Near Bell Plains, Va.
February 11, 1863
Dear Mother:-
Your very welcome letter dated the 3rd ult., was received last night. I am glad to know you are recovering from your sickness and hope you will not expose yourself imprudently. When I think of you all at home I often long to be there and be free from the monotony of Army life. I think, with a few good books I could be contented live in the cellar of the barn and see nobody from the beginning of the week to its end. I am tired of seeing soldiers and nobody else—but it is only a year from next July. It seems that you do not get my letters regularly every week—perhaps it is because I write a day or so behind time—I generally write on Wednesday or Thursday but sometimes the mail is delayed. I wrote to you last week that in all probability the Pennsylvania Reserves would go to Washington—this they have done. The division started up the Potomac yesterday on transports and steamers.
I have been connected with the Quarter Master’s department of the 3rd Brigade since the death of General Jackson; and General Reynolds Commanding the Corps ordered that for the present, all Brigade Quarter Masters should retain their clerical force, so that accounts why I am left behind. I expect to join the Brigade however in a week or so at most.
I cannot tell you what they are to do about Washington, but it is supposed they are to do provost and guard duty about Alexandria, Washington and Georgetown, and man the forts and fortifications. It is expected that new troops will be sent on to take our place in the field—but it is hard to tell what is to be done. All of the boys were very much pleased at the idea of going to Washington, as their former anxiety for fight is quite cooled down. Their curiosity to see the “butternuts” as we call them has become perfectly gratified. I would not wonder if, after staying in the district for two, three or four months we would again be put in the field. Although our ranks have been fearfully decimated, the portion remaining is the true grit. Take man for man and the Pennsylvania Reserves cannot be whipped. The health of all is good.
The 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, as also the 121st, are left behind—the boys in these regiments are much disappointed as they thought they were going along to Washington. Colonel E. W. Davis tells me that he has some notion of trying to raise a colored brigade. I saw him yesterday—he is well. Lieut. Plummer, who was very low with fever, is recovering, as also Capt. John M. Clapp—Wesley Burgwin also recovering from a slight illness. I don’t think that he will be able to stand the exposure of a campaign he is so young. I wrote a long letter last mail and made a proposition to Frank about going to school the coming summer. What does he say about it? I have had but one letter from the boys during the whole winter. I don’t know what they mean by not writing. Enclosed I send you a bit of India Rubber from off a Military Telegraph wire. You can see by looking at the end how a little fine wire (seven strands) was twisted together. The advantage of this rubber coating is that they can stretch the wire along the road just as fast as a team can drive letting it lay on the ground, on the branches of trees, etc. as the coating is a nonconductor. The wire of course is perfectly insulated no matter what its position may be.
I also send you a list of all the men ever connected with my Company and what has become of them. It makes me feel sad to look at it, for it is indeed a heart sickening record. Some of the best, most talented and promising young men I ever knew are among the number who sleep in soldiers graves—on the heights of South Mountain, the Plains of Manassas and the banks of the Chickahominy. Alas! The horrors of war. [1]
I had not time to get up the list in as good form as I might, but it gives a correct idea of the Company on the1st of January 1863. Please preserve it as I would not wish to lose it.
I do not know that I will get any more letters from you until I join the Division but I will write regularly every week as usual. Kiss my little sister Mary for me—write soon again and all of you.
I am, as ever, Affy, Jas. D. C.
Next posting: March 3, 2013
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] Unfortunately, the is no transcript of the list. The location of the original letters is unknown to the writer of this blog.