Camp near Culpeper Va

Sept 4^th 1863

 

Dear Father

                        I received your welcome letter this morning I suppose it should have given been here before but the Rebs burnt a bridge on the Rail Road between here & Washington I just came in from picket yesterday. We were out three days we had a very damp time I never saw it rain harder than it did day before yesterday.

 

We were out during the whole of it. There were some Rebel scouts came up to our line some of our men attempted to take them they fired and killed a man of Co I. and slightly / wounded another. They had one man killed, but the rest escaped. I was sent out in pursuit, but I could not find anything of them. They are getting very bold we can see them sliding about out side of our lines very often. It seems that they are only engaged in getting information. I want to go out on a scout one of these days. I think I know where to find them. I dont know whether I will get permission to go.

 

There is no prospect of us moving soon. Joe Devinney is very much mistaken about the number of troops that have left here There has only two Corps left yet the (11^th & 12^th) If all the corps you mentioned had left we would have no men here. / I do not think it is the intention to keep this army here long

 

Monday.          I had to quit writing yesterday to go out on Parade. I will try and finish now. I have not much time either as it is almost drill time. We drill twice a day, about an hour & half at each time. We drill the skirmish drill altogether now. I like it much better than the Line drill.

 

            The 6^th Corps passed here to day going to the front. I think they are going to relieve the 2^nd I think the 2^nd is to be taken away from here.

We have very pleasant weather now, but it is beginning to be quite cool at night.

 

Our men are in good health and condition. I dont think / the Army ever was in a better condition for a campaign It is very hard for us to form any conjecture as to what is to be done here. I think that if matters had went on right in the southwest we would have advanced, but now I think that our Army is too small to make any offensive movement.

 

I would like to get home to vote for Curtin but it is impossible to get a "Leave" unless it is on account of sickness. My health is too good for that. We took a vote in the Regt. a few days ago, only found 6 men for Woodward. There were none in Co. H.

Give my love to Mother & the Children

                                                                       

Your affc't Son

J.S.Winans

 

[top front margin upside down]

 

P.S. The manner you disposed of that money was satisfactory.

 J.S.Winans

SOURCES