Near Culpepper Va.               

Sept. 24^th 1863

 

Dear Sister Nancy

                                    We have been so busy marching &c that I could not write sooner very well. We came to this place yesterday from Rappahannock Station ten or a dozen miles The army all came here before us and we were left alone except some of the eleventh corps who were guarding the Rail Road. we had pickets out all the time for the rebs might have made their appearance at any time. The army crossed the Rappahannock a week ago Sunday My Company went to Kelleys Ford and built a bridge there for the 12^th Corps to cross on and / then we left the bridge for the 50^th N.Y. to take care of and came back to our old camp with the rest of the Battalion.

 

            I have not been into the city of Culpepper yet. we are camped in sight of one of the church steeples but are about a mile from the place. I do not like the country around here. it is very level between here and Rappahannock Station. Water is scarce and wood is not plenty. There are but few houses. We are camped now near head quarters and with the Artillery Reserve.

 

            I do not see why Gen Meade does not cross the Rapidan. All the men wonder at us laying still and allowing Lee to reinforce Bragg. The Rapidan river is not very wide and I do not expect we will have / any trouble building the bridges At the battle of Chancellorsville the whole army forded the river

 

            Last Sunday we were paid off up to this month. We have not been paid so punctual since since the first time we were paid

 

            Today I commence my last year. Quite a number of the fellows have only seven months from today. one fellows time was out yesterday. he was a five years man. one of the five years men reenlisted a few months ago for another five years. there are several that have more than three years to serve. I am glad my time is growing less but I am as contented as most any body in civil life

 

            My bunkys father came on here from Boston while we were at Kelleys Ford he had some trouble to get a pass from Washington / and it was only by luck that he did get one. I guess he found it a pretty rough life that his son was leading.

 

I am going to try to get a picture taken to send in this letter

 

I send it to the family not to you in particular

SOURCES