Culpeper. Nov. 21^st 1863

 

Dear Sister

                        I came from Kelleys Ford last Saturday a week ago today. we camped one night near Brandy Station and Sunday afternoon we came here. we would have marched Sunday morning only it was a rainy day. it cleared away about noon which was a lucky thing for us as we would have marched in the afternoon any way. We could see snow on the mountains after the clouds had cleared away. Our camp was on land owned by by J. Minor Botts and we were not allowed to tear down the fences for fire wood. we did not like it when we were ordered not to take the rails but the next day when we found whose land we were on we thought it all right. He has two or three hundred sheep and forty or fifty head of cattle. it is a wonder that he has kept them when both armys have been camped around there so many times. The rebs were building huts for winter quarters all through here and I guess were sorry to have to leave them. The rail road this side of the river was not destroyed and the cars came through Tuesday. I do not know of anything that looks like any further advance at present. 

 

The advertisment you sent me was from a fellow named Geo. Brackett. his father is Dr. Brackett of Worcester. There has been a number of the fellows advertise so as to amuse themselves with the correspondence there has been some awful homely pictures sent to some of the boys. It commenced about three months ago. we drew some new tents and the girls that had made the tents had written their names on them asking for a letter. some of the fellows did not get a name so they advertised and got letters by the bushel.

 

I wish you could have some of the persimons that are around here. there is any quantity of them and they are as good as any plum you ever eat

 

It is a year ago yesterday since we got to Falmouth. it is warmer weather now a year ago last night was the hardest night I have ever passed it was cold and rainy and I was on guard without any shelter

 

It is raining today but is warm I received Martha's letter yesterday and the papers

 

There is nothing more this time

 

Jerome

SOURCES