Camp in the Field

Friday Oct 23^rd/63

 

Dear Father

                        In my last I told you that we were not likely to move very soon. I was very much mistaken. We received orders that night to move next morning. I sore feet and had to ride in an ambulance. we passed through Centreville and crossed Bull Run. We marched about 10 miles. Camped upon the same ground we fought upon last summer. I went over a part of the field. On every side were graves, many places the skeletons of our poor fellows were out of ground. It is a hard sight. We moved next morning, passed through Gainesville & Buckland and are now in camp near New- / Baltimore, about 7 miles from Warrenton. From appearances I judge that we will remain here for some time. But we may move before three days. It is impossible to tell anything about Meades moves. We heard yesterday that Rosecrans has been relieved. If he is guilty of the charges which are brought against him, I think it time he was removed.

 

It is reported that Meade is to be removed. I hope it is not true. The Army has confidence in him, and I think it would serve to demoralize the army to a great extent if he was to be removed.

 

I think it would have been better if we could have had a fight with Lee. But he did not seem to want to fight unless he could have got the heights of Centreville. I have / no doubt but Meade will cross the Rappahannock as soon as the Railroad is repaired, which will be about the 15^th of November.

 

I think that the season for campaigning is almost over. It is colder now than it was this time last fall and I think it very unlikely that we have another winter as mild as the last one.

 

It is raining pretty hard this evening, there is every appearance of a settled rain.

 

It is quite cold at night now, especially when we have no tents and but a blanket and overcoat a piece, which has to make bed and cover. We moved camp to day on account of the ground, which was very low. we are now on a hill Have laid out a regular camp Lt Hawkins & I have a wedge tent / but it is a miserable thing, almost worn out. It is commencing to leak already. If it rains any harder than it is now I shall expect to get a bath before morning.

 

            The company are in good health none really sick, but several of the men are complaining of aches and pains in their limbs. We have been eating wormy crackers ever since we left Culpeper. They are not very palatable. we have to break them up and pick out the worms before as we eat them. I do not know why the Gov't cannot furnish us good crackers as easily as these. It goes rather hard to live on meat & bread when it is good. And men have to be very hungry when they eat such bread as we get.

 

            Clark Hawkins got those bonds and was to take them home with him. I suppose you have received them before now.

Give my love to Mother & the Children

 

Your Aff't Son

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