Camp near Chain Bridge

Va. May 12^th/63

 

            Dear Brother:

                                    Hot, hotter, hottest. A snow storm, an ice berg or a frosty morning would be a most welcom sight.

 

It is very warm indeed. The ground cracks open and the wind is hot and dry.

 

            When I lay down at night, I roll and sweat untill it begins to grow cooler and then wish I laid in the brook and had a piece of ice for a pillow.

            I expect to come home as poor as a skeleton and be as black as a niger. I am sweating off all the fat i braged of in the winter and begin to feel quite ordinary / I weighed yesterday in light dress 146½ lbs. We have one advantage though. We are encamped on a high hill and whenever there is any air we get it.

 

            We are encamped close by fort Ethan Allen which is not quite finished yet it is intended for 26 guns. There are over 20 in it now.

 

            Near by is Fort Marsey which is not yet finished It is not quite so large as the other but I have not been there yet.

 

            On the other side of the river and two or three miles above is Fort Alexandria from which they shelled the Rebs out of this place about two years ago. And in addition to Fort Alexandria there are a number of other fortifications around near it. 

 

There are miles of rifle pitts around here. There was considerable excitement here last night in consequence of a report of a large force of rebel Cavalry near us The men in the fort were called to quarters the guns shotted and maned. The 39^th Mass Reg. was ordered up to Chain Bridge from Washington and some of the planks taken up to prevent their crossing into Md. if they succeeded in geting by the forts

 

            It is also stated that the Rebs have crossed into Md. at Edward's Ferry since we left. It may not be so but it looks quite probable While we were there there was a rebel force of Cavalry prowling around at and near Leesburg and as our Regt. is out of the way it is quite likely that they have steped over. While we were there at Poolsville / I saw a black scout employed by a battalion of the Michigan Cavalry His name was Walker. He beat the Delawares for length and was a curious specimen. He was born near Poolville and rendered much valuble aid to our troops. Many important arrests were made through his agency. he was furnished with a horse and used to ride around and pick up stray bits of information.

 

            He hated the Rebs and to use his language ("Dar hearts wer bracker dan dis ole hat we wear")

 

            A young nig between here and Edwards Ferry ran away from his master and came off with our boys. He lived near Great Falls and the night that we stoped there his master sent him

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