Edwards Ferry, Md. Jan. 13^th 1863.

           

Dear Brother:

                                    I have been waiting, hopeing to hear from home again, before I wrote another, but the mail has disappointed us, and we have not had one since the 6^th. Since leaving camp Grover, we have received our mail in a kind of haphazard manner there being but little certainty about it except in leaving Camp.

 

            As you may suppose, there is considerable disappointment and any amount of hard swearing, and some few diabolicle threats about cleaning out the entire P. O. department which would not be likely to be fulfilled, even if we should not get another mail for a week to come.

 

            I presume my last, written about a week ago, about that money, has reached you by this time, and I hope, too, the money is safe, and well along on its journey tword the white house, on the hill. But I am detailed for fatigue duty and must report to the Adjutant at 8 Oclock and 46 minutes, so I will finish up after I get back. I believe we are to unload a canal boat.

 

            We were detailed to unload a boat, as I supposed, and I have just returned and eaten my rations. The boat was loaded with corn for the brigade teams, and went to Poolville. In addition to our other duties, such as Picket, drill &c., we have all the supplies, for the brigade, for the to unload from the boats and load on to their wagons, so you see, bettw between all these things, they keep us pretty buisy.

 

            One of our cavelry Lieut's tried his skill at shooting Secesh the other day. One of our picket stations is on the river bank at the ferry. The other day, they saw a Secesh cavelry boy come down to the the ferry, on the opposite side, where he walked about for some time, examining the fixns, on our shore 

 

The Lieut was hapened to be there, at the time, and becoming convinced that he was a genuine Reb (as they call them) took and a gun and blazed away.* Secesh dropped at the discharge, then got up, waved his hat, and then betook himself to his heels, and was out of sight in short order.

 

            I should not be surprised if some of our pickets heared from the Rebs' in the same way before long.

 

            We are encamped on an old camping ground, where troops were stationed last winter, and untill within a short time look which way we may old camp grounds, traces of troops and scenes reminding one of the army, meet the eye.

 

Co'l Baker was encamped at Poolville when he was ordered on his fatal mission at Ball's Bluff. That, as you are probably aware, is on Harisson's Island, the lower end of which is but a short distance (say half a mile) above here.

 

            From the top of the hill on which we are encamped the battle ground is plainly visible. It appears to be on the top of a hill on the island and the battle field appears, from here, to be a small opening entirely surrounded by woods.

 

            The island is rebel soil, where they have free access. If it was not for that, I should contrive to visit the field.

 

            Last winter, while our forces ocupied this side of the river, the rebels ocupied the other, and the pickets ocup were stationed on each bank and amused themselves by poping away at each other.

 

            At times they would agree to a cessation of hostilities and be as sociable as could be, across the river, untill one on one side or the other, saw an uncomon good chance for a shot, would fire and commence the practice of picket shooting again.

 

            We have heard a rumor of mooving up to Poolville next month, but I cannot say how true it is.

 

We do not have much, out of the comon routine of duty, to vary our soldiers life. In devouring rations, I think / we do as well, but not a whit better, than we did 2 months ago. In drill I can see some improvement. The step is stidier, the bearing more soldierlike, the files better closed and dressed, and they handle their arms much better than formerly. I could not help pausing, on my beat the other day when I was on camp guard, to admire the Picket Guard, as it marched out

 

            They marched at shouldered arms, the files were well closed and dressed, the columns swayed steadily and altogather they presented a good appearence. I wished you could be here to see them. I onley wrote down to the star after dinner, before I was called out on drill. I commenced again the first of the evening, but some of the boys came in, and we had one of our times, such as onley a soldier knows of.

 

            Since roll call (8 Oclock) I have written again, untill nearly 9, but the wind has sprung up within 20 minutes and blows the tent full of smoke, so I shall close up for to night.

 

            Thursday morning, Jan 16^th.

            The wind, which I spoke of last night, continues to blow up from the south. the sky is cloudy and looks some like rain. Another mail is looked for confidently to night but we may be disappointed as we have been for a week past. I shall look for two or three letters from home, and some from friends, when the mail does come.

 

            How does the stock all do? and you think of raising some pigs, I suppose? Keep those sheep well, and we will make them pay the expenses in good shape. Write how that poison is, and how you get along with your school

 

            The negrows, from the neighboring estates, are in camp every morning, night, and day, as the song says, selling apple and peach pies, hoe cakes &c.

 

            I have not patronised them any yet, and do not think / unless I swap hard breads for them. I learned how far we were from Washington the other day. It is 31 miles by the Chesapeak and Ohio Canal, and the distance from this place to Harpers ferry is 29½ m's. The total length of the canal, as I understood one of the boat men, is 184 m's The upper termination being at Cumberland, the lower at Georgetown. There has been a great amount of business done on this canal: Carrying up supplies for the troops stationed along near it, and taking down coal.

 

            But they anticipate less to do now, the RR from the Point of Rocks has to Baltimore has been put in operation again.

 

            My health continues as good as I would wish and I get along first rate I made a mistake in dating this letter the 13^th instead of the 14^th as I should have done.

 

            While at camp Grover I wrote to Barnard and Stillman but have not received any answer from either of them yet. They might not get the letters, or they might be to buisy to answer them.

 

            I hope Barnard will get his discharge for I feel pretty well convinced that this show is not the show for him. And you know, in order to do well, he wants a place where he is perfectly contented. I cannot help mentioning again, how fast time flies and how short the 4 months, which have passed, seem.

 

            Tell Mother that, so far, we have fared much better than I expected. I do not anticipate any active service will be required of us before spring, perhaps not then, but I think we shall see 2 or three months of active service after the going is settled in the spring. But we may be held in reserve, you can see it is hard for a private to tell with any degree of accuracy what, or how, or when. My respects to all   J. F. Libby

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