Howe_Wolcott Correspondence #2 1864 (265) MS file

864630

Camp Russell Va.
November 30th 1864

Dear Lorette,

I received yours of the 20th this P.M., and was very happy to hear you are well and enjoying yourself in spite of all the old town can do in the way of being lonesome. I don't know exactly the time I wrote you before my last, it was while I was at Annapolis. The last letter I received from you was when I was at Winchester, while on my way to the Regt. About the 9th of Oct. We have not had a mail until today for more than a week, or I should have read yours sooner, but suppose our mail will be more regular now as our base of supplies has been removed from Hastinsburg to Winchester. So you think Shoreham is the lonesomest place in the world do you? Perhaps if you were to go away from it you would think differently. One thing I know, if it is any worse there, than here, I don't want to be there. I should have been glad to have been there and seen those cousins of yours. By the way, you did not tell me whether they were young, or old, ladies, or "he ones", but judging from what you say think there must have been some young ones among them, and perhaps this is one great reason you think it so dull there, and concluded not to spend your days there. I know - it generally turns out, that, after a Vermont girl returns from a visit west, it is not long before some western young man visits her, and in a short time the young lady goes west as Mrs. instead of Miss. Is it so in this case Lorette? (tell truly now) Or are you still waiting for your soldier "longer"? (of course I mean the one in the 9th Regt. Well, as I said before wish I had been there where your cousins were, and if I had been afraid of them, would not have been of the apples and cider. O jemima! How I wish I had some now.

You have not lost your bet yet. It was in January we made the bet so you have got more than a month to win it in. if I win it will come after it, if I can, and if not why you must come and bring it, isn't that fair? Thanksgiving was about the same as other days other days here. Our mess had a chicken for supper. A week ago last Saturday our Battalion went out with train to forage, went about eight miles to a farm house, took all the good loose boards we could find, and as there were not enough of these knocked a lot off from the barn, then loaded the wagons with hay, corn, rye. Me, and the boys killed the pigs, and caught the chickens. We got back to camp just after dark, and, the next day I had chicken for supper. How do you think the farmers up in Vt. would like to dispose of their property in that way? Monday, the 21st we had a review. Gen. Sheridan reviewed the 6th Corps. It began to rain just as we were marching to the review ground and kept it up all the rest of the days we were reviewed, and we were wet through, and the last part is what I didn't like. We have had one brigade drill, and any quantity of Battalion drills, since we have been encamped here. We have brigade dress parade every day, unless the weather is too bad. Why don't you come and see one of our parades? Perhaps you think you will see up there soon. I understand they are about to raise quite an army there. Wonder if they would give me a position. I think I would like to soldier in Vt. Those raiders from Canada have not got as far as Shoreham yet have they? Don't you let them carry you off if they do come, will you? I guess you had better come down here and stay with the "Catholics". (that's what the rebels call the 6th Corps) no one can whip them and you will be properly safe. Did you say you would?

The weather has been very fine here for a few days. Tonight the wind blows very hard and it is growing cold I think. Lt. Col. Hunsden has been unwell for a few days, but is improving. Walter is well as usual. Lorette did you know we were nine months over now? Nine months from tonight our time is out. Now if these confounded Rebs will behave themselves we will stand a good chance to be all right. But when we meet them they shoot awful careless, but I guess they won't kill us all. How the wind blows it seems as though it would blow the tent down. Wish I was up in old Shoreham just now. But if I should wish all night I presume it would make no difference. I do get up there once in a while, but when I wake up generally find myself at Camp Russell.

Well, have written about almost everything. If it is not much of a letter, had to be in somewhat of a hurry as the mail leaves in the morning at daylight, and am continually interrupted when I undertake to write. But you have learned by this time not to expect much of a letter (except in length) from me. Remember me to all.

As ever your friend, George