Camp 12. Pa. Vol. Cavalry.

                                                                                                            Martinsburg Va.

                                                                                                                        January. 3/64.

 

My Dear Friend Jennie:—

                                                New Year’s day has come and past & the Year in full blast and at the same time intensely cold all the while thus far. Oh! but it is cold, colder than any weather I have experienced since I have been soldiering. Do not be the least alarmed when I tell you how I commenced this year. On the 30^th of last month the news reached us that a considerable force of “rebs” was seen in the Valley and intended to visit this place & pay us in return for what a portion of our Department did, under General Averill a few weeks ago. We have kept scouting parties out all the time since with the intention of watching their movements and be ready for them. In the mean time General Averill moved his forces to this place to assist us in case of an attack and give them a warm receiption with a few of Uncle Sam’s well made Pills. /

 

The evening of the 31^st a scout of 30 men (among which number I was) went to Bunker Hill (10) miles from here, And lay there on Picket for the night. At 2 o’clock on New Year’s morning a Lieutenant & (7) men of our number moved on in the direction of Winchester. After having traveled about 7 or 8 miles, they were halted by some “rebs” who were doing Picket. This little squad of ours boys charged upon them & captured 5 of them. Our boys then turned back, thinking they had done well enough, and gone as far as they thought safe for that time. They traveled along in good glee for several miles, when all at once a squad of about 30 “rebs” charged out of a thick woods on to our gallant little squad, which had to do the best they could. The prisoners were recaptured & sorry to say that they captured Sergt. Stiffler of Co. “G” as good a soldier as ever drew a saber The others escaped and joined us again at Bunker Hill. We immediately gave chase but could not over-take them. & so my much esteemed friend Stiffler is a Prisoner of War, and will have to endure the sufferings & hardships on that “Belle Isle” where many a poor soldier / has breathed his last. I pity the man that is taken these times. I still hope that an arrangement will soon be made, and then a good one, to have all Prisoners exchanged. We spent the New Year’s day at Bunker Hill and at night returned to Camp. The rumor is still afloat that the “rebs” have a large force at or near Winchester. We have a scout of 100 men out at present from our Regiment, who had quite a brisk Skirmish with them this morning. If they intend taking this place they had better bring more force than they have at Winchester. I have no idea that they will come down here to bother us at all. The report just came in that the “rebs” are falling back. All will be quiet in a few days.

 

            On my return from that scout I received two very interesting and loving letters and will answer them both in this. I was happy to learn of your good health, and in return I can say that my health is excellent & I am at all times ready & willing to do my duty as a soldier. And will do so if health & life permits until the 10^th of December. 1864. /

 

And then I will quit soldiering and not reenlist, but return to my native County & State, and let others re-enlist who think proper. If it were not for you I would have re-enlisted before this. It is for your sake alone that I will forsake a soldiers life at the expiration of my three years. So much I love you. You have often told me in your letters to not re-enlist. And now my Dear Jennie, the loved one to me of this wide world, I will solemnly make this candid Vow to you. That if God spares my life until the expiration of my term I will return to you. So rest easy, if others do re-enlist, you can safely say that there is one in the Army that loves you so dearly that for your sake he will not re-enlist.

 

            Remember what I have said on this page is what I really mean.

 

            My love to Lue & tell her that I will send her a Picture some of these days.

 

            My best respects to your Mother Aunt & Sam Confer.

 

            Sam. O. Evans will leave for Penna. in a few days. He will call to see you—

 

                        My love to you as I close

                                    My name to this

                                                as Yours & yours

                                                alone

                                                John H. Black

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