Rockland Md. Nov 2^d '62

                       

Dear Brother:

                                    Another Sabbath morning has dawned uppon us and I improve the leasure which it brings by answering your letter which came to hand last night—Sam Saturday—after I had gone to bed.

 

            I am geting along nicely. We've have fine weather—those fine sunny days which bring a feeling of indescribeable listlessness which every one has experienced.

 

            We are kept pretty buisy drilling now, learning the manuel of arms, and I get less leasure time than formerly, but after we get it learned, we shall not have so much to do.

 

            Heavy firing was heard tword Harpers Ferry yesterday, and last night news came that the Union Forces had taken Leedsburg and were fighting at Poolsvill. The above is as I understood our orderly last night, but some say that it is Leesburg which they have taken. You will probably hear it correctly by the papers. Here there are so many rumors one cannot tell what to believe. In the language of one of our men / I have not got so I do not believe more than half I say myself. Our Reg't. has to furnished a Picket guard which is stationed along the river bank and canal. You will see by looking on the map that the canal runs up on the river bank. For a few days the Pickets reported seeing men on the Verginia side, which were mightily frightened, and added to this were rumors of Rebels all around us and others which one would not credit if he took them into consideration. One night after we had turned in the Orderly came round and ordered every man to put on his belt and catridge box and belt sleep with his musket by his side. That rather tried the nerves of some of our courageous ones. It turned out afterward that the men on the men seen on the other side of the river belonged to our army and had crossed the Chain Bridge a few miles below us after we came up.

 

            It has been said that we might go into winter quarters here and some say that we shall leave soon. It is probable either way. There is considerble sickness in the Reg't, consequent uppon a change of climate and water I suppose. I have been affected / slightly with the rest but nothing I got some medicen of the Surgeon last night and I feel much better this morning. As I write the sound of cannonading reaches me from up river telling us of deadly strife which is going on and as it is continued again to day I think they are having a heavy fight.

 

            It does not seem possible while everything is so quiet and Sabbath like here, and while we are having religeous services, that the work of death is going on so near, but those heavy sounds are not to be mistaken.

 

            One man from Co. F. died last night from typhoid fever, and is to be buried this afternoon. His name is Newton and he belongs in Andover. One of our Pickets, who has just been relieved, says that 3000 Rebels have been taken this side of Harpers Ferry with all they had, and farther that the Rebels have driven our forces back five miles from Leesburg and are useing them hard. All this needs confirmation.

 

            The days are quite warm here, but the nights are rather cold. The country around us is rather hilly although it lacks much of the abruptness of New England scenery /

 

It is just one week since we came here and there is considerble contrast between the two days. Then it rained all day now it is clear and pleasant.

 

Speaking of money I dont want any money or not but very little for when money will buy any thing we are furnished.

 

I enclose all the small 5, 10, and 12 cent stamps that I have for they will not pass here very well and you may send me some three cent stamps and if you can get them in sheets do so if not send me a few fresh looking ones single they are rather hard to get here in camp.

 

            Dyrect all your letters to Washington, no matter when or how I move, they will reach me. I have not fared hard enough yet to make mal me homesick—all throughout I have liked much better than I expected. But for all that, I have not forgotten home or friends and if I live I shall return with as much pleasure as any one

 

I must close now for I must write another this afternoon if I get time. My love to Mother

and best respects to all.                                                          

J. F. Libby

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