Jerome Bottomly to Sister, 4 October 1863
Culpeper Va.              
Oct. 4th 1863
 
Dear Sister
                                    I forget whether I have written to you since I saw Milton or not but I think I have not. The day I saw him I thought I should see him again, for we marched to Berlin that afternoon and camped on the hill back of the depot. as soon as I could I went to the depot but found Milton had gone We marched every day after that for a week, when we got to the Rappahannock. built three or four bridges and laid still for six / weeks. the rebs were there when we first got there but we rowed some dismounted cavalry across and they kept them away. I do not like this country very well. there is not wood or water enough Culpeper is a small place not large enough to be called a city. there are not many houses outside of the place it is mostly level land though there are plenty of hills and the blue ridge mountains in sight. Our camp is in sight of Culpeper. it is near head quarters. I do not think we will have to march much more this fall unless we go towards Washington. the eleventh and twelveth corps have gone away to some place probably to / Rosencrans.
 
Every thing is very still today I would not think there was any soldiers near hear except us We are having easy enough times, living on soft bread &c.
 
It is quite cold here nights now and pretty soon all the fences will be gone. fence rails make the best fire and of course are used before green wood. It is a poor place for apples, I have had any only those I bought of the sutlers I have foraged some corn but nothing compared to what I got last year.
 
            I hope you forgive me for not writing to you oftener I know you think I might write oftener but if you knew how I hated to write a letter / you would not blame me. I do not write many letters only those I write home and I suppose you hear that I am well when you hear from there. I will answer all the questions you are a mind to ask as soon as I see you, which will not be a very great time
 
Jerome
14096
DATABASE CONTENT
(14096)DL1932.040X.1Letters1863-10-04

Tags: Food, Low Morale, Marching

People - Records: 1

  • (4991) [writer] ~ Bottomly, Jerome

Places - Records: 1

  • (1775) [origination] ~ Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia

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SOURCES

Jerome Bottomly to Sister, 4 October 1863, DL1932.040, Nau Collection