_Franklin County, Pa.,
June 28, 1863._
We are in Yankeedom this time, for certain, and a beautiful and
magnificent country it is too. Since we started we have traveled about
fifteen miles a day, resting at night and drawing rations plentifully
and regularly. We are about fifteen miles over the Pennsylvania and
Maryland line and within seven miles of Chambersburg. We are resting
to-day (Sunday) and will get to Harrisburg in three more days if we go
there.
We hear nothing of Hooker’s army at all, but General Lee knows what he
is about. This is certainly a grand move of his, and if any man can
carry it out successfully he can, for he is cautious as well as bold.
We are taking everything we need--horses, cattle, sheep, flour,
groceries and goods of all kinds, and making as clean a sweep as
possible. The people seem frightened almost out of their senses. They
are nearly all agricultural people and have everything in abundance
that administers to comfort. I have never yet seen any country in such
a high state of cultivation. Such wheat I never dreamed of, and so
much of it! I noticed yesterday that scarcely a horse or cow was to be
seen. The free negroes are all gone, as well as thousands of the white
people. My servant, Wilson, says he “don’t like Pennsylvania at all,”
because he “sees no black folks.”
I have never seen our army so healthy and in such gay spirits. How can
they be whipped? Troops have so much better health when on the march.
I must say that I have enjoyed this tramp. The idea of invading the
Yankees has buoyed me up all the time. Last year when invading Maryland
we were almost starved, and of course anyone would become disheartened.
My health was never better than it is now, and I feel gay and jovial
every way.
My brother Billie is out to-day guarding a man’s premises. He was
also out last night, and he told me this morning that they fed him
splendidly. The reason houses are guarded is to prevent our troops
plundering and robbing, which would demoralize them, thereby rendering
them unfit for soldiers. Soldiers must have a strict and severe rein
held over them; if not, they are worthless.