Camp of 50^th N.Y. Engineers

Rappahannock Station Va April 8^th

                       

Dear Parents

                    We received a letter from you which Harrison brought us yesterday and glad enough were we to hear from home again. We are enjoying usual good health and have been having a streak of nice weather in the bargain but it begins to look stormy again to night and I fear we will catch another storm soon but let her rip we are pretty well prepared for it now. A number of Reg'ts have been moving farther toward the front to day and things begin to assume active operations once more / But you need not look for a battle right off for I think Gen Grant wont attack the enemy untill every thing is in readiness and then the Rebs will have to skin their heels or I am no prophet. There are quite a number of Artillery Reg't in sight of this place. Our camp is situated on the summit of quite a rise of ground so we have a fine commanding view of the country roundabout us. The Blue Mountains are plain to be seen from here with their snowy white sides and present quite a contrast to this place where there has been no snow for four or five days and judging by the eye I should think they were twenty miles distant from here / and methinks I would not care about living on or very close to them They are like some people they rear their heads to high in air to suit my fancy however it is well enough to hold up ones head once in a while if one dont get it to high. This puts me in mind of one of Co. L officers whom the boys says feels very lofty and aristocratic unless he should chance to notice his feet when the sight of those huge limitless things takes the conceit all out of him for the time being. but will let it pass and consider it a good joke at his expense Daniel says he will not write any this time. he has a heap of trouble on his mind about his old pipe which he broke and is now trying to mend up by candle light and Voorhis is holding the candle for him and Harrison is writing There now you / know what we are all a doing this evening I shall look for the Capt and some of the boys down here tomorrow

 

There now the bugle sounds for roll call so I will have to close for this time by bidding you all good night perhaps I will write more in the morning before the mail goes from camp. Adieu

 

Saturday morning April 9^th 1864

We are all kicking about the same as common though not feeling tip top for I am troubled with the Virginia quick step of late occasioned by a change of water I think

 

I wrote you I thought we would move to the Second Corps well that order has been countermanded so there is no telling what we will do now

 

            The weather is quite rainy this morning so we will have little to do this day. My sheet is nearly filled so I will scribble no more.

                                                                       

Cha^s. W. Personeus

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