From the collection of the Pearce Museum, Navarro College, Texas.  Used with permission.   

          Camp near Bell Plain Landing
                Feb 8th 1863

        Dear Father.

    I received your kind letter day before yesterday, and was very glad to hear from you.

    I presume you have heard of General Hookers last order viz to divide the army of the Potomac into different Corps as it was at first.

    I think myself that this is a good plan, and will work full as well as it does when by Grand Division.

    There is nothing new here of any consequence with the exception of a number of rumors about going to Washington DC.  The reserves (Penn) started for some place, probably Washington, and General Burnsides old Corps (9th) started for North Carolina this Am.  Rumor says that this Division goes to Washington and the new regiments around that place take the position in front.

    I hope that it will prove true.

    Our Division is the smallest in the army of the Potomac.

    We have to go on picket about once every two or three days.

    I was on yesterday and as it was quite pleasant had a good time.

    We expect Harry Laselle our messenger up to day with boxes, and I will write and tell you whether the box comes through all safe and sound.*

    You in speaking of the army seem to think that they had not ought to be discouraged, but just look at the people of the North when the government plainly told them, that they wished for more men to help fill up the ranks of the old regiments, thinned by battle and disease.  What is their answer; they refused the draft and now government is compelled to call on the negroes for help.  Shame on such a people.  Look at the South.  “Did they refuse to come when drafted”;

    I don’t believe they did.

    If our government should make a law for drafting and try to enforce it I presume that they would resist it.  And then talk about shooting every deserter who is lucky enough to get away.  If he can enjoy peace of mind after deserting the flag of his country let him do it.  From what we hear from those who have been home and come back they say that patriotism is played out.  I hope not.

    I hope Uncle John will do well in his new business.

    You must give my love to Uncle Henry and Aunt Kate and be sure and remember me to Grandfather and Grandmother and all my friends in So Walpole.  My love to Aunt and Laura   You must kiss little Ada for her soldier brother and tell her that he wishes he was at home to do it himself

    You need not be afraid but what I will keep up good spirits but you know a fellow will have the blues once in a while.

  [ the rest of the letter is lost ]

*NOTE: Harry Lazelle, who was the messenger for the division, delivering boxes from home via the supply base at Aquia Creek Landing.  Private John Noyes ran into Lazelle on his return to the regiment, February 4th:

"Harry Lazelle had a large amount of express matter on board for our Division, but was obliged to leave the boat at Alexandria, as a horse under his charge had not been placed on board. With Chandler I accordingly took charge of the Division boxes & saw that they were safely deposited in one pile in the warehouse at Acquia Creek. The business was new to me, but conducted satisfactorily to the messenger who arrived at the Creek about 6 o’clock P.M."

Transcribed by:   Joyce Horsefield; Digital Transcription by Brad Forbush

Charles Adams to Sister Hannah, 8 February, 1863; Charles Adams Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.  Used with permission.

Camp Near Belle Plain Feb 8th 1863

Dear Sister Hannah,
        I received your letter night before last and thought I would answer it tonight as you answered my last so promptly, but as the Adams’ are all great for “putting off”  I will excuse you if you will do better in future.  You must remember we have a mail every night  + consequently have to turn away disappointed, time after time at not having a letter from home. There has not been much news stirring about here since I wrote last, excepting the removal of Burnside, Sumner + Franklin, the latter you will remember, had command of one of the ‘grand’ divisions of which we were a part.  I suppose “Fighting Joe” will put through a course of sprouts as soon as the state of the ground will permit, and will either give the Reb’s a “warmer” or get awfully “licked” himself, in my opinion.  You spoke of the death of Amos Bronsdon in your letter he was one of my tent mates when he left for the hospital + had been ailing for some time  + when we left our camp (last advance) he with the rest of the sick were taken to the hospital where I understand he had to sleep on the ground, which was the finishing stoke of his sickness as he swelled up in the night + died the next morning.  He was a nice man, generous + accommodating + we miss him very much.  He said he was going down with Warren to see you when he got home + seemed to think he would get well if

