Lovettsville Va

Friday July 17^th

 

Dear Father

                        I received two letters from you this evening they were written the 10^th & 13^th. We do not receive mail regularly now. You spoke of putting some stamps in a letter for me. I have not received them nor the letter either. I think the Rebels captured it they got one mail about two weeks ago. I have written home three times since I wrote from Frederick. I gave the letters to some of the citizens to mail they [paper fold] yet. I write as often as I can. We have not laid over a whole day in one place since we left Vienna We march from 10 to 30 miles a day. We usually halt about 5 or 6 o'clock P.M. and pack up (ready to / march) about 5 A.M. altho we do not always march so early. Sometimes we have to get up at 2 A.M. to move at 3, and do not get started until near noon. We have made some very long marches, one day went 32 miles that after it had rained all the night before. We forded streams 2 to 3 feet deep and very wide. It was a very hard march, but we had to make it to get rations. Many of our men were barefooted. I might as well have been. Riley was entirely so. We have been much exposed but strange to say but few are sick. We left Gettysburg the 5^th marched through Frederick, crossed South Mts at Foxes Pass (south of where we crossed before) went south of Boonesboro passed near Sharpsburg, crossed Antietam, went toward Williamsport. We came up to the Rebels the 9^th our pickets commenced skirmishing / and we kept it up until the Rebels got across the river. We advanced our lines every day, found the Rebels in position. we formed line to attact and advanced only to find them gone. We would then have to halt and hunt them up by skirmishing. We worked on in this way until the 15^th (when they crossed) I was out (on picket) the afternoon of the 14^th with Cos H & I of this Reg't and a detail of 50 men from the 1^st Brigade. In the evening an advance was ordered. We had been firing some all afternoon. I advanced my lines and drove the Rebel pickets back to their rifle pits, gained a hill where I was ordered to halt and report. While I was awaiting orders Capt Maynard came out to see me. The Rebel balls came very close but did no harm. We were relieved soon / after dark. Next morning we made a general advance, but found no Rebels. We went as far as Falling Waters. We picked up quite a number of prisoners Next morning (15^th) we started at 5 A.M. back the way we came. Halted for dinner at Smoketown near Antietam. We crossed the M'ts and camped about 4 miles from Middletown having marched about 28 miles. We moved again the 16^th at 5 A.M. went to within 1½ mile of Berlin.—17^th—Marched at 4½ P.M. went across the river on pontoons at Berlin went as far as Lovettsville.

 

Morrisonville July 18^th

We marched at 5 this morning We expected to make a long march but we only came about six miles. We may move farther to night, but I think not. Our Cavalry is in advance scouting. they pick up a few rebels. They have driven the enemy from most of the Gaps near this. I think we will go towards Snickers Gap. It is very warm now. I stand the / marching very well, my feet and legs get sore sometimes but it does not amount to much. I have not been mustered yet, but Gen'l Crawford promised to send a mustering officer yesterday, but he has not come. There are quite a number of officers in the reg't in the same fix that I am in. If it was not that they keep us moving toward the enemy all the time we would refuse to do duty until mustered but it would not do to do anything now. I am in hopes that it will be attended to soon.

 

            I like Elsies picture very well. I think it is a good one. I will write to her in a few days. I like the appearance of Capt Maynard very well / He seems to be very much of a gentleman. I have no doubt but he is what he is said to be—a man of honor and truth—

 

            It pleases our men to see the list of the draft. There is no sympathy for drafted men in the Army. The soldiers want to see every man who is able to do duty, in the army.

 

It is time for mail to leave for Berlin. My love to all

 

            I am Your affc't Son

            JSWinans

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