In Camp near Sandy Hook Md July 16^th 1863

 

Well Dear Mother and Father.

                                                At last we have arrived in camp, after a campaign of 32 days in which we have marched over 450 miles fought one battle, and compelled the rebels to leave the free states without accomplishing their favorite desire of a blow at one National. this campaign has not been without it good effects for the rebels have found out that the Army of the Potomac although reduced by the departure of 2 years and 9 months men, and disheartened by 2 defeats at Fredericksburg, is no mean force to cope with, and they have also found out that to battle with any show of sucess they must necessarily keep south of the Potomac. And besides / all that, the very fact that the rebels can invade the north at any time has aroused the people to a sense of their danger, and I hope learned them a timely lesson. Lee's Army has lost not less than 40,000 men together with wagons and supplies and that coupled with the recent defeats that they have sustained out south must disheartened them a great deal. This army is in good spirits, but pretty well played out, and needs rest, but whether we shall get it or not, time will tell The news in the papers is very encourageing and we look for the fall of Charleston as the next act of the war, with that and Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the fall Campaign must end the war. I certainly look forward to spending the next 4^th of July at home. Wont / we have a happy time, eh. I commenced a letter to you the other day, but my lead pencil gave out and I had to stop but I will finish it and send you 2 at once. Also I will copy my journal off and send it, since leaving Falmouth. I think we shall stop here some time but dont know for certain. Where we are now we are in sight of our old camp at Bolivar Heights. only think what we have been through since first we came to Bolivar the first time. Then we had 970 men, now 69 men for duty just 1 small company. Some of those sleep in a soldiers grave, on the battle fields of the Peninsula, Antietam and Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Some perished from disease and exposure, some discharged and some at home from the effects / of wounds received in Battle. Such are the "fortunes of war". Truly our lives are in the hands of a just God and those who now live and are enjoying the blessings of health and happiness ought to be thankful. This day we are very busy pitching tents cleaning up ourselves and clothes and equipments for Inspection tonight and I am stealing this time to write to the "loved ones at home" what a blessing is home and how little we realize it until we are compelled to absent ourselves from it sacred precincts. But my time is a little precious today. So after asking to be excused for this short epistle, with many prayers for your safety and much love to you and all inquiring friends I will close.

                                                                       

From your loving

cheerful and hopeful Son

George. H. Patch.

Co I 19^th Mass Vols.

Washington

D.C.

                                   

The Union forever.

freedom to all.

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