Camp of the 9^th Reg PRC

Near Alexandria Va Mar 18

                                   

Dear Father

                 I have not written home for some time in consequence of being on duty away from camp. On Monday Mar 10^th there was a general movement commenced by the army of the Potomac M^cCalls division (excepting the 9^th) left camp about 9 A.M. for Hunters mill The 9^th was detailed as escort for the ammunition train. there was a Lt. and 12 men was sent to each camp to guard the ammunition until the wagons came to take it away. I was at the 11^th Reg. We were expecting to go at any time but we did not get started until Saturday last. We were detained at Langley untill dark We then rec'^d orders to escort the / train to Falls Church and join the division to move immediately It had rained nearly all the night before (Friday) and all day Saturday It was raining yet when we started and very dark. We took the nearest route, but had only gone a little more than a mile when we came to a small stream which was so much swollen by the rains that it was impossible to cross We turned back and came to the Lewinsville pike about ¼ of a mile from camp Most of our officers wanted to go to camp and wait until morning But Col Jackson said he was ordered to take the train to Falls Church and it must be done at all hazzards. It was nine oclock by this time and we started on one of the hardest marches which has been undertaken during the war. We marched through mud and water knee deep many men gave out and had to stop. about half way between Lewinsville / and Falls Church we came to a stream which usualy is about the size of Blockhouse run but when we got there it was nearly as wide as Beaver. We were nearly three hours in crossing. The water in the road was three feet deep and at each side it was from 4 to 6. I saw some men in water up to the neck I waded across in water three ft deep There were not very many that got to Falls Church that night. I brought in about 100 men belonging to different companies. Falls Church is a very pretty little village. It takes its name from an old church which is of brick that came from England Gen Washington had a seat in it. Our men slept in it until morning. I got into a bakery near by and built a fire, washed out my pants and socks and slept on a bread shelf while they dried /

 

We are now camped in a thicket of scrub oak about four miles back of Alexandria. We have no tents, left all at Pierpont. We are staying in huts made of brush and pine branches covered with dry leaves & grass. I do not know what is our destination or what we are to do but suffice it to say, we expect to embark at Alexandria on transports. From the knowledge I have of our movement I do not think you will hear from the Reserve for some time for I think our mails will be stoped.

 

I was down to Alexandria yesterday. the town is full of soldiers. It is quite a nice place but I did not have much time to look around. Write soon, direct as before.

                       

I remain your affectionate

Son J. S. Winans

 

My colored servant reported missing reported that he was drowned.

                                                                                                W

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