13th Vermont Infantry - Mosby's Capture of Stoughton

Item LTR-411

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter written in period ink and war dated.

Wolf Run Ford [VA]
March 15th 1863

Remembered Friend Thirstin,

I again seat myself in my tent to write you in answer to your letter, which I received and you may know it was gladly received. A letter seems like a short visit to me. I am glad to hear from any of my friends at any time. I am glad to hear that you and Aunt are well for good health is one of the choicest blessings of God. It is much to be praised by all of us especially by one here in the army away from home and the care of friends. We have friends in the army but care we cannot get like that of our dear friends at home. One thing we have to comfort us is that we are remembered by our friends at home and are carried to the throne of grace in their prayers. I often meet with some of my friends in my dreams. But alas, when I awake it is but a dream and I am in the lone land of Rebellion. But if I live the time will soon come that I shall meet you all in old Vermont and then we will tell you all about my soldiering. I suppose you have plenty of work to do as usual while I am down here watching rebels. Only working about one quarter of the time and that is spent doing picket duty and I do not have a very hard time at that for I have been second corporal since I came out. So I do not have to stand out on a post. It saves me from the storm a great many times. We are in the same place that we camped when we first came here it is nine weeks next Tuesday since we came to this camp. The prospect is we shall stay some longer if we are not drove out by the enemy. We have a chance to see some of the Rebs on the other side of the Occoquan. Yesterday was quite an exciting day with us the muse came to camp in the morning that three posts of our cavalry picket were taken prisoners which proved to be true. The same night we took 17th prisoners at Fairfax Court House and arrested a number of secesh women spies which hold letters stating all about our forces around here they were taken to Washington. In the afternoon about 3 o’clock we were called out in line of battle the report was the Rebels hold appeared on the other side of the river our Colonel crossed with some cavalry he returned and reported one shot and one taken prisoner. We were hold in readiness at a moments notice during the day and night finely morning came and we did not hear any more from them. There was quite a large picket sent out for the night. There is some force of guerrilla cavalry commanded by Stuart, which are troubling our lines often in the night. That is the kind of fighting we shall have for a while to come. They are some troublesome it is difficult for infantry to do much with cavalry that is scouting about for they can move faster than we can. I suppose you have read before this time about our Brigadier General Stoughton being taken by the Rebs so I will not write the full particulars of it. I will only say that if he had been in his place, which was with the Brigade, not five miles from it with only a small guard, he would not have been taken. We do not feel very sorry about it. If they had not taken the horses it was a disgraceful thing. They (the Rebels) worked it shrewd. There was not a gun fired nor any alarm given until they had left. They hold guides inside of our lines, which I think are plenty. I suppose the folk up there that are subject to a draft expect to be called upon to take our places about July. I want some of them to come and try it. I should like to select out some that I can thin of in Baker’s field. I would willing let them have my gun. I am glad that you are exempt from the conscript call. I think those that come out next will see more hardship than we have. We may see more before we get through. Now about myself. Since I last wrote you I have been some unwell. I had the bowel complaint for about two weeks, which took off some of my flesh. But I have gotten well of that and well now. I am fleshing up now. I weighed a few days ago one hundred and eighty. I think that is doing very well. I think the most that ails me now is laziness. There is a great many of us troubled with that disease. It is very prevalent in camp. The health of the 13th Regiment is good. I had a letter from Susan night before last. Her health is not very good. She is troubled with a hard cough she has been nursing. I think that has been rather hard for her. The boys are well. I have been sorry sometimes that I came out and left here on Proett’s Farm. But since the prospect of the other call, I have been thankful that I have come nine months. It is not like three years. Susan wrote that James and family were well and Sarah also. Tell Aunt Catherine I was thankful for her kind letter. It was thankfully received. I am thankful that this conscript act is not going to beak up her quiet home while other hearts are made sad by parting with dear friends. May God interpose and end this unholy rebellion. I am not for ending it by compromise. Today it is snowing and thundering and lightning. A snow thunderstorm, can you think of that! I must close, so goodnight for this time. Write often as you can and receive this from your absent friend with my best wishes.

John J. Hill

Remember me when you are making your sugar and eat some for me. I would like to step in and help you. Send some sugar off if you have a chance when someone is sending a box send one. A little of new sugar. Perhaps Mr. Morse folks will e sending to Julius. Give my respects to H. Mosiah’s folks.