Camp Bayarde, Near Belle Plain. Jan 2^nd 1863

 

Dear Sister:

A happy new year to all! Yes this is most certainly the wish of your brother And although 1863 finds us yet in arms we cannot but hope ere this year bids us adieu we shall once more be enjoying the many priveledges of our once Superior Goverment. We know the war is going to make many sad hearts & great will be the changes ere we can return to our homes, yet when we do arive there we know it will be a happy moment. I for one am getting so that I dislike very much the screeming of shells or the humming of bulletts. And what is worse I am discouraged! We have been repulsed so often & with so great a loss that I think I have reasons for this discouragment. I think I would be willing to compromise with them most any way now but it seems they are determined to have their Indipendance & I am afraid they will have it. I dont know as I ought to express myself to you garles, but it is just as I am thinking to night. We have been/ performing pickett duty on the banks of the Rapahannock; the rebbels were on the opposite bank & as the streem was not very wide we talked with them & some of the boys made a raft & went acrost to exchange coffee & sugar for tobacco. We seemed more like friends than enemies They said they were tired of fighting to if we would shoot Lincoln they would Davis. One man went over & took breakfast with them, said they had flour & beef steak. (Guess they have more than we do.)

 

They told us if we would not shoot them they would not us, to which we agreed to at once. We continued friends untill relieved by an other regt.

 

            This splended evening finds Paul & myself enjoying the very best of health and of course Paul feels good enough to fly in consequence of the proberbility of his being Captain of Co I. He is appointed but has not received his Papers. Last eve the band serenaded him!

 

            We have not heard from Frances & Horace for a long time if you hear from them please let us know for we feel anxious concerning them./

 

Joseph writes he has traided the coalt off has he got one you can ride? if so put him round when it gets to be good sleighing. Do you have any sings this winter? if not what does the young set do for amusement. I can think of nothing more interesting to write this time. please give my regards to all & write often. Write all the news you can think of.

 

                                                            From your brother

                                                                        C. M. Chadbourn

Nellie.

SOURCES