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he could only get home + doctor himself up.  I had a letter from Wallace the other day, he said it was the first letter he had written for 5 months.  I was glad to hear from Ira + mean to write to him soon, + should think that we might keep up a regular correspondence with him, amongst us.  I was surprised to read the death of G. Boynton of the 44th he was a tiptop fellow.  I suppose that was the reason he died as they always go first.  You spoke of Ida’s letter that she wrote to Walter + I .  I was in such a hurry when I wrote that letter about recieving the box (As we were just going to march) I forgot it at the time.  Tell her that Walter + I think she is getting along very fast + she must must write me another, as I have saved that one to remember her by.  Everything in the box kept first rate + we lived high while it lasted.  Those apples went to the right spot + we are much obliged to you + Em for them.   Pinckney Holbrook came back to the company today as his services are no longer required at headquarters.  Our captain S. N. Neat has resigned + gone home to Boston taking with him two Contraband (one man and little boy) pretty smart chaps they are too.  We are sorry to lose him as he was liked very much by the boys.  (Samuel Neat, pictured, above).  Chas. B. Fox of Dorchester has temporary command of our company + is also acting Adjutant. 

Last Thursday I went on picket.  I woke up in the morning to find it cold + blowy + to cap the climax it began to snow.  I had to pile out + start + march about 1 ½ miles where we put up in the woods.  We made a house of

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boughs + just as we finished it it commenced to rain so the boughs did no coot.  We rigged our rubber blankets up to shed off the rain + had to grin + bear it.  I stood from 10 ½  till 12 ½ A.M. raining like time + nary umbrell,  It was very interesting I can tell you, but I survived without catching cold which I guess all that went out cannot say.  We had 2 large ovens come up to headquarters the other day + we expect to have fresh bread soon if they can be made to work, which we sincerely hope.  I had my hair cut today
(being the first time since I left home)

Monday 9th
    They have been baking to day in those ovens that I spoke of + we expect fresh bread in the morning which will be a rare treat  to us who have lived on hard bread so long.  I went over to a house which is near our camp the other day – to get some clothes washed, the folks in this part of the country seem to be a shiftless set take them right through.  There were two women in this house one was squatting down by the fire place smoking a pipe + while I was there a pig came in and laid down by the fire just as a dog would at home.  Three or four dirty, ragged children were running around + dogs + pigs in profusion, so much for  F. F. V’s.  who live worse than the Paddies at home.  I cant think of anything more interesting so I will

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give you my autograph + put this letter in the P.O.  Give my love to all the Folks + tell them to write often + I will answer promptly when I can.

            From Your Militious Brother
                Charles

Hannah W. Casey
Care of Gen. Fowler
Berkely Place
Dorchester,
Dorchester, Mass

 By permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Near Fletcher’s Chapel Va, February 15th 1863.

Dear George

    As father’s note of the 9th inst spoke only of the reception of a letter to Martha, I would say that I wrote from Brooklyn to father January 16th, from Harrisburgh to Martha January 21st, from Washington to Mother January 28th to Father Feb’y 2d, to Martha Febry 4th and to father February 14th.  I have received a letter from Father dated January 15th, letters in the package sent to me, and yours and fathers of the 9th inst.  I tell you to direct simply to Washington D.C. because at that place letters of all Regiments are assorted and sent to the Headquarters of the Corps, in which the several regiments are assigned.  The 13th is attached to Gen’l Nelson Taylor’s Brigade, Col Leonard now commanding, of Gen’l Robinson’s Div. of Gen’l Reynold’s Corps.  The three grand divisions, right left and centre have been abolished.  The placing of the Brigade or Div. or Corps on the letter is useless and might in the event of our transfer to a different brigade be productive of delay. 

