Co D. 3 P.R.V.C.

                                                                                                M^cCalls Division

                                                                                                Washington DC

                                                                                    Camp Pierpoint V^a 24 Dec/61

My dear Friend,

                        I was truly glad to receive a letter from you, and am sorry to have neglected to answer it sooner. We have been lying over here about 10 or 11 weeks expecting every day to have orders to march and so are compelled to be in earthly matters as our Lord requires us to be in things spiritual, with our loins girded always on the watch, for it is sure to be at just such a time when we think not, that the alarm will be given. We have not yet been engaged in a fight but we cannot tell how soon the drums may beat the long roll which is the signal for every man to pick up his musket and take his place quickly in the ranks ready prepared to boldly fight or bravely die for our country./

 

Last Friday for the first time part of our division had a fight, 9 regiments went out with a number of wagons to procure hay, corn, or anything else they could for the use of the army, when they were attacked by the enemy, the noise of the firing was heard by us in the camp although it was 10 miles off, and our regiment with three more went out, but when we got about one and a half miles from the place the fight was over so we came back again in safety, though very tired as we walked fast with a good load to carry having besides our guns, powder and balls, provisions for two days and a canteen full of Water. The enemy were badly beaten there having been sixty of their dead counted on the field and about 20 more were brought back with us badly wounded. We only lost 7 men killed and about 60 wounded most of them/only slightly. About 1 mile in front of us is the line of pickets which commences on the Potomac on our right and is continued all along the front of our army for 18 or 20 miles until it reaches below Mount Vernon every 15 or 18 days our company has to take their turn of at the picket guard having about half a mile to watch no person may cross the line either to go out or come in with out the permission of the proper officer, and any one coming from the outside to the line is to be taken prisoner. I greatly regret not being able to spend my Christmass at home, but still hope that God in his good providence will grant me even greater priveleges than that on further future occasions that I may again join those who in the old familiar places say with the Psalmist “I was glad when they said unto/me let us go up into the House of the Lord.” For of all the privations a soldier has to endure, none is more keenly felt by a follower of Christ than the loss of the opportunity of worshipping in the place called by his name, and joining others in singing his praise, and hearing his word.

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