Camp Near White Oak C H

Saturday Feb 7^th/63

           

Dear Father

                                    You will think strange of me writing so often. I wrote to Elsie last evening. In one of my letters to you I told you that Clarke Hawkins would send you a check from Washington But he returned last evening and said he had forgotten to send it. I thought it better for me to write and send it for fear I should lose it. I enclose it.

 

Lieut Chamberlin returned today, and brought those articles I was glad to receive them. I was much in need of them, especially the drawers.

 

We have not got off yet—I wrote to Elsie that we would likely go / today but we have not received any farther orders yet. The first Brigade have gone. We have to wait on account of transportation

 

We will get off in a few days We are ordered to report to Gen'l Heintzelman. I dont know what we will do or where we will be stationed. It is thought that we will go to some of the forts about Washington.

 

It seems that this army is to be broken up—a part are to go west—the rest excepting a few to guard Washington are to go South. We may be sent to one of the places after while but not soon. There is nothing new here. The rebels are still at work opposite us strengthening their already strong works. Many think / that there are but few there But I think if were to go over we would find plenty.

 

I have been looking for a letter from you for some days but it has not come. I have not received as many letters from home lately as I did some time ago. I rec'd one from Elsie this evening, it was the first for a good while.

 

I wrote about all the news that I know of last night. Please excuse this short letter.

 

One of our men—Frank Webb died a few days ago at hospital at Wind Mill Point. He has a wife living somewhere near Brighton If you know her please send her word of his death. I would have wrote to her but from what I can learn they were not on good / terms and I thought I would not write now.

 

My love to Mother & the Children

 

I am Your affc't Son

J.S.Winans

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