Camp Near Alexandria Va

                                                                                                            Aug 5^th 1862

 

Dear Wife

                        We arrived here day before yesterday. Worn tired and filthy after a march of 17 days without intermission. I wrote to a line from centerville but I dont know as you will get it.

 

After we left centerville we had a deseprate battle with the enemy trying to cut off our Retreat. We suffered from the cold in the night holding the Battle field having got perfectly soaked with a heavy shower We lost our Able General in this fight Keainey was a Brave man but he died like any soldier shot by a deseprate foe. I have been hard to work since I got here/ & I have a tremendous cold I feel tiered and worn out and almost wish I had been kill in the last fight there is so many around that can take their ease while I have to be an abject Slave for Common loafers. it was said we came here to rest, but an order just came to fill up with Catridges and grub for three day and be ready at a moments notice to march. Yes march. with no Stockings no Shoes. nor any other decent rag. Our knapsacks are all lost again with what we expected to change our rags with our Brigade has fought through Eleven fierce Battles and what do we get for it, drove into it as long as a man can stand in the Ranks. I hope Jackson/ will clean out Washington for I dont consider it worth saving I love my country but as long as her Wars are conducted by fools I have but little faith in fighting we are whiped at every point forced to retreat fight and march untill our courage, health and spirits are all Gone. the new troops are stationed in some fort and eat soft Bread and look fine while we are drove to the front to protect them. we went to the front when we came into Va and we have been there ever since I am only a little mad is what makes me write so. it was a crual hoax on me about my Brevett. I have been too faithful, fought too hard, and suffered too severely to be rewarded with any thing of that sort Some of our thick headed officers mistook the order/ and I had to take my Gun again. Selbing was taken prisoner, and Paroled and was in camp today. his wound in the neck is slight. have not heard from Cox. found all my letters here & Papers too. dont know in what direction we shall go but on the Conyers Road no doubt. Pope is a mer schoolboy among the Rebels for they fool him as a cat would a mouse. I dread to go into the field with a new General, but I have not been hit yet and I pray god to Spare me through the whole trial my flesh cries out and makes me feel discouraged we are here within sight of Plenty without getting anything. the new cotton Shirt you sent is all I have since we left the James River My love to All,

 

                                                                                    Yours Truly

                                                                                    R. G. Crockett.

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