    Mr. Gaylord is not now attached to the Regiment.  I am inclined to think there are now very few Chaplains with the Division. Their occupation seems to be gone.  The band left last spring, & what church even at home can be sustained without music?  When I passed through Washington Mr. Gaylord was working for a chaplain in a hospital.  Speaking of the Chaplain you will recollect that Mr. Gaylord raised $2000.00 to invest in clothing for our regiment, some time last November or December.  That clothing and underclothing has never been received by us – not a dime’s worth of it.  I believe Mr. Gaylord is not at fault, but could you not enquire in the Boston Post what has become of the $2000.00 raised for the 13th Reg’t.  Into whose whose pockets has the money gone?  I obtained free passes through to Washington & Reg't., save from N.Y. to Harrisburg.

     I went to Washington with Lieut Piper of the 11th Penn.  I missed my carpet bag some what at Harrisburgh, though not so badly as I might have.  I borrowed a shirt and a couple of handkerchiefs & collars from Stephen, so that I had a change.  I had a very pleasant time at Harrisburgh although it was so wretchedly muddy all the time that I had only one poor ride all the time I was there.  I only regret I did’nt stay a few days longer although I suppose those days would have been worse still to judge from my experience in Washington.  As it was when I arrived at the Regiment I found that I had been reported absent without leave for more than a month.  But as my papers were with me that matter was squared up.  However the next time I am similarly placed I shall know how to act.  Lt Case the Provost Marshall at Harrisburgh would have protected me for a month, had I remained there so long, and then given me a pass to the Regiment which would have protected me in Washington.  Indeed I obtained a pass to remain in Washington three or four days, by showing Case’s Pass.  (Lt. Case, pictured right).

    Washington is a miserable hole.  Blanchard with whom I chummed at Washington at Markham’s Hotel saw your friend Salisbury of Delaware about two hours after that drunken exhibition of himself and pistol in the Senate fall from his chair in the lobby on his face and belly dead drunk.  He was carried to a less exposed place by two or three of the doorkeepers.  I did not see old Abe.  I saw his house however about 4 P.M. one day when four inches of snow having fallen the previous night.  The walk in front of it had not been shoveled, and a paltry path four feet wide led up from the snow of the street to the palatial mansion.  What is the use of having a fine house if you can’t keep the paths free from snow during the winter?  The public buildings of Washington are half of them unfinished, and their grounds are in miserable condition.  The grounds of the War Department are an eye–sore to the city.  I do not speak of the Capitol.

    Our men talk more of the unsuccessful move preceding Burnside’s withdrawal from the Army than of the Fredericksburg fight.  Two or three days of misery and mud and then a return to a desolated camp in a rain storm, half the log huts burned down, and the cellars full of water, all the conveniences of a long stay “gone up” – such a march is only second to a disastrous battle.  

    The N.Y. 9th however have not forgotten Fredericksburg.  I know men of Co. D only.  That Company lost 18 men at Fredericksburg and have now but fourteen left for duty. Scarcely any old officers are left.  Their Major was formerly a corporal in one of the Companies.  I saw the 9th on inspection a few days ago but I should never have recognized that Regiment as the gay 9th of fifteen months ago, or indeed of eight months ago.

    Dress Parade is the most important Camp duty.  No one should be absent except for very urgent reasons.  When the parade was dismissed yesterday afternoon, but three officers, one of them the adjutant, and all new 2d Lieutenants saluted Capt Palmer the acting Colonel.  Lieut Fox left for home to day.  W. F. Blanchard of my Company may call at your office before long.  He is a smart one.  The mysterious indici rubber is the mate of one lost in a snow drift on my return from Prof. Cooke’s spread in the winter of 1857.

    It is raining here to day. Nine of my Company left for picket for 48 hours this A.M.  I just escaped the detail and go on camp guard tomorrow.  With love to all  

 Yours Affectionately
            John B. Noyes.

NOTE:  Lt. Charles B. Fox was eventually commissioned  in the 55th Mass. Vols., a colored regiment.  The history of that unit is based on Fox’s journal.

