Head Quarters 27^th New Jersey Vols

                                                                                    Camp Burnside Va Feby 23d 1863

 

Dear George.

                        I owe you an apology for not writing to you sooner, and being anxious to discharge all my debts will make it; it is this; there are but two stoves owned by the officers of the regiment that are in good working order, and those are in the Colonel’s and Adjutant’s tents, the weather for the great portion of the time we have been here, has been very unpleasant, and the consequence has been that my tent has been crowded with half drowned half frozen officers, and for noise and confusion, I have been almost totally unable to do any writing of private nature

 

            You have most probably heard from Father, of my whereabouts, and it is therefore not necessary to tell you how, when and where I first met the Regiment. We are encamped on a wagon road run- / ning parallel with the James, about 1/4 of a mile from the river, and about two miles from the landing at Newport News. The camp is much more handsome than were our old ones at Fredericksburg (or rather opposite, I should say.) The soil we occupy is very sandy, not very unlike the soil to be found along the line of the “Camden and Atlantic” as you approach the Ocean. The river is very wide at this point, being in fact a bay, the water is salt, and the waves come dashing up on the white sand beach; behaving just like a genuine young sea. The Atlantic is about seven miles away, Hampton Roads connecting the River with it. The Iron Clad Galena, that was so damaged at Fort Darling, the Sangamore (a new Monitor) and several vessels of the blockading fleet, with steam always on, lie in the stream watching for the first appearance of danger, having a distinct recollection of a day / last March, when a certain other ironclad steamed up from Norfolk and created such confusion in the Roads, capturing the Congress, sinking the Cumberland, and scaring the remainder of the wooden vessels, and only stopping because of the unlooked for appearance of a black ugly raft and cheese box on its centre. Our entire Corps is now here, and from present indications will remain here some time. The men are much more comfortable than they were on the Rappahannock. Wedge or “A” tents have been issued the several regiments, and they are enabled to live more contentedly than before. Fresh bread is issued to them daily, and rations generally are first rate. Whatever people might think, wrongfully, of the Army of the Potomac, any who believe the 9^th Corps to be demoralized believe an absurdity. When we move to action, be it soon or late we know not, our men will do their part in the supp / ression of the rebellion, nobly and well.

 

            Of course, there are numerous rumors as to the future movements of this Corps but it is idle to speculate, we know nothing certainly, even our speculation is based on very slight circumstantial evidence

 

            Yet although it is vain to endeavor to find out what we are to do, I cannot refrain occasionally from doing a little thinking on my own account. But the only conclusions I can come to are these and they are very indefinite;—we will not stay here many months, we will be here at least four weeks,—we will move either up the Peninsula towards Richmond or take transports and sail southward—

 

            The weather to day is quite cold, we had a very heavy storm yesterday, with about three inches of snow. It is beautifully clear now.

 

            What do you think of the picture? Father says he likes it very well, with the exception of the hands. Had I only known we were going to Newport News instead of to Charleston I should certainly have staid out my leave, but it is now too late. I regret greatly not being able to attend the Prescott, as I wished to see some of the old familiar faces once more

 

            How do the Society’s affairs progress? how comes on the supper proposition? Who are the candidates for the coming election? Give me a description of the open meeting which is to take place on Friday night. Have any of you heard from Buzby lately? I see by a list Father sent me, he was in the fight Ed. Wheat was not. Four of my old mess were engaged. I am pretty busily engaged now with drills and office affairs, but still time passes slowly away; the continued quiet almost makes one anxious for a Battle of one, for a change. Give my love to your Father and Mother and accept for yourself and Jesse from your old friend

                                                Will

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