Camp Sedgewick.                  

Brandy Station Va.

Feb. 21. /64.

                       

Dear Sister.

                                    I have to record the coldest weather this last week of any we have had this winter many even go so far as to say it was the coldest there had been in our whole three winters experience in the country. I think it was not so cold as some I seen, but it was plenty cool enough. If there had been snow on the ground it would have been tedious, but we were lucky in having bare ground.

 

            It was pretty blustering last week Sunday. monday it was squally and grew cold towards night and by the next morning it was cold enough to freeze niggers. this was the day the pickets were relieved, and it fell to me to be one to go out. I tried to get off, but it was no go / and so I had to face the music. we had a regular old freezer of a N.W. wind to face all the way out and by going as fast as we could we managed to keep up warmth enough to keep from freezing though some did freeze their ears. My post happened to come this time in an open field about a dozen rods from a heavy wood and within reach of a rail fence, and partly sheltered from the wind by being in a deep ravine the sentinel had to take up his post on the very tip of the highest ridge where the wind had full sweep clear from the Blue Ridge all white with snow. It was almost worth a persons life to go there but a man had to be kept there all the time. We concluded it would be best to relieve every hour at first but soon discovered a half an hour was as long as anyone could stand it. after sundown we returned to the old system of two hours as the wind had in a great measure died down. the next day was a very little more moderate but water in our cups four feet from our fire of blazing rails would freeze over in no time. the last morning / the weather had moderated a good deal so that it was quite comfortable picketing, but take the three days together it was a little the toughest of any I ever had the pleasure of performing. I dont want any more like it.

 

I expected to find a letter from Sally when I got into camp but nary a letter had there come. sundown however brought one filled with thread and postage stamps, my valentine. If you wont be surprised too much I will tell you something. the long talked of increase in my family has at length taken place. I dont know whether I shall acknowledge it as my heir or not. I want your advice It happened in my absence on picket and they did not even do so much as to let me know it till I got in. Its a bouncer I tell you and was around all over the regiment when I got back. the first thing that met my notice was a big black valise on my bed filled with underclothes &c so you see it came to hand with all its wants provided for. My old gal had even got a name for it. (you see my ideas were not / consulted in any particular concerning it.) Its name (its a boy) is Jo Wood, not even allowed to take my name, too bad aint it I shant stand it I shall secede from the corporation. Well Jo has reenlisted and has come on to get his accounts squared up get some cash and go home on a thirty five day furlough. We have had a long talk over matters and affairs that happened the third of May and its for that very reason he has he has reenlisted he says he would never go home with that stain upon his name and the only way he sees to clear himself is to reenlist. So dont you or anybody at home mention the subject of that days battle if he comes there, which he probably will before he returns to the reg^t. I would make some explanations of his conduct that day only there is not room here. he has been well rec^d by all the officers in the reg^t as its plain he has lost none of their respect. I think I shouldnt be afraid to try and see whether I could get that buss if I was only near enough. I might get repulsed the first time but the second assault sometimes proves successful in case of failure the first time, but I shall have to close Jo sends his respects to all enquiring friends    Lowell C Cook.

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