Camp near Ellis' Ford

on the Rappahannock

August 6^th 1863.

 

My Dear Sister

                        We arrived here 3 days ago. Since we crossed the Potomac we have been on the move, on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge. On our way down we called at Snickers Gap then Asby's Ashby's , then Manassas, where we left the Blue Ridge and marched eastward through the Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap and over Manassas Plains to Catletts Station on the Alexandria and Orange RR and from there we marched to Kellys ford which is 4 miles from here up the river it is the ford we crossed going to Chancellorsville.

 

            We arrived at the ford at dark, our Brigade having the advance of the Corps. the pontoon train was with us. a few of the boats were launched and the 66^th Ohio was put in them and rowed across by the light of the rising moon. a squad / of the enemys cavalry were discovered on some rising ground on the other side but they were driven off by a scattering volley from the 66^th. the bridge was then thrown over the stream and our Brigade went over and deployed as skirmishers to guard the bridge. in the morning the 1^st Division took our place we recrossed the river. On that day Buford had a smart fight with Stuart on our flank toward Culpepper Court House. We could tell by the firing that our fellows were driving them, but the heavy timber through the country prevented our seeing them.

 

            Next day we came here to join our Division. I think that our Division is on the extreme left of the army. it is our luck it seems to be on the flank. I have heard that our corps has been enlarged by having the 2^nd Division of the 11^th corps attached to it. I suppose you are aware of the breaking up of the 11^th Corps. 

 

the enemy in our front are tolerably well behaved, occasionally there are a few shots exchanged between some of the cavalry detachments who are constantly reconnoitering. I notice that "Gettysburg" has taken a great deal of the swagger out of the secesh. the pickets are very quiet and their gay troopers under Jeb Stuart are content to stay in camp and by all accounts are not "spoiling for a fight".

 

            We are suffering greatly from the great heat which has prevailed during the last week. I hope the weather will moderate before active operations commence. A long march in such days as we have now would be very severe on the men. the scarcity of water in this country is a very serious inconvenience. when in camp at Catletts Station I had to go nearly two miles for water, and then it was out of a creek

 

            A detachment from our Reg^t / has gone to Ohio for conscripts to fill up our ranks I suppose it will be a month before they arrive. I noticed the names in the Herald of some of my uptown acquaintances who had been drafted in the 22^nd Ward

 

            I hope the government will enforce the draft in the city without delay and should Seymour Wood and their "Friends" "the so called rioters" try to resist it or question the legality of it why then give them their "rights" as we have given "the so called rebels" theirs this is no time to wait for the action of civil authority especially such as that of judge M^cCann nor have we time to lose in buying 300 dollar volunteers among a people who have forfeited every claim to the favor or mercy of our government.

 

            I would like to have a few lines from you. I thank you for the papers you will please remember me to Mr P. & family I wrote a few lines to Mr P. at at Sandy Hook Md. my kind regards to all our family

                                                                       

Yours affectionately            Jim

 

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if convenient send ½ doz of my cards

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