Camp at Thoroughfare Gap June 21^st 1863

 

Dear Father and Mother.

                                    Again I have the pleasure of writing a letter to you. Since my last we marched from Fairfax Station to Centreville and stopped there over night. Centreville is a strongly fortified place. In fact I have seen no better positions for defense since I left Falmouth. It is garrisoned by the 111 NY 119 Penn. and 2 or 3 Regt I dont know the name of, and the 9^th Mass Battery. Those Regts are part of the troops that surrendered at Harpers Ferry. From Centreville we marched 16 miles to Haymarket and stacked arms and was going to make some coffee, when we got orders to march 4 miles further so we fell in and marched through mud and slush 4 miles. It was as / dark as pitch, and we amused ourselves by singing all the patriotic songs of the day. And if some unlucky wight would slip down, he would be saluted with roars of laughter. We did not feel the march at all. When we stopped it was 12 oclock we made some coffee and turned in to a soldiers bed and slept as only a soldier can sleep. Very true is the saying, Sweet are the uses of adversity. On the march from Centreville we crossed the field whereon the right of our line rested on the eventful day of the first Bull Run. We had to ford Bull Run Creek knee deep. I have entirely recovered from the effects of the sun. And am gay and happy and in good fighting trim. But I wont write any more now until I find out when the mail goes.

 

So good by from your Affect. Son

George. H. Patch. /

 

Camp at Thoroughfare Gap June 23^d 1863

Dear Father and Mother.

                                    I dont know when the mail goes, but I will add a few lines to this epistle, and when it does go it will be ready. I am in good health and spirits and that is the best news I can tell you. We dont know where the rest of our Army is only by rumors, and they are not to be relied upon. We are having some tiptop weather now, cool and clear, and the brezze we get here is real invigorating. It is far different from the pestilential vapors of the Peninsular. But I fear that the mail is coming to us today, so I will wait until I get it before I finish. so once more good bye from your affect Son G.H.P. / At night. Dear Mother, the mail has not come but it is going so I will send this. I am rather short of money now and wish you would send me some. If you can spare it. We have just got a report that Gen Pleasanton had a cavalry fight at Ashbys Gap and took lots of prisoners and some artillery. But that is all the news so with much love to all I will at last say Adieu. From your

Affect Son

George. H. Patch.

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