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| − | <p>Wararwick Court House April 7th</p>
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| − | <p>Dear Brother</p>
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| − | <p>I suppose you are <br />feeling very anxious to hear from <br />me. I have just finished my <br />Breakfast and word has come <br />that we can send our letters if <br />we have them ready in ½ an <br />hour. We left camp near New port <br />News last Friday. We are now <br />near the enimy and expect to have <br />something to do soon. My health <br />is good and I feel that I can <br />do my duty. We have had <br />some hard marching. We rested <br />all day yesterday and perhaps <br />we shall not march today. <br />I Recd your letter Thursday last. <br />I wrote you that day but could <br />nt send it so I send this in <br />place of it. I must close now. <br />Donot feel too much anxiety <br />for me. I am getting along first <br />rate. Yours Affectionately Rufus</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg2]</p>
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| − | <p>Camp near Yorktown April 18</p>
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| − | <p>Dear Father</p>
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| − | <p>I Recd your letter <br />yesterday containing a few lines from <br />Mother and Henry. I was glad to <br />see it how glad I cannot tell <br />you. The mail leaves this morning <br />at ½ past 10 it is almost that <br />now but I have time to tell <br />you that I am well. Our Regt <br />have not seen any fighting yet <br />although there has been some smart <br />skirmishing near us. I dont know <br />how soon the attack will be made <br />upon Yorktown but I think soon <br />We are now within 4 or 5 miles <br />of what I emagine to be the seene <br />of action. My courage is good. I <br />feel confident that we shall be <br />successfull. We have got one <br />of the best Col in the world to <br />command our Regt. We were <br />called up twice last night <br />but made no advance. It is</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg3]</p>
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| − | <p>reported that the Merimack <br />is sunk. I am afraid it is <br />not true. We are having <br />very pleasant weather here now <br />the apple trees are almost in <br />Blossom. I am glad to hear that <br />grand par is out again Next <br />Sept is the time that I have <br />set to see my love again <br />When were it may be if I can <br />see you all [wel?] my cup of joy <br />will be full. But you [knows?] <br />what is best. I must close now <br />Send me a few Postage <br />stamps when you write again <br />Rufus<br />Mother <br />Be of good cheer and <br />hope for the Best <br />Rufus</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg4]</p>
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| − | <p>27th<br />Warwick Sunday Morning April</p>
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| − | <p>Dear Brother<br />I Recd your letter <br />last evening with the Postage Stamps. <br />I am well this morning have eaten <br />a hearty Breakfast of Salt Horse as <br />the Boys call it (but what might be <br />more properly called rather hard salt <br />Beef) and Hard Bread, and a pot <br />of coffee which I made myself and <br />a small piece of cheese, which I <br />bought of the Sutler to top off with. <br />Perhaps you recolect the size and <br />form of the Tin Dippers which were <br />given to us whilst we were at <br />Taunton. They hold more than a <br />pint, deep and smallest at the <br />top. They were Dippers at T but we <br />call them pets now. I have got the <br />one which I marked at T and <br />it has ever been a faithfull servant <br />to me. We have made our own <br />coffee since we left Brightwood. Coffee</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg5</p>
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| − | <p>and sugar are dealt out to us <br />twice large<br />[ ? -crossed out] a day a ^ spoonfull of <br />each night and morning. I mix mine <br />in the little Oil Silk Bag which <br />Mother made t[crossed out] to keep my bible <br />in and have a supply on hand <br />all the time as the Rations are <br />more than I want to use except <br />when on the march. If we halt <br />for ½ an hour when on the march <br />coffee making is a lively business <br />fires are made and the pots go <br />on at short notice but sometimes <br />we are caught wright in the midd-<br />le of it. The order comes Fall in[underlined],<br />Sling Knapsacks, take arms Right <br />face Forwards March and <br />away we go with the coffee ½ cook-<br />ed turned upon the ground. <br />You know I was always a <br />lover of coffee but I prize it <br />now more than ever. We have <br />been a little short of provisions</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg6]</p>
