Camp 9^th Regt                        

Opposite Fredericksburg

June 1^st

                                   

Dear Father

                I have been looking for a letter from home for some time but it has failed to come I have been thinking that perhaps you had not received my last. I have not rec^d a letter from anywhere for nearly two weeks, it seems a long while. Since I wrote last we have moved our camp. We are now near the river opposite the city. We moved Monday & I think that if it had not been for the reverses that Banks has met with we would have pushed on toward dixie. We have been expecting to have to fall back or run our chances of spending the summer in a tobacco warehouse There is no force left here except the Reserve & Doubledays brigade not more / than fifteen hundred thousand (infantry I mean) there is a pretty heavy artillery force and some cavalry. It was reported in camp yesterday that there was a rebel force of 30, or 40,000 advancing on us. It caused a little stir but we soon learned from the scouts that there was no force nearer that 15 or 20 miles. The Secessionists about here tell us that we will be driven out of this before a week. I doubt it though I dont believe a force of 30,000 could drive us out, if they did they would have a good time of it. It would take a strong force to effect a crossing here but there are several places about six miles above here that could be forded easily. I think that the move of Banks has spoiled our plans to a certain extent. We had a force of near 40,000 here and were just starting on a march when we heard of the disaster. It stopped all. They then moved all away that could be spared. It is difficult to tell what will / be done with us. We are now camped in a very poor place, are in a hollow, but we have a splendid drill ground of about 100 acres. it is level and smooth. Gen S— is enforcing discipline in his command to the farthest. The duties of officers are much more onerous now than heretofore he requires every officer to be present at all drills and parades. Holds them responsible for the cleanliness and order of the camp & men. We are becoming soldiers fast under his administration

 

The paymaster arrived here this evening and will pay us two months pay tomorrow morning. I will send some more home so soon as I can get an opportunity. If you need any of it use it, and the balance put out to the best advantage you can. My expences during the last two months have not been quite so heavy as the two preceeding

 

It is very monotonous here now, each days performance is but a repetition of the preceeding one. The men have very good health now, but I think if we remain in the present / camp long that the sick list will increase some. It has rained and thundered for three days I think that this beats all the places for rain I ever saw. it dont rain so often, but when it commences it lasts for several days. Last night the wind changed direction and blew the rain in the front of my shanty for a while, and finally it took the roof off. I had to get up and fix it. by that  time I had got pretty well soaked. I soon got to sleep but had not slept long when I was waked by some one tramping on my feet. I found it to be my neighbors Capt Howard and his Lt (of Co I) they said that they had been washed out, and were hunting a dry house. Mine was the best and handiest so they turned in with us To finish up the night's adventures, a part of the shanty blew down upon us about daybreak. To day I had to build a new house although it was Sunday I have a good one now, have it loaded down with rails. I think it will take a hurricane to unroof it It has rained some today and it is now thundering very heavy. I think we will have another storm tonight.

 

Give my love to all the family & friends have Elsie write often. I like to hear from home often I would write oftener but we have no place to write. Our tents are barely high enough to sit up in. Have to write on a board rested on my knees I must close it is eleven oclock and we have to be up early tomorrow to have the men sign the pay rolls

                                   

I remain Your Affectionate Son

J.S.Winans

 

P. S. June 2^nd I have just sent $75.00 by express in a package sent to B.B. Chamberlin. You will please get it.

JSWinans

SOURCES