Camp on Potomac Creek

Sunday Evening, January 25, 1863

Is well but tired. Last Tuesday made another move toward enemy and was guarding General Warren’s headquarters. “The night before we started without any sleep and last night and to day [sic] again and the Excitement and Fatigue of marching through mud up to the knees most every step without a heavey [sic] Rain to accompany [sic] it makes us feel all feel Pretty much used up but I couldent [sic] go to bed to night [sic] without writeing [sic] to you.”

Was building roads and digging out of mud “…I tell you it was the greatest thing you ever saw we made out to get within about 2 miles of the river and there sunk in the mud the Rebels were on the opposite side to give us another warm Reception. Some said that saw them that they diden’t [sic] want to hurt us but if we molested them that they would give us another warmer like that of frederickburgh [sic]. Our pickets said that they (the Rebels) would moition [sic] with one hand to come across and with the other they would slap the But [sic] of the Cannon the Rebel Pickets told ours that gen Lee sent down word that if we wanted any help to lay our pontoons across he would send us 2 or 3 Regiments he could spare them just as well as not from Wednesday morning until yesterday there was nothing spoken of or heard except a continual curing of old Burnside he has lost more horses and men by this moven han we have through the whole war by marching. Every soldier that I talked with swore up and down that he would never cross that river again under Burnside as long as he lived”. They estimate they have lost 40 or 50 thousand men. “It seems as if the soldiers has about made up their minds to settle this war themselves there were whole Divisions that never lost a man before by Desertion that lost nearly half this time they are going to leave just the same every time the army moves they wont fight for the niger [sic] any ways and they haven’t received any pay in so long and the news has reached them that their folks and famiys [sic] are going to the Poor house and they have become Completely Demoralised.”

Thanks her for her letter saying she sent turkey and pie but thinks it is a waste which is why he hasn’t asked for a box, everything comes spoiled. But he would be happy for something good to eat…”I think I have eaten my share of hard tack and Salt Pork here and on salt water both. I wish many a time Dear Clara for one of your good meals…You will see by this letter that we escaped another great battle and returned safely back to our old Quarters again. We owe it all to a heavey [sic] Rain Storm and a kind an Benofishent [sic] Providence. It does seem as if our cause was not a just one and the soldiers have adopted that Belief [sic] firmly since the battle of Frederickburgh [sic]. I think the state of feelings that Prevail at present throughout the whole armey [sic] of the Potomac is a death blow to our side and to the Union I firmly believe [sic] that our soldiers can never be made to win another battle they say this war has become a nigger and Polittical [sic] war changed from what it was at first Entirely it is awful to hear Curses upon Curses falling upon Lincoln and Hallecks head very hour of the day things has got to Change most wonderfully and that very Quick to hold this armey [sic] together much longer. I don’t know but what you will think I am a secessionist [sic] but the State of things are as I represent without exaggerating [sic] it at all. I am not gifted with words to express enough the true state feeling that exist and the glaring fact but enough of this I will stop telling the truth because it may not interest you as much as some others. Our Regiment Dear Clara which left Rome a little over 4 months ago with about nine hundred men is now reduced to about 3 hundred and I hardley [sic] believe [sic] since this last move we could number that amount”.

Got the money she sent and he still had Tom’s money but doesn’t know where to send it. Hasn’t heard from Tom since he went to the hospital and doesn’t know where that is. Thinks he is in Washington. Got 2 papers, one with tea in it.

“Oh I pray they will soon end this war and let us come home where our hearts and mind is on and not on the battle field there was a time when our men were fighting for the Union but that has all Passed away now and their minds are bent now altogether on going home.”