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Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Joseph Hooker, Robert E. Lee
Chantilly Fairfax Co. Virginia June 16/63
Mr & Mrs Snook
For the first time since we commenced active campaigning, I am left in camp, the company being out about three miles on picket to be gone two days, a few men and horses with what pertains to camp are left in my command. It suits me much better to be out and moving, especially when we are working and chaceing up the Rebs. Writing is the best passtime I have when in camp, I almost think I am talking with my friends, a twenty four hour yarn would not be much for me to stand just now. Mr Sirls is still at our old encampment at Fairfax, he never goes out with the Regiment or very rarely, and is the Quarter Master Sergeant of this company. I heard yesterday he is sick, and sent a man to help him take care of some horses we left behind ten days ago when the Regiment went from there to the Rappahannock, where we had the hard Cavalry fight with Old Lees Cavalry, which by the way I must tell you something about. The fight there but to light the premiditated movements of the Rebel General, which movement General Hooker was at a loss to fully understand. Lee had massed his entire cavalry forces at Culpepper, with infantry and artilery, preparitory to making a great raid on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road, and then into Maryland and Pensylvania, that R.R. is in our possesion as far south as the Rappahannock River, and is of vital importance to our armies, at the various depots of which we have large quantities of provisions and forage. General Hooker, determined, if possible, to know what Lee intended to do, concentrated a cavalry force, with infantry and artilery, rapidly and secretly, at and near Warrenton Junction for the purpose of moving across the river at Rellies and an other ford, and if possible surprise and attact the Rebel force known to be there or at Culpepper. Our Regiment was along and formed a part of the reserve.
About six thousand of our troops crossed in the morning at daylight, and completely surprised the raskels, we kept up the fight until three or four oclk, drove them from three to four miles, took two hundred prisoners among which was one of Stuarts staff officers, and what was better, the papers showing the precise movements Old Lee was about to make, his troops were ordered to march at six oclk, ours attacked his before five and spoiled his fun.
Our regiment returned here after being in the saddle
five days and nights with the except of now an then an hour to lye
down on the ground.
I helped capture a Rebel Lieutenant who is now in
Fairfax Prison. The Prisoners we took ware of more colours than
Jacobs cattle, besides all other, they ware grisly.
I saw Gale Carter and James Reid before and after
the battle, their regiment ware in the thickest of the fight and
they came out without a scratch. There is some big manuvering in
progress by our generals, what, I cant say at present, but perhaps
to draw Lee this side of the Rappahannock, a jigantick (gigantic)
movements is going on by our troops and before this reaches you it
may be developed. As for myself I almost think I can stand anything, even Rebel bullets, at any rate I care but little about them. the other morning they were whissing around our ears a lot of guerillas crept up to the camp before it was light and gave us a volley or two and then ran off. that is their mode of warefare. As to the inhabitnats here, negro young ones, and women, and old men and small boys constitute the sum total of what is left On the road from Fairfax to the Rappahannock a distance of fity miles, not an area of acre of any kinds of cropis growing. There has been no rain for six weeks the days are not much warmer here than in Mich. and the nights are cool. This part of Va abounds with the best of springs, the climate must be pretty.
As to the war, I believe it must end before long, only let the north be true to themselves and their children. Great interists and conflicts, require great courage and perseverance; the men and women of the Revolution contended with greater odds than we, and much longer, and under trials more severe.
worthy of them.
Shal we not preseve what they us if not we are not
A thing has existed here which can have no other name than Southernism, it has ignored the elevation and education of the labouring man and woman, both white and black; no man except a negro breeder, or extensive planter can educate their boy or girl, the few, sway, move, control and tyranize over the many and ware helplis under it but the day or vengence has finally come. The rich mistress of a swarm of slaves is wearing the lusty silk and sattin, purchased by the cash of the last sale of negro women and men, and is fading upon their persons. Should I be spared to return home, I shal do so, more opposed to the degrading system of the south than ever, and more inflexibly in favour of the freedom of the north. My patience is about exhausted for the democrats of the north who are constantly sympathizing with and appalliating the enormaties of the pergury and treason of the south.
How long will they be allowed to practice with impunity these enimes while we are placing ourselves as brestworks between their freedom and security, and their ruin.
I think less of northern democracy than ever, not
but these are true men amoung them. Only think nominating
Valinginham for Governor.
Morris England is well, Daneil Danu is not well
today, Joy Terry is yet at the hospital in Washington. my own
health continues as good as ever
I have written much more than was anticipated when
I commenced.
So Good Morning
yours with great respect
James Campbell
I know you will make necessary allowance having only written six pages
