Warrenton Va.           

July 26, 1863.

                                   

Dear Sister.

                You see we have again invaded the sacred soil of Virginia, and are again on our annual or semiannual excursion to Richmond. do you think we shall be able to reach our place of destination this time? We did not have quite so long a visit in Maryland this summer as usual. The boys thought a great deal of getting there before we started from the Rappahannock but we have lived better since we crossed the Potomac last Sunday than we did all the time we were in Maryland or Pennsylvania. Foraging is carried on with a vengeance now and it ought to have been allowed / before this time. If we come in sight of a farmhouse on the march the men will drop out of the ranks and put for it, just as fast as they can leg it. when they get there, poultry pigs sheep, calves, potatoes, apples and everything eatable have to stand it. It dont do any good for the owners to say any thing at all. every thing that is wanted has to go. Last Monday night when we camped, some of the cavalry went to a farm house to get some hay and grain for their horses. they offered to pay for what they wanted, but the owner would not sell or give away after a while spent in arguing they went into the barn and took what they wanted and then set the barn on fire. it was a very large one, built of stone. It made it so light in our camp we could see to read as well as in the day. This I think is carrying things too far. I believe in taking / anything that is wanted to eat, but not in destroying property. I have had new potatoes, fresh pork or chicken all the week, and as a consequence have had to let out my belt a notch or two.

 

Day before yesterday we were in Manassas Gap. we were ordered here rather unexpectedly, as we supposed we were going to stay all night. Five of our men were off foraging at the time, so I with another man staid back to look out for their things. About six o'clock they come in with five turkeys and a big ham. I had a good lot of potatoes and all together we made out a pretty good mess. we eat supper, fresh pork mutton and potatoes, and started we were about four hours behind. we measured off ten miles and camped in the woods. we cooked one turkey for breakfast fried it with a lot of potatoes, and when we got ready to go on we put all our baggage on a horse we came across, and then started, and got to the reg^t about nine oclock 

 

It is said we have got to go to White Sulphur Springs today, and I may not have time to finish this before we march. we have pretty hot weather now and the sweat flows pretty freely but I stand it as well as any of them. I got your letter a week ago last night there had ought to be another one with the next mail. I found quite a variety in it all of which came in a good time I was glad to see another picture It did not look natural at first nor Ma's did not when I got that, but it seems as if they had both altered ever so much since I got them. they do not look at all to me as they did when I first got them. they look natural enough now. Pa looks pretty white dont he. his hair and whiskers have turned a good deal since I was at home. Your quarter I turned into a piece of white bread and a pie last Sunday in Berlin. you see I did not keep it long. money is not worth much here I had about as lives not have any as to have in this country once in a while it comes handy enough but every thing is so high here that it is a good deal cheaper to

 

[upside down written through]

 

steal what you want than buy it. (foraging you know is about the same thing) You asked me about my spider. the last time I saw it was on Fredericksburg heights the 9^th of May. it was a little to heavy.

 

I have done my weeks washing this morning I should not wonder if it was before you eat breakfast you must remember, I am getting "right smart"

 

I cannot think what more there is to write I burnt your letter so that I cannot have it to look at now. I understand the draft has been along your way and carried off a few. I have seen the list drafted in Mendon Will Parkey pay the $300. I suppose L. Gaskill will of course. how about Albert Swan. I was most afraid John would have to [?] it. I guess Warren and Harry think themselves lucky and Charley B. I should like to have been at home at the time and seen how it operated on the folks before it was known who was to go wasnt there some squirming            But I guess I will stop I wish your letter was here as I could answer that too

 

[front margin upside down]

 

Jo Wood is in the Hospital yet on extra duty He rather showed the white feather in going away on so slight a wound. It did not draw the blood.

 

I have always got your letters so far. I rather think you have gained a letter on me now or else I have lost one, how is it. Shall I sit down and write another this afternoon so as to even with you L C Cook

SOURCES