Augusta County: James B. McCutchan to Rachel Ann
McCutchan, February 20, 1862
Summary:
McCutchan describes the relatively pleasant life in camp, considers whether or
not to reenlist, and talks of life back home.
Miss Rate A. McCutchan, Timberridge, Rockbridge Co, Va
February 20th 1862
Camp Zollicoffer
Dear Cousin,
Please excuse my paper, it is the best I have. I commenced writing to you yesterday on half a sheet. I got this yesterday, and I concluded that I would throw it away and commence anew.
I got a letter today the first for I dont know how long, don't think I have got
any since yours arrived, got one from Cousin A
Buchanan, she has had Diptheria, but I believe she is not a friend of your so I
need not write about her. Well I will tell you what
I have been doing this evening, have been helping to make an eggnog. George
Baylor and myself went out this morning and got some milk and eggs, we are going
to have some company tonight and have a sing, we have invited some of the Marien
Riflemen, from Winchester. They are the best singers I ever heard. We expect to
have some
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instrumental music too, but you must not think that we
expect to get tipsy we don't do such things in our mess. We had a big eggnog the
evening after we moved into our cabin and had a heap of fun.
You said in your letter that you were disappointed that you did not get to
Fairfield, who is it that you go to see there, It must be Charley [unclear: ] we
are living finely here now, get plenty to eat and of a good quality. can fix it
up a great deal better in our cabin than when we were in our tents we have yeast
and bake raised bread, have warm rolls for breakfast every morning, we have our
mess laid off in twos and have regular cooking days, there is 14 of us so cook
day does not come but once a week, get plenty of coffee and sugar, can get some molasses, have to buy them, they are furnished
for the officers at 20 cents per [unclear: goll], we are having a grand
time here, if never had no harder times than we have here we would get along
very well, but this is not always
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the case, I expect we will have
some hard fighting to do the next term, and I expect we will all be into it. I
have not reenlisted yet and don't know when I will. 9 of our company have
reenlisted. we have to the 10th of March to decide. I
rather expect most of us will reenlist by that time some will stand the draft. I
sometimes think that I will just float along let come what will. I would not
hesitate a moment to reenlist if I thought my going would not stop some militiaman from coming. What are they all thinking
about it I guess some of them would like if we would reenlist, if I were in
their
places I would too. Cousin K. I am much obliged to you
for the invitation to dinner am very sorry that I could not be there. well it is
getting too dark to so will stop for the present, step in and have some eggnog
with us. 21st I did not have time to finish my letter in
time for the mail today but will endeavor to start it
in, in the morning. We had a nice time last night
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some came that
were not invited consequently were too much crowded, some
one I did not say who got one of the performers out and gave him a little too much to drink which spoiled it some. You spoke of
thinking about the Sunday that we went to Middlebrook, I expect you often think
of that day and of [unclear: So Dall] too. I would like very much to
know what you could tell me about that day, but I reckon it is a secret. You asked me if I was fond of
[unclear: prels]. I am not particularly fond of them when I am at home
but they are very good here. You said that you expected I would not wear a
[unclear: viser] that you knit, you are very much mistaken. I will
surely
prize it very much indeed. As for the button I have
none that is fit. but will get one the next time I go to Winchester. Write soon
and tell me about your trip the Ridge. You wished that I was there to go with
you some time, you don't wish it more than I do.
Give my love to all the folks
yours truly
Ja's B. McCutchan
P.S. JR is well and all the rest of the boys
