Camp of the Ambulance Corps

3^d Division, 3^d Army Corps

Brandy Station, Va.

Feb 8^th 1864

                       

Dear Mother

It is monday morning and about 11 oclock. I have just returned from the stable where I spent about one whole hour cleaning my horse and after I finish my letter I must take some of the red mud off of myself. Elec is in bed yet, and I guess he will stay there today out for I must tell you that we have been on the march once more. orders came saturday morning at 3 oclock to pack up and be ready to / move at a moments notice. 16 of our ambulances were at the Goverment works getting repaired and I had to go down with the drivers after them, which is about five mile from camp, and dear me how dark it was and the roads awful to behold, but we came back all right. we laid around our old fireplaces nearly all day and at 6 oclock that night (Saturday) the order came to harness and be off. our whole Corps was on the move we left our tents behind for we were only going on a reconoisance. we marched until about 12 o'clock and parked for the night. 5 o'clock yesterday / morning found us moving on again towards the Rapidan, but we saw nothing of the enemy, so we halted about 10 o'clock and there laid until dusk last night, when orders came to start for camp and of all screaming you never in your life heard, if there was any Johnies within 10 mile of us I'm sure they have thought the whole of the Union Armies was coming down on them. the 2^nd Corps was fighting nearly all day Saturday and it was rumored that they had been across the river and captured fifteen hundred prisoners, together with a pontoon bridge, / but we will learn more about that in two days from now. the 1^st Corps was also with us but they had seen none of the enemy, they went out on friday. We arrived back to camp last night, all safe about 12 o'clock I think it was, and soon had the fireplaces warm. I feel first rate. my old nag took me through all right I will now wind up for I must heat some water and wash my saddle &c, so with love to all I close hoping this finds you as well as it leaves me. May the Lord bless and protect you. write soon & I remain

           

Your loving Son Albert

Harrison                     

 

Battling for His Country

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