Opposite Fredericksburg on the

banks of the Rappahannock Va

Sunday May 18^th 1862.

 

You are probably surprised to receive a letter from me dated from this place. We received orders to prepare to start from our old camp ground last Sunday. I immediately set the cooks at work to prepare three days rations and then wrote a hasty letter to John C. I always dread moveing. there is so much work to do. But I succeeded this time without sitting up at night. We all retired that night feeling that it was the last time we should sleep on that ground. Monday morning was clear & hot and we had orders that the line would be formed at 11 O'clk. You would laugh to see Sergt Randall and I give the men two full days rations, coffee sugar meat & hard bread. At 11 precisely the 13^th formed and in half an hour the Brigade took up their line of march for this place. we marched easy till 5 PM and then halted for the night. three of us Sergts Bacon, Morse and Brown made a hut from boughs and after partaking of our supper slept nicely all night. The Reveille was beat at 2 the next morning the line formed at 6 and the Brigade again started on their journey. their was every appearance of a yellow day (as Father would call it) and it proved true. their was scarcely a breath of air and when the sun arose it looked like a ball of fire. Ere we had marched many miles the men began to lag Our Reg. was in advance but by 11 O'clk the roads were lined with those that had caved. It was terrible hot my brain seemed on fire. the perspiration streamed in torrents from my face so fast that it nearly / blinded me. at last when our Reg was reduced to half its sise and the order came to rest the boys dropped like so many bricks. after resting a few moments the bugle call was given to fall in. (a hateful sound to a tired Soldier) I found it impossible to stand. I was so dizzy. so I set down and quietly let the Reg travel. I felt gloomy enough but I found plenty of company. I layed under a good shady tree for some two hours and then started on my pilgrimage and by sundown I arrived in camp feeling twice as good and in better condition than any man in Co H. When the Reg reached the camp ground there was not one Company left. there was less in number than there was in our Co when we started. The Reg dropped in in parties of two to twenty. Our Reg arrived in better shape than either in the Brigade One of our number J. W. Wheeler has not arrived yet. I hear he is back in one of their villiages sick. I am afraid he never we reach us again There was any quantity of cursing about the Brig. Gen. who had no business to march us so fast and so far (17 miles) in heavy marching order as he did my pack was so heavy that the cords on my shoulders were much swolen and awful sore The fact is, it is a regular dogs life and I would give one years work to get out of it. It sounds very nice to sit at home and read about one of these marches. but come and try just one with a heavy knapsack and you would soon sing quite a different tune. There are quite a number of our Reg that are obtaining their discharge by disability. I am not disabled yet, but I have no idea that I can stand the heat this summer. The next day we marched to this place in a cold rain storm and after our arrival had to wait three hours in the blinding rain completely soaked through. The Brigade surgeon gave the men a ration of whiskey the first we have drawn. I was half frosen talk of the changing weather of N.E. it cant touch that of the sacred soil of V.A. 

 

            All the next day it rained pouring and we had to pass the time in our wet clothes which we found very uncomfortable. I did not catch much cold. My health is very good but poor as a crow. You would hardly recognise me. There are a right smart heap of troops around here McDowells Corps they are estimated from thirty to sixty thousand. there are some sixty cannon planted to command the river. the city however is filled by our troops. But the Rebels are nearby. our Pickets are skirmishing all the time. there may be a big fight any day. The order is that we are to be deprived of our tents and take little ones that we must carry on our back. they are bound to kill us if possible.

 

To sum the matter up. this is hard business, killing work for any body. Every man that stays one year in this business will kill him faster than five years at home. Today we had services by the Brigade all the Chaplains participating. the sun was scalding hot, with that exception, the services were quite interesting. I am in such hurry that I can't think of anything to write and you must excuse all mistakes. We are going to cross the river the present week and I can't tell when I can write again. I will write when I get a good chance. my time on a march is fully occupied. But I must close. Good Bye. Give my love to everybody, Aunt Polly and all, with much love I remain as ever yours truly

W^m H Brown.

 

P.S

I recd a letter from John C. about my shoes. if I get a chance I shall send for them, if not they are gone suckers. (I suppose they are in Washington) Our camp ground is a good one. But we shall move shortly. direct your letters as before. Lieut Jenks has not as yet obtained his discharge. he had better return or he may get into trouble. 

 

They say all we are to cary with us, is one ambulance. if that is so if a man gives out, he is a goner. there is no chance for him. McDowell is not at all popular with his Brigades. I believe he is a tyrant. he is to hard on the volunteers. I hardly thought we belonged to the Regular Army.

 

I wish I saw some loop-hole through which I could obtain my discharge but I can't see it. And I am afraid I can't till I am entirely broke down. I hope we shall soon get a crack at the Rebs and finish them up. I don't care a snap for them. But I don't want to get used up before we meet them.

 

Give my love to Mother, Father, Nan & Geo and don't forget Your Aff Brother

 

 

John Stone says he is tough & rough.

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