Camp near Kellys Ford Va

Monday Nov 16^th/63

           

Dear Father

                                    It is some time since I wrote to you, but still I have written home, and as I have time this evening I thought I would write. Since we have been here I have been busy most of the time. Was engaged for several days in putting up a shanty, the Rebels having neglected to put up one for me, and it is getting too cold to live in shelter tents.

 

I have now a very good house 12 by 14 roofed with canvas. Have it built up in regular cabin style with a fine large fire place. I had a grand time building it Riley & I built it ourselves, with the exception of the chinking & daubing and chimney We got the logs out of a rebel camp all ready cut & trimmed but not matched. We were two days in getting the logs in and up. I worked hard. My / hands are sore and swollen yet from the effect of my hard labor. I dont think I will work so hard again soon, But I have a comfortable place to live if it did take work. What troubles me most is that we are expecting to move in a few days. I think that Meade intends to force an engagement this fall if possible. When we came here we thought that it was the intention to winter here, but we have found that we were mistaken.

 

            We have had some pretty cool weather lately It snowed a little one night. We can see the Blue Ridge from here. I noticed that they were covered with snow a few days ago. I thought that if the barefooted Rebels were traveling through the passes they would have their ardor cooled.

 

There was a skirmish at the Rapidan yesterday morning. It is only about six miles from here We received orders to be ready to move. But the Rebels were whipped. I do not know much about the affair, but it is reported that we took three guns and 800 prisoners. We can hear an occasional shot now and then in the direction of the Rapidan, but we know nothing about what / was going on until we see an account of it in some of the papers.

 

            We were paid yesterday. I have gathered up a considerable amount to send to you to be distributed. I think it will be expressed from Washington this week. We have not a good chance to express money from here. Have to depend upon some of the sutlers. I will send mine by Hawkins clerk. He is going tomorrow or next day.

 

I will send to you $200.00 (of mine), if you need any of it, use it. if not put it out so that it can be called in when needed. Do not let it out for a longer term than six months. I wish to have it in some place that I can get it about the time my term expires. I do not care about much interest only so that it is safe.

 

I send $20. for J. C. Crawford. You had better put that with the other. I think I will give him my note for the whole amount I have received from him. He has nothing to show for his money, and I think it better that I should take it as borrowed money. It will be less trouble. I would rather not take it but he insists that I take care of it for him. He is an odd genius and is / very suspicious of almost everybody. He has the utmost confidence in me but and dont like to trust to anyone, not even Mr Bradford.

 

            Wm Leslie sends $22.00 to be given to Duncan & Edgar. By the way, Edgar wrote to one of the boys that he had received from Leslie by you $20 at one time and $10 at another. He must have made a mistake. Leslie sent 20 at one time & 25 at the other. Please ask him about it.

 

Madison Funkhouser sends $15.00. He wishes you to keep it until his wife calls for it.

 

            I will try and have the express charges paid here. it will save you much trouble.

 

            I wish you would send me Uncle Sutherlands address. I do not know where he is now. I wish to write to him.

 

            There has been another effort made to get us back to the state. I do not know how it will succeed. Gen'l Crawford is very anxious to get us back.

This Regt has finally got reduced below the minimum number. We are not entitled to a Colonel now. I think I told you of our endeavoring to have Capt Howard made Col of the Reg't over the Lt Col & Maj. When we sent in the first request we were threatened with charges of conspiracy by the Lt. Col. but they found that it would not scare us. (There are 14 officers who signed the request.) A few days ago we learned that our request had been lost We got up another. That stirred up the wrath of our superiors again. they are now engaged in trying to get some catch upon us to satisfy their revenge. Two of our party are now under arrest. One (a Captain) for drinking and Riley for being absent over time when he was at home last Sept. Riley had his trial to day. I do not know how he will come out but I think he will be cleared

 

            The whole party of us have incurred the displeasure of Regimental Head Quarters but we are all right at Division /

 

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and Brigade H'd Q'rs. We have got tierd of being led by men who are incompetent for the positions they hold. I would not wonder if they would trump up some charge against every one of us. They think we are rather frightened because we say but little and do less to defend ourselves. I want them to think so. Just now we could prefer charges that would send one to the Penitentiary and most likely dismiss another. But we want to be certain of success. then we will try what we can do. We have taken notes as well as they.

 

If you should hear of me being under arrest, dont be allarmed. I can clear my self of any charge they choose to bring.

                                   

Love to all

                                               

Your son

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