Camp near Harrisons Bar. Va

July 7^th 1862.             

 

My dear wife—

                        War is not a pretty thing to look at from this aspect—mud & dust alternate, wounded men, dead mules, filth, shouting wagoners, galloping orderlies, swearing men,—are the staple ornaments of the camp limits. The woods are being rapidly—you would wonder to see how rapidly—thinned and consumed by the countless fires and when a calm evening occurs the smoke hangs like a fog over the whole country which we occupy. The James is a noble river here very wide and its banks fringed with trees & shrubs. Just now it bears also a crop of gunboats which occasionally thump out big guns & loud broadsides.

 

            Our camp was first made in a thick wood, it was beautiful but I feared would soon be unhealthy and so having a full supply of tents—no other regiment has—we are just out of the grove and on the plain which when we came here was covered with corn three feet high but now is bare enough. Until last night I slept on a bed of corn leaves under a holly tree 20 feet high. It seems confined to be again in a tent. /

 

Martin continues to be a trump. He brings me coffee when I first wake in the morning and manages to keep something on hand to eat all of the time. If it hadnt been for him our field & Staff Officers would have pretty much starved several times. The last addition to my family (Annie the cook having been shipped to Fort Monroe) consist of two black women to wash. they were Col Lees servants of the celebrated White House estate, and are at this moment down at the "crik" with my wash tub doing their first duty. The best thing about these black folks is that you never have occasion to trouble yourself about how or when they will eat or sleep

 

            I hear that it was reported at Fort Monroe that the 32^d went from the boat into the fight and was all cut up. Dont believe stories about being cut up. They are generally excuses for the regiment running away. One next us which couldnt find but 250 men the day we arrived has 700 now. The losses in the late battles were heavy but nothing like what were first reported. I fear principally now that the rebels will fortify & close the James River behind us.

 

            Did I tell you that I was second in Command in the Brigade. This Army Corps (Porters) bears the name of M^cClellans pets. Gen Porter told me that Martins Massachusetts battery / gained more reputation on that battle week than any battery regular or Volunteer. Martin is a son in law of Capt Pierce, and a fine fellow.

 

            Charlie Sawtelle is respected by everybody here My Quartermaster Lieut Hoyt says that he is the first man he has seen in the U.S. Service who seemed to understand what he was about. Haint seen Waldron yet, nor Gen Franklin.

 

            I have been well constantly, & if the regiment didnt bother me all the time should be happy.

 

            Please to say to Clara & Frank that I can hardly get time, paper or a place to write and what little of all these I can get I feel must be used for your benefit.

 

            Much love to them & kisses to the baby.

                                                           

Adieu, Fran^s J Parker

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