_Near Orange Court House, Va.,
August 12, 1862._
While we are resting a little I will endeavor to write you a few lines.
We have been moving about continuously since I wrote to you on the 8th
inst., and have had some hard times, I assure you. Most of our hard
marching has been during the night, but much of it has been in the heat
of the day. We have had nothing to eat but crackers and bacon, and not
nearly enough of that.
We first (on the 9th inst.) marched up into Culpeper County, and were
within two miles of the battlefield (of Cedar Mountain). It was a
brilliant victory for us, as two of their dead to one of ours were left
on the field. On the way we met a great many prisoners, who were lively
and jocose and seemed glad they were taken.
The weather has been fine, although very hot. We had one hard shower
of rain, and everybody stood and took it, as there was nothing else we
could do. Tell your brother he should be glad he was wounded, for it
has saved him many great hardships. I never murmur at these trials,
though, as long as I can have good health.
Last night we began falling back. I suppose it was some strategic move
and that we will continue these active operations until a decisive
fight takes place. General Jackson will not be outgeneraled, and I
believe he is sure to defeat Pope. I saw him (Jackson) this morning. He
is a very ordinary looking man.
I would like to write you a longer letter, but have not the time. We
are now drawing rations, and as soon as we get our meat boiled will
start again. I must close, as preparations are being made to leave, so
good-by for this time.
_Orange County, Va.,
August 18, 1862._
On leaving our last camp we first went back five miles in a northerly
direction to Orange Court House, and we thought Jackson intended to
take us over the same road we had fallen back on a few days before;
but from there we took the road to Fredericksburg. Then everyone said
we were going to Fredericksburg. That was a mistake also, for after
going about ten miles we turned to the left and went three miles toward
the Rapidan River, and have stopped at this place. It is believed
that Jackson intended to cross the river and flank Pope, and that the
Yankees got wind of it. They were on a mountain and may have seen our
large force moving. Jackson is a general who is full of resources, and
if he fails in one plan he will try another.
The men stood the march better than at any previous time. The health
of the brigade has improved since we are where we can breathe the pure
mountain air. This beautiful country, with its mountains and rolling
hills, is enough to make any sick man feel better. We all sleep out
in the open air--officers as well as privates--although the weather
is becoming quite cool and signs of autumn begin to appear. The crops
of corn are magnificent and are almost matured, but wherever our army
goes, roasting ears and green apples suffer. I have often read of how
armies are disposed to pillage and plunder, but could never conceive of
it before. Whenever we stop for twenty-four hours every corn field and
orchard within two or three miles is completely stripped. The troops
not only rob the fields, but they go to the houses and insist on being
fed, until they eat up everything about a man’s premises which can
be eaten. Most of them pay for what they get at the houses, and are
charged exorbitant prices, but a hungry soldier will give all he has
for something to eat, and will then steal when hunger again harasses
him. When in health and tormented by hunger he thinks of little else
besides home and something to eat. He does not seem to dread the
fatiguing marches and arduous duties.
A wounded soldier who has been in Jackson’s army for a long time told
me his men had but one suit of clothes each, and whenever a suit became
very dirty the man would pull it off and wash it and then wait until
it dried. I believe this to be a fact, because when I see Jackson’s
old troop on the march none have any load to carry except a blanket,
and many do not even have a blanket; but they always appear to be in
fine spirits and as healthy and clean as any of our men. The force we
have here now is a mammoth one. I am told that Lee and Johnson are
both here, and I am anxious for our army to engage Pope. Whenever we
start on a march I am impatient to go on and fight it out, for we are
confident we can whip the enemy.
We are now cooking up two days’ rations and are ordered to have them
in our haversacks and be ready to move at sundown, but we may not go
at that time, because we sometimes receive such orders and then do not
leave for a day or two. I will write again whenever I have a chance.
_Culpeper County, Va.,
August 24, 1862._
Our army pursued Pope’s to this place last week. We are now on the west
side of North Fork of the Rappahannock River, while Pope is on the
other side. Each army is trying to get the advantage of the other, and
it is difficult for either to cross the river while the other opposes
it. It is evident that we shall have a tremendous fight in a few days.
General Lee is here with us, for I saw him pass by. We have just cooked
up two days’ rations and are expecting every minute to leave here.
I saw a pretty little fight a few days ago when I was far in the rear
with the ambulance train, and it was by the merest chance that the
train was not cut off from the main force and captured. General Hood
with his staff was reconnoitering, and was fired upon by the Yankees,
who were under the cover of some woods a little distance from the road.
A Texas brigade happened to be passing and was sent against them, and
whipped them badly.
There has been quite an amount of rain recently, but we have no tents,
nor even anything in the shape of tents.
I have a chance to send this to Gordonsville, and as the bearer is
about to leave I must close. I could write you a long letter if I had
time, so good-by for now.