Camp 5^th N.J. Vols

Brandy Station, Va

Nov. 13, 63.

 

Dear Father—

                                    You have read all that is known about the late movement of the Army. At the close of my last letter, I said we were ordered to move. For several days preparations for a change of residence were being made and all sorts of rumors as to destination were in vogue. The point was obscure, so it was put as far away as possible—Urbana being about the only place, down on the maps, that we could hope to march to, and not be / interfered with. Well, all the Army was early under arms, Saturday, and by noon near their respective destinations. The wind was high—roads dry—and a cloud of dust must have shown the Rebels that we were marching towards them. The 3d 2d & 1^st Corps marched to Kelly's Ford—5^th & 6^th to R.R. crossing. The attacks upon each point were made nearly at same time. At Kelly's Ford the best position is on the north side. two rifle-pits cover the ford from south, the third being back ¾ of a mile & near the timber—the force in rifle pits could not get away without a good deal of loss from our batteries—and so were captured. The 1^st (Kearney's old) Division crossed by wading, capturing & occupying the pits. Pontoons were / immediately laid—and we (2d Div.) crossed on them. In the evening the 3d Div. crossed. 3d Corps bivouaced on south side—1^st & 2d on north; 1^st is said to have crossed at N.S. ford. Sunday A.M. the three Corps joined the 6^th at Rappahannock station (or near it) went into line of battle, and waited for the John's to attack. They made use of this delay to fall back to Culpeper; and so continued to retire. Towards evening three Corps occupied the above (Brandy) Station, and the winter quarters which the Rebs had, in some cases, quite completed. Their camps show that they have a very limited supply of canvas, for covering, and must of necessity suffer from cold, whenever routed from their camps. The grounds / they occupied were or are a part or portion whole of the estate of J. Minor Botts—and they had erected good and substantial log houses, with fire-places of stone and brick & wood. It is evident that the force they had encamped here did not exceed 30,000 & was probably less. So far as this Division was concerned—there was a desire—by men and officers, to push the enemy to an engagement. They could have had no advantage in position—while we would have had in numbers & preparation for engagement. No one has a right to believe that we de- / sire to fight—if it must come we are in its favor when we have the advantage.

 

            Probably Gen. M. went as far as he thought prudent & did well at that.

 

            The country about here is quite open and clear, and very little advantage would be had by a force not entrenched.

 

            There are no works of any kind at Brandy Station, as represented.

 

            It is talked to-day that we will soon move up to Culpeper—some 5 miles from here. The R.R. is good this side the River—has been repaired as far as Bealton.—The weather / is very fine for this season. Roads dusty. Nights cold—with heavy frosts. On the 8^th, had a slight fall of snow—the air was cold enough—and wind strong from the mountains

 

            I took cold, night of 11^th Oct.—wading Rappahannock—and have been troubled slighty to present date.

 

            Paymaster is here, and will pay tomorrow. Shall send about $100 by Cook, will send money to Aunt Mary. Send me 8 carte de visite, from Roberts. Ask Mr. R. if he furnished one to Connolly's? I promised them one, large size, and wrote him to send. If I knew their No. I would have enquired before / this. If they have it—all right. We are building chimneys, & trying to make ourselves comfortable.

            Should like two shirts—same as others.

 

            They are so small as to make buttoning quite out of the question. I will write more about them soon

 

            Send love to all in Trenton,

                                    Truly

                                                M.S. Austin

                                                            2d Lt. 5^th N.J.V.

SOURCES