Near Warrenton Va.

                                                                                                40^th Reg’t. Nov. 7^th 1862

 

My Dear Father

                        Tired marching, and cold fingers I think will make rather a short and not very well written letter, But I am anxious that you should know something of our whereabouts, and howabouts. As you probably had heard we crossed the Potomac R. at whites ford about Oct. 28^th and went to Leesburgh Nov 1^st Marched to Mount Gilead Nov 3^rd about ten miles, getting to our encamping ground about 7 P.M. moving next morning about one mile and lay in afield with equipments on and expecting to move every minute until 7 P.M. when we moved onward through Mountville and halting at Upperville a distance of about ten miles We moved next day Nov 5^th about twenty miles passing through / the towns of Middleburgh, White Plains, and halting at Salem. We left yesterday Salem about noon and marched about six miles a very tedious march and halting at ten P.M. We moved again this morning at 7 A.M. and have come to a halt after marching about three miles. It is a regular snow storm. we have fixed up our tents but expect to have to take them down every moment, as it is reported that the enemy is in our front about three or four miles off They say Warrenton is just before us a few miles also the town of Watterloo Warrenton you will remember was the place we went to immediately after we left the Peninsula. This march has been a very tiresome one for we have been following up the enemy ever since we left Leesburgh, and have had to cross over the Mountains. All the way has been nothing but Mountains and hills. it is up and down all / all the time. the roads are very stony The fences almost entirely are stone walls. This is the prettiest part of Virginia we have been in. And it ranks pretty much altogether “secesh.” The towns are nice quiet little vilages but they show but little enthusiasm as we march through the towns. The colored people mostly altogether look very much pleased, but the young Ladies particularly look very Pouty, and older Ladies look very cross. What men there are generally look very sheepish, but few however show themselves. We found quite a number of ‘Secesh’ soldiers in many of the places and many of them wounded More particularly Middleburgh. The enemy have left them in their hasty retreat. The actions of many of the citizens are very amusing. The other night as we passed through Salem one of our boys went on a head of the Reg’t. and as soon as they heard the drums beating / and the bands playing they would rush out to see the soldiers, but as soon as they discovered that they were playing Yankee Doodle they would rush back again into their houses swearing all kinds of hard names upon the Yankees and slaming their doors spitefully. they would lower their curtains blow out their lights and when we came by we would think it a very desolate place.

 

This marching might not seem to be very hard work by those not aquainted with it, certainly ten miles is no great distance to walk in one day, but to march ten miles with a body of troops is very hard work. The reason of it is that their will be some obstacle in the road which causes us to be a good while passing, and then when we have passed it we will have to double quick until we catch up again, and then when we get up in all probabillity we will have to go so slow that you would hardly see us move, and then again very fast / again, and taking into consideration a heavy knapsack, haversack with three days rations, Cartridge Box with 60 rounds of Cartridge Canteen, Rifle &c. make no small load. last Wednesday the 5^th inst we went about twenty miles it was mostly an easy march, until about night when we went about six miles upon a very fast walk and did not stop even to draw a long breath let alone resting the shoulders by a short halt. We stoped about nine p.m. completely exhausted, too tired even for to cook our usual ration of coffee. we lay down upon the ground to rest and fell asleep. so whilst you all no doubt were having a joyous time at home we were suffering much from fatigue in chasing the enemy. But we thought of you and longed to be with you. We received a letter a few days since from Sarah which I will answer as soon as I get an opportunity. we are looking for a letter from home and from James, have not heard from / him for some time. We live somewhat upon the fat of the land as we pass through the state. we are not supplied by the Gov. whilst upon the march with only hard crackers, salt Pork, and coffee, of salt Pork we have only had it cooked for us once for us whilst at Leesburgh. At other times we must take it raw out of the Brine or go without it. Wilson and I are getting quite used to eating salt Pork raw. But more often we are now eating chicken Turkey &c, whenever we can find it we confiscate it.

 

In regard to this kind of living I have had many doubts, whether or not it was honest to take without giving its equivalent in value. But usage and a craving appetite has overcome in a month many of my scruples in that direction. If the citizens are secession I argue that they do not deserve anything they have acquired under the protection of the Government / they are now trying to destroy, and then I ask who should these things belong to but to those who are suffering and risking their lives to maintain the laws of the land. And if they are Union people and they say to me as they have often said we think it hard that we should be made to suffer so from our friends, I admit it is hard but I think it also hard that we should be called to leave our homes and face even death for the sake of our country And also that those who remain behind should have to give of their substance to support our Gov. in its need. I think it no more than an act of justice that you as a Union man especially living in a disloyal state, should be willing to suffer in some degree for your country rights which you profess to love. War is a hard thing and it is at your door If you Union men had rallied in your might as the enemies of / our country had done you could have crushed this rebellion at the Ballot Box. But you did not. And now you must expect to suffer consequences. Dear Father I would like you would tell me what you think of that very thing. What would you do if you were a hungry soldier, with plenty of good fowl, nice pig, young veal or a good leg of mutton. Would you go hungry and occasionaly eat some salt pork. Wilson and I are still well as could be expected. I have a slight cold. Ice was pretty thick this morning, we have now two inches of snow and and snowing still.

 

Our Love to all. Write when you can conveniently. We are indeed in active service now and on our way to Richmond.

 

                                                                                    Your Affectionate Son

                                                                                                Jonathan Sproul

                                                                                                Co. C 40^th Reg’t N.Y.V.

                                                                                                Stonemans Division

                                                                                                            Birneys Brigade

SOURCES