Camp at Union Mills

Virginia. Friday Oct 16, 1863

 

Dearest Mother

                I expect you are near about worried to death in regard to your absent son in not hearing from him but of course you must be aware that our army has been on the march and I am safe and sound feeling first rate, only foot sore, as I have marched somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 mile since last Sat.-day. I wrote you a letter last Saturday night but had no chance of sending it so I made up my mind I would write you a few / lines this morning and have them ready to send the first mail that goes out. well Mother I will endeavor firstly to give you a few details of our late march in as few words as possible.

 

            we formed in line of Battle near our camp at Culpepper last Saturday morning, then came orders to march as quick as we could get packed up. so of we went marching about three mile on Sat. halted at the old camp of the 5^th Jersey Reg^t were there the remainder of the day, ordered to fix for the night and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. so we put up our tents laid ourselves / down to sleep and in about ten minutes after we were fixed, orders came to pack up and be ready to move on. so passing a sleepless night, we started on the march at sunrise crossed the two branches of the Rappahannock, having to ford one, water up to the middle and dark as blazes. I tell you it was wild enough but we didn't care for that as we thought after crossing the stream we would park for the night, but nary stop our Reg^t had to go on Picket. (Sunday night). we were posted about 11 oclock and then for a fire the first thing. well we were on Picket until Monday night routed out at 12 oclock / expected to have a brush with the Johnies. our Company went out as skirmishers were called in in half an hour, started again on the retreat, as you are aware that we have been retreating all the while. had a hard days march on Tuesday 25 mile Parked at night at green Ridge up by daylight on Wednesday halted at Bristol Station & received a mail (I received your letter). Parked for the night at Bull run, up again before daylight yesterday & marched through Centreville & halted at Union Mills. this is the position the enemy held when General M^cClellan was checked here and a strong place it is. it seems almost impregnable. it's no wonder he didn't make an attack we shelled a woods last night but the Rebs have not showed themselves / I dont know how long we will hold this position but I rather think we will stay here the remainder of today. one of the men in our Company was shot last night through the leg (Emily) sent away to Hospital. it has been raining all the morning and still continues but I think it will clear away soon. I dont know whether you can make out to read this or not as I am in a hurry & just simply wish to give you a little of hand account of matters & things in general & I feel in hopes old Lee will get to much Meade we had fighting in our rear on the whole march but with no serious loss / The Rebs fought hard for our train & captured part of it but we recaptured it, also 6 pieces of Artillery with it, 700 prisoners. I will send you one of my locks. my hair is getting long but I dont think I shall have it cut this winter. it curls all around my neck. I comb it back of my ears. I thank you for the stamps. I have not received the paper & liquorice root yet but it will come in the next mail we get perhaps (look out for snakes, ha ha)

 

well there Mother are you afraid to destroy even my old papers, ha, ha. burn them up and get them out of the way. you wanted to know what I done with my letters. I have to burn them. I have enough to carry without them I assure you

 

I hope Uncle John is better give your my love to John & yourself and remember me to all friends

 

write soon       I close. God bless you

                                   

(Trust in the Lord)      Albert /

 

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I will try & write you a more decent letter when I have the time. Your Son in the Lord

                                                                                               

Serg^t Albert C Harrison

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