Camp Sedgewick.      

Near Brandy Station Va.

Dec 20. 1863.

                       

Dear Sister,

             This is the first time in a long while that I have commenced a letter to you in the evening Most generally I go at it in the forenoon after the usual Sunday morning inspection Today I wanted to wash my clothes and have them clean to pack away in my knapsack in case we made a move

 

            For several days past there have been indications of moving to the rear, and it has generally been believed through camp that Thursday's storm prevented us from going since then, as the roads did not get in passable condition until today. This morning I did not feel willing to run the risk of waiting till another day before cleaning up, so I went at it. / Since ten oclock however I have changed my mind somewhat in regard to marching.

 

            The Major told us this morning that an order would be published tomorrow for us to raise our beds off from the ground. Most all have theirs so already a few not having quite gumption enough to do it till ordered to. This seems somewhat like expecting to stay here a while longer at least. I wish we could go into a little better place, one not quite so exposed to the wind, and nearer wood. If we should go to Warrenton some of us would be in a more exposed position than here. Warrenton is up pretty high in the world, and not a tree or anything to break off the wind. Some troops would have be placed there any way Off towards Salem and New Baltimore there are good places for troops to quarter near good water and heaps of wood. It has been very cold since it cleared away after Thursdays storm. we had a real old North East rain storm, cold too. the grass and wherever there was a tree were all loaded with / ice, creaking and snapping in the wind like it used to in New England when I lived there. The air has been pretty wintry today. it sweeps down from the Blue Ridge like blowing off from a snow bank, it has not thawed any only where the sun has had a chance to come all day. This afternoon we have been making a soup of some beef bones. had potatoes and onions to go with it, so we made out a mess that was quite eatable. I have been so full as to be uncomfortable for the past two days for once since I have been a soldier I have had all the beans I could eat. there is several in the company that cannot eat them of late, dont sit well on their internal arrangements, so I got their rations and for four meals I stuffed myself with them. It has been pretty airy since then in these parts and pretty poor air too. we have had to keep open our communications with out doors or else suffocate. I am beginning to feel natural again to night. I kept my watch till ceased to be any company to me so I do not miss it much. for about a year it was a good time keeper and run well, then it / sort of played out. Lewis bought it. he knew all its peculiarities and bought it to sell again. he made one dollar on it he told me the other day.

 

You have been thinking lately that I am not quite right about health and so on have you? Well! you can set your mind at rest on that subject at once. I have never enjoyed any better health at any time than I am now, and have been all along the past year. It seems strange as you say what keeps the soldiers alive, but you look at this regiment now and you will see scarcely any one thats ailing not even so much as a cold. plenty of pure air is what cures more diseases than all the medicine made. I tell you that little incident you mentioned in the last letter as happening over home was as good as a picture to me. it seemed to me as if I could see you all just as plain as day, and everything sounded so natural too, what Granny said, and turning her head one side I can see just like nothing just as ea-s-y.

 

Perkins has just a few minutes ago stuck a paper through the door. my knife is in it I guess by the feeling so I will take a look inside and see how it looks.

 

[upside down written through]

 

I have got into it. It looks as if it might stand to cut white bread and butter.

 

There were two men shot for desertion Friday a short distance from our camp belonging to the third second division of this corps. we could hear the bands play and heard the muskets when they fired a good many went from this reg^t to see it. I was on guard at the time or I should have gone They were shot in the presence of the whole division I guess it will be a lesson to them (the two men I mean)

 

I got a letter from you Wednesday night another Thursday night, also have had one from Ans and another from Hamilton this week.

 

Furloughs are in full blast Daniel Sullivan of this company went home last Monday morning Another one goes as soon as he comes back. For ten days Short visits and rather expensive ones too.

 

My old gal built an addition to the house one day this week I dont know whether she expects an addition to the family as the cause of her wanting more room or what the matter is. I will tell you if we have an heir

 

You are an old hand at selecting poetry aint you. give us some more just like it. If you cant get the poetry send the Emma, that will do as well perhaps better. good night L.C.C.

 

[front top margin sideways]

 

The stamps came all right. I dreamed the other night of being out of a job, thought I was home and had got to go to work to get a living no more to look to Uncle Sam for a living and thirteen dollars a month. I was a little inclined to have the blues, but I waked up presently and discovered I was abed with my breeches on, so I concluded I had not got rid of any old Uncle so slick so rolled over for another snooze. I guess I have now written all there is that is worth writing. Give my respects to the folks at home Granny too. What is the talk about the farm with them now do they think I could manage it. L.C.C.

SOURCES