Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.158

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History of Cambria County, V.2

158 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

ernment by this raid. I think exceeds all others ever yet made, though I am sorry to know that it is interspersed to some extent with vandalism, something which is difficult to prevent on expeditions of that character. When soldiers are turned loose to burn and destroy, every groveling passion generally rises to the surface in the general ebullition and predominates.
    I think after all it will look quite well in print, with here and there a rough edge smoothed over. One thing I am sure of – we did not enhance the value of stock of the East Tennessee Railroad. As for Lynchburg, after devoting nearly two days' argument for it, we quietly bid him good night on Saturday, the 18th, leaving our dead to be buried by him. * * * I do not intend making a history of this raid. I think we are going East, probably to Martinsburg or some point on the railroad. * * *

    After his return to his command, after his wedding, Capt. Suter wrote as follows:

Near Berryville, Va., September 13, 1864.
    * * * I reached camp yesterday about 11 o'clock after floundering through the mud and rain nearly all the way from Harper's Ferry. Our Corps being massed upon the right I had not as far to go as I expected. Arriving at Harper's Ferry on Monday at noon, I was lucky enough to get on an ambulance for conveyance, but after starting, the escort failed to come up, and I was compelled to lay at a picket post on the Charlestown pike all night; consequently I was four days late in arriving at camp.
    There could not possibly have been worse weather to contrast with the late comforts and enjoyments of civilized life. Our camp being flat in the mud and no shelter, save that improvised by pieces of torn canvas and corn stalks, and our regiment being on duty guarding the ammunition train, men and noisy mules are indiscriminately mixed up, making a delightful haven of rest, especially for anyone – a lover of sweet sounds – of quiet and repose. But as war cannot be suppressed; neither can Virginia soil take rain without seas of mud; it must be patiently endured, and as all this was once my element it is not at all hard to adapt myself to it again.
    I found everything quiet upon arriving here, and with the exception of an occasional sound from Averill's cannon on the extreme right, towards Shepherdstown, there is nothing very warlike transpiring; how long it will continue so no one knows.
    On Monday a forced reconnaissance was made by part of the Sixth Corps beyond the Opequan, which resulted in finding the enemy in force, and also capture of an entire South Caroline regiment of infantry.
    Today being somewhat clear with a prospect of drying off

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158	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
ernment by this raid. I think exceeds all others ever yet made, though I am sorry to know that it is interspersed to some extent with vandalism, something which is difficult to prevent on expeditions of that character. When soldiers are turned loose to burn and destroy, every groveling passion generally rises to the surface in the general ebullition and predominates. I think after all it will look quite well in print, with here and there a rough edge smoothed over. One thing I am sure of – we did not enhance the value of stock of the East Tennessee Railroad. As for Lynchburg, after devoting nearly two days' argument for it, we quietly bid him good night on Saturday, the 18th, leaving our dead to be buried by him. * * * I do not intend making a history of this raid. I think we are going East, probably to Martinsburg or some point on the railroad. * * * After his return to his command, after his wedding, Capt. Suter wrote as follows: Near Berryville, Va., September 13, 1864. * * * I reached camp yesterday about 11 o'clock after floundering through the mud and rain nearly all the way from Harper's Ferry. Our Corps being massed upon the right I had not as far to go as I expected. Arriving at Harper's Ferry on Monday at noon, I was lucky enough to get on an ambulance for conveyance, but after starting, the escort failed to come up, and I was compelled to lay at a picket post on the Charlestown pike all night; consequently I was four days late in arriving at camp. There could not possibly have been worse weather to contrast with the late comforts and enjoyments of civilized life. Our camp being flat in the mud and no shelter, save that improvised by pieces of torn canvas and corn stalks, and our regiment being on duty guarding the ammunition train, men and noisy mules are indiscriminately mixed up, making a delightful haven of rest, especially for anyone – a lover of sweet sounds – of quiet and repose. But as war cannot be suppressed; neither can Virginia soil take rain without seas of mud; it must be patiently endured, and as all this was once my element it is not at all hard to adapt myself to it again. I found everything quiet upon arriving here, and with the exception of an occasional sound from Averill's cannon on the extreme right, towards Shepherdstown, there is nothing very warlike transpiring; how long it will continue so no one knows. On Monday a forced reconnaissance was made by part of the Sixth Corps beyond the Opequan, which resulted in finding the enemy in force, and also capture of an entire South Caroline regiment of infantry. Today being somewhat clear with a prospect of drying off