HeadQuarters 33^d New Jersey Vols

                                                                                    Bridgeport Ala. Oct. 14^th 1863

 

My dear friends.

                        I wrote you from Catlett’s Station on Thursday Sept 24^th; that night our horses and baggage left for Alexandria.

 

            Friday early but not bright for the Inn had not yet evidenced the slightest intention of rising, we left camp, and marched to Manassas Junction a distance of fourteen miles where we took the cars and went via Alexandria to Washington. We delayed in Washington some three or four hours but without change of cars, from here via the Relay House over the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road to Benwood Western Virginia. Here we left the cars crossed the Ohio on a pontoon bridge to Belaire, where / after partaking of a hearty supper of bread and coffee, and having availed ourselves of the Ohio to remove the soot and dust of two days rail-roading we again took the cars of the Central Ohio bound for Indianapolis.

 

            Our passage through the States of Ohio and Indiana was very pleasant, being greeted at every stopping place with hearty cheers and at many stations with the more substantial cheer of something to eat. Apples peaches pies and cakes being freely distributed without money and without price to the officers and men. Many of the young ladies exchanged handkerchiefs and addresses, and appeared quite anxious to continue the acquaintance of our soldier boys. The / most enthusiastic reception we met with was at Dayton Ohio, the home of Vallandighaue[?]; the inhabitants taking particular pains to inform us that they repudiated the “Traitor”. Their cheers for “John Brough” were rather misinterpreted by the anti abolitionists of our regiment who taking it as a demonstration in favor of John Brown replied by groans instead of cheers.

 

            We arrived in Indianapolis on Monday night about 9 oclock and left for Jeffersonvile about midnight. Arriving at Jeffersonvile next morning we crossed the Ohio to Louisville marched through the principal streets to the Depot. After a delay of a few hours we again took the cars, and soon were rolling on towards Nashvile, passing through that city / early on Wednesday morning with a very brief halt. We passed over the field of Stone River, and breakfasted at Murfreesboro; through Wat[?] Tullahoma, Stevenson reaching Bridgeport our destination at night. Making ourselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, a heavy rain steadily falling; availing ourselves of the shelter of sutlers and quartermasters tents in the neighborhood, we waited until morning, when we went into camp, about half mile from the Rail-Road station

 

            A day or two after we again changed our location and now occupy a very pretty spot on the side of a hill slope surrounded by trees. There are now no traces of houses at Bridgeport altho’ before the war, it was for a Southern state something of a town. Murfreesboro is quite a respectably sized town and bears marks of having been before the war quite a flourishing place.

 

            The traces of war are every where plainly visible in the desolate farms, deserted and shattered houses, burned bridges earthworks, rifle pits stockades, fortifications, that mark the entire line of railway from Nashvile.

 

            On the road here I met Theo R. Dans the artist who contributes many of the army sketches to Harpers Weekly. I was very much pleased with him. He is intelligent, talented and pleasant

 

            Until day before yesterday, I had not heard from home since leaving Fort Albany; then I received a few letters from home. We now expect regular mails and I hope frequently to hear from you and my other friends.

 

            By this time I presume the fate of the elections in Pennsylvania and Ohio is decided and known I trust and hope that Curtis and Brough may have been the sucessful candidates

 

            Remember me to all the Prescott boys give me details of your doings I would be glad to have them write to me

 

            Give my love to your Father and Mother and accept for yourselves from

                                                                        Your sincere friend

                                                                                                            Will

 

Direct 33^d New Jersey 2^nd Div 11^th Corps via Nashvile

                                                                                    Tenn

Write soon. /

 

Being out of stamps I am obliged to resort to the army expedient of endorsing this letter, which will turn the postage on you. You will pardon this as it cant be helped.

                                                                                                Yours

                                                                                                            Will

SOURCES