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Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding.
LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.From the 7th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding. CAMP CRITTENDEN, NEAR JEFFERSONVILLE, IND.} January 25th, 1862. } EDITORS MINERS' JOURNAL:--Seeing that you have no regular correspondent in the 7th Penna Cavalry, and thinking that you, and some of your readers would be glad to hear from us, and from the Kentucky seat of war, I take the responsibility of representing the 7th in your valuable columns. We arrived in Louisville, Dec. 25th, and were ferried over into Indiana the same day, and established a camp of instruction, under the cognomen of "Crittendon," where under such officers as our gallant Colonel and Major Wynkoop, we have made such progress, as to be thought fit for service by Gen. Buell. Our horses are fine animals, the boys are very proud of them, but are disappointed in our carbines, which, instead of being short breach-loading ones, are a long rife, loading with a ramrod. They will make first-rate clubs in case of a close encounter. To-morrow (Sunday) morning at 5, we strike our tents and move in search of the great Simeon (Buckner) who rumor says is at Bowling Green, but I don't think we will see him there. One of our men had his head shaved and was drummed (bugled I mean) out of camp, to-day. It was a painful scene; but one that I hope will be a lesson. Our Battalion (the 1st) is decidedly the Battalion of the Regiment. It contains the two Schuylkill County companies. The officers are: Major, John E. Wynkoop; Adjutant, Wm. J. Allen; Quarter Master, Wm. J. McQuade or Lieut. McQuade, of Co. B. of Fort Washington notoriety. There is a good story told of one of the officers of this Regiment. He was over in Louisville on the morning the news of Zollicoffer's defeat was received, and having business at Gen. Buell's Headquarters, he rode there, and when getting off his horse, the crowd thinking he was a bearer of despatches, eagerly asked whether Zollicoffer was killed. The officer not having heard the news and not wishing to appear dumb, replied, that there was a man killed over there, but he didn't know whether his name was Charley Coffer or not. The crowd mizzled [sic]. We are very busy to-night packing up preparatory for our departure to-morrow, and have no spare time. My letter being acceptable, will be followed by more. B. R.
Source: B. R., "Letters From Our Volunteers, From the 7th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding," The Miners' Journal and Pottsville General Advertiser, Pottsville, Pa., Saturday, 8 February 1862, page 2, col. 6.
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