Army of the Potomac

Camp of the Buckingham Legion

Near Stafford Court-house Va.

 

Thursday Feb 12^th 1863.

 

Dear Parients,

                                    It has been nearly a week since I recieved your last letter and as I have a few liesure moments I thought I would write you a few lines. We are still encamped near the courthouse and shall probably remain here untill the "mud Blockade" dries up, which I think will not be very soon for we have either rain or snow nearly every day.

 

            The boys have nearly all recovered from the effects of the march excepting a few who are now in the hospital but are not dangerously sick. We now have plenty to eat such as it is Uncle Sam dont have many delicacies now for the boys. Express boxes begin to come in now Adams Express Company have issued a advertisement saying the will take boxes for the soldiers provided there is no intoxicating liquors contained in them. 

 

Has Mr. Dennison returned yet? he told us he would give the folks at home a description of our camp and appearance. I hope you will hear him. I want you to write and tell me all about it. I got a letter from Den Goodrich yesterday and answered it. I should think it was about time for his leg to get well. I was sorry to hear that the scarlet fever has got up on to the hill. I hope Dennis and Dwight will not get it. You wrote about Fathers being unwell if he is sick write and let me know all about it. Gen Hooker has issued an order furnishing a furlough for ten days to every one hundred men in a Regt. The men in our company are all anxious for a furlough and those that apply first get the first one. some three or four applied before I knew anything about it Sergts S N Gaston and John Hall are the two first but then furloughs have not yet been granted, and one cant go untill the other comes back so you see it will be a long time before all can go home and then but only for ten days. / Dont say anything about this furlough business to any one at all. I have not applied for a furlough yet so you need not expect me home I hardly think it would pay. How are matters and things in Portland. I think from what I hear that there has not been much sleighing in Portland this winter. Do the societies meet very often now. I think I shall be at home before the fourth of July in time for haying if not before.

 

            Where is Hen Taylor now I guess he is glad he dident come with us. I am not sorry yet that I came.

 

            I would like to come home but not untill after an honerable peace. I think that is what every soldier in the Army of the Potomac would tell you if you asked him. I never met with any one yet who said different.

 

            Some of the boys have had letters from home saying they had heard that we were on the front and daily expected perhaps we are on the front but between us and the Rebs there is about 200 thousand soldiers.

 

We are in what you might call a big army / and the big army will play the devil with the Rebs if the leaders and mud will give them a chance.

           

Wrote soon and a good long letter                

Your Son Henry

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