Camp of Troup Artillery Dec. 31^st 1862

 

Dear Father

                        I thought I would direct this to you as I was about writing home. I thought you would have written to me long before this—We moved from Fredericksburg down the telegraph road to this place—We are about 30 miles from Richmond and ten miles from Hanover Junction—All of the Artillery belonging to our Division except one battery moved down here—The same with another Division Artillery I judge as there is a great camp ground belonging to other Divisions—I presume we moved back here for the purpose of procuring food for our horses and also the wood for fires (the last is not over plentiful even here and the former wont be a great while) But at Fredericksburg there was scarcely any corn for horses and wood was anything but abundant. Perhaps we will fix up some kind of mules quarters though nothing like those last winter—Many will not even put up anything—Our horses will have brush shelters built immediately—All the Artillery is in command of Col. Walton of the Washington Artillery I believe. We have plenty of old cornfields to hunt rabbits this winter provided the rabbits are to be found—I wrote to Bea the day before I left Fredericksburg—When do you think of starting back to your Company? Or do you intend resigning? If I were you I would quit the army if my health began to fail—There could be no objection urged against it. You have showed a willingness equal to any persons—I do think every man that is able ought to come forward now to the relief of our suffering country. Those who are exempt by disease or old age should contribute largely to the wants of the suffering soldiers in the field—I believe that peace will soon dawn on our distracted country—But should this be a protracted war and even more cruel and bloody than it yet has been the South is able to hold her hand and fight her battles alone against the Invaders. France and England may intervene—The latter will never do so until she sees we are determined to be free—When she sees us able to cope singlehanded with our foes and shaking the other defiantly at her—France as a nation that bears a good name may intercede—this though is not likely as she is not particularly interested in this contest though I believe she leans toward us—When does John intend coming to the war again—Conscript I learn is a new farce in Georgia—I think that something will be done very soon to enforce the law—There seems to be nothing doing on the coast—Our Legion I believe would have been to Georgia by this time had Genl Cobb lived—I dont know who will command our brigade—Col McMillan commanded up to a few days ago when Col. Wofford returned he commands it now being the oldest commission—It matters very little who is our Brig. Genl with me—No body will ever suit or please the Brigade the same as Genl Cobb—Few if any can ever have the confidence of it to such an extent as he—I would like to have been home Christmas—But not even officers are able to procure furloughs with the very best recommendations—Since Genl Johnston took command of the Western army everything is going on right—A great deal of interest is taken in that army by this—Genl Bragg couldnt be a butcher, as great a tyrant as he is, in this army by the popular vote—He has a black record and Jeff Davis to say the least ought to cashier him if half of what I hear is true—I dont know how to direct you to answer this I will ascertain—if I can—Give my love to all—Write soon

                                                Your affectionate son

                                                L. C. Cooper

 

As Capt. Carlton leaves for Richmond tomorrow I will send this and have it mailed direct to Richmond—as I believe there has been no mail communications open as yet to this place.

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