Brandy Station Va.    

Jan 16^th 1864

 

Dear Martha

                        I meant to have written to you while you were at So Royalston. I received your letter and a paper. There is not much to write about here We have about finished building. I believe there is to be a hospital and a reading room. think I shall do my reading in my own tent however. I have not been out of camp for some time only to go into the woods. the woods are most a mile from us and all the wood has to be brought to us. We have had all the wood we could burn so far but I am afraid there will be some days that it will be to muddy to draw wood. It is going to be very muddy as soon as it rains.

 

My box has done me a great / deal of good. I have about finished it now have not eaten government rations since it came. Father wanted to know what pioneers are. They are axemen and shovelers. there is about thirty belong to each brigade and they march in advance carry their tools in slings made on purpose, and carry their guns besides. their business is to tear down the fences and build bridges over small streams, and clear the road. they do not enlist as pioneers but are detailed and get extra pay and they sometimes get rid of a fight. they wear two hatchets crossed on their coat sleeve.

 

            There is a book called "The Bivouac and The Battle Field or Campaigns in Virginia and Maryland" by a Cap^t Noyes that I would like to have you read and the folks read. it gives a good idea of a soldiers life / The most I want you to read it for is on account of what it says of the Engineers. I will send two dollars and you can buy it if you want to. I have not written to Sarah for so long that I am afraid she may think I have forgotten her, but I have not.

 

I suppose there is plenty of snow home, and skating. there is neither here I believe I shall have to stop writing for I have no more news to write and I can't write unless I write news.

 

By the way, they are recruiting for this Batt. in Philadelphia and New York and I don't know but Boston $775. bounty. The Boston Journal says all the men will reenlist that are good for anything. The truth is that all the worthless men reenlist but they are just / as good for soldiers.

                                    Jerome

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