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| − | <p>until today on account of the <br />[bad passind?]. You have no <br />idea of the condition of the <br />roads out here. I pity the <br />poor mules they fare worse <br />than the soldiers. We all build<br />what is called Corlroy Roads <br />throug the swamps to Fortress [Mon..?] <br />Loy Roads) Do you think I am <br />ever discouraged. I am sometimes <br />and I will tell you what <br />[playned?] me and how foolish <br />and short sighted I[crossed out] was <br />I it was just one week ago <br />this morning that we returned <br />from our night watch in the <br />edge of the woods which I told <br />you of in my last . I reined <br />when we started out and contin<br />ued to until after we returned <br />the next morning late. It was <br />very dark when we marched and <br />we had to march through mud</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg7]</p>
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| − | <p>and water nearly up to our <br />knees. When[crossed out] I had nothing but <br />shoes I had to throw my Boots <br />away on the march from <br />camp Smith to this place. They <br />were run over so at the Heels <br />that I couldnot go through the <br />march with them They lamed <br />my ankles so that I saw that <br />they could be of no farther <br />use to me. I had a pr of <br />shoes strapt to my knapsack <br />which I put on. Well to return <br />to the morning of my tribulat<br />ion arriving at camp found <br />my House very much out of <br />repair Shoes full of mud not <br />sleepy and tired and no <br />clean clothes except a dry pr <br />of socks. What could I do put <br />my clean socks into those wet <br />and muddy shoes. Pulled <br />off and washed my feet. Whilst</p>
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| − | <p>[Pg8]</p>
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| − | <p>doing it happened to think <br />it was possible that might<br />borrow a pr of old dry ones <br />went to Uncle Taggard the <br />cook (he didnt go with us) and <br />got a pr. That was a great <br />relief to me. Washed the <br />mud out of my shoes and <br />hung them up to dry. Pretty <br />soon the sun came out <br />warm and I soon forgot <br />that I was wet, but I was <br />thinking what shall I do for <br />a pr of Boots. Within ½ an <br />hour I had Bought a pr of <br />quite good ones for 50 cts <br />and sold my shoes for the <br />same price. Next trouble <br />when shall I do my washing. <br />No pond or Brook fit to wash <br />in no [t...?] or sope[crossed out] soap but I <br />will try. Went to Uncle Taggard <br />again and borrowed a waterpale</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg9]</p>
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| − | <p>found a small piece of <br />soap heat some water and <br />in a few hours my clothes 2 shirts <br />trousers and stockings were clean <br />as ice and drying fast and <br />my troubles all gone. I<br />have never felt so helpless and <br />discouraged as I was then and <br />I feel that it has learned me a <br />lesson to trust more fully in <br />the kind providence which cared <br />for me then in my straight.</p>
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| − | <p>We commenced this morning <br />to draw full rations of eveything <br />that the law allows. Had some <br />very nice stued Beans for Dinner <br />are to have Rice and Molasses <br />for Supper and a ration [ ? crossed out]<br />of Tea. We have got a very <br />pleasant camp good Springs <br />of water and running streams <br />to bathe in. I cant tell <br />you any news but I doubt</p>
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| − | <p><br />[Pg10]</p>
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| − | <p>not thing are progressing <br />as fast as possible. <br />I love to read your letters <br />I is [home?]. the [?] neighbours <br />and friends about town that <br />interest me. I want to see my <br />home yet money could not <br />temp me to leave the army <br />now. I shall see joy when <br />and where you wills it so. I <br />trust I have never felt better <br />to do my duty. I send home <br />for postage stamps because <br />it is rather difficult getting <br />them here at times. The six doll<br />ars which I reserve has so far <br />been sufficient for my wants. <br />If I want more I will tell <br />you. I must close now <br />May Gods Blessing be with <br />you all Yours <br />Affectionately <br />Rufus</p>
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