Edith                                                                          

Fairfax Court House

Virginia          

July 17 1861

 

            Here we are in the enemy's country, and I will tell you how we came here. we were ordered to start yesterday at one oclk. we done so, took up our march across long bridge. we made 13 miles went into quarters at night sleeping on the ground. Started this morning at 7. Our march was rather hard as they had felled large trees across the road to intercept our progress, but being well supplied with axes being placed in the hands of our strongest men, they soon cleared a passage. when within 2 miles of the court house we passed some breastworks that were arranged for mounting heavy guns but had been abandoned within a few hours for their camp fires were still burning. As has always been the case they evacuated the place leaving a great many of their things behind them, burning a great many blankets &c. we took about 2000 lbs of beef. A secession flag was flying on the court house which was soon replaced by the Flag of our Union The inhabitants nearly all left. You can judge of our force when I tell you that there were 45 Regiments beside a number of detatched companies with 4 batteries and 6 or 8 companies of Cavalry. This force was divided into 3 divisions, one taking a northern route one a southern and ours taking the central direct for them. / We expected to have a battle but were disappointed However I think we shall have one soon for I think we will march to morrow for Manassas Junction. We shall then I think have some fun. I am positive that we shall leave the junction directly, or nearly so for home. I received a letter from your father while in our quarters on the road last night one of our officers brought out the mail to us. they are all well at home. he sent me his photograph taken by himself. I do not know as I can keep it for I having no way to keep it safe as we brought nothing with us but our blankets and provisions. I may have no opportunity of sending this letter to you but will try to get it started some way. I have no more time to write more and I am writing this on the ground. Hoping you are well and that I may return safe from the wars I give you my deepest love and will ever remain your true and loving husband

           

May God bless and protect you is the earnest prayer of

Albert.

                                                                                   

Give my love to all. /

 

[overleaf]

 

Farifax C.H.

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