Greencastle, PA - March 14, 1862
Ryan G. Van Cleave
My Darling Annie -
Excitement was at white heat - we caught us two
Federal spies and trussed them up to a pole
like witches. We shouted and yelled until hoarse.
Our patriotism was just bubbling up
and boiling over and frying and sizzling;
I was full of the mental champagne that comes
from a cheering multitude. Never saw such
enthusiasm - beats the first of the war.
Three fellows, who joined us not long back, they come
from Company H, 3rd Arkansas Infantry,
who all but was destroyed at Wilson’s Creek last
June. During the night, all three took knives made from
horseshoe files and stuck those spies good. The screams
woke us - God help us, no one’s cheering today.
Yours,
Ezekial
