Augusta County: James R. McCutchan to Rachel Ann
McCutchan, September 22, 1861
Summary:
McCutchan writes of his boredom in camp, and how much he misses the pleasures of
home, family and friendship.
Sunday Sept. 22nd, 1861
Camp Near Fairfax C.H.
My Very dear Rate
I promised to write to you when I came back to camp + I will endeavor to do it this evening, as I havent any thing else to do. I havent felt a bit like writing letters since I came back. I havent written but 4 since I saw you - I got back safe, though I had a heap of trouble with the things I brought down. I had 1500 [unclear: lb] for different ones in the company + it is no little trouble to take care of so many things. I found the boys generaly well at their encampment near Centreville. We left there last Monday + we are now 3/4 mile from Fairfax Court House. Our encampment here is a very pretty as well as convenient one, but I can't like it myself, but there is no place on this side of the Blue Ridge that I do like. It is a beautiful country here, but somehow or other it hasn't the charms for one that the mountains + hills of Western Virginia has.
[page 2]
There is a fight going on down at Alexandria this evening. The
canons have been firing ever since I commenced this letter. Boom after boom of
the heavy old guns strikes upon my ear - it stirs up my soul + makes me feel
like going to the aid of my fellow soldiers. There is canonading going on most
half the time across the line between the two armies, though there is not much
mischief done by it. I am looking for one of these skirmishes to bring on a
general engagement + I hope how soon it may. It will never be ended except by
fighting + the sooner we do it the better. I despise inaction, I want to be
doing something, something that my mind or hands can be employed at. Some people
accuse me of laziness but I'll venture the assertion that there is not one in
Beauregards army that despises this thing of doing nothing worse than I do. I
love something that employs my mind + energies. This dismal routine of drilling
at little going on guard occasionally + cooking day after day + week after week just kills
one.
[page 3]
The army is still increasing here. I have no idea how many are
between the Junction Alexandria now now. Not many less than 200,000 I suppose.
Nothing is to be seen but soldiers, wagons;
encampments & military bustle and confusion, nothing to change the
monotony of the same; from morning till night + from day to day is all the same.
How long will it continue so God only knows. Here I am now cut off from my
friends and from all that is dear to one from society + enjoyment of every kind.
How often I think of the past when I was free as the little birds that sing
their songs among the branches. I didn't know how to appreciate home,
friendship, society, pleasure or any thing else then but now when I am cut off
from all these blessings I can see + feel the need of them. Here I never see the
face of a woman.
"Ah woman - those whose form + whose soul
Are the light + the life of each
path we pursue;
Whether warmed at the tropic, or chilled at the pole,
If woman is there, there is happiness too."
[page 4]
I have often heard
it said that man when taken away from female society will become like a brute, +
I am forced by experience to acknowledge it to be true. I believe, too, to take
a woman away from the society of men that in a short time she would be no
better.
Well it is night now. I quit writing + eat my supper, + just as I got done eating orders came for us to prepare a days rations + be ready to march by six o'clock tomorrow morning. We are going on picket down in this side of Alexandria. I expect we will have a hot time down there. We have to stay 5 days in sight of the enemy's picket + they are continually firing across at one another. I didn't intend to finish this letter till morning but I wont have time then. John Wade is sick + he asked me this evening to stay here with him. I will stay if the Captain will let one I want to go along with the boys down there but I will do anything for John that I can. Mr Craig is still living, but no better, he is just living + no more. I don't think he can possibly get well if I don't go tomorrow I will write some more if I go I wont have time to write any more for 5 days. Give my love to all. Kiss the children + write to me soon. Direct to Fairfax Station in care of Captain H.J. Williams Company D. 5 regiment Va vol.
Don't let any body see my letters, if that want to know what is in them read it to them, the part you want them to hear.
Yours as ever
James R. McCutchan
