May Saterday the 10 1862

9 oclock AM  

Falmouth near Fredricksburg Va Banks of the Rappahannock

 

Dear Father & Mother

 

Sent a letter to you this morning. it is very warm we go in our shirt sleaves the most of the time. our folks went over the river the other day and drove in the Rebles pickets and captured some of them. we hear glorious news from Gen ^mcClelan every day. I tell you the boys feel well this wether it is so nice. The boys are up to all sorts of tricks to pass away the time

                                                           

11½ oclock A.M. Saterday May the 10 1862

Just got in from drill very hot. it made the boys sweat a little.

                                                           

12½ Saterday P.M. May the 10 1862

It being Saterday afternoon we shall have nothing to do but lay in our tents or play ball or any thing else to pass away the time. the boys will enjoy themselves this afternoon good. I have just pulled of my shoes and socks goin barefooted.

                                                           

2½ oclock Saterday May the 10 1862

Just got back from a visite to the Rappahannock river our Cap. took us down for a swim I swam across the river we had a nice time. we like our Capn first rate

           

Sunday May the 11. 7 oclock AM 1862

It is Sunday we shall have no drill to day it is very pleasant. the Rebles drove in our pickets night before last over the river. last night we sent over one Co. of cavelry to reinforce the pickits I guess they did not drive them in last night. we had one post over the river the other night with 3 men on it. the next morning the story is that they found them with their throats cut and one tied up to a tree by his heals but I dont believe it. if it is so and we / ever catch the Rebles that done it, it will go hard with them now cirtinly. the story is that we leave here tomorow but I dont believe it I dont care if we do. our troops are giving the Rebles Chelsa every where. they cant hold out much longer and I guess that they dont intend to if they had they would not have left York Town they had it strongly fortified we are 60 miles from Richmond. if you will spread out your two first fingers on your left hand, the tip of the fore midle finger will be Richmond the tip of the forefinger will tell you where we are, and down to the crotch where both fingers meet will show you where Yorktown is. it will be in the shape of a triangle we are about the same distance from Yorktown that we are from Richmond, and Richmond is the about the same distance from Yorktown that we are from there, and the same that we are from Yorktown by spreading your two first fingers as I said before you will get the exact locality of the three points

           

Monday May the 12 8 oclock A.M. 1862

last night about 6 oclock the order came for us to be ready to moove in 20 minuts without knapsacks in less than that time we were on the moove. they said we were again over the river, for the Rebles were driving in our pickets. we travelled about 1 mile when we met Gen. King and the order was countremanded by him. he was the one that ordered us to moove. but much to the disapointment of the boys we had to come back and hear we are. Just the same as before. I think they done it to see how quick we could get ready / in case of emergency. the Col. said now boys you see how quick you can get ready if it is needed. said he next time you get ready a little sooner and we will get amongst the Rebles before the order is contremanded Bully for him. Just after we had got our things off the news came in to the Col. that Norfolk was taken & the Merimac was sunk. and the Lieu Col. went round and told the boys of it. you ought to of herd the cheering for about one hour I guess that some of their throats were soar this morning that story was false about those fellows having their throats cut it was not so. we can hear almost anything here in camp that you want to

           

Monday May the 12, 1½ oclock P.M. 1862

It is said in the papers that the Army that evacuated Yorktown may soon pay us a visite. if they do they will be likely to meet with a warm reception, for we have got men enough here to knock the Secesh out of them and I guess it will stay out a spell. we have got some 25 or 30,000 troops here now, and there is 30,000 more coming from Washington so they say. so with an large army in their rear and our army in front they will stand a darned slim chance to do any thing. we will give them Hail Columbia in two volums one volum in front for them to read, and one in their rear for them to read at the same time and I recon they will have as much as they can attend to for a spell. the boys are all eager to have a little fight just now to warm them up a little and start the sweat out of them. when you write I want to know what the prospect is for crops as near as you can judge. have you got any stock engaged to pasture. how much &c. what wages are agoin to be this summer &c I will send you $20. every two months Pay $10 a month that will hire you a hand all the time by hireing by the month I have writin a long letter this time / and when you write I want you to do the same, and be sure to send me a paper now and then to read so that I shall know what is goin on up in N.H. I am a good ways from N.H. and we dont know what is agoin on up there only what we get in the letters that is writen and then we dont get much and no particulars a paper from N.H. would be quite a rierty to me and the rest of the boys

we are all as well a usual

 

I am well and hearty as a Houn like first rate

 

tell Eliza to write I have not herd from her for some time write soon and write all the news

 

write a long letter

                       

My love to all and little Luther

                                   

Yours Truly

R. F. Twombly

2^nd Reg^t Co. G. U.S.SS.

Augurs Brigade Kings Division

                                                           

Washington D.C.

P.S. I sent you $20 by express when Ira sent his and paid the freight here has it got there safe

 

write soon and send me a paper

 

R. F. Twombly to

B.F. & R.W. Twombly

SOURCES