      Near Fletcher’s Chapel Va, near Belle Plain Landing
          Camp 13th Mass. Vols. Thursday Feb’ry 19th 1863

      Dear Stephen

      The 27th ult I informed you that I had expressed to the care of George R. Noyes a package for you. I suppose you received my note containing the receipt for the package sent.  After a very pleasant week spent at Harrisburgh where I was the guest in turn of J. McCormick Jr. Esq. and Mr. Coverly I took the 5”20’ train for Baltimore on the 26th ult, in company with Lieut. Piper of the 11th Penn.  The next day found me in Washington where I remained till the 31st ult, stopping part of the time at the Metropolitan and part of the time at the Markham Hotel.  I visited the Capitol, Smithsonian Institute and particularly Grover’s where Mr. & Mrs. Barney Williams were playing, for the streets were terribly muddy, and I was decidedly blue.  I was glad to leave Washington for the regiment.  Twice I endeavored to get a pass, and twice I was ordered to the soldier’s retreat.  I could not ‘see’ the reporting as the soldiers say, and started without a pass.  The guards were very strict in inspecting the passes of those who went on board the boat for Acquia Creek, ditto with regard to the boat for Belle Plain Landing.  I was too smart for  them however, and no one offered to vise my pass.

      A baggage wagon ride of three miles or so over roads not less than a foot deep with mud brought me to the camp on dry ground, on the brow of one of the hundred hills here rising on every side.  A more hilly or perhaps high Knolly country, I ought to say, I never beheld.  Perhaps thirty or forty hills lie between here and the landing over which baggage wagons have to be drawn.

      We live in log huts, roofed over with shelter tents. My hut is about seven feet by eleven the fire place and door on the north end.  On the fire all our cooking is done, from steaks and soups to coffee, and a good fire is kept all day to warm the inmates, Corporals Duren and Vorra, private Sprague and myself.  “Heaps” of wood are burned and occasionally we have to cut a foot or two to replenish the pile.  Trees are getting scarce near camp and for a week past wood parties have been organized and wagons furnished for their use.

[Edward A. Vorra, pictured below.]

      My tent is quite a good one, with quiet inmates, perhaps the best mess in the company of any size.  I take the place of one of the numbers, who was detailed at the Corps Headquarters, nominee Manning.   Wonderful to relate my three messmates do not smoke or chew, and swearing is seldom heard in the tent.  We have plenty of time to read here, and for want of mental fodder play Euchre at nights.  Candles being scarce we have made fat lamps which answer every purpose.  As we have snow or rain about every other day we are not much burdened with drills, and the guard duty is not very onerous.  I write to have you send me a novel or two. I do not want them sent by express in a box, but by mail, separately.  Perhaps you could send me about one book every five days till further notice, commencing with the receipt of this letter.  Late good novels or works of interest.  You have some duplicates in your library.  I am not read in novels now, have not read Bulwer’s, Thackery’s or Wilkie Collins’ last.  You will have no trouble in selecting for me as all we have here is trash.  A box might not get here for three months, while the mail is regular and sure.  My regards to Mr. & Mrs. Cowdin, and other friends among the boarders.  The army finds no fault with Gen’l Hooker, is not demoralized, and does not demand McClellan’s reinstatement.  The politicians misrepresent the army.  They are playing a deep game.

          Your Aff. Bro.
              John B. Noyes.

NOTES:
Freeman H. Duren's record from the roster:  age, 23, born, Portland, Me.; clerk; mustered in as priv., Co. B, July 16, 1861; mustered out as sergt., August 1, 1863; promoted to Corp., Oct. 18, 1862, and sergt., May 1, 1863; detailed as sergt headquarters guard, May 9, 1863.  Co. B comrade, L. L. Dorr, described Duren as modest, but good with a gun.   After the war, Duren never missed a re-union of the regt. 40 years strait.

Charles W. Manning; (pictured, right) age, 18; born, Ashby, Mass.; hatter, mustered in as priv., Co. B, July 16, 1861; mustered out, Aug. 1, 1864.

Edward A. Vorra; age, 23, born, E. Hartford, Conn.; bookbinder; mustered  in as priv., Co. B, July 16, 1861;  died of wounds May 5, 1864.

