Centre County Library and Historical Museum - P. Benner Wilson Letters

The 2nd PA Cavalry are with 10 other cavalry regiments including the 18th PA Cavalry. Mosby's 'guerillas band' killed two officers from the 1st Vermont Cavalry including Major Wilson's friend; in all 'they killed about 15 men and took a large number of prisoners'. Major Wilson is still trying to get home.

Major Wilson is kept busy with Regimental duties and with interaction with other brigades. The remains of one of this men were sent home. The 2nd PA Cavalry is now part of General Stahel's Cavalry Division. Major Wilson has his pistols near his bed in anticipation of a enemy raid since they are in the front. Major WIlson is in a tent that he considers 'very comfortable quarters - or at least what we consider for a soldier'.

Major Wilson is ready to march. Major Wilson regrets that he has no opportunity of going to church. Major Wilson notes that he has no idea where they are marching to and 'we never do know until we return and then sometimes don't find out exactly what we went for'. Fifty or sixty men of the 3rd Brigade were wounded. The 5th New York Cavalry rescued the 1st West Virginia Cavalry from capture by Mosby's men.

Major Wilson said they are hearing that Pennsylvania was being raided and a rumor was 'Harrisburg was burnt to ashes'. Major Wilson is seeing lots of activity related to General Hooker's army movements. Major Wilson is sick and the regiment's doctor put in for a furlough for him; he wants to be in Philadelphia for July 4th.