William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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I have not had an opportunity to write you for the last few days for we have been
on the march again. Last Tuesday afternoon we received orders to pack up and
march immediatly which we did, and that night lay in the wet grass at "Freemans
Ford". next morning crossed the River, on over Hazel River and camped that night
near this place. Thursday moved up here. We are located about two miles from
Culpepper on the "Pike to Sulphur Springs" which is north west of the town. I
rode down and took a look at the village yesterday but it aint much to brag of
still I did not see much
of it for just as I got to looking around
the Cars come in, and I discovered our paymaster, so had
to go and pilot him to camp. He paid off the Regt. last night, took till one
o'clock. The boys are all feeling good again with a pocket full of "Greenbacks".
I shall send you some by Express tomorrow. I only had one months pay due (Aug)
so I did not have much to take. we had a new paymaster this time, but did not
like him. I will write you a word by Exp. tomorrow. The whole army of the
Patomac have advanced to the "Rapidam" The probality is that we are not going to
lay here but a few days; when we will make another grand advance.
in
the direction of Gordonsville where it is supposed the main body of Lee's Army
is now encamped. The Cavalry have been fighting more or less every day since we
commenced the move but haven’t seen a "Reb" except prisoners. We have had a very
heavy rain storm, which will probably set us back a little, but if the Army of
the Patomac are going to do anything more this fall they have got to do it very
soon, for this big rain has stirred up the mud again and
puts me in mind of Old "Camp Griffin" We think now we are to advance but as
"Uncle Abe" has not asked my opinion, or told me his future plans for our
welfare we may all be fooled yet, but we "cant see" what we
are down
here for if it is not to go "on to Richmond". I recd. a good long letter from
you yesterday. Our mail you see follows us up. The Telegraph wires were up
within an hour after we went into camp here. The Yankee" is an institution no
doubt, hard to beat. The health of the Regt. is not so good as it was- several
cases of diarrhea we had to send thirty of our men to Hospital at Washington
when we marched, amongst them Geo Hubbard, but he was able to be up around but
not able to march, Not very bad off. All the rest that you know are well. I
stood it all first rate as usual. it beats all how I do stand everything. will
try to write often again, until we take up the march. You keep on writing just
the same.
As ever darling, your William