Camp Butler Newport News Va.

September 8^th 1861

 

Dear Charley

                        I am seated at the same table of secession material, that you remained so long writing to Mary Jane of Canandaigua or, when you first arrived within the pleasant and classic interior of my tent. Things since you left have remained in statu quo. I took a long ride yesterday afternoon in the direction of Bethel & Warwick with Capt. Silva, one of my new Captains. Abt. three miles out we met a Capt. Barnett of the 9^th Reg'm't riding a beautiful black horse, while his Corporal had another, and under an escort of six of his men coming in. (I mean to say that Barnett, his Corporal and six of his men had been out scouting and were coming in)

 

The black horse was secession. This is the story—While they were riding in, they passed a little by-road, running parallelly with a main road a little in advance of them, and crossing their road at right angles. Barnett was some ways ahead, as the following diagram will show, his position is marked B

 

                                    [drawing of described encounter] 

 

at S. in the little by road in the woods a man with a rifle resting on his knee was seen by Corporal Jones (marked J) and who immediately raised his piece to fire, exclaiming "There is some one" The man jumped up, cried "Dont fire" and for a second arresting or deviating the fire and aim of Jones, fired his own rifle at them and ran into the woods. The man's horse it seems was picketted behind a neighboring bush, and frightened by the firing broke loose and ran down the cross road. Barnett went in chase, and captured him. Barnett thinks the intention of the Officer was to fire at his party when they had passed a little farther, and then jump on his horse and run into the woods. On the captured animal was a splendid saddle, and a fine Officers regulation overcoat strapped thereto. Silva and myself continued our ride. At one place three secession Cavalry had been an hour before us; and yet we never met them. We expect the Paymaster here, this week, and I will then send some money home.

 

Please go to Horstman Bros. & Allen in Maiden Lane, and get me a full United States dress Major's hat, costing I suppose abt. $10. dolls. or more—and send with saddle & epaulettes— / The size you must judge partly by your own head, only be careful not to get it too small, the size I believe is large 7 1/8. I will inclose a paper that will just go around my head. A funny scene is going on in front of my tent. A Mr. Farmer a philanphropist from New York (and who you may remember kept a free soup place when hard times were, last winter) is here and in his peculiar way is enjoying himself. He now, in a loose clerical looking linen coat is standing up in a large wagon amidst bbls. & boxes, distributing to the crowd of our boys around him all kinds of things. The boys press around the wagon "with eager hands upheld" and he fills their hats with tobacco, and their fingers with pickles. Then he throws to them in all directions thread, knives, needles, matches &c. Just now he holds a large box containing preserves, wh. he delivers by the tea spoon full into the opened and hungry jaws of those around, amidst great laughter and pushing. "Bob" I saw over there, and called to him to inquire what he was dealing out so carefully. On co approaching I saw Bob's whole face was filled / with currant jam, and his hands held tightly to a rag, which he was sucking. It was almost unnecessary to ask what Farmer was giving, but on doing so Bob says "Preserves and golly I got the rag" and went on sucking. Give my love to all. I will write in full soon.

                                                                                               

Your's Aff.

Fred

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