Nov 30, '62

Camp near Acquia Virginia

 

My dear Wife

                        Sgt. Marsh arrived here safely last evening bringing your kind long letter and packages, for which receive my hearty thanks. To begin with the flannel articles. They were truly acceptable, fit nicely and I have put them to immediate use, having taken a bath in Acquia Creek this afternoon, shed my old worn out cotton shirts and drawers and come out a true "red devil". You could not have forwarded me anything more suitable. After a while I will write to you for something more, but will not do so until I can send the Greenbacks to provide them. The stockings are nice and comfortable and in regard to them rest assured I will take your advice. The gingerbread were delicious, being the first I have eaten since leaving Phila. And last and greatest of all, the ambrotypes of the little ones. I am truly glad to have them. Roly is much changed. He looks the little man. Tell him I look at him and inwardly talk with him many times during the day. Would that I had him here with me now! How he would enjoy the life we lead. What a pet he would be with the Regiment. And little Amy! how cute she looks, or as they would say in the country "how peert"—Dear little ones, when shall I see them? What happy times we will have when together again. But of that I do not wish to write. Ady did you not have yourself taken with them? Did you not suppose I wanted your picture? You must send it to me. I have put the little ones in my breast pocket and intend to keep them there. I will now try and answer some little matters in your letter. First I distinctly understand Dr. Wilson about the little affair between us, and time will certainly prove my understanding. I have not as yet seen his brother, so do not know whether he was promoted or not. I am pleased to find you sent for him as the physician of the family. You know we ever found him kind considerate and pleasant, and of his skill we have every reason to be satisfied. Dr Horner has undoubtedly desired to attend us no more. There let him rest. We owe him nothing. I feel sorry though for he was a pleasant man and an old friend. How many friends will I have when I return? If fortune should favor me in granting an opportunity to distinguish myself I will no doubt have plenty. Another thing. Mr. Miller's remarks about my Company as coming from the other Captains, I mean. Of this I have something to say to you and others who may have heard him speak of it. When the Captains found how pleasant a place we had at the Arsenal they became envious and jealous. this I found still rankled, when we rejoined the Regiment. The consequence is that my self and the 2 Lieutenants and in fact the whole Company keep to ourselves and do not visit the other Officers to play cards, drink whiskey and worship the Colonel. In regard to being too easy with the men, I can answer that with the facts, that on the march my Company held out as well if not better than any other in the Regiment. That I have not one sick man now in the hospital (which is crowded), that I have more men ready for duty than some of the larger Companies, that they do as much if not more duty than any other Company, that not one man has died since we commenced enlisting, and that when any extra men are required for guard or other purposes, the call is invariably made from Company C. They acquired an independent air and carriage at the Arsenal, which I rather encourage, as I do not wish to have a set of babies, but men. On the / whole they satisfy their own officers, and that I consider all that is necessary. I feel that on the battle field they will act honorably, and will not see their Captain or Lieutenants neglected. These talks around the Colonel's fire are too apt to degenerate into gossips. The fact is we are too independent to please all, so we obey orders and please ourselves. Rest content dear, there is always a "wheel within a wheel"—what my opinion of the other companies and their officers are I will not at present say, but one thing is sure and from it you may judge what our feelings are. There are but—7—men in the whole line and staff that we consider as associates, or as good men, so let it go. One thing more, and that is about William—I have written to him twice, and send him a letter by the same mail as this. From him I have not yet recd a line. He may have written and directed it to the Arsenal, for you know we recd no mail for 5 weeks. I hope to have an answer soon to the one I wrote today. From mother, or any of the family, I have not recd a line for 6 weeks. About sending for you if any accident or sickness occurs I am surprised that you should feel the least doubt. For whom else could I send? There is but one in this wide world who would come to me in such a time, and that is my wife. Why do you so doubt me? And my dear, why do you so often assure me that you are not extravagant? that you are so saving? I know all this—that you do not expend our coppers, except the expense is absolutely necessary. I can only blush, that you are required to do so. It worries me nearly sick to ascertain that you are doing what I had hoped my wife would never be obliged to do. But, may the day come when all that will cease. I form and reform plan after plan, for our future. When something feasible suggests itself I will let you into the secret.

