Camp Pierpont           

Sunday Dec 29^th

 

Dear Father

               I received your letter this evening was surprised to hear that you have not received any letters from me. I have written to Elsie and also to you since I received any letters. I am sorry my letters have not given satisfaction but you must excuse me a little, for really there is nothing new here worth writing about, all movements of the army are known to you before my letters reach you and therefore is stale news. As to the company I cannot say much there are some sick but none dangerous and there is too much written about the company affairs and officers. I know that there is much said in N.B. about the incompetency of the officers, and any thing I can say will not turn public opinion either / one way or the other. I suppose Clark Hawkins gave a very fair account of the company.

 

            About myself I dont like to write about being sick for you always think I am realy worse than I like to acknowledge. I have been unwell most of the time for about two months at first had a slight billious attact followed by constipation, then by diarrhea which has continued ever since without cessation except a day or two now and then. I took medicine for it until I got tierd, it did not do me much good. I did get it checked and then went out towards dranesville on a foraging expedition (you mind I wrote of it) felt well when we returned except I was very tierd and weak. Diarrhea commenced next morning and I have had it bad nearly ever since passed considerable blood at one time but that lasted but a day or two.

 

I have not been troubled with it much during the last week.

 

The day of the fight I was very unwell could not have marched five miles / without giving out. Would liked to have been there very much, I suppose Lt. Pierce mistook Lt Walkenshaw of the company on our left for me. The boys say that Lt. Chamberlin acted finely, he is a very good officer.

 

            We were reviewed by Gov Curtin to day, after the review the regiments that were engaged in the fight were formed into square, and he made a few remarks. he has given orders that the word Dranesville shall be inscribed on each regimental flag that was there in honor of the victory, it being the first engagement that the Reserve Corps has been in, and also the first victory gained on the Potomac

 

He gave Gen. Ord great praise for acting so gallantly. the Gen is a great favorite with the men, he is really a fine officer, is very strict in military matters, but has none of the overbearing dignity that usually characterise officers of the regular army when they come among Volunteers. As our men were coming in, one of our Co gave / out. Gen Ord noticed him and immediately dismounted and gave him his horse.

 

            It is hard to tell what is going to be done here, it is understood that the enemy are in the neighborhood of Dranesville in force their scouting parties come near our line, as though they wished to draw us out they may attact us, but I think it doubtful

 

We have to be very vigilant on picket, have had our pickets doubled lately all night. I was out on picket last Sunday, it was the hardest 24 hours duty that I ever put in it was cold all day and it commenced raining and snowing in the evening It rained all night and untill after we returned to camp next day. It was difficult to keep our fires up. A more sorry looking set of fellows cannot be imagined than we were next morning but strange to say none of us have suffered much by the opperation

 

I must close. Please write soon

 

Give my love to all the friends

           

I remain Your

Affectionate Son

J. S. Winans

 

[front top margin upside down]

 

I have not received the socks Aunt sent, the Mt Jackson Co have gone up to Gen Banks division. dont suppose I will ever get them.

J. S. Winans

SOURCES