Camp Pierpont, January 4, 1862
Dear Parents:-
I seat myself to acknowledge receipt of yours of last week.
I did not write to you last mail as I had not heard from any of you. I wrote to Mary Stanton. There is no news of importance to tell you, but I write to let you know that I am well.
Am still in the A. A. General’s office, but with Capt. Ord, a brother of General Ord. Sion Smith has been relieved from duty and has rejoined his regiment.
Capt. Ord is from California and is a sociable good fellow—he was appointed from Civil life.
The officers of our Brigade made a New Year’s present to General Ord of a sword, sash and belt as a testimonial of regard and in honor of the Dranesville victory. The sword was a beautiful one with gold-plated hilt, cost $220. Col McCalmont made the presentation speech which was a very good one, indeed.
The ground is white with snow this morning—the first we have had here. I received those blankets which Mother sent. They came in a box with things for the Venango Greys. Capt. Over saw your name on them and sent for me to come and get them if I wanted them which I did. They just came in time as the nights are rather cool, sleeping in these tents with the wind blowing through and whistling around. We have much high wind here, more a great deal than in Pennsylvania.
It is now almost a certainty that [Brig.] General [Irvin] McDowell is soon to be the Chief Commander of the Army of the Potomac and it is said by those who know anything of affairs here that he will attempt Manassas again as soon as the weather becomes favorable. He knows he has men enough to do it and is burning for revenge for Bull Run. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. General Ord thinks he will take Manassas even if it be at the cost of ten thousand lives. Time alone will tell.
The mail-boy is coming and I must close, hope that you all may recover from your sickness and that some one of the family will write every week. I am, dear parents, Your affectionate son, J.D. C.
Next posting: January 23, 2012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335