.MzUyMA.MTMyMDc

Wararwick Court House April 7th

Dear Brother

I suppose you are
feeling very anxious to hear from
me. I have just finished my
Breakfast and word has come
that we can send our letters if
we have them ready in ½ an
hour. We left camp near New port
News last Friday. We are now
near the enimy and expect to have
something to do soon. My health
is good and I feel that I can
do my duty. We have had
some hard marching. We rested
all day yesterday and perhaps
we shall not march today.
I Recd your letter Thursday last.
I wrote you that day but could
nt send it so I send this in
place of it. I must close now.
Donot feel too much anxiety
for me. I am getting along first
rate. Yours Affectionately Rufus

[Pg2]

Camp near Yorktown April 18

Dear Father

I Recd your letter
yesterday containing a few lines from
Mother and Henry. I was glad to
see it how glad I cannot tell
you. The mail leaves this morning
at ½ past 10 it is almost that
now but I have time to tell
you that I am well. Our Regt
have not seen any fighting yet
although there has been some smart
skirmishing near us. I dont know
how soon the attack will be made
upon Yorktown but I think soon
We are now within 4 or 5 miles
of what I emagine to be the seene
of action. My courage is good. I
feel confident that we shall be
successfull. We have got one
of the best Col in the world to
command our Regt. We were
called up twice last night
but made no advance. It is

[Pg3]

reported that the Merimack
is sunk. I am afraid it is
not true. We are having
very pleasant weather here now
the apple trees are almost in
Blossom. I am glad to hear that
grand par is out again Next
Sept is the time that I have
set to see my love again
When were it may be if I can
see you all [wel?] my cup of joy
will be full. But you [knows?]
what is best. I must close now
Send me a few Postage
stamps when you write again
Rufus
Mother
Be of good cheer and
hope for the Best
Rufus

[Pg4]

27th
Warwick Sunday Morning April

Dear Brother
I Recd your letter
last evening with the Postage Stamps.
I am well this morning have eaten
a hearty Breakfast of Salt Horse as
the Boys call it (but what might be
more properly called rather hard salt
Beef) and Hard Bread, and a pot
of coffee which I made myself and
a small piece of cheese, which I
bought of the Sutler to top off with.
Perhaps you recolect the size and
form of the Tin Dippers which were
given to us whilst we were at
Taunton. They hold more than a
pint, deep and smallest at the
top. They were Dippers at T but we
call them pets now. I have got the
one which I marked at T and
it has ever been a faithfull servant
to me. We have made our own
coffee since we left Brightwood. Coffee

[Pg5

and sugar are dealt out to us
twice large
[ ? -crossed out] a day a ^ spoonfull of
each night and morning. I mix mine
in the little Oil Silk Bag which
Mother made t[crossed out] to keep my bible
in and have a supply on hand
all the time as the Rations are
more than I want to use except
when on the march. If we halt
for ½ an hour when on the march
coffee making is a lively business
fires are made and the pots go
on at short notice but sometimes
we are caught wright in the midd-
le of it. The order comes Fall in[underlined],
Sling Knapsacks, take arms Right
face Forwards March and
away we go with the coffee ½ cook-
ed turned upon the ground.
You know I was always a
lover of coffee but I prize it
now more than ever. We have
been a little short of provisions

[Pg6]

until today on account of the
[bad passind?]. You have no
idea of the condition of the
roads out here. I pity the
poor mules they fare worse
than the soldiers. We all build
what is called Corlroy Roads
throug the swamps to Fortress [Mon..?]
Loy Roads) Do you think I am
ever discouraged. I am sometimes
and I will tell you what
[playned?] me and how foolish
and short sighted I[crossed out] was
I it was just one week ago
this morning that we returned
from our night watch in the
edge of the woods which I told
you of in my last . I reined
when we started out and contin
ued to until after we returned
the next morning late. It was
very dark when we marched and
we had to march through mud

[Pg7]

and water nearly up to our
knees. When[crossed out] I had nothing but
shoes I had to throw my Boots
away on the march from
camp Smith to this place. They
were run over so at the Heels
that I couldnot go through the
march with them They lamed
my ankles so that I saw that
they could be of no farther
use to me. I had a pr of
shoes strapt to my knapsack
which I put on. Well to return
to the morning of my tribulat
ion arriving at camp found
my House very much out of
repair Shoes full of mud not
sleepy and tired and no
clean clothes except a dry pr
of socks. What could I do put
my clean socks into those wet
and muddy shoes. Pulled
off and washed my feet. Whilst

[Pg8]

doing it happened to think
it was possible that might
borrow a pr of old dry ones
went to Uncle Taggard the
cook (he didnt go with us) and
got a pr. That was a great
relief to me. Washed the
mud out of my shoes and
hung them up to dry. Pretty
soon the sun came out
warm and I soon forgot
that I was wet, but I was
thinking what shall I do for
a pr of Boots. Within ½ an
hour I had Bought a pr of
quite good ones for 50 cts
and sold my shoes for the
same price. Next trouble
when shall I do my washing.
No pond or Brook fit to wash
in no [t...?] or sope[crossed out] soap but I
will try. Went to Uncle Taggard
again and borrowed a waterpale

[Pg9]

found a small piece of
soap heat some water and
in a few hours my clothes 2 shirts
trousers and stockings were clean
as ice and drying fast and
my troubles all gone. I
have never felt so helpless and
discouraged as I was then and
I feel that it has learned me a
lesson to trust more fully in
the kind providence which cared
for me then in my straight.

We commenced this morning
to draw full rations of eveything
that the law allows. Had some
very nice stued Beans for Dinner
are to have Rice and Molasses
for Supper and a ration [ ? crossed out]
of Tea. We have got a very
pleasant camp good Springs
of water and running streams
to bathe in. I cant tell
you any news but I doubt

[Pg10]

not thing are progressing
as fast as possible.
I love to read your letters
I is [home?]. the [?] neighbours
and friends about town that
interest me. I want to see my
home yet money could not
temp me to leave the army
now. I shall see joy when
and where you wills it so. I
trust I have never felt better
to do my duty. I send home
for postage stamps because
it is rather difficult getting
them here at times. The six doll
ars which I reserve has so far
been sufficient for my wants.
If I want more I will tell
you. I must close now
May Gods Blessing be with
you all Yours
Affectionately
Rufus