_Camp near Orange Court House, Va.,
January 30, 1864._
The weather has been fine recently and there have been some indications
of a move. Yesterday we were ordered to cook one day’s rations and be
ready to march, but it has turned very cold to-day and everything is
quiet again.
About ten days ago I succeeded in buying some turnips and cabbage,
and I found them most delightful for a change until our box from home
arrived. Everything in it was in excellent condition except the sweet
potatoes. It contained ten gallons of kraut, ten of molasses, forty
pounds of flour, twelve of butter, one-half bushel of Irish potatoes,
one-half peck of onions, about one peck of sausage, one ham, one side
of bacon and some cabbage. I am expecting Edwin to visit me to-morrow
and I shall offer him part of the kraut and some of the molasses, but
he is so independent I am afraid he will not accept it.
I saw Colonel Hunt’s wife yesterday, and she is the first lady with
whom I have conversed since my return in December. He pays ten dollars
a day board for himself and wife at a house near our camp.
Dr. Tyler has had his furlough extended twenty days by the Secretary
of War, and will not return before February. I have been alone for
over four weeks. I have had such a quiet time that I have been reading
Shakespeare some recently. I received a letter from Robert Land’s wife
begging me to give her husband a sick furlough, and I told him to write
her that if he could ever get sick again he certainly should go at once.
The postmaster is here and I must close.
_Camp near Orange Court House, Va.,
February 8, 1864._
The Yankees advanced to the Rapidan River yesterday and we were ordered
off to met them. After some little fighting, they retired. It was
evidently nothing more than a reconnoitering party of cavalry. To-day
everything is quiet.
Billie and I are enjoying our box immensely--especially the
sauer-kraut. Edwin was over again yesterday. He has been over three
times this week. I am just as comfortable in every respect as I could
possibly wish to be. The health and spirits of everybody seem to be
excellent.
I had my hair cut to-day and I feel quite cool about the head. I am
sending you the soldier’s paper which I take, and you will find it
interesting. We have such a dearth of news that I do not know of one
thing worth relating.
_Camp near Orange Court House, Va.,
April 19, 1864._
We are still in camp, but yesterday we received an order to send back
all surplus baggage and be ready to move at any time. No doubt we shall
soon have a very interesting time of it and the papers will then be
full of news.
General Longstreet’s army is at Charlottesville. He may come here or go
to the peninsula. That of course will depend on circumstances. All the
news we received yesterday was very encouraging. The capture of Fort
Pillow by Forrest was excellent for us. Gold is now 179 in New York,
but if we whip Grant we may send it up to 300 for them.
I was glad to hear that old Jim Beauschelle was at our home. My father
is decidedly hostile to the preachers who stay at home and preach to
the women and old men, but I know he treated Beauschelle like a prince.
If you see a certain widow, you might take the liberty of teasing her a
little about old Beauschelle. She sent him some nice warm articles of
clothing recently.
I have just finished my breakfast. I had corn bread, meat, molasses and
coffee. Such a meal is first-rate for soldiers, but if the same were
offered me at home I should feel like turning up my nose at it.
_Orange Court House, Va.,
May 4, 1864._
We are still in our old camp. It may be some time yet before we have a
big fight, although it can’t remain off a great while, for the weather
is fine and the roads are good.
Dr. Tyler leaves this morning for Richmond, and Dr. Kilgore will not
come; so I am alone. I have very little to do, as there is scarcely
any sickness. If we get into a battle soon I will have a tight time,
but I hope to have someone with me before then.
The impression prevails that General Lee intends to act on the
defensive this time. It is said that he is full of confidence. If the
Yankees take Richmond it will be after they are cut to pieces. I can’t
believe they can ever possibly take it with this army opposed to them.
We had a pretty shower a few evenings ago. A considerable storm
accompanied it and tents were blown about, but mine stood up through it.
My servant, Alick, is making a great deal of money washing for the
soldiers.
V
BATTLE OF WILDERNESS--THE “BLOODY ANGLE”--AT PETERSBURG--CHAFFIN’S
BLUFF--PETERSBURG AGAIN.