3/26/1863

Camp near White Oak Church Va.

 

My dear Wife.

                                    My man Lee came back last night, 12 hours behind time, and handed me the pantaloons & letter. Thanks for your care in taking such good charge of the former. The photographs are good likenesses, particularly that of Kate's but I do not think much of your position. You look kind of "down on somebody". I hope the others you had taken will be better. I am writing this to send home by Lieut. Weidersheim, he having applied for a leave 3 or 4 days ago, and now anxiously awaiting the return of it from Head Quarters. Strict inspections are now being held of all the Regiments in our Corps, and no Regiment falling behind the standard fixed by General Hooker is to be allowed any more furloughs. We were inspected yesterday by a Lieut. Col. on Hookers Staff, and as no applications were to be considered until after the Inspections Report, I presume that to be the cause of the delay in Weidy's application. I trust it will come in to day all right. Thinking of our Inspection reminds me that I must give you a detailed account of ours. The Arms clothing equipments and knapsacks are generally the subjects of attack, and we are somewhat prepared for it, but the thoroughness of yesterday's examination went far ahead of anything we have had yet. We had all the companies drawn up in line, then formed into column, and the usual inspection of the arms &c. &c. and we fancied all was over. But to our / utter dismay and great disgust, the men were next ordered to unbutton their coats and bare their breasts, and unbutton their pantaloons and drawers and be prepared for an inspection of their persons. One Company, A, was ordered to draw off their shoes and stockings and stand barefooted. I must confess, I was rather nervous about my Company, and I do not think a single Officer felt perfectly secure about his Company. However, the Inspector passed through and through, pointing out this and that man as being dirty or that man as being troubled with "parasites" &c. &c. And we escaped tolerably well. It was amusing to notice the mens' faces while going through the ordeal. The Inspector subsequently told us that sometimes he made every man in the Regiment pull off his shoes and stockings, but he would not require us to do that as he was satisfied, after looking at the feet of one Company. You may think it strange that soldiers would keep themselves so dirty (some I mean) but in some Jersey Regiments the men are actually becoming diseased from dirty feet. Ours thank fortune was cleanly—but not a bit more than average. To make men strip, and examine their bodies is a thing we never thought of. We were completely caught, but I think turned up all right. It was in reality the only Inspection we have ever had. If it is Hooker's style, it is the right one, and he is beginning in a proper manner. If men will not keep themselves cleanly, they should suffer for it, and if they have any kind of pride, they would dislike to be told they are filthy before the whole Regiment. 

 

We expect the Committee down to night or to-morrow. Capt. Warner on his return stated that Pop Loudy would be down here on Saturday or Sunday next. As you have said nothing about it in any of your letters I did not whether to credit it or not. You well know how rejoiced I would be to see him here. I do wish one of your Uncles had been able to come down while we were lying here. I would like them to have had an insight into a soldier's life. If Pop does come, you may rest assured we will heartily welcome him. I am extremely sorry to hear of poor old Charlies sad fate. He certainly deserved a better—for he was a capital old fellow in his line. I am afraid your uncle will not be able to replace him readily. Your Uncle Theo certainly deserves sympathy for his loss, but did I not lose $125 in the shape of a watch and chain in the same way? Pickpockets are lucky. No talk yet of a move. It is raining this morning, and as the past few days have been rather stormy, the roads cannot be yet in good order. The Paymaster is down paying off some of the Regiments in the Division, at least such is the report. I hope he will be here at any rate before the Committee leave. I am completely played out myself, not having a picayune to go to market with. We should be paid every two months and it is wrong to keep us waiting in this manner. Lieuts Saylor and Logo have both applied for furloughs, but they will not get them for a week or ten days at least. When they return, I am going to ask for a 6 days leave, unless there are symptoms of moving. 

 

I regret that the children are so susceptible of colds. What time will you go out of town? I advise you to go early in the season. I hope you will secure a comfortable place. I hear Capt. Laurie is coming over to sketch our camp soon. We intend to have the sketch sent in to Phila to be photographed if he does. You can then see our house, and how nice we live. But I have completely run out having spun out 3 sheets on nothing. Give my love to all the family. Treat Lieut Weidy as a prince when he visits the house, for he is a capital fellow, as true as steel and I like no officer in the Regiment better than him. Kiss little ones over and over again for me, and make Rollie write often. Take good care of yourself and remember me always as yours devotedly

 

Andy

 

March 26/63                                                   

 

—Address now—

119 P.V.

            3^rd Brigade 1^st Division

                        6^th Corps—

—Our present position—

 

I send this by mail as

Lieut. Weidy's furlough

has not yet come.

SOURCES