Camp near Culpeper C.H. Va Sep 27 63

 

My dear Dot.

                                    Although, I have no doubt, you have been exercising yourselves in Phila. over the move of the "Army of the Potomac" and expected every moment to hear of terrible battles and all that, yet here we are, lying at Culpeper, as quietly as if we were on the most peaceful errand on earth. The "Grand Army" has stacked arms and beyond an occasional skirmish on the picket line, we can scarcely fancy we are in an enemy's country. Not that we are idle. We are kept constantly busy, in drilling and court martialing &c. Upon our return from mending roads and bridges, we had orders to march and for some time were packed up all ready to go, rations were distributed, and we imagined we were on the straight road to Richmond. But that blew over, and here we are yet, and from rumors we will move our camp tomorrow, in order to prepare ourselves for fall quarters. The fact is our Army is too small in numbers to make much of a forward movement. The Rebs may be in charge force beyond the Rapidan, and Meade can afford to move only on a certainty. Defeat to us would be particularly disastrous. Our forces lost 2 entire Corps yesterday. It is thought they have gone to Texas. We are anxiously awaiting further news from Rosecrans who has been doubtless very hardly used. I guess he will be all right, however. I cannot see, for the present, any active movements on our part, unless a grand skedaddle. We will remain here, more as a Corps of observation than for any offensive operations. Forward we will not go unless it is ascertained that the enemy have retired to Richmond / which I can assure you we are perfectly willing they should do. We get along better than we expected with our recruits. They seem well disposed and many are improving rapidly in drill. Some of my men who deserted have been recaptured, and three have already been tried by Court Martial, but their sentences have not yet been made public. By the way, speaking of Court Martial, I have had my hand pretty well in them of late. I have had 2 more cases to defend, and though I do not like to have the reputation of a Quarter Sessions lawyer, I find my talents are becoming known as a successful pleader, and have more applications to defend criminals than I can attend to. I receive thanks in profusion for my pay, but do not find my pockets any heavier in consequence. The party I trust went off successfully. Weidy and myself thought of coming on but there many strong objections to our leaves of absence, and so we fancied how we would go into the goodies, were we there. I do hope you had a pleasant time. I regret little Amy was not so well, but I hope her sickness was of short duration. Then there is no reason for you to be scared, because I was home for a short time? I am glad of it. You speak of Dr. Wilson. I had a visit from his brother yesterday, the one whom I was assisting to procure better position. He has been promised the position by Secretary Stanton, but has in view the Quartermastership of a Colored Regiment now being raised by the Union League in Phila. I hope he will be fortunate. So Judge Kelley did all he promised me in this case. We had the celebrated M^cClellan Circular handed around our Regiment. Ostensibly, it purports / to be a plan to present the "dead man" a handsome testimonial. really, it is nothing but a political scheme of the Copperheads. We had several meetings of our Officers against the proposition and passed strong condemnatory resolutions, which are to be published in the Phila. papers. Read them if you happen to meet with them. It is strange that the vile traitors in the North can attempt to secretly sow the seeds of discord in this Army, which has fought and bled so freely in the very cause they are endeavoring to crush, but so it is. They will meet their punishments in due season. Adjutant Bicknell dined with us to day. He looks well, but the surgeon advises him to return to Washington and remain there a while, as his head is still very weak and he is unable to do duty. You were asking about Wagner? He lives away out at Kenderton. do not go to see him, for a man who has proved himself so cursedly mean as he has is not worthy of attention. I sympathize with him as he is an old man and his injury severe, but further than that do not have to go. Capt. Warner is still sick at home, though recovering slowly. I wish you could get my jacket to me somehow. My blouse is getting very seedy. It has seen hard service, and if I get the jacket it will save me $6 as I shall most assuredly buy a new one. They are so comfortable. A box directed to the Regt Brigade Division and Corps at Culpeper Va would / reach me. Please attend to it. There is no gossip worth relating. All are well. Benny and Frank as hearty as possible. The days are very warm, the nights cold. We have frost almost every night. Now about the funds? In 4 weeks more I will send you another pile say $100—will it keep you. Mrs Woodward has been very kind, much kinder than we had reason to expect. I dare say the dresses are elegant. I wrote to Mr Miller after the battle of Gettysburg and have never received answer. I wonder if he ever received it? Give my love to all in the house remembrances to all friends. Kiss little ones over and over again for me and believe me to remain as ever

                                                                       

Yours devotedly

Andy

SOURCES