Great Cacapon Virginia, Dec the 14^th/61

 

Dear Brother,

Yours of the 26^th of last month found henry and I enjoying good health. And I hope and pray that this may find you enjoying the same great blessing. Your letter was on the road some time before it reached me. But this was owing to the removal which our Regiment has made since I wrote to you before. Where do you think your letter found me? It found me at a place called Green spring run Via. situated near the Potomic, and also near a railroad. Our Regiment has been a moving about for some time. 

 

We left Camp Elk Water on the 30^th of Nov. And between there and Webster we had some of the worst marching that I ever saw. The first day and a part of the next the mud was from four to six inches deep every step. Some of you may doubt this, but it is nevertheless true, and you may guess how we got along. The next day the ground was froze pretty hard and we could march pretty well. You had better reckon we made the fences & haystacks suffer where we camped, for we did not have our tents to sleep in. The first night we took eight haystacks, and burnt about two thousand rails, in order to keep us warm. And the next night we took three straw stacks & burnt more rails &c. 

 

We arrived at Webster on the 5^th of this month and got on the cars about nine Oclock that night and run on them all night. We passed through Cumberland in Maryland the next day and arrived at Green spring in Virginia in the evening. Stayed there a couple of days, slept in the cars each night. We then got orders from Gen Kelly to march to springfield. we prepared every thing and got ready for marching when the orders were countermanded. We immediately drew new tents and went into quarters. the next two days we drilled, for it was a very nice place for that kind of business and the weather warm and pleasant. 

 

For the past week I believe that we have had some of the prettyiest weather that ever I saw, for December. On the 9^th of this month Col. Gavin made a call for volunteers to form a scouting party. He wanted five out of each Company which will make fifty in that company when it is formed. I will give you the names that volunteered out of our Company. I, for one, also Brad Myers, Bill Boots, Nelson Gossett and Alf. Freeland. I expect that we will see some pretty tough times and often be in danger, but I am always willing to do anything towards pulling down rebellion and establishing peace, and scouts are very necessary. 

 

By going into this scouting party I am excused from extra duties and also standing guard around our camp. On the 11^th of this month our Regiment all except Co. I went down the Potomic on the railroad about thirty four miles to guard a bridge while it was being built. This bridge was burnt down by the secesh. Co. I remained at Green spring to guard our tents &c. But I and the other scouts went with the Reg^t. It will take but a short time / to build this bridge for it is already framed at Cumberland and they brought down a car load yesterday and went right to work. As soon as this bridge is built we intend going on and opening this railroad through to Harpers ferry. The train that brought us down here was the first train that has been here since June. We expected a fight when we were a coming down but have not had any yet, but we keep our guns loaded all the time. Last week there was eleven hundred secesh through here. Just now a man came in with three secesh prisoners. 

 

I have not seen Henry for two or three days but I presume he is well. I know not how soon our Company will catch up with us. It probably will come on as soon as we get the bridge finished. I have not done any scouting yet, but I know not how soon I will have to go. I will give you a short description of my little hut that I live in now. us five scouts & Steve Call sleeps together. we are within fifty feet of the R.R. Have built us a little hut out of railroad ties and got us some hay to sleep on, and we build us a big fire in front of it. and we get along pretty well. We are also near the Potomic River, it is only about two hundred yards to the Maryland side. where I am sitting now I can see quite a scope of country over in Maryland.

 

I could go on and write two or three sheets full more. But I will have to close. Please write soon. I know not where your next letter will find me but I trust that it will find me discharging my duty as a soldier, and as one that loves his Country. I send love to all.

 

From your absent but not forgotten Brother,  W.H. Speer

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