Camp near Potomac Creek, VA

Wendsday [sic] March 25th, 1863

Still in old camp but thinks they are preparing to move. Having inspection today and every man has to carry 40 rounds of cartridges. “Last night our picket line was attacked all over the long [Road?] was beat and troops were sent out to strengthen the lines to night but none of us were into it our Col laid awake all night last night our Officers seem to be afraid of some thing…. My opinion is that Lees men will fight us for a little while at Fredericksburg and then fall back on Richmond and then I think we will have to follow him up and when we have got as near there as they want us to get they will show us what they want that is to coax us near Richmond and then send a heavy force in our rear and Destroy the Rail Road and cut off our suplies [sic] and fight us from both sides and then hurah [sic] for another great Union Victory . I tell you I don’t Predict the future very often but if Joe Hooker crosses the Rappahanock River with the intention of taking Richmond mark my words if they dont come true strategy has been their plan of fighting all the time and they will use it now they used it at Fredericksburg [sic] with good success and our Generals couldent [sic] see it”. Some of their boys went out on picket to fill up a Brigade that was “defisient [sic]”, eight out of each Company. “We heard how Demming went home and reported our Regt the Dirtiest and the Lousiest one in the service and more he has reported us totally demoralized and I don’t believe they are any more lousey [sic] than some other Regs down here and as for being Demoralized it is the feeling of all the men in the armey [sic] they would all gladly come home if they could. He has just come into camp and the Boys hooted and holered [sic] after him awful. “

They have just been ordered for the first time that no one is to leave camp without the permission of the Commander. They act as if the Rebs are close. Lengthy romantic, religious closing. George Bates has just heard that his mother is dead “he feels awful bad for such a wild fellow”.