Camp Sedgewick.                  

Near Brandy Station Va.

Jan 17. 1864.

                       

Dear Sister,

           I have got two letters this evening to answer to pay for having none last Sunday. Your first letter was not postmarked till the 11^th and the last bore date of the 12^th so you see why I did not have it to answer last Sunday evening. I like them best as you say, one a week, rather than two one and none the next.

 

            We are having real nice weather just now for winter. the snow is all gone and the mud is none of it gone. it is awful nasty here after nine oclock in the morning when the sun has taken out the frost of the night before 

 

That diary I have meant to mention for a long time past but have kept forgetting it every week till now I thought that I did mention it at the time the box came but perhaps it was not. It was not injured any though it was pretty well dampened through. the edges of the leaves were some shitty but not enough to do any good. the little pencil was lost the other I have yet. I have scribbled sometimes in the diary. the most important events you know but this "Sunday very pleasant" "Monday rainy no drill" I have omitted I have picked up parts of diaries in a hundred different camps all amounting to the same as the above, and it did not seem to me that such an one would be very interesting to any one, and it may be what I have written will not be the most entertaining amusement you ever had /

 

            It seems to me you are raising up infantry over your way at a terrible rate it will be sometime before they will of much use but then they will grow to it in time. I am afraid you will have an entirely new population by the time I get home if things go on as they have done My heir has not arrived yet. time enough for that you know for a good while.

 

            Our Col has resigned and is I suppose going home. his farewell address was read to us Friday night in which he says he parts with us with regret. he reviewed our conduct while in action at Salem Heights, Mayries Heights, Gettysburg, and all other slight engagements and says no troops could have shown greater bravery or gallantry He classed all alike, officers and men under one head, that of "comrades" not one officer was mentioned in any way I think they were not respected more than the private soldier / The men exhibited their regret at parting with their commanding officer in cheering and yelling like so many devils not much love lost by his resignation he is here yet but the reg^t is under command of Major Jenckes. Lieut Col Read I suppose will be our next Col if there is one appointed he is now with Terry. Inspector Gen of the 2^nd Divn

 

Ma's paper came at the same time with the letters Friday night. I had it to read last night. we have got "dead heaps" of reading matter on hand now so the time does not hang heavy on our hands Ma's pens also arrived for both of which I am much obliged. I still keep the gold pen of Hopkins' pretty good one.

 

I shall have to take my regular turn of picketing now. camp guard or detail will not clear me now as the orderly keeps three separate rolls, picket, camp guard, and detail or fatigue. My gal have never been

 

[upside down through written]

 

on picket together as yet. I always been one left to take care of things about the house.

 

            Eight oclock! just had the last roll call for today and now I am going to bed, pretty early dont you think Sunday night too. Had soup for supper beef soup this time. I have got a pile of beans on the shelf that is big enough for a dozen men to stand around which I keep for reserve.

 

            Pa got a pretty good price for his oxen didnt he shall I have to pay that when I buy mine. take mostly all my green backs at home wouldnt it. Tell Eva to sign her name when she writes the next letter.

 

            Yours respectfully till next Sunday night when if its agreeable I will come again.

                                                                                   

Lowell C Cook. U.S.A.

 

(most forgot to tell you the P. O. stamps

came safely ten. thankee.

SOURCES