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Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Kellogg Meridian Hill
Washington, D.C. March 19/63
Dear Mr & Mrs Snook
As I thot perhaps a line or two from me would be acceptable to you and as I have
an hour off duty, will improve it to write a little.
You see I am really in Dixie, and encamped upon one of the loveliest spots you
ever saw (Meridian hill) altho very different now from what it was, before treason and rebellion
made it necessary to cover it with legions of northern troops. I speak of meridian hill as
beautiful, only in its natural aspect.
Everything artificial and ornamental are wasted and gone. But what you may ask
is meridian hill. It is not an isolated hight of grownd or hill, but a part of a continuous range
of high lands
[ ? ]ing parallel with the potomack river; and at this point about 3 miles from it.
Between this and the river is the city of Washington. We are entirely outside of the city. The
range of view here of the country around is extensive and fine, you can see as far as the eye
can reach, east west and south about twenty rods from my tent stands the mantion of
old Commodore Porter, built nearly sixty years ago. It was evidently a splendid building of
its time, and about six feet from the front doreway stands the meridian stone the point
from which we count longitude west & e
I am surprised that so many have been here from our neighberhood and found so
little to write about that would be interesting to many. That part of the rout here
between Pitsburgh and Baltimore is romantic and grand. Pitsburgh itself with its rivers is a
novilty. The ohio, Allegany and Monougehele Rivers, the high rocky bluffs and deep reveens,
contrasting so strongly with the sand plains of michigan make a vivid impression upon the mind.
You know but little of the city when in the very centre of it or on the towering
bluffs above it. Every thing human beeings included are enveloped in smoke; stone coal and
smoke, and smut are the ruling elements of Pitsburgh.
leaving the city for Baltimore we passed by rail directly over the Allegany Mts,
this of itself is worth a half a years work. In making the ascent and decent of the Allegany
range, you pass through 5 or 6 different tunnels, the longest of which is nearly a mile; and going
through one of these a strange censation comes over you. the darkness of the tunnel is beyond
description.
For 50 or 60 miles, through, around, and over the mts the road is most zig zag
thing imaginable. mountain pinnacles and precipates meet you at every turn, some times at your
right, a towering peek of bare rocks and next a mountain gorgue below of a thousand feet which
the scene at the summit of the range is sublime and grand beyond anything I ever beheld.
But enough of this, for I want to say a word about treason from personal
observation. I have visited a number of localities around Washington since I came. A large
number of the residents of this region must have been rank traitors, I think so from the fact that
so many of the fine residents being empty, having gon to the rebble army. and many
of those who remain meet you with frowns and sneers, while others from honest unionism or
policy, treat you kindly. As far as I have had an opportunity to see on the Birginia side of the
Potomack, it will take 50 or 100 years to bring it up to what the country was prior to the
rebellion, poor fools they have destroyed themselves. Not an inclosure remains of the fine
plantations, orchards fences and all are gon. while forts, redoubts and rifle pits cover the
country as far as I went. But I am afraid I am writing beyond your reading patience. So will
close by saying I am well, and asking you to pass over the poor orthography for we have not
time to think the second time. Besides the regular drill on horsback, the non commissioned
officers all have to drill with the line officers, two hours every afternoon equipped and mounted
I am as far along as second duty sergeant The weather has been as cold here as
I ever knew it in Michigan in march. I have nothing to complain of as yet. When I
commenced to write, one object was to elicit a response, but looking at the length of my
scribbling, have not much hope of it, So good bye
Yours Truly
James Campbell
Address
Co A, 7th Mich Cavalry
Camp Kellogg, Meridian Hill
Washington D.C.
