Opposite Fredericksburg Va.

                                                                                    Wednesday 28^th Jan. 1863

 

My Own Dear Dear darling Wife

                                                I had just gone to my Knapsack to get my stationery to write to my Mary when they brought in the mail I had two letters one from “Dick” and the other was yours of the 23^rd White arrived Saturday night & Monday he John & Ransom Kenyon went up to Aqia Creek & brought down the boxes I was quite disappointed to think he did not bring me a letter but when I came to open the Boxes I found one and a good & long one to but no better than the one I received this morning/

 

I was sorry to hear that mother was raising blood again this winter She must be more carefull of herself & not be out of doors in all kind of weather I expect she does all the chores & if she does she must stop it It will not answer for her to continue to expose herself as she has been in the habit of doing She must either Hire or Marry some one to do all the out door work for her if she wants to live to see her undutiful son home I am sorry you had to expose yourself so much for my sake I hope no serious illness resulted from it If thanks can begin to repay/you you can have them in abundance but I know they will not so I will settle with you when I get home Burnside’s appointment for a great Battle “Played out” as you have doubtless heard ere this. I hope my letter I wrote in anticipation of the Battle did not reach you in time to give you uneasiness For a whole week Burnside waited to perfect every plan & as I wrote you everything on Tuesday night was ready and the fight was to take place the next day. At 3 oclock Wednesday morning we turned out & it was raining awfully & it continued to rain for several days/

 

In fact there has not since that time been suficcient clear weather to dry the ground The result has been that all the Artillery which went up to the right to cross the river got stuck in the mud & it took several days with all the horses that could be had to draw it back again When we saw the rain fall steady for 24 hours we knew there would be no fight as the mud made it an impossibility When the news that we had got to fight again first came it made me tremble with fear yes fear For I knew that we had got to cross at the same place & encounter the same/ for as we did before. But as we waited for the eventful day my courage thank God rose & I am now sorry that we did not cross It was a most favorable time to have gained a victory Burnside had information that Rebs had greatly reduced their force but the rain spoiled all his plans. I now he (Burnside) & the General next in command to him (Sumner) have resigned and gone home. Gen. Joseph Hooker or fighting Joe as they call him has command of the Army of the Potomac. The probability now is that we shall make these our winter quarters/The supply of wood is not very good here & but for that it would be a very good place To day it is snowing hard but we are comfortable I do believe we have the best tent in the Reg. We took the Boxes that White brought us & ceiled up the sides & made a floor We have a good fire & it is almost as comfortable as home We are all writing to day We have had a splendid dinner of the things sent us Some one has taken dinner with us every day since the things came When we eat our Turkey the Adjutent is going to take dinner with us/such a pile of things as we three had when put together They were worth at the prices out here over $50.00 We share everything together It will last us a long time To day I carried Warren Brown a large plate full of everything He is getting better but is in the Hospital now He has had the fever He expects to get his discharge on account of not being a perfect man mother will tell you what it is ails him. But don’t tell his folks for if he does not get his discharge it will be a great disappointment to them I think though that he is pretty sure of getting it as several have got theirs on the same ground

 

Friday Jan 30^th 1863

The storm of Wednesday was so hard that I did not finish my letter that day & yesterday I was on Guard & did not have time to finish but to day I will. Your letter of the 23^rd I told you I received but did not mention the money That was all safe I shall find it very acceptable but you need not send me any more unless I write for it as we expect to paid off soon. The snow fell to the depth of about 6 inches but is leaving very fast Judge White is here yet he thinks it is awfull mudy Tell Mrs Cyrus Brown that her Socks were very thankfully received (But you not have troubled yourself abot getting them as I have a pretty good supply

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