Thanksgiving day was a dry one with us. We were out on picket until 12 o'clock and returned to a dinner of "Lob scouse". It was the first time we had any extra orders to be careful. We started on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from camp, went out about 3 miles and were all posted by 1 o'clock. Where my head quarters were was a board fence, so we helped ourselves pretty liberally and built quite a nice frame shanty to spend the 24 hours in. We had a roaring fire, and so had all the outposts, for it was a clear cold night and the wind was cutting. About 8 o'clock however Major Knight came over, ordered us to load all our muskets, extinguish the fires and be unusually vigilant, and then requested me to visit all the outposts with him. As the line was about 4 miles in length (the whole Regiment being posted) we did not get through until nearly 11 o'clock and as we had some nasty ground to get over the job was by no means pleasant. The fires being all out we could not sleep and the balance of the night we spent in talking in a low voice criticising the conduct of the war, and vainly wishing for orders to march on Richmond. Although picket duty is generally dreaded, yet I rather fancy it. It is exciting, and to me is more agreeable than lying around camp. It is a wild feature of a soldier's life. It proves his capacity to endure hardship without murmuring. Tattoo is just being beaten or rather bugled. We have it now at 8 o'clock in the evening instead of 9. We can hear the bugles away in the distance near headquarters at Stafford Court House. then brigade follows after brigade down the valley the sound comes nearer and nearer until our own bugler sounds it. Then you hear the cry "Fall in Company" so and so, and you see the men creeping out of their dogholes (as we call the shelter tents) or rushing up from their fires to answer Roll Call. One half of an hour after we have taps, and the duties of the day are over— 

 

Last night just at Tattoo we had another death in camp. A member of Company H. Poor fellow, he has answered his last Roll Call on earth. Where did he answer his Reveille this morning! We have two sick Captains—poor souls they look dismal enough. It is an unhappy place to be sick in, a camp. When you next see Cap Loudy, ask him when I am to have an answer from him. Tell him I follow his advice in many things and find it good. Lieut Saylor is rather under the weather from severe cold &c does not sleep well at nights, gets cold and is obliged to leave his tent for the fire. I sleep soundly now and go straight through my 7 hours without flinching. I think I will show the Regiment that either in camp or on the march or on picket (may I add the battle field?) I am always ready. Lieut Logo is well excepting a slight cold but I am afraid he will not be able to stand the rigors of a winter campaign without some trouble.

 

                        We have many rumors about warring from the woodland. When we arrived here we camped in a thick woods of pine and oak. Now you cannot recognise the place. The timber is all cut and we have to carry our wood quite a distance. Some regiments have been obliged to shift their quarters to get the desired article. I have been very busy this past week getting up an entire set of company books on foolscap paper. The Colonel graciously gave me 2 quires. It is much trouble and it is I think an outrage that my application to send Lieut. Saylor to Berlin after the books and company property was refused by Gen Howe now commanding the Division. Well let it pass. A good soldier never complains, but we often have good cause to do so. As to rations, the men now have abundance, and it affects a complete change in their spirits and energies. It would do you good to see them cooking their various messes, generally managing to make several dishes out of one or two materials. Coffee is our greatest standby and the coffee pot is almost always on the fire. But it is growing late and my fingers are nearly frozen so I must hurry and close, regretting that I have nothing interesting to write about, but must spin out my letters as I best can. Of the paymaster I can say nothing. When he comes you will hear from me at once. Give my best respects to all good inquiring friends. My love to all who consider it worth accepting. Kiss the little ones for me and believe me to remain as ever

 

Yours devotedly

Andy

 

Novem 30/61                                                              

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