Camp near Warrenton Va. Sep 13/63

 

My dear Wife.

                                    This week has sped quickly by. On Tuesday last we received for our Regiment some 200 recruits mostly substitutes. We had been informed on the previous Sunday that they would arrive and we were anxiously awaiting them. Since their arrival, we have been very busy, apportioning and equipping them. And now about their characters &c. We had been told that a better class of recruits had been sent to our Regiment than any that had left the city. But if we have secured a better class, God preserve us from the usual run! We have representatives from every known people excepting blacks. Poles, French, Dutch, Swedes, Italians &c. &c. are numerous, and many of them cannot speak or understand one word of English. They are generally good for nothing and instead of being of any service to us, will for a long time be a worse nuisance than the Rebs themselves. We had them until yesterday in a separate camp immediately adjoining our own, and pocket picking and fighting seemed to be their favorite amusements. I had 34 transferred to my Company and among them was one who was taken as a substitute from the Lunatic Asylum of the Alms House. This morning he "vamosed the Ranch" / in his stocking feet. I hope it is the last we will ever see of him. Seven of the recruits have already gone, and before many days elapse, we think we will be minus many more. I do not know where the fault lies, but it is an outrage to serve a Regiment that has been a year in service so scurvy a trick as to fill it up with the kind of men a greater part of these recruits are. We have gained a position for ourselves of which we were proud. Our Brigade cannot be excelled by any in the Army for cleanliness and proficiency in the manual. And now our Regiment will be obliged to commence anew with these roughs. Well! Well! things may turn out better than we expect. Have you heard of the sad accident to Capt. Wagner? He was riding over to our parade ground being Officer of the day. His horse threw him, and fell over on him fracturing his left thigh badly. The bone may set again, but his age, I am afraid, will keep him some time on his back. We are still here on the old spot, but fancy we will not remain much longer. We recd orders last night to be ready to move at a moments notice. Our Cavalry and Artillery have crossed the Rapidan, some five miles from here. This was last night, and to day heavy firing has been heard from that point. We do not fancy the sound much, as it / smacks of hard work, and we would be much encumbered with our recruits. It is thought we will go towards Culpepper. I trust, if we do march there we will have a strong force. If all we hear is true, Lee cannot have much of an Army. We hear our Cavalry are driving them. I had a visit the other day from Capts. Lipferd and Obenender two who went home with me when wounded in May last. I have now seen them all excepting Adjutant Bicknell who I presume has not yet returned to his Regiment. I should like to see him again. Why dont you send me one of my photographs down? I should like to see one. And now I must scold you a little. Why dont you write? I have not heard now from you for a week. It is always an anxious time for me when the mail comes in. I suppose though you have been busy with Lizzie Glass Affair. I hope she will be happy, and have a good husband, lots of children &c. My respects to her and her "bold Officer" when you see them. We are all flourishing here Lieuts Saylor and Logo well. Weidy as usual throwing himself around promiscuously. He has been in command of Company F since Capt. Wagner's accident, and is as much a favorite as ever. The more I see of him, the better I like him. No gossip I can think of at present. Give my respects to / Capt. Loudy and wife, and assure them of my many thoughts and good wishes for their health. If we are so fortunate as to winter anywhere this winter we will certainly expect him to see us. My kindest remembrances to all good friends. Give my love to all in the house and to all the raft of cousins, Aunts and Uncles. Remember me to Richard. Kiss little ones over and over for me and hoping to hear from you soon believe me to be as ever

                                                                       

Yours devotedly

Andy

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