REV. LOUIS N. BOUDRYE, HEAD QUARTERS, Fifth Near Staunton, Va., June 5th, 1865. Chaplain, Fifth N. Y. Cavalry, Dear Sir: We, the officers of the Fifth New York Cavalry, desirous to possess true and full Historic Records of the Regiment, since its organization, do respectfully request you to prepare the same for publication in such form, that ourselves and the men of this Command may be able to procure them. Pledging you our assistance in the accomplishment of this difficult labor, we remain Respectfully Yours, (Signed).-A. H. WHITE, Col.; T. A. BOICE, Lt. Col.; E. J. BARKER, Major; H. A. D. MERRITT, Major; O. W. ARMSTRONG, Surgeon, and others. CAMP Fifth New York Cavalry, Near Staunton, Va., June 6th, 1865.} Col. A, H. WHITE, Lt. Col. T. A. BOICE, and others, Dear Sirs: cheerfully undertake the "difficult labor," which you request me to perform for several reasons, viz: first, because you request it. Second, because I believe it to be the duty of every regiment to prepare a correct history of its services in this war, for future reference. Third, because my services as chaplain of the regiment, for nearly three years of its active campaigning, have afforded me an ample opportunity to know its character and history. A diary of all the remarkable events of that period, written during the lull of battle; in the halt of the march; through the respite of hospital labor;-in the loneliness of the prison (where I was confined three months), and during the quietness of the camp,- will be invaluable in this enterprise. I pledge myself to search out diligently, and to state faithfully, the facts of our eventful history. Hoping that among these records in future days, we may spend many happy and profitable hours, living over again some of the glorious experiences of our military life, I remain, Very Respectfully Yours, LOUIS N. BOUDRYE, Chaplain, Fifth N. Y. Cavalry |