 By permission of the Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Near Belle Plain Landing Va
The Sunny South, February 24th 1863

Dear Martha,

    Your letters of the 11th & 18th arrived respectively on the 15th & 23d instants.  I also received a letter from father on the same date as your last.  The newspapers come regularly to me, very welcome now that we are unable to obtain New York, Philadelphia & Washington papers.  My letters to George of the 15th & to Charles of the 19th inst have probably by this time been read by you.  A more exclusively political letter may perhaps be found in the Daily Advertiser, written on the 18th & signed “Miles.”  If so send me a copy and preserve one.

      So you have spent three weeks in Salem, and very happy ones I should judge from the tenor of your letter.  Dissipation over, you are now in the quieter spot commonly denominated Cambridge.  I am glad to hear you have not neglected skating this winter.  I found that a year’s absence from skating grounds had not diminished my love for ice and skating.  I had a fine days sport at Harrisburgh on poor ice and poorer skates.  How does Sophie compare with the demoiselles of Salem with respect to skating ?  She ought to have strong ankles.  I suppose Uncle Edmund was laughed at by the whole congregation, that is if he had the courage to put on skates.  As a teacher I should think Sophie might succeed especially with the male tribe who have already learned the alphabet, provided she makes good use of the rod.  Otherwise they might get on too fast.  

    Your stamps did not suffer by reason of our visit.  Your collection must now be quite large.  I sent you several stamps, a few days ago in an envelope containing a picture of the Soldiers’ return home.  Your ring came safely, and fits my left hand little finger admirable.  

    So you shook hands and conversed with General McClellan, I think he is a better lady Killer than General to command the army of the Potomac.  As a rebel Killer he had no marked success.  I hope the time may come at the close of the war, when the enemy are overwhelmed, you may shake the hand, and exchange a word with Gen’l Hooker.  You may then say  “I had a brother in your command.”  The Army of the Potomac can do very well without Gen’l McClellan for its leader.  Those who are now most eager for his reinstatement are certain politicians who think that it is essential that he should again be in command of the army for their plan of making him the next President of the United states.  I repeat what I have said before that Hooker commands the confidence of the army, and there are those who admired McClellan who believe that we are more likely to achieve marked success, and destroy the rebel army of the Rappahannock, with the present commander in chief than under any one who has preceded him.  Having touched upon all the points of your letter save that relating to my sleeping cap, I will simply say that I gave the duplicate to my chum Vorra, who was very much pleased with the present.

    I have told you in previous letters that I was very comfortably situated here in camp, neither freezing nor starving, nor fretting myself to death because the Government does not behead the only general in the East who has won his high position by successful military operations, and who hopes with the blessing of God to perform what his predecessors have utterly failed in achieving even under better auspices.  

    Many persons at home asked me if I did not dread to go out on picket.  I gave them all the same answer that I rather preferred picket to camp duty, that the danger attending picket duty did not trouble me, and that it was often pleasant to escape from the monotony of camp to the freedom of life on picket.  I was thinking of Warrenton Junction, of Waterloo, & Warrenton.  Nor had I forgotten picket duty on the Potomac which I had to perform every other day a year ago.  But when the actual post duty was performed then, we could be sure of a warm room day & night.  It fell to my lot to go on picket for forty eight hours last Saturday.  The going out of the last picket from our regiment six days before in a severe rain storm and its return in a blinding snow storm had not rendered me perfectly resigned to leave my comfortable quarters for the untried felicities of picket.  However I packed my Knapsack, filled my haversack with rations and constituted one of the complement of seven privates and two corporals detailed from my company. 

