Hd Qrts 1^st Brig 1^st Div C.C.

Near Culpepper Va April 24^th 64

 

My Dear Father—

                        To-night I unexpectedly received a letter from you and of my pleasure at receiving it you may judge by my punctuality in answering it. As you are in doubt as to the command General Custer has at the present I will first explain that. To make room for a favorite Gen Grant has removed from the 3^rd Div of Cavalry three Generals Kilpatrick, Custer and Davies, all experienced Cavalry officers. By recommendation of General Grant Lt Col Wilson, for some time on his staff, has been made a Gen and promised a division of Cavalry. As he was so lately appointed, these three officers above mentioned "ranked" him thereby making it impossible for them to serve under him. To gratify him therefore they were transferred or removed. When Gen Custer learned that he was about to be removed he went to General Meade and told him if he was assigned any other than the Michigan brigade he would ask to be relieved from duty with this army. They therefore gave him permission to take it and was transferred to this division formerly commanded by Buford, now by Gen Torbert an Infantryman but a very fine officer and capable General. You may well believe every officer and soldier of this command are greatly pleased by the compliment paid them by the Gen by his determination to remain with them, and them only. The brigade is now the strongest one in the Cavalry Corps and has been highly praised by Gen Sheridan com'd'g Corps. We have some eight hundred dismounted men and are praying the army may not move till they also are mounted & equipped. Being so near the summer campaign we have taken to tents though there is a large house but a few yards from our present Hd Qrts. A word about these same will not be uninteresting. We are located very pleasantly and comfortably in a picturesque and romantic grove in the center of an open country, not unlike an "oasis" in this desert of Virginia. In sight of Culpepper and Cedar Mt and with a good view of the Blue Ridge. This aforesaid "oasis" is therefore used for not quite so melancholy a purpose as was originally intended, as formerly it was used for a grave-yard. It may be prophetic yet we took quite naturally to it. As it's former occupants also remain you may think we are somewhat troubled but they sleep quite soundly and we are not disturbed. There are few here that fear live men and you may be sure none fear dead ones. There are several like institutions about here, one very interesting being the cemetery of the southern confederacy or at least a part of it. On the headstones you may read the names of soldiers from every state in the dominions of Jefferson D. who died of wounds received at Bull Run, and there too side by side our dead killed at Cedar Mt & Brandy Station &c. They have forgiven each other and are sleeping together. Death has squared all accounts between them, though not between them and their God. I noticed on another the name of an old lady who died in 1817 aged 94 years. In fact upon all sides there are many things to interest us. From Pony Mountain or Cedar Mountain you can get a good view of this part of Virginia, and it needs but one of our western lakes to render it complete. Tomorrow we intend to ride over the battle field of Jackson & Banks at Cedar Mt. This afternoon we had divine service as for our sunday there was found our Chaplain at the Brigade not under arrest. Enclosed you will find a "star of Bethlehem" flower which reminded me by its name of the great difference of religious opinion and customs, if by chance Jesus Christ had been born an unruly colt or calf. We escaped great difficulties therefore by his being born a babe of kind and gentle disposition and self sacrificing too. But these topics are intended to make one gloomy and I will therefore drop them.

 

We have been informed that the enemy was moving on our right but as we are on / the extreme right and our pickets not reporting any such movements we dont believe it although we have received orders to "be in readiness to move at a moment's notice" I have had the pleasure of twice riding in the same car with General Grant between here & Washington. He is an extremely ordinary looking man small and negligently dressed. He is the second edition of Mr Titus Babcock—his face I mean. I never have seen two men look more alike except that Babcock is the fleshier of the two and appears more lively and he is slow enough for any practical purpose. You will find enclosed also a twig of the "Yew Tree". When you write again send me some postage stamps as all communications are cut / off from Washington and sutlers expelled. Give my love to all the folks and remember me to Judge Bacon send my sabre & saddle & sash down by Fred Mims if he will take them as I intend to use them to good advantage this summer and Believe me

                                   

Truly and sincerely

                                               

Your Son

James I Christiancy

 

Address

1^st Brig 1^st Div Cav Corps

 

[overleaf]

 

Jas I. Christiancy

April 24/64

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