Camp Pierpont           

Saturday Sunday Feb 2^nd

 

Dear Father

                                                                                    I have not heard from home for some time except Mothers letter. I am now commander in chief of a small portion of the Army of the Potomac. I am getting along finely had one man in the guard house 48 hours and now have five under arrest in quarters. they will be tried by Court Martial for absence without leave tomorrow or next day. They are old offenders and have always been excused by the Captain and never punished yet Of late they have got that they go away with impunity supposing they would get off as heretofore. I think that some of the boys will behave a little better hereafter. We are having / very disagreeable weather now. The mud is very deep and it is very hard to get about. It has rained considerable and snowed a little I have good health now, weigh more than I ever did before I weigh 180 lbs and have a splendid appetite We were paid the 24^th of Jan. I received $198.35 and have got it pretty well disposed of already. I will send some money home the first opportunity

 

We go out on picket to-morrow morning. it will be an ugly walk There has been no disturbance along the pickets for some time, but I think that they expect to have some trouble soon from the fact that they send out three companies from each reg't in the brigade whereas they used to send but two.

 

I have got clear of one job that I did not like, viz. acting as Officer of Guard. After this I will act as / officer of the day on account of the Capt. being detailed to act as brigade officer of day I will not have very hard duty now. when on duty I will have to be about camp through the day to see that everything goes right and then at night I have to visit the guard at 12 or 1 oclock A Lieut. seldom gets a chance to act as officer of day and then none except Senior Lts. I am the junior 1^st Lt in the Regt and dont know how it happens that I get to act as a senior officer.

 

            We are required to attend recitations in tactics at the Col. twice a week. I get along well have answered every question so far all right. I like military life much better than I thought I would when I left home. I get along with the men much better than I ever / expected to, most of the men did not like me when we were at Camp Wright but I can manage them very well now I seldom give an order that they do not obey at once. they are beginning to find out that it is better to obey than to disobey. I have got all those things you sent used up except the butter and that is nearly all gone.

 

            I suppose the Capt. is having a good time answering questions and denying accusations. He has been talking about the reports that going in N.B.—for some time there has been a great many false reports sent home about him, which he is anxious to find out who sent. The health of the Reg't is excellent now, there are none sick in our co. and several others.

 

Give my love to Grandmother Jim and Sarah, tell Aunt that she is not very punctual in answering letters. I will answer Mothers letter soon. Give my love to the family I remain

                                                                                   

Your Son

J. S. Winans

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