Head quarters, Sickles' Division.

Near Fredericksburg, V^a.

Saturday, Jan 3^rd 1863

 

Dear Sister.

                        New Year day has passed of pleasant, speaking of things in general, strong drink was the order of the day, thieving, fighting and arrests were the results. One 1^st Lieutenant had his boath pockets and watch fob cut open, his money and watch taken. I talked to him a few moments after it happend, but he was too drunk to understand his loss. We had twelve prisoners, all of whom have been discharged, except one 2^nd Lieutenant. he drew a knife on Cap^t Bates for which he was hand cuffed. last night he escaped with the bracelets on him, the / two guards who had charge of him are placed in confinement for their carelessness, and a patrole sent after the runaway, so you see the lingering effects of New Year day still hang around us. On the last of the old year we were musterd for service renderd "Uncle Sam" during November and Dec. which now makes the said uncle Sam our debtor to the amount of six months pay. his nephews would be very thankful if he would open his heart, and shell out the shiners, vz, greenbacks. Well I believe our Division is about to go into comfortable quarters, the first and second brigades have orders to move their camp to the rear of the "Fitzhugh" house (Son of John Fitzhugh of Revolutionary fame) which place when I write again, will no doubt be our Head quarters. The Fitzhugh Pla- / ntation is about one mile and a half from here. it consists of thirteen hundred acres, two immense barns, four frame houses, four rooms each, six nigger houses of two rooms and a garret each, a large corn crib, also a splendid ice house for the Fitzhue house. I will refer you to M^r Harvys residence on Troy hill. To keep this plantation in order Fitzhugh had thirty slaves, two of which are still on it. The place was abandond the time Burnside moved his army down here last November.

 

Your advice is good, Sister, but I do not need it. I shall never turn a cold shoulder to the "old flag". I am disappointed in our much respected cousins, the Feilbachs, they are growing cold, aye cold, in our cherished cause. Because we have had selfish, blundering, covetous men in power / is no reason why we should turn our backs upon the goverment. although it is very discourageing, still there is no cause to despair. The thought of peaceful days before this Rebellion broke out, makes me firm in support of the Union. The weather here is splendid, no rain, no snow, no mud, but the ground froze hard and dry. I expect it will break one of the days, and pay us with interest, for this long stretch of good behavior.

 

My love to you All. Kiss Harry for me.

                                                                                   

Your Affectionate Brother

Sam W Croft

           

Address to:

C^o E, 1^st Reg^t, Ex Brigade.

Care Cap^t Van B Bates           Washington, D.C.

 

This envelope is of my own manufacture

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