Camp Sedgewick                   

Near Brandy Station Va.

Feb. 7. /64.

                       

Dear Sister.

                                    You will perceive at once without my telling you that we still remain in this same old Virginia that we have been so long tramping about in, and have not yet gone into Tennessee

 

            The first I had heard of going there came in your letter Friday, so you see what reliance you can place upon newspaper accounts. we are still in the same old spot as when I last wrote.

 

            Our usual quiet was disturbed yesterday morning early by marching orders. I happened to awake at about half past three and pretty soon one of the sentinels came along and heard him say that orders had come to march at / eight oclock to go by rail, and pretty soon afterwards there began to be a buzz in camp as the news was spread. you can believe there wasnt any more sleep for me that night. My first thought was that we were to be sent to Knoxville. then I knew very well we could not start off with so short notice as that, and another thing too I knew very well that there were not cars enough to take away the whole corps at once. So I couldnt make out the meaning of it. At last I thought it might be possible that we were to on a reconnaissance in force or that the rebels were making a raid somewhere near us and we were to go out and check them. this last I concluded was about as near the case as I could get. if it was anything else I made up mind the orders to march would be countermanded for the day at least. Well rations were issued and orders to pack up every thing except tents, and we waited to see what the next thing in the programme would be / but we were not disturbed at all. It soon began to be misty and disagreeable and every one went about what they liked. at ten oclock it began to grow noisy over towards the Rapidan and from that time till dark there was a continual cannonade kept up, with hardly any intermission.

 

towards night we could distinctly hear the rattle of musketry mixed up with the roar of cannon and till it was dark as midnight it continued steady. we have not heard much from there today, nor do we know the results of yesterdays fighting It seems there is a good deal of discontent in the rebel army and it may be they have to fight to keep the army together at all. I have been on picket again, another three days. went Wedn Tuesday, came in Friday. It wouldnt be strange if I had to go again tomorrow. I am getting pay now for the time I had in the fall. The lost day and night we were out I think we burnt on my post all of a cord of wood, oak and walnut / with a few dry rails now and then to make it burn good. the first day and night were rainy with a thunder shower in the night

 

So you noticed the two stripes did you. I thought I wouldnt say any thing of it and see if you would see it all the particulars of it was about this fashion I was building my chimney at Warrenton one day when the orderly came along with the chevrons in his hand and say here "cuke". I asked him what that was for, and he said "to put on" thats all there was to the appointment. Our veterans have not gone home yet and there is no sign of it as I see. I wish they would go for I dont like to another mans duty and he in camp they dont let them go on picket so you see the reason why I am on picket so often. three sergeants one corporal and four privates have reenlisted from co I. Capt Waterhouse has been home and brought back the wagons and Capt Russel's wives with him they are now in camp Give my respects to Mrs Barrows and to the little barrow. L. C. Cook.

 

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If you want to send something rale bad put in some black linen thread with which I should be greatly pleased.

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