Camp at 3 Mile Station

                                                On Warrenton R R

                                                Nov 6   /63

 

                        Dear Burton

                                    I rec’d yours of 1^st last night was very glad to hear from you as usual but little disappointed at not geting any answers about my inqury about the Darking hens, nor any thing of my lice pison both of which my mind is very much taken up with, perhaps you had not rec’d my last letter I have forgotten when it was dated.  We are in Camp now about a week and looks as though we might abide here or about here perhaps all winter, very good place 2^nd 3d 5^th perhaps 1^st corps are here guarding R R right rest s at Warrenton left at or near Morrisville ?  right and 6 left we like dacent folks in the middle have been on picket 3 days since camped here two days on relief did nothing but eat and keep fire and sleep other day did duty 2 hours on 6 off no fire on post cause the rebels would know where to shoot, it was terrible cold I was on twice in night 5 ½ to 71/2 and 112 till 31/2 other time did very well, but that is not as hard as it is here in camp have dril 11/2 to 2 fours forenoon and afternoons yesterday Battallion dril today Brigade drill and afterwards dress parade took from 2 o’clock out. I tell you we relish our pork and crackers

 

Sunday 8 – Halt near Kellys Ford

Dear Brother I did not think when my candle went out at nine o’clock night before last that I should be finishing it here – Next morning packup sounded and we were off about sunrise, passed Bealton Station about a mile made us about 6 miles then halted got rails to build fire and had to carry them back and build up the fence    the old woman had got to the windward of us, a bout middle of the afternoon we go marching orders had seen the streachers carried out to front, we loaded before we started then after going a little way came in sight enemy intrenched playing on our men with artilery 22^nd marched for the intrenchments right through an open space between too woods just came up even with the woods a shell passed over the Col s head and he dismanisted spry sent his horse to rear then we marched up perhaps 500 rods and such a shelling as they say they got at Fredericksburg. crossed a ditch water and mud knee deep halted and laid down second shell after that passed between me and my right hand man wounding him in the knee, a chunk of R R irons 5 inches long came whissing buy halloned  to Col he ducked his head it passed in the space took a private in back knocked his knapsook hiltisskilter and blood spirted out his nose, one man jumped in a ditch just puting his head down piece struck his head. One only mortally wounded a mini ball passed through his chest Capt Tucker struck just below top of boot leg hurt pretty badly the we retreated without firing, but found that we had drawn their fire while sixth Corps flanked them two or three hours after they took their works drawn (rumor says) 2200. into Rappahannock and took 7 guns a Brigade and half prisoners I have seen some prisoners today no fighting there What next dont know after clear them out will move forward I suppose as fast as get R. R. repaired – I did not like to go up to that fort but did my duty trusting in God for my safty, what better could I do.  I want you to have John Darrough make me a candle mould to run four candles 5 inches long and have on the bottom where the paints stick through a little ring put on for candle stick, space open. so can           get candle out when short we pay 10 cts for candle here have beef tattered onsight mak some if you will send mould get it  made now and _____ send box send with wicking and same bees wax make mould rather small size. you understand about the candle stick ______ like this         little closer          more perhaps for. Fredericksburg.  I don’t know but must close, now regards to Beck & Herman                                   Yours truly     

 J. W. Darby 

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