Provost Guard 2^d Corps Mar 18^th/64

 

Dear Father and Mother.

                                    I received your good long letter night before last, but as yesterday was St Patricks Day, and as there was to be some fun up to Stevensburg, so I thought would wait until it is over. We have not seen the Regt yet, but are expecting them every day. Since my last letter we have received 15 recruits for the Regt. 2 of them are men who were old men that had been in the Regt before and been discharged on account of sickness and now reinlisted in the same Company as before. Some of the recruits were little boys not more than 14 or 15 years old and wont stand / a single march. It is a shame to enlist such boys for it not only defrauds the Government but many of them will get sick and die out here, when perhaps if left at home they would grow up and be a comfort their parents.

 

Well to tell you the proceedings of yesterday. The day was splendid and the weather was warm. At ½ past 8 I started and went up to Stevensburg, the distance 2 miles. Below the village (which consists of 4 houses and a barn, and 1 or 2 pigstys) is a large open plain, which extends a mile or more to Poney Mountain (a large hill about 300 feet high) on the top of which is our Signal Station, which place commands a view in rear of all our Army, and to / the Rappahanock on the right to the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the left and front, to the rebels camps far across the Rapidan. On this plain was a stand erected and a race course marked out, ½ a mile in length with 4 ditches 6 feet across and 3 hurdles 5 feet high, which the horses had to jump. There was 3 heats run and a horse belonging to the 2^nd New York won them all. Next was a greased pole 25 feet high with a 20 dollar bill on top which was won after a good many trials by a man of the 52^d Penn Regt. Next was a greased pig chase, and I thought should have died a laughing to to see the scrambling and tumbling for the pig finally poor piggy was caught and carried off by the lucky man. Next a sack race / each man being enveloped in a sack up to his arm pits and his hands tied behind him, to run 50 yards and back to the stand it, the prize being $10 was won by a man of the 15^th Mass. next came a foot race of 200 yards and was won by a man of the 69^th New York. next came a mule race, 6 mules running was won by a man of the 2^d Div Supply Train. With that concluded the services of the day. Brig Gen Owens presided and the 1^st Div band discoursed sweet music to the crowd. there was about 50 ladies present and their looks testified that they enjoyed the fun. I got back to camp at half past 5 and today am on guard. Well I have filled this sheet better than I expected so as I am not full of news I shall have to close Give my love to all the folks and dont forget little sister, and with my blessings to you all

                       

I will say good bye

Geo. H Patch

                       

I dont see any signs of a move for some time yet everything is quiet

G.H.P.

 

Mar 19^th Since writing the above there was quite a little commotion in camp the rebels crossed in force at raccoons ford and all the artillery was ordered out out it proved to be nothing the rebels retreated and the artillery came back and all is quiet.

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