Augusta County: James B. McCutchan to his Cousin, February 23,
1863
Summary:
McCutchan relates the harsh winter conditions in camp and mentions that although there is
word his cousin, James R. McCutchan might be dead, he still holds hope that he is alive.
Feb 23rd 1863
Camp Winder
Dear Cousin
I received your long looked for and welcome letter a few days ago, I was somewhat surprised
when I received it. I had come to the conclusion that you did not intend to write any more to
me, well I will not treat you so bad as you did me, and will write sooner although I am afraid
it will fail [unclear: in] interest - we have no news of importance here now times are
very dull. It is reported that old Joe Hooker has left the Rappahanock, and I suppose it is
true. I would just as leave he had advanced here as any where
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else and rather I
believe. I suppose he has concluded that it would not be healthy on this side of the river.
Some of the troops have been moving away form here, don't know where
they have gone. I hope we will not have to leave until the weather
moderates some, we have had some prety rough weather, it snows or
rains nearly every day. it snowed all day yesterday it is about a foot deep. it is clear today
and the snow is melting some. we have our wood to carry a long ways now and I tell you it is a
pretty tough job, but I will be content to carry the wood if they will just leave us here until
warm weather. when we do leave this camp we will have to carry all that we take along. it will
be as much as our poor horses can do to take the empty wagons out. I never saw the like of mud
before. I thought it was bad at [unclear: Romney] last winter, there was some bottom in
the mountains but there don't appear to be any here, there is nothing but sand here. I don't
think I have seen a rock as big as a mans head since we came here except just on the bank of
the River. well I believe I will stop for the present and do some washing while the sun shines,
will finish this to night. Well I have done a big days washing, pretty hard job, will now
finish my letter -
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I received a letter from home this evening stating that it is
thought that Ja's R. is dead. I am sorry indeed to hear it and still have some hopes that it is
not so. [unclear: Of] that this cruel war was over alas there are many that started out
that will not return when it is over. I wish I was by your fire with you tonight. I think I
could interest you more that I can on this poor sheet. I hope the time will soon come when that
privilege will no longer denied. Well
Cousin I must draw this poor affair to a close. I miss [unclear: save] (the dear
creature) a few lines tonight I have not written to her for three
months. Give my love to Cousin Lizzie and all the rest of the folks. Excuse mistakes.
As ever your true Cousin
Ja's B. McCutchan
Yates just now told me that Louis D has been up to see you. he must be getting he has been to Lexington by this time
