Camp 84^th Regiment Penn Volunteers

Near Brandy Station Va

Monday evening May 2^d 1864

 

Friend George

                        Your long loocked for letter has came at last. I will try and answer. I am always glad to hear that you all enjoy that great blessing health. I am as usual, not on duty at present & think will not be for some time. We are having very pleasant weather at present and have had for some time. it has the appearance at present of storm. We are waiting orders dayly to move but do not know more at present than we did weeks ago. One thing is certain we are all ready to go having sent all surplus baggage to the rear so that we have nothing to incumber us. We did expect Marching Orders this after noon but from rumours afloat this afternoon I think we will not move for several days. The fifth Army Corps has been doing duty from Alexandria to the Rappahannock, are hear having been relieved by part of Burnsides command. Report says Burnside has his Hd qrs at Warrenton & that Hoocker is at Harpers ferry, if report is true the disposition of the troops in my opinion is good & think as we lay direct in the front / the attack will be made on the flanks. By Hoocker being in the Shanandoah Valley they will not be able to annoy us as heretofore on our right flank. Longstreets Corps is reported moveing toward Staunton. I think Hoocker will be able to meet him. Gen Grant reviewed the 2^d Corps last week & was well pleased with the troops & thinks it is the best disciplined Corps in the Army of the Potomac. I do not know whether he included the two old Division of the 3^d Corps One thing is certain we can beat the 2^d Corps marching in review; & I think can fight about as well, when it comes to a trial. Gen Hancok reviewed our two Divisions some time ago & was very much pleased. Also our Ambulance train of the 2 Division he says cannot be beat in the army. I was not able to go on review consequently did not see the Gen (that is) Grant, but am told he is a very plain man. I have no doubt the public is anxiously waiting the result of the pending battle, which will be a desperate one. My Prayer is that success may crown our arms, for if successfull in this battle I think it will cause the rebellion to quiver to its centre. I hope the States will send out all the force needed to garrison our forts & defences & send the troops who now occupy them to the front, as now is the time to strike the desicive blow. they may perhaps say we have / a larger force in the field than ever before. what if we have, would it not be better to crush this rebelion by numbers at once than to fight three years more as we have done just being able to hold our own and at times not that. There is no use in my talking as it amounts to nothing. We are having rather a troublesome time in our Brigade. this morning the 2^d Excelsior Regiment stacked arms refuseing to do duty claiming their term of enlistment had expired, which is the case counting from date of enlistment but it appears the war department has decided that it does not expire at that time but from the date of Muster in to the United States Service. the majority are under arest & are to be tried tomorrow & I fear some of them will be shot. My humble opinion is, although dare not express it to free, that the men ought to be discharged from date of enlistment, the same as Regulars, as we are governed in every thing els by the laws that govern the Regular army we should be in this case. the war department has thought differently & of course we must submit. A few days will decide. I stated in the first part of my letter that there were indications of a storm, which is on hand just now. I was out a few minets ago & saw as I thought dark clouds of smoke of a reddish cast / rivering and remarked the woods was on fire but soon found the clouds moveing rapidly in the direction of our camp. I finally concluded it was dust, & true it was. I have often heard of the storms on the deserts where the sand was blown into the nostrils of animals killing them This was in my opinion something similar. As it came, sand & dust even pebbles fell fast and thick on my tent. I first thought it was rain but soon discovered it was sand, blowing in at every little opening, covering every thing in my tent with dust and sand. It now raining pretty fast. (I never saw any thing like it) do to communication being stoped it might possibly be for a short time. yet I think it would perhaps be better yet it is the only pleasure a soldier enjoys hear, when worn down by hard marching & perhaps by dissease. A kind word from a Father, Mother, Sister, Brother or wife at home cheers him on his way. Friends at home can not appreciate the good a line from them does the soldier. if you could but see the mail come in & see all eys loocking & ears waiting to catch the sound of their name being called as the Sargt distributes them you would not wonder at the last words on the bottom of their letters Write often. Joe is well Wolf & all the boys are well. I must close for this time, Good evening         God Bless

                                                            us all is My Prayer

                                                                                                John. P. Brindle

 

To G W Jacobs & Wife.

                        My regards to all who may inquire

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