Letter from enlisted man in NY 2nd Regiment Veteran Cavalry

My Dear Mary

I have not had time to write you in two weeks past haveing been out on raids & returned to Camp yesterday. We have been liveing very fine on chickens, fresh pork, lamb & beef & ducks. On the evening of the 20th we started on a raid from new Village on the bank of False River & marched 48 miles in 10 hours [sic] to the Alabama Bayou in search of a secret rebel camp. We found their road which led through a dense forest of cypruss & cane some 20 miles & when we arived whithin 4 miles of their camp we took their picket & dismounted & marched in search of their camp. We soon discovered they were on the oposite side of the Bayou about 150 feet wide. Two of our men swam acrost & rowed their boat over & 75 of us went on board & rowed over & lay down on the bank to await another boat load which soon came over & we rose up & marched forward & captured a 24 lb gun & their ammunition, 400 pair of pants & shirts & all their L[?] & corn stores & 2000 dollars worth of medicen & 2 full set of surgical instruments & captured 2 more prisoners & destroyed all their camp & burned 14 buildings including Capt Radcliffs residence. Mrs Radcliff wanted to know if there was any place in the South the 2nd New York Cav could not find. She was ordered out the house & it was burned to the ground & we captured about 24 horses. I have not much news to send you. Our Army is on the march & I dont know what minute I wil have to go to the front. I have something to write which dont hapen very often. A Vetran Corporal who had served 2 years & reenlisted in a mounted infantry regiment some 2 months ago had a young son on the 21 Sept. & the Corporal is to be discharged from the regiment. The Corporal & Orderly Seargent are to be married before said corporal leaves so I supose that wil make it all right. I hope it wount happen so to any of our Corporals. We have prety well cleared the woods of gurrillas round here. Write as often as you can & I hope this wil find you & sis wel as it leaves me at present. I dont think we wil get paid before the middle of January next. Dont spare the money in the Bank if you run short ere I send you more. I have had but 2 cts for a long time. I think it strange that Robert dont write to me. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends. I wil now close. My Love to you & Sis. I remain as ever your Loving Husband

Joseph Hayes

[Co. "M." 2nd Regiment Veteran Cavalry New York Volunteers]

PS If I remain in camp I wil write to Sis & Cousin & Janey soon.

[About one month after writing this letter, on October 25, 1864, Joseph Hayes died of disease in the Regimental Hospital, and was buried in the burying ground of the Regiment.]

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