In camp near Warrenton Va

Nov. 10 1862             

 

My dear A

            Being on Courts Martial (no 3) gives me access to pen ink & paper with a table to write at being a combination of conveniences not often obtainable in this life.

 

            It has been a sad day here Gen M^cClellan has bid us good bye. The troops turned out at 9 oclock in column by the road side and Little Mac with all the Generals and all their Staff, making a cortege of some hundred mounted officers, rode through the lines saluted & cheered continually.

 

            At noon he received the officers of this Corps at Gen Porters Head Quarters and shook hands with all—His words were very few.

 

            "Gentlemen I hardly know how to bid you "Good bye". We have been so long together that it is very hard. Whatever fate may await me I shall never be able to think of myself except as belonging to the Army of the Potomac. For what you have done history will do you justice—this generation never will. / I must say it—Good Bye!"

 

            Gen Burnside has assumed the command—What all this means nobody knows, but the officers say "now look to our lines of retreat."

 

            Orders intimate a long march.

 

            We have had a tough time this month cold & snow dont make a bivouac comfortable and the shelter tents of the soldiers do not protect them from cold.

 

            I have received a letter from Clara & will write to her as soon as possible. our latest dates from home are Nov. 1. I would advise Henry to take a commission if he can get it—anyhow.

 

            I heard one of my men say yesterday as he marched along "If ever I do get home I will live for a year on potatoes & cabbage" that was his idea of luxury.

 

            Warrenton is a nice town the best I ever saw in the South on one side it looks over the level lands of Eastern Virginia—on the other up to the high peaks of the Alleghenies. It about fills my idea of the right kind of a country town many of the houses are pretty some of them very fine and all of them in pretty yards. /

 

If all the officers dont resign and the men run away we must go into winter quarters in a month—Where shall it be Richmond or Washington. When we get there I shall desert.

 

            Court martial adjourned. Love to all.

                                   

Affectionately Yours

Fran^s J Parker

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