    First we were marched out on the parade ground where a hundred men each from the 13th Mass, 88th Penn, 97th New York and 11th Penn, were obliged to wait about ¾ of an hour for the rest from the 9th N.Y. to arrive.  We then, after being inspected, marched about a mile when we halted and waited forty minutes for the Brigade officer of the day to make his appearance.  The men were in no laughing mood, you may be assured, although it was pleasant, and received the officer of the day, a popular man by the way, with no very flattering remarks.  The soldiers do not now pardon the delinquencies of officers or submit readily to the requirements of red tape. The lagging officer must make up his mind to bear meekly remarks he would once have resented and which once would have been considered indicative of insubordination.  Another mile we marched when we reached the picket line where the 400 were split up into squads of 36 each, commanded by a commissioned officer, and sent to different portions of the line. At the head quarters of a squad or reserve the Lieutenant stops with two of the three reliefs of nine each into which the squad is divided. The relief again had three head quarters at which two men and a corporal remained while the third man was standing guard at the outpost.  Consequently my time on picket was thus decided, as I was on the first relief of the squad, and the third of our sections of that squad and guard duty commenced at Eleven Am. Of  Saturday – from 11” to 11 o’clock to 3 o’clock at the picket post with the corporal, from 3 to 5 P.m. on the out post alone, actually standing guard.  From 5 Pm. To 5 A.m. Sunday with the Lieut of the Guard, part of the reserve.  From 5 A.m. to 9 A.m. with the Corporal, from 9 A.m. to 11 A.m. at the outpost gun in hand; from 11 A.m. to 11 P.m. with the Lieut.; from 11 P.m. to 1:40 A.m. Monday with the Corporal; from 1:40 to 3 A.m. at the outpost, and lastly from 3 o’clock to 11 A.m. again with the Lieutenant.  

    Eighteen men consequently with corporals were always with the Lieut. two men and a corporal at the relief section, and one man each at three outposts.  The actual guard duty was consequently easy being two hours on and 16 off. 

    Five hours and 20 minutes instead of 16 hours in the 48 hours, we were on the outpost.
The day of Saturday passed off pleasantly enough. We constructed bowers for shelter out at the reserve and picket stations and warmed ourselves at immense fires of pine and cedar logs. At night we turned in. A fire on which 12 pine logs, six feet long and six inches in diameter were blazing served to warm us, & the pine and cedar boughs which formed the thatch of our shelter kept out the cold wind.  At about 10 P.m. I was aroused from my first sleep by the snow which beat through the boughs into my face. A rubber blanket was placed about us and my coat cape kept the snow from my face. Broken sleep till morning, the fire getting low and our feet cooling off.  Five A.M. arriving we jumped out of our blankets covered with snow, emptied out our boots and sallied out to our picket station.   About eight inches of snow covered the ground which became twelve in the course of the day. Between warming ourselves at the fires, and cutting down trees with which to replenish them the day passed.  Towards evening we made a flooring to our bowers with logs split once, and a roof of rubber blankets, having removed the boughs & snow lying upon them.  At 7 ½ P.m. we turned in after piling the logs of two or three trees onto the fire. At 11 P.m. after a few hours sleep we again sallied out to our picket fires and sat by the fire till 3 A.m. when we again repaired to our old sleeping places, dried or feet, and turned in. It was now star light. At about 10 A.m, having been relieved we set out for Camp, about two miles distant, through snow a foot deep on the average.  Such is life on picket.  

    Half the time is spent in getting wood to burn, the other half in drying our feet before the fire.  It was impossible to read or write so thickly fell the snow. Had the weather been pleasant we might have had a moderately pleasant time.  As it was we thought of the good times we had passed elsewhere.  We envied those who were snugly housed in our once detested shelters.  Give us shelters we said and we will not ask for Sibley tents. 

    Sunday was Washington’s birth day, but we could not muster up much patriotic fervor.  Great guns sounded through the flaky air, but we could not tell whether rebel or union.  Ours to drive dull care away and count the remaining hours of picket duty.  Still who shall say we did not have a jolly time on picket?  The Lieut was a jolly boy, a foot under, under the snow till Sunday noon, when he concluded to leave his warm quarters to cook his breakfast. We certainly fared as well as he.  We were all in the same sea of snow, and in the same boat. No picket for ten days, happy thought.  Have father send me a lot of postage stamps, as it is impossible to get them here.    

    With love to all, I am as ever,
        Your Aff. Brother
                John B. Noyes.

Near Bell Plain, January 16, 1863.

