July 28^th 1863

Camp near Warrenton Junction Va.

           

Dear Parients,

                                    Once more I write you from the sacred soil of the "Old Dominion". I wrote you last in Pleasant Valley M^d. The day after I wrote we crossed the Potomac at Harpers Ferry and the Shenandoah at the same place and marched down through Loudon Valley. We held Snickers Gap remained there two days then moved onward to Ashby's Gap remained there a short time and came through Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap Halted & staid all night at Haymarket and the next day came to this place. How long we shall stay no one but Gen Meade knows. We are encamped near the R.R. / where we are getting supplies for another move I suppose. We have been on the march since June 13^th only stopping once for a week in Leesburg. We have stoped at other places for a day or less but that can hardly be called rest. How I have stood it so long I cannot tell. tis terrible hot and the roads dusty our food has been coffee per day two spoonsful sugar one ten hard bread and a small piece of pork or fresh beef and often none. How we live on such food these long summer days marching you can imagine and for such a long time the longest march we ever had. We have had miserable water ever since we came to Va. On the hot summer days as we marched along twould excite your pity to see men rush in to a brook / that chanced to run across the road and stand and dip up with cups or lie down and drink. But we can only march on praying & hoping that we may live to see the end of the war if I am permitted to return home alive I will never complain but be thankful. But enough of war Officers and men have been detailed to go home and bring out the drafted men to fill up the Regiments. Sergt. Wellington Barry has gone from our company he will visit Portland and I wish Father could see him and send me some money by him only a little. He will see Lieut Cadwell Father might leave the money with Lieut C and he will give it him. While in Penn & Md we bought a great deal of stuff of farmers to eat and my money is all gone and I have no writing paper and envelopes. / I thought I should send money home but one can find use enough for it here We have to pay double for what we buy if we ever stop long enough to make out the pay rolls we shall get paid nearly all of the boys are out of money. I suppose father is in the meadow haying now Little did I think when I worked there last summer that a year would bring such changes. One month from yesterday 27^th and our Regiment have been in the service a year Our time counts from the date of Regimental muster 27 Aug.

 

Tell Nelson and all I owe letters I will write and answer them as soon as I have time and material. My regards to all especially Capt C Mrs Parker and Miss Jennie, also to Lieuts Cadwell & Campbell John Hall is fortunate in being taken prisoner he escaped a lot of hard work and the most terrible battle of the war But I cannot write more at present but will write as often as possible

 

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Dont worry about me if you dont hear from me for a long time for no one knows where we will go next      I will write as often as I can           

 

Your Aff. Son Henry

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