Rec^d Jany 8^th 1863

 

Dumfries Va. Decr 21^st 1862

 

            Dear Marshall             I received yours of the 15^th inst last night delighted to hear of your being in good health. And now I will tell you what we have been doing since you heard from me last. On Dec 2 Gnl Gearys Division started for Winchester and returned inside of six days of course I was along we had a little skirmish at Berryville on our first day out but this was all the resistance we met with. Winchester looks hard it was full of sick secesh who were paroled. we staid in it but a few hours. On our way back we were caught in a severe snow storm and had a pretty rough time of it. it reminded me of some of Landers old marches last winter. after reaching camp we staid 3 days and on the 10^th the whole corps started from Harpers Ferry for _____ via Hillsboro, Leesburg, Fairfax. we came up with the rear of Siegel at Fairfax. he was on his way for Fred'bg Our Division was on the right of the line and arrived at this place 4 days ago. On the day after our arrival our Division was ordered to march westward again and away it went on the road it came on, leaving the 5^th 7^th & 66 Ohio Reg^ts here with two guns and a few cavalry, but I cant tell for what part of Stewarts made a raid on some of Siegels rear at this place a few days before we came and captured a / few sutlers and some cavalry pickets. this place is on the telegraph line from Fredericksburg, and there is frequent alarms caused by the enemy trying to cut the wires. We are continually on the alert to repel an attack. we are bivouacked in the woods and ready to move anywhere at any time. our provisions are brought to us by steamer from Alexandria. Dumfries is the next oldest town to Fredericksburg in the country. I am told it is situated on Quantico inlet about half way I think between Aquia Creek and Washington along this shore are many works which were used by the enemy during the blockade of the Potomac. their extensive winter huts are still standing in groups behind sheltering hills. I have no idea how long we will remain here I hope our stay will be short as this is the most desolate place I have met with on the river. the past few days has been very cold. we are all in utter ignorance of what is going on around us. we get no papers or any news except what we gather from a dispatch carrier and no two of them tells the same story. One of Mr Prestons papers of the 14^th which came last night brought us the latest news we have in camp there is all kinds of rumors of Burnside and Banks performing all manner of / impossible things. I am anxiously awaiting developments

 

            Many thanks to Margret & Agnes for their kindness but I cannot give them any encouragement as I cannot tell where we will be located for any length of time

 

            If the good cause prospers and Burnside is victorious that will be comfort enough for me, and I will be merry on Christmas and happy on the New Year in anticipation of the speedy end of this war and of the good time coming

 

            I am sorry to hear that Mr Preston has been afflicted with sore eyes he has my sympathy as I have had mine nearly smoked out since I came here. we burn pine knots for firewood. the cold wind makes it necessary to keep close to the fire and as a consequence we resemble a lot of sweeps, or as they say in the old art as black as a collie. You will continue the same address as I do not know whether we are detached from the Corps or not. if we move I will inform you of the fact at my earliest opportunity, and if we stay here I will soon write again if I have time. I have written this in great haste in order to catch a mail which takes its departure from here within a half an hour 

 

Hoping that you will make allowances for all mistakes and hoping that you are all in good health

 

I remain Yours as Ever

James Clarke

 

            I wish yourself, family, and all my friends at home the Merriest Christmas and the happiest of all Happy New Years

 

            I forgot to state that I am in good health. An answer to a question in Margrets letter which I forgot to answer, which is that I was mustered in on the 20^th of April 1861 to serve 3 years or I am credited with time and am paid from that date although I did not really enter the service until the latter part of June

 

a dozen postage stamps in your next if you please

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