I have to send this letter without paying the postage. no stamps!

JSW.

 

Warrenton Junction Va

Dec 10 /63

 

Dear Father

                        It is some time since I wrote you and I will try and write a little this evening. I have but little to write about. There is nothing new or interesting in the army now. Everything has become quiet and the army has settled down in the old style. I dont think there will be much done before spring. It is to cold to carry on active opperations now. I do not think it right / to keep men in the field during the winter. The last campaign was a severe one. It was so cold that it was impossible for men to sleep. Many men sat about the fires most of the night. I think that men will feel the effects of this campaign hereafter. Most of my men have severe colds. I can hear them coughing all night Many of them will contract lung diseases from which they will never recover.

 

People in the north do not know what they ask when they are crying out for a vigorous prosecution of the war during the winter. If they were here and had to go through such a campaign as our last, or even to do camp duty such as picket / or guard they would change their minds and I think would be anxious to go into winter quarters. If they want to know how picket duty goes let them dress as light as soldiers do & take a musket and stand from 2 to 4 oclock some morning on an exposed hill. After that experiment I think they would be satisfied for the army to go into winter quarters. Picket is nothing compared with lying in line of battle or on a skirmish line in front of an enemy.

 

            We are now guarding the Rail Road from Licking run to Cedar run, a line of about 4 miles. The duty is pretty hard. The country is infested with Guerillas, and we have to be very vigilant. They have not troubled us / any yet. Col Fisher captured a Captain & four men yesterday near New Baltimore.

 

I was out to see Lt Young yesterday. He says that he has sent all of Capt Maynards things away. He desired me to give his respects to you and the family.

 

            It is again rumored that we will be taken back to the state before the first of January. Gen'l Crawford has received some communications to that effect. I think that Gov Curtin wants us there to enforce the draft if there is any resistance made. I would about as leave stay where we are, that is, if they let us remain here. Must close. My love to Mother & the Children

                                               

Your Affectionate Son

J.S.Winans

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