Willow Glen near Woodstock Va

                                                                                                                        April 6^th/62

 

Dear Brother

                        When I wrote my last letter to you we were expecting to go towards Centreville but we were mistaken. on Tuesday last we were ordered to march to this place. the order came unexpectedly as every one in the Brigade from Col down to private were under the impression that we were to go the other way. the distance from here to Strasburg is 12 miles. we started at 8 Oclock and reached here early in the afternoon. Shields Division was ahead of us. they had some slight skirmishing with Ashby’s Cavalry but it did not amount to much / The Rebels tried to fire the Bridges as they retreated and succeeded in burning the one across the North Branch of the Shenandoah R We did not expect to stay here any length of time but now we dont know when we will leave or which way we’ll go when we do start. You have heard by the papers of the unfortunate accident which happened to Morgan Richards and John Cannon The Captain sent a letter to M^r Earle & Emmanuel with the particulars

 

We could not send any letters sooner as the mails are very irregular and there is no knowing when a letter will get off some letters are here laying for a week waiting to be mailed. I dont know when this letter will get off perhaps it may get off today and maybe not / for a week. It is the same way with letters from home. one letter that was mailed from Catasauqua on the 2^nd reached here on the 5^th while the song that you sent me was 14 days on the road. I see by the paper that all soldiers letters in future should be directed via Washington and think that it will be as good for you to direct yours so in future. We receive Phila papers the next morning after they are published so that we have all the late news

 

            no more at present

 

Give my love to Mother

Sisters & Brothers & Receive

the same Yourself from

            your aff Brother

                        Daniel

 

[verso]

Direct to

            Camp near Woodstock

                        Virginia

            via Washington

 

                                                send me a few stamps

SOURCES