Camp Lander. Feb. 27^th. 1862.

 

Dear Mother.

                        I received your long and affectionate letter, last night, and today, as I am off of drill, this forenoon I think I will try and answer it. But I cant write so long a one as you have. Last Friday we left Picket and came to camp and such a camp you never saw, soft mud up to your ankles every thing dirty, and nobody can keep clean. We slept in Co K's tents, (they relieved us on Picket) and Saturday we pitched tents. We have the Sibley tents conical shape, [drawing] and stope stove inside with the funnel projecting through an opening in the top, we have a sergeant and 19 Privates in a tent and we are packed in as snug "as a bug in a rug", but no matter as long as we keep warm, and we do that you can bet your life. 

 

All the companies are in camp and we get Battalion drill both forenoon and afternoon, preparatory to going into Virginia. Banks division has crossed over, and all this division except this Brigade. Our Division General is named Sedgewick. This Brigade includes the 7^th Michigan, 42 New York and 19^th and 20^th Mass Vols, under Brig Gen Dana. This regt was sent for but Col Hinks said that it would take 14 hours to get the Regt ready and Sedgewick said if we were taken away it would leave this place unguarded, and so he got orders to stay here until farther orders. Last night we heard heavy shelling in the direction of Leesburg, and this morning we heard that the rebels had fired one volley and fled from their Batteries, and that the left flank of Bank's Division had marched into Leesburg, and that 7000 men had laid down their arms and wanted to join our side. But it is a mere rumor. However it may be true. 

 

But I think that the war cant last much longer any way. For our troops on land and sea have done remarkably well. We can see it is always best to have patience and every thing will turn up right. MClellan although slow is sure, and is like Gen Scott who goes in for surrounding the bird before he cages it. However much I may want to see you, I wouldnt give one snap to be at home this winter. If I was I should be loafing around, raising some trouble or other, and worrying you a great deal more than I do now. Now I am earning my living, and am perfectly contented, and have something to take up my mind. I do not believe I am to be killed out here but think that I shall be spared to come home safe and sound to my own dear Mother. I had the misfortune the day before we left Picket to burn one of my boots so that it was impossible to get it on, and now I am going round with one shoe and one boot on. I wonder if it would be asking to much if I should ask father to send me a pair, the / size of my boot I will enclose enclose in this letter. the number is 7. Get decent high legs and good stout soles, if he will be good enough to send me a pair.

 

[margin: partially deciphered code] I was trying to get an enigma out on this last page and forgot until I came to turn it over and found it

was marked on but it wont make any difference 

 

4^th Page

this day is an awful windy day but it is pleasant. Yesterday I was on guard it rained in the night and cleared off cold. We have to go on guard once every 7 days so we get 6 nights sleep out of 7 and that aint bad. The way the the guard is arranged I will try and explain. In the first place a captain each day acts as Officer of the Day. 2^d A Lieutenant is detailed as Lieutenant of the Guard. 3^d An even number of men out of each Co until the requsite

1^st                        2^d

N^o is obtained. this number is divided in 3 reliefs. One goes from 9 till 11. from 11 to 1.

            3^d

from 1 to 3 and so on day and night. A corporal has command of each relief and it is his duty to post them and relieve them. The sentrys have instructions to walk their beats steady all the time. And Guard is mounted every morning at 8 oclock so as to be ready to relieve the guard at 9 oclock. /

But the companies are coming in off of drill now and it is rather hard to write when 18 or 20 men are all talking so I will post-pone it for now.            

 

Sunday Mar 2

Dear Mother. Not until today have I found time to finish this letter, but I will try now and finish it. To day we had Inspection, and then we formed into line and marched up in front of the Colonels tent, formed square and had a meeting. It seemed real good to hear a minister for it was over 3 months since we heard one. Before the services commenced, the Colonel invited amy who could sing to step to the front. I with about 20 others stepped to the front and marched up side of the band and the minister gave us Hymn Books. We sung Old Hundred first. Then the ministers prayer. Then we sung John Brown. Then prayer, then a short sermon. then we sung the Doxology and dismissed. And we shall have nothing to do now until dress parade. It has begun to snow since morning, and the ground / is covered with snow 2 inches deep. I am very sorry that Susan Ramsdell had to go home alone. I should thought that some young gentleman might have taken pity on her. I should think that the world was going to come to an end if Martha and John Kimball are to be married I suppose that there will be a double wedding. If father concludes to send me the boots, let me know in the next letter. also I should like a few needles and some black linen thread. I burnt up 58 letters the other day for they encumbered my knapsack, and took up to much room. But I am about played out of news so by giving much love to all my friends and well wishing neighbors and a great portion of it to yourself I will close.

                                                                                               

From your son

George. H. Patch.

 

Please write soon.

                                   

George Patch.

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