Battalion of U.S. Engineer Troops,

Camp near Rappahannock 1863.

Station Aug. 14^th 1863

 

Dear Sister Lavina

                                    Your letter came last night. I tell you I like to get letters from you better than from any one else The army is now resting on this historical river. We came here before the army and threw a bridge across first though we had to row some dismounted cavalry over to drive the rebs away part of this company did that and I was in one of the boats crews. There was only a cavalry picket to drive away and they run as soon as our men fired their carbines. I dont suppose they would have fired on us but we did not like to have them / looking at us. While we were building the bridge here Co. "B" built a bridge five miles below at Kelleys Ford. we have since built two more bridges here so there is four ponton bridges and the rail road bridge, but the army is all on this side. there is one brigade of infantry and a battery on the other side but there are no rebels very near. The country here is quite level. it is a bad place to get water our camp though is close to a nice spring. It has been awful hot this month. I think warmer than I ever saw it in Mass. but the papers say it has been warm there. I do not think the summers here are any warmer than at home but the winters are warmer There are very few houses here / but a lot of chimneys. the houses were burned last summer Virginia seems to me almost like a wilderness. I am tired of marching all the time just around in this part of the country I would like to get into some other State. Some of the regulars have left the army and there is a rumor in camp that we are to go away. there is always some rumor in camp I never believe anything I hear now Yesterday I was told several times that Grant had command here, that furloughs were to be given to the soldiers again. Every day there is some rumor that you cannot tell whether to believe or not. We are camped pretty near the river so near that we go there to swim. The water in the river is muddy it looks like the water in the gutter at home after a rain 

 

            To day is my twenty first birth day it is a very nice day and I should be contented if I was on the top of some high mountain where it is cool and where the wind blows. I do not like to stop in a camp more than a week. This must interest you I think. you must remember I have to write sitting on the ground and my paper on my knee. I have nothing at all to do to day but we can allways find something to keep us busy, reading, writing, cleaning our guns, cooking, washing, making tables, or houses to live in, anything. I like this life all but the military. I hate that.

 

            I really hope you and Andrew will like Springfield

 

                        good bye. your brother

                                                            Jerome

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