Camp Near Berksville Va

                                                                                                April 14.1865

 

Dear Father.

                        We are now encamped not far from the above place, on the Danville R. Road. We were within fifteen miles of Lynchburg but after the capture of Lee and his Army were ordered back here and think that we will go to Richmond and Petersburg. of all the hard marches the 2^nd Corps ever had the march after Lee was the hardest. we were on the flank of Lees army all the time. we marched one day thirty one miles over hills creeks mud and everything that was before us. the road was lined with amunition, wagons, dead Horses/ and the killed and wounded of both armys. If we would of spread the blankets and over coats out that was laying on the road, we could of marched on them all the way. the first day I did not mind the march on the 2^nd my Blanket was too heavy. the next day Over coat went with the blanket. the next day I found one of our men killed that had a good pair of shoes on. I put his shoes on and left my boots lay. I now have a pair of stockings on that I took off of a dead reble and a pair of shoes from one of our men. my feet are ful of blisters, and I am played out. the roads are full of paroled rebles a going home. they say that Grant is too hard a nut for Lee. I would not of missed/ this trip for a good deal, but would like to be out of service as soone as peace is declared. I dont want  to be in the army when the fighting is over. The report is that Gen. Humphrey is to be Military Govenor of Va. The day we started on this trip I received the Cornet from A. Barnes. it was all right with the exception of a dinge behind on the bend or elbow which he says you know all about. the dinge wont hurt the instrument but I dont believe that you know anything about it.

 

Give my love to all and write soone. I am too tired to write. this is the first chance that I had for the last two weeks to write home. Send the Spectator. How is Welsh Dellone and the S. Confederacy./

 

The war is over and I wish that we were discharged

 

Write Soone

 

I dont think that buglers will be in demand in a short time.

                                                                        Your Son

                                                                        H. C. Metzger

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