150 Years Ago (1864 9/7)

  Camp-near Berryville-Sept. 7, 1864.

Dearest Abiah –

It is sometime since I have written, but it would have made no difference, as there has been no chance to send out letters since we came here until last night, and then I was away after some water and a few apples to stew. We have to go some distance for green corn and apples now. We will soon clean out a hundred acres of corn. We came here Saturday morning. I had just before written to Mary Ann and to Father. Since we came here have been pretty still. Have worked one night building breast works and then were marched back. The breast work was built on our right facing Winchester. I have not seen Zopher since I wrote to Mary Ann, but the 3d Division has been in no fights since the first was in, the night we came here expected to have to go out, but the Rebs ran their heads against something that hurt them and hauled off. They got besides minies a plentiful dose of grape and canister and they took it, closed columns where it had a good chance to appreciate. The other night when building breast works when securing rails to help the work we had to go some distance; one of the men from this Regiment went to the picket line and he was asked to what Regiment he belonged. He was asked if he knew me and if I was well. I suppose that it was Zopher as the 3d Division is over that way, but we left as soon as we got the work done, so I did not have a chance to go and see.

The weather here now is quite cool and my health is very good. Tinkham and myself tent together. Monday he bought a liver of the butcher and since I have been trying to eat his ration and my own of fresh beef, have nearly done it but had to call for help today. I can fry beef pretty good. We draw pork about twice a week sometimes once; save it to cook the beef with, sometimes get scrap of fat on the beef; that helps piece it out; if can do no other way get some green corn, cut up the beef into small pieces, get scraps of lean pork an onion or two if we can, make a raise of one and go in for a stew. If we are prudent can get salt and pepper enough and the stew is good enough for a prince. We live well. Sometimes get rather short, some men always are, and if we do not draw rations are round asking “haint you got some pork for me, I am all out.” “Can’t you let me have some hard bread?” They are afraid of carrying too much load and some one would carry for them. If we do not go more than four days without drawing rations, there is no need of any man going short, if his haversack meets with no accident. Once, three days rations had to last us five; that was lengthening the thing out a little too far, but the sheep had to suffer. We have got to polish up the camp, clean it up, and I am going to fix this letter so as to send it at a minute’s warning as it is. If have a chance, shall lengthen it.