Fairfax Station, Va.

June 16. 1863.

                                   

Dear Sister

            We are on the jump again after Lee in Maryland Last summers operations to be acted over again I guess.

 

            Our Division managed to get across the Rappahannock last Saturday night in the midst of a drenching thunder shower. the rain softened the ground so that our artillery could be moved without making noise enough for the rebel pickets to hear. It was the third night that we had been there and every afternoon towards sun down the rebels threw shells over us onto the other side of the river / I dont know how it was they didnt put them to us. they could if they had wanted to, for we lay within easy range of their guns. I heard that Hooker threatened to burn the city if he undertook to shell us out which may be the reason of our being let alone. The pontoons were covered with hay Friday night, so we might cross, but we did not dare to evacuate, as it was so still their pickets would have heard us, and been at us with sharp sticks. Saturday night we started in the rain and wind and got safely across every man.

 

All the time we were across we were at work entrenching. We did not sleep any that night Sunday we marched to Stafford Court House we slept that / night from midnight till sunrise. Monday we marched to Dumfries got there at noon and rested till midnight and started again. we crossed Occoquan creek at noon and took dinner, and went in swimming and rested two hours, and now we are at this place Fairfax Station ready to start in the morning again. My feet feel rather sore and my shoulders too carrying a big load.

 

We have heard tonight that Vicksburg and Port Hudson were both ours I hope it will be true this time. It is getting so dark now that I shall have to stop writing. I got your last letter and its contents.                       

Lowell C Cook.

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