No 2

As it was we had to content ourselves with marching on to the field for the night This was at Ashbey’s Gap We staid there all the next day considerable foraging taking place our boys brought in siveal splendid Horses which they turned over to the Q. M. Thursday Wednesday we started forward again marching all day & reaching Manassass Gap during the night it rained & cleared off cold in the morning Friday Thursday we were to be rear Guard for the Division owing to a delay of some of the teams we had to wait untill nearly 200 000 troops went by which took untill Sunsett during the day we had been waiting near a mill we stripped it of all the meal and flour it contained which we made into Johny cakes/& Griddle cakes the latter made of the flour & water not very good About sunsett we got into the road & started after our regiment not knowing how far we had to go we marched untill about 12 oclock when we stopped built a fire (it being very cold) got some supper and started again About four oclock we reached our Regt. it being at Orlean. I immediately got a place by a fire, lay down & slept all morning It commenced snowing in about an hour & continued all day We started again however about 9 oclock & came to our present encampment near Warrenton—That night I saw John Ripley/he is well & in Good spirits The snow fell to the depth of 3 or 4 inches We brushed it off erected our shelter of rubber blankets got some straw & slept comfortably I can hardly believe myself that I have got to be so tough but it is true I can ly down in a snow bank & sleep comfortable but I am contented and take things easy “That what’s the matter” fellows that are homesick Growling around are a pitable sight to behold We got the news to day of McClellan being releived of his command & Burnside superceding him it pleases us “Mac” was to slow Burnside will now have the honor of taking Richmond which/we shall surely do if “Old Abe” can hold his seat a little longer But I am afraid he will have to leave it if all the north is going democratic But must close it getting late and to night my candle is most gone The letter I got to night was a darling good one I am happy to hear your health is good I should like to see about that other matter myself I have not seen a sick day while on this march which is something remarkable Chas. Staples has given out he went to the Hospital to night I don’t know when I can write again but I will soon if I can send it you must write often Good bye my darling love     Court

PS I do not know as you can read this

[overwitten] I have just come out to a big fire where there is some [?] & will write a little more we are in a portion of country now where there is nothing for the boys to forage our rations have been short for several days & they are hungry & ill tempered cursing the day that saw them enlist But if they would only wait a day or two we shall have plenty when you we get to the rail road at Warrenton the supplies will come direct from Washington I hope this battle will clean up the rebellion then I can come home to my darling Mary Good bye Darling

                                    Court