Dear Father, - I have not got out of the hospital yet, but my feet are much better.  The hospital is quite comfortable; we have good brick fire-places, and wood fires make the tent quite warm and pleasant.  I hear that we are to march very soon.  Chase has come up, he sells his apples at two and three cents each; he has got cake, butter, cheese, etc., but at pretty good prices.  I never got the letter with the $1.15 in it that you say was sent to me.

Windmill Point, Va., January 21, 1863.

    On Saturday the order came for all those not able to join their regiments to be sent to Aquia Creek, so Sunday morning we started for Pratt's Landing; there were some 600 or 800 of us.  While waiting to get on board the steam transport I was so lucky as to get my box, just as it was about being sent to the regiment.  I tell you it came just in good time, as the hospital is just being established, and we did not get any rations the first day.  The hospital here is on a large scale, intended to accommodate 6,000 or 7,000 men;  it is for the whole Army of the Potomac.

    I am feeling well; and the boys tell me I am getting fat as a pig.  My feet do not trouble me but little, unless I walk some distance, say half a mile or so, when they begin to ache.  We are very much exposed to the wind here :  I thought the tent would fall down last night;  part of the roof of the cook-house was blown off.

    I am very much obliged for the box;  everything was very nice but the grapes, which were spoilt.

    January 30. - I am truly grateful to Uncle Washington for interesting himself so much in my behalf in regard to a furlough.

My feet, from outward appearance, seem to be all right, but there is a kind of numb dead feeling yet.  I think come to march a mile or two they would swell up again; I have some touches of rheumatism.

I have not run across Eugene* yet;  I shall try to get a pass and go up to Aquia Creek and see if I cannot find him.  

Love to all at home.                          Warren

P.S.  I heartily thank you for the intimation that I may expect another box soon.

NOTE:  Warren's brother Eugene was in the Federal Transport Service, and his ship, the steamer Uncle Sam,  frequently docked at Aquia Landing.

Hospital Camp, Thirteenth Regiment, Near Bell Plain, February 16, 1863.

    Dear Father, - I have just arrived back to the hospital of the regiment.  All those that were able to rejoin their regiments were sent off in ambulances, the others I think are to be sent to Alexandria, and the hospital broken up.  I am not on an allowance of food now.  I have eaten my ration of raw park and cooked food, so I think I shall do; and after the surgeon has been round and pronounced me "all right,"  I shall go into the ranks again.

I believe there is nothing more worth communicating at this time; so I will close with a kind remembrance to mother, Susie, George, and all others that may inquire.

Warren.

In Camp Near Bell Plain, February 24, 1863.

    Dear Father, - Your letters, Nos. 61. 62. and 63, came duly to hand – the last about a half hour since.  I am doing full duty in the regiment now and feel quite well.  I was out on picket Saturday; the day was very pleasant until near night, when it clouded in, and at ten o’clock P.M. it commenced snowing very fast, and kept it up till the next night. It was a regular Downeaster; the snow was about fifteen inches deep, and of course we had an uncomfortable time of it. I feel very grateful to you and Uncle Washington for your endeavors to get me a furlough to come home – although you were not successful.  I think it will be in vain to try again, especially as I am now in good health.

    The contraband you met in Boston, that said he was acquainted with me, came to us when we were in Williamsport, and our mess hired him for a cook; his name is Warner Cunningham, and he is quite a likely fellow; he served us well.

    But I must close for to-day; I have a bad headache, it is very cold, and our hut is full of smoke.

    March 6.   Nothing worth mentioning in the way of news.  When off duty we have been busy getting in fuel for some days past.  We live well for soldiers now; since we have been under Hooker there is a decided improvement in this respect; we have had warm bread for some time; the bakery is close by our tent.

    I saw a balloon off in the direction of Falmouth yesterday; I suppose they were taking a view of the rebel camp in that vicinity.

    It is very cold, and we have had flurries of snow for some days past.  It is rather rough for the boys on picket; they go off about two miles towards the river – are absent forty-eight hours. I am feeling first-rate, weigh over 150 pounds.  My box has not come yet; I feel quite anxious about it.

    Love to all.                             Warren.