Aug. 7, 1864. Here we are back in the same old place. West of Harper’s Ferry. We had our tents nicely
fixed and some had gone to sleep and all were congratulating themselves on having a good nights sleep, when we had orders to pack up and fall in and at about 11 o’clock we did fall in and marched to the Railroad near the City where from appearances we were to take the cars. The whole column laid right down in the road and slept for 4 hours, or I did for one, except twice, when a horse or mare that had got loose ran over me, but could not afford to keep awake long. At 10 o’clock we were making our coffee on the heights West of Harper’s Ferry. At about 12 noon we came here.
I said in my letter from the same place that it was 2 or 3 miles from the Ferry. Is is 4 or 5. How long we are to remain here I have no idea. It is a very pleasant place, good water – but some way off. There is no good place to wash as at the Mill. That was the best for a camp that I ever saw. The 19th Corps is on our left; the Vermont is on the right of their line. Heard that Asa Moran and Henry Holt were there and well, and some troops have come up since we did on our right, that is said to be the 3d division. If so and we remain here, I mean to see Zopher. Today we have not been very near each other for some time, but I must finish this sheet to get it into the mail. This morning we had a nice march of about 20 miles in the cars, that was the easiest I have had since I came out. The rest of the trip was hard enough. We get but little news, see but few papers.
I found a scrap of paper at the Ferry, that mentioned some cavalry force being in Newman.
Is Vermont sending forward any recruits? Our ranks are growing thinner every day. If they expect victories at home, they ought to send on men. The native born American makes the best soldier, and they will stand it as long as the French or Irish. They are too anxious at home to get something to fill up their quotas. If they want fighting and marching done, send men that can do it. There were some first rate men sent last Winter, but a great many that are not worth shucks. If the present call is finished with the right sort of men they will finish the war. There is enough of them in Vermont. Why don’t they come along? Oh, they want victories, but they want them without men. They are not aware of the constant drain upon an army and send anything to fill up the quota. Well these things fill up the hospitals, the invalid corps, &c. &c. and leave the army small, but enough of this. It has taken all this extra piece of paper to talk about these poor mean things at home that grumble about paying taxes and wring and twist to fill up their quotas. Would as soon fill up their quotas with basswood sticks as anything. I do not mean this for Charleston. They sent good men from that section, but the country generally.
About Mrs. Langs. I will find out today. I cannot before it is time for the letters to be sent off. When we were at Tenallytown, I am sure I heard the mane of Lang mentioned, when I was with the boys. In what connection I cannot tell. I heard the name of Webster Gray. I know that, as I remember what was said about him when at home last winter. It was something of the same sort there. If I hear from Mrs. Lang’s son, I will write immediately. If we stop here long enough I shall write to Mary Ann. I wish that you would ask where Stephen Hinman is. There is often Cavalry with us. I should like to see Stephen very much, and perhaps I night run across him in some of our moves. There was some Connecticut Cavalry with us once. He would not know me if he should see me, and probably I should not know him.
Well, I have not said how I am. I am well. I never knew myself so well. Am just as tough as a brick.
(on top of first sheet) I had no place to sign my name, so will get it in here.
Your own,
Charles.
Don’t you want to go to Minnesota when this cruel war is over?
