Jan 11^th/63                 

Camp near Fredericksburg (Va)

 

Dear Sister

                        I told you that I would send my likeness to you in a few days. I had it taken the other day, the day however was not a very suitable one for the business, it was cloudy and raining somewhat; yet it is a very good imitation of the original. On the 9^th while out on Brigade drill, I was not a little surprised to see H. & W. Whitmer, & Probst Smith standing at a distance looking on and seeing us drill. they said it was more than they expected to see, as / it was very hard to get a pass from Washington to this place. they report the people of Hartleton well with the exception of Mr Kline, David Reed, & Ralph Spigelmyer. Sarah Ruhl had been here a few days ago to see her brother Valentine. the accomidations here for women are not very good I do not know how she enjoyed herself; yet she got to see a good deal; while she was here there was a grand review of the 5^th Army Corps by Major Gen^l A. G. Burnside Com of the army of Potomac. Our Army Corps (the 5^th) is now commanded by Major Gen Meade instead of Butterfield / this is now the 4^th Corps commander we have had since we enlisted, 1^st Porter was in command, he was removed & Hooker put in his stead Hooker afterwards took command of the "Centre ground division" and Butterfield ordered to take his place, now Butterfield is removed & Meade takes the command. I found a scarf on the 'battlefield' which I send with Henry Whitmer to give to you as a memorial of the battle of Fredericksburg

 

I will close, the Whitmers can give you a full history of affairs in this part of Va Please write soon   W. H. Weirick

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