Excerpt from The Story of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry: From the Organization of the Regiment, August, 1861, to Its 50th Anniversary, August, 1911; Based on the Book of 1890

At first the novelty of camp life, of bright uniforms, of military drill excited him to dreams of future greatness; he knew that the atten tion of the whole world was focused on him personally; he heard much Of a soldier's duty, and of praise for his progress in military tactics from the general orders Of his commanding Officer. SO he swaggered a bit was eager for dress parade and intensely interested in the impression his regiment made.

Gradually he evolved into the seasoned soldier, and as the work grew more exhausting, dangerous, and life grew grimmer, he found himself too close to and too vitally concerned with the big issues to com ment much on them. It was not his business to talk, but to work, and where history gives us glowing and stirring narratives of great battles, the common soldier has left a few laconic lines in his diary, and' tells of the trivial things in his letters home. After the lapse of years these few lines often serve to galvanize his memory - he lives over again stirring events, has time now to feel, Where in the stress Of battle he must con serve all his energies for action. He recalls now that he was just a strong, young fellow with youth's appetite for food, pleasure and adventure, Often homesick for the comforts and companionship of his little home town, but Willing to endure his new life because he was a good American citizen, born with a sense of liberty, equality and justice; willing to fight for their maintenance.

It was the enthusiasm and endurance of the American boy from seventeen to twenty - two years of age which really sustained the Union. It is to commemorate such a part, played by the soldiers of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, that this work has been compiled as a memorial to their youth on the fiftieth anniversary of their call to arms.

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