Fort Lyon Va Jan 13/63

 

                                                                                                            Well my Dear Mary

I suppose I donot give you a letter but will write while I have a chance. I have heard from no one for some time and have come to the conclusion that in order to receive letters often I must write often. I must confess that I have been very negligent in that respect and always was for the matter of that.

 

            Since writing before nothing has occurred worthy of note except a little "scare" occasioned by the appearance of Rebel Cavalry near mount Vernon six or seven miles from here. They didnot however come near enough for the 34^th to get a shot at them and the excitement some subsided. Since Christmas we have been at work on entrenchments to / strengthen Fort Lyon called the "Halfman fortifications". The labor is considerable but none work hard enough to hurt themselves. I find no fault myself anyway for orderlies are exempt from fatigue duty.

 

            Undoubtedly we shall stop here during the winter but as soon as good weather comes again there will be work to do. As yet we have done nothing except to drill and a little fatigue duty. We have a Colonel who is not noted for lying still especially in good weather and we expect a hard one next spring and summer. Military affairs are still in a "stratigetical" condition. Burnside is lying still opposite Fredericksburgh. The Cabinet and Congress fighting in Washington and Abraham joking and telling storys, for the President you know has a tale for every emergency as a Rat trap / has an emergency for every tail. But just as we will war is sad—sad—many a boy better than I

 

"With hearts as light

And hopes as bright"

 

Has come here to fight the battles of his Country only to return maimed for life and a burden for his folks to bear, or has found a home in that narrow place "A Soldiers Grave". Often I think of the happy time when this war is over and I return home, when it suddenly occurs to me that I aint home yet and I stop thinking directly. This war does look mighty discouraging just now but perhaps it will come out right. The Proclamation of abolition though seemingly of little use now will I think be productive for great good. With Gen Butler many have turned abolitionists since coming here. Let the / pro slavery men of the north come down here and observe the beauties of Slavery and they will go back wiser and better men. But they have not got the right man at the head yet. Would you know my plan? ie it would be if I were President—(and had (somebody) to keep the White House)—First remove Stanton and make Gen Butler Secy of War—remove Gen Halleck and make Gen McClellan General in Chief—appoint Gen Hooker to command the army of the Potomac north of Richmond—Send Gen Burnside to North Carolina with 50 000 men—Let the Army in Tennessee and Mississippi consolidate and push through East Tennessee to meet Burnside from the East at the same time attacking Richmond from the north. There are no forces of importance in Tenn or N Carolina to obstruct Burnside and Rosecrans and those states together with the whole of Virginia Confed. Capitol and all could be occupied in 30 days. Look at a map Mary and see how easily this could be accomplished. It may be a poor plan and if tried prove a failure but I "dont see it". But heads older than mine are directing affairs of this nation and let them work it out to suit themselves. I must close now so good night            Ever your Grin.

[upside down margin]

 

Write to a fellow often Please

and let me know how you succeed in keeping school this winter—Perhaps you get lonesome sometimes same as I do and perhaps you too would like to receive a letter—"Do unto others &c /

 

[separate sheet, apparently unrelated]

 

                        Co F

            Ordnance—Dec 3^d 1862

Spfd Rifle Muskets & Bayonets Complete—84

"          "          "          needing repairs             6        90

 

Infty Equipments Complete as follows

Cartridge Boxes                      90

"          "          Plates              90

"          "          Belts                90

"          "                      Plates  90

Waist               Belts                90

"          "                      Plates  90

Bayonet Scabbards                 90

Cap Punches                           90

Gun slings                               90                                            90

                                    Ball Cartridges            5060 Cha^s G Blake

                                    Blank  "                      1100 1^st Sergt Co F

                                    Caps (Percussion)       7000

 

Fort Lyon Va  Va

            Old Virginia

SOURCES