Camp Near Falmouth Va Marching

Friday Morning March 6^th 1863

 

            Friend George

                                                It is with pleasure that I seat myself to answer your welcome letter of the 1^st inst It certainly gives me pleasure to know that you are all well and my family also as I have not heard from home sinc Kider returned. I am well thank God and hope when this reaches you that you all still enjoy the same blessing. I am still increasing a little I was weighed about two weeks ago I then weighed 179 lbs I was weighed on Wednesday with my OCoat on and weighed 187 lbs. I happened to be at the commisary yesterday and stood on the scales without my coat and weighed 182 lbs I think that is about my weight now If I was in the habit of drinking Brandy one might suppose that was the cause of my lustiness I believe I have had one drink of brandy since I am in the army I have had about a quart of whiskey That is the capt and myself betwen us and that was at the time the Squier and Wolf were to see us so you can see there was but small shares as they of course had to have a taste.

 

I am sorry that I cannot say so for all the officers of the Regiment We met in Regimental School last evening where we had quite a lectur on intemperance by the Col. I tell you he made some red faces / there before he was through The Col is down on any thing like drunkenness or profanity the latter prevailing to an awfull extent in the army I think I can say with safety we have one of the best companies in that respect in the Regiment. This morning is stormy snowing a little and pretty cold. the Majority of the Regiment started on picket this morning We had 18 men and two noncomissioned officers detailed from our company I was one of the luckey ones this time as the capt is absent I have commd hence I was not detailed There was quite a brisk time the last time we wer out One week ago last Wednesday. About the time we Relieved the Old pickets the report ran along the line that our Cavalry pickets were driven in Will Wolf came to me and said the pickets had fallen back inside our line and that the Orderly had gon to report to the Col. I had just had a cup of coffee made. I told him I was bound to have my coffee & I drank my coffee and eat a bite then Ordered the Boys to load By that time the Col came back he ordered us to keep on our Equipments and be ready if needed but the Rebs did not come. I must stop to attend a Court Martial of one of our men who left the Regmt without leave. Back again I have got through with the court. But I tell you their Cavalry came in a hurry dashing by the right of our Regiment not stoping untill they were inside of our lines ½ mile Some came scatered by twos and threes some without / caps others without stirips others again without horses I believe they captured about 60 of our men and wouned 5 or 6 one whou has since died. Our Cavalry are not worth a cent they cut and runn at the first sight. As to Joes coming home it is rather uncertain as one of the Old members of the company comes in next Joe is rather anxious to get home as his family it appears has to move. I will do all I can for him to get home There are others whou would like to get home I suppose you might guess one at least, but I cannot tell when it will happen. As to the Negro Question I have nothing more to say only that I should like to see them all put to work on the entrenchments and teaming, and let the men do the fighting for I would place but little confidence in a Negro Regmt. and make them work for their Clothing and Boarding for the present untill the government pays her soldiers who have familys at home suffering, and not do as has been done hear having a lot of Negroes choping wood and paying them the money in preference to soldiers I say preference that may be to strong but I know that they were paid before men who had 6 and 8 monts wages due them. You speak of times at home I think the farming portion of the community have better prices now than they had one year ago. You say sheep sold for $20, and asking the reasons things sell so high they / tell you their is cotton in it I think their should be verry little cotton in that wool to bring $20. on the sheeps back as wool is generaly more valuable than cotton however there is not much difference since cotton has been made king.

 

I should like very much to attend the examination of the school as I have no doubt it will be interesting But alass there will be one vacant seat that I used to loock upon with a great deal of Pleasure I often thought that one he who occupied it might some day be a usefull member of society and an honour to his Parents

 

You must excuse this sheet as it is some what soiled as I write. I cannot but shed tears when I think of him May God help one so to live that where he is I may be also.

 

Mrs G Jacobs your kind note needs no apology at your hand as you have the assurance they are highly appreciated by your once near neighbour but at present seperated far from his family and neighbours. We may still be thankfull that we have health and the privileges of writting to each other though far from each other It gives me great satisfaction to know that my old neighbour and friends still visit my little Family. It certainly must be a relief to my Dear Wife to have them come, and I am glad to hear that she is cheerfull in your company, and hope you will continue your visits as there is nothing affordes me more real pleasure hear than to hear of some one of my neighbours being to see my family. you think perhaps I may come home unexpected to you. It certainly would be unexpected to me at present as the chances for leave of absence are few. It would afford me pleasure to see you all even if it were to take you by surprise / I hope the day is not far distant when our swords will be beaten into Plowshares and our speers into pruneing hoocks and all return to our homes again to enjoy the comforts of home and our familys greeting us welcome home. I must close it is drawing near mail time

 

Remaining your friend and Neighbour

 

                                                Good afternoon May God Bless

                                                you is My Prayer

                                                            J. P. Brindle

 

George as to Sphar I hardly know what to say. I had thought of going to see him but the roads have been so bad that I did not go I heard of him on the mud march as we call it but know nothing of him to a certainty since the reserves have gone to Washington but whether the Artillery left I cannot tell I was told the other day that the artillery did not go. that is about all I know about him. A R Hinwood was with me overnight last night. he says he is making money fast I have some notion of going to see him and have some picture to send to my friends at home. I suppose J Mury waked up the wrong man I am not in favor of fighting but I think he deserved all he got and perhaps more. I rather should suppose there will be / rather serious times at home just now concerning the late conscript act as some call it. where and how it will terminate remains to be seen

 

I must close as I cannot interest you much in writing as there is no news of any account

                                                                                    Good Afternoon

                                                                        May God Bless you is

                                                                        the prayer of your friend

                                                                                                J. P. Brindle

 

NB the Boys are all

in pretty good health

Joe is as fat as a pig    Write often

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