, and it will soon be done. The policy of the Democrats of the
north, (I mean a portion of them) is what has and what is prolonging the rebble cause and adding
thousands to our slain, and bringing sorrow and mourning to almoust every home throughout
the land. They may cry peace and compromise, but no peace must be had only by balls and
bayonets.
let it be the wach word of every man woman and child! church the rebbles
A word now about Mt. Vernon. Last Sunday for the first time I visited the
hallowed spot. Out party consisted of four. We set out in the morning on horsback and
arrived about noon a distance of twelve or fifteen miles, as we proceeded I soon learned we
were riding over the road that the Father of his country had so often rode when going too and
from the home we ware visiting. I cannot describe the strange awe and veneration that came
over me as I became concious of the fact that I was on the identical road over which Washington
so frequently traveled. Nothing can be seen of the Mantion or anything about it until
you are within forty rods of it, being excluded from view by what was his old deer park. As
we rode up to the old gateway of the mation, dismounted and tied our hourses, my own feelings
became such as I never before experienced, and such as I am unable to describe. There stood
the Residence of the Great Man, and a dozen or more other buildings built by himself, presicely
as they ware in his day; also the brick walls entrancies and gateways, his lawn and ornamental
trees, and flower and vegitable gardens. We ware shown over the mantion – premises, and
among the various objects of great interest, is the new tomb, the present resting place of
Washington. There lies the two marble coffins containing the remains of the Revered dead.
The tomb is about fifteen feet square, and open front, with only a double grating of iron
Strange indeed ware the feelings as I leaned against the grating, and gaised for the first time
upon the scene before me. you see I must close
Please favor me with a comunication, if no more than three lines
This leaf I picked from the Magnolia Tree, planted by Washingtons own hand on the lawn,
about ten rods from the mantion. The sprig is from a Sedar tree nearly overhanging the
tomb.
A little space allows me to say a few words more. It being Sunday we could not have
admittance to the inside of the Presidential House, but ware shown through the various other
buildings. his weave house is the first building you come to as you approach the premisis.
The great stone fireplace and heavy oaken staircase, are interesting to the men of our day The
mantion has but on piazzi and fronts the river, and has a stone pavement in place of a wooden
floor. J.C.
you will address as follows,
Sergeant James Campbell
Co K
7th Mich Cavalry
Washington D.C.
(PS) All letters are sent to the various regiments in the army here, by special mail from
Washington
J.C.
