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Robert A. DavisHello, my name is Robert A. Davis, currently Captain of the
2nd US Regiment of Cavalry. I was born in Montgomery County, in the Old Dominion,
Virginia. I was the oldest of two
boys, Samuel is my brother, being restless and no mind to farm, like my dad and
brother love so much, I enlisted into the Army when I was 18.
I joined the 1st Dragoons to see this great country I have
heard so much of. Boy did I see some country!
The Army has had me in all parts of this country, and even in some places
they did not know about! When we
weren’t exploring, mapping we were fighting Indians. We were in big trouble up in the Washington Territories,
the Spokane Indians almost got the best of us before we “Advanced
to the Rear” and got out. Then came the Mexican War, we were very active there
alright! Col. Scott made sure if we
were not fighting we were escorting Officers around. There’s lots of stories I can tell ya, but I will keep them
for around the fire to scare the new recruits!
Most of us got out with our skins after the war and thought we were safe,
but, we were resigned back to the Territories again…
More Indian fighting and exploring for us! We were transferred to the 2nd US Regiment of Cavalry, Co D as their ranks were diminished. It is now 1862 and we have been assigned as Reserve Units
for the Army of the Potomac, near Washington DC, to stop the Rebellion.
It still mystifies me why this is all happening.
I am also torn, I have seen so much of this vast country, I cannot see
how we can break it up. I have had
long discussions with my brother (my dad passed away while I was out west
fighting Indians) he says my country is Virginia, not the North, that I should
resign and fight for the South, but how can I?
I have been fighting for the Union for more than 20 years, I just do not
know anything else. I sure cannot
be a farmer again! Anyway the Union
is so much bigger than Virginia and he just does not see it that way.
We need to preserve the Union at all costs. This means we have to fight friends, family, brothers,
fathers and possibly sisters and mothers before this is all over, which I pray
will be soon. I pray to the almighty that I do not have to face my brother on the battlefield, but I have heard that he is with the 14th Virginia Regiment of Cavalry, he is even a 1st Lt. too! Times are hard and it will be a hard war on all of us, but the South can
not win, for so many reasons, as I have said, there is so much of the country
these people have never seen or even know about.
We cannot let a few hot heads destroy our country and cut it up in many
separate countries. We will prevail, we will win, we will sacrifice more than
we ever thought we could… Bye for now, and I hope to see you around the campfire some
night and I can tell you how the real solders fight and die! Captain Robert Davis, Commander, Co D 2nd US Regiment of Cavalry Army of the Potomac Washington, DC
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