Franklin County: Samuel W. North to His Father,
December 1, 1862
Summary:
North predicts an upcoming battle with the rebels across the Rappahannock and
observes the poverty of the local Virginia countryside.
Father
Dec 1st
Near Falmouth
Dear Father
as it has been some time since I wrote home I take this time to write I suppose
there was a letter for me in that [deleted: box] package you sent me
but through somebody's carelessness it was left
behind when Cook & the others came back Peter Cook says he put my boots
and all the other things given into his care into a box and had it directed [deleted: ] the same as Lieutenant
[unclear: Hornbakers] box which came along safely when they got to
Washington it was not along he says & Hornbaker too that the conductor
promised to hunt it up and send it on by express. I have been expecting it for
the last week but it has not come yet I hope it will still come as it was
directed to Capt [unclear: Brownreals] care. I was waiting until I would
get it to write. We are camped within two or three miles of the Rappahannock
have been waiting hourly for the report of the first gun to commence the great
struggle wich will probably come off here our provisions have been delayed so that they can get but one day's rations at a time. Some think the delay is on that
account the rebels from all accounts are [unclear: making] good use of
the delay in fortifying. there is no picket firing I hear that they talk across
the river very composedly every day's delay is a great
loss to us if we are to cross near Fredricksburg - which I am beginning to think is not the case - as the
enemy are getting their Batteries protected by breast works. I think It will be
an artillery fight at first. I have heard that you had an
[unclear: accident] with the team the old mare was killed was
[unclear: fan] hurt or the wagon
[page 2]
much broken. write the
particulars and whether you supplied [unclear: Dolls] place. we saw
great numbers of condemned mules and horses going back while we were advancing
into Virginia I suppose there will be bargains in them although they were very
hard stock our regimental teams are pretty hard too but it is not much wonder as
the roads are barely passable one of them stalled with two 2 Bushels
mess pork or not more than six hundred pounds for four
mules the artillery goes in the mud until the axles touch it so you may have
some idea of the difficulties in the way of moving an army it is not such bad
walking but the soil is soft and sandy we can run a bayonet down without touching anything but sand it is the poorest part
of the old dominion I have seen the houses are generally old tumble down log
concerns with sticks built up for chimneys and plastered with mud some of the
worst have no windows they pull up their corn by the roots and hang it across
poles to keep for winter some chance places you See one of
the old Southern residences of the ? surrounded by
about a dozen negro huts. we saw a good many mares with mule colts there were lots of persimmons when we came but they are all
played out now we are very comfortable as regards sleeping and clothing we cut
pine bushes for the bottom of our tents at night spread down our overcoats and
two sleep together and cover with both blankets. I drew a new pair of
[unclear: good] shoes and a pair of leggings. Mother wants to know
where I think we will winter. I don't know probably in
Richmond I will answer soon
