M^cDowells Headquarters

Saturday April 19^th 1862

Dear Sister Anne

                                                                                                                        As I have just got a little time & we cannot tell the moment when the long roll will sound you must not expect a long letter. I got mothers letter this morning it seems that you had not got the one I sent from Manasses. I hope you have got it by this time. We started from Manasses yesterday morning & marched 13 miles & we are now encamped about 14 miles from the Rappahannock. We had a hard march the day was very warm & as it was a forced march we rested but seldom. I am quite stout & stand the marching as well as any of the regiments. Great numbers fell out & some did not get to / Camp until this morning. The whole of M^cDowells Corps is here I believe & Banks is a little further on to the right. There is about 5,000 rebels along the bank of the rappahannock & we do not know how many more behind them. I expect we will advance on them soon. Our fellows shelled them yesterday morning & they returned the fire. The rebels fired about 60 shots. So you see we are not going to be left in the rear but are going to have a little chance to do something for our country. I dont want you Dear Sister to forget that it was our brigade that gained the first decisive victory of the war & that it was the most complete victory that has been won yet The country is very pretty around here. I send along with this / $10.00 as we have been paid off I would send more but I am afraid to send anymore by mail & there is no other way of sending it. Tell Mother to use it as she likes best as I do not want her to lay by any more money for me. Now Dear Sister I must close I have nothing remarkable to tell you Tell mother not to be frightened about us getting into the fighting district as I do not expect much opposition here. I am ready & willing to do what I can for my country. I cherish no malice or hatred for the rebels. No doubt many of them are deceived but if they have not the caution to be sure they are on the right side they must take the consequences Now Dear Sister I must close Give my love to all & believe / me I Remain as ever

 

                        Your Affectionate Brother

                                                Hugh Fraser

 

P.S. You need not send any more postage stamps

            much obliged for what you have sent. Write soon

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