On leaving our last
camp we first went back five miles in a northerly direction to Orange Court
House, and we thought Jackson intended to take us over the same road we had
fallen back on a few days before; but from there we took the road to
Fredericksburg. Then everyone said we were going to Fredericksburg. That was a
mistake also, for after going about ten miles we turned to the left and went
three miles toward the Rapidan River, and have stopped at this place. It is
believed that Jackson intended to cross the river and flank Pope, and that the
Yankees got wind of it. They were on a mountain and may have seen our large
force moving. Jackson is a general who is full of resources, and if he fails in
one plan he will try another.
The men stood the
march better than at any previous time. The health of the brigade has improved
since we are where we can breathe the pure mountain air. This beautiful
country, with its mountains and rolling hills, is enough to make any sick man
feel better. We all sleep out in the open air—officers as well as
privates—although the weather is becoming quite cool and signs of autumn begin
to appear. The crops of corn are magnificent and are almost matured, but
wherever our army goes, roasting ears and green apples suffer. I have often
read of how armies are disposed to pillage and plunder, but could never
conceive of it before. Whenever we stop for twenty-four hours every corn field
and orchard within two or three miles is completely stripped. The troops not
only rob the fields, but they go to the houses and insist on being fed, until
they eat up everything about a man's premises which can be eaten. Most of them
pay for what they get at the houses, and are charged exorbitant prices, but a
hungry soldier will give all he has for something to eat, and will then steal
when hunger again harasses him. When in health and tormented by hunger he
thinks of little else besides home and something to eat. He does not seem to
dread the fatiguing marches and arduous duties.
A wounded soldier
who has been in Jackson's army for a long time told me his men had but one suit
of clothes each, and whenever a suit became very dirty the man would pull it
off and wash it and then wait until it dried. I believe this to be a fact,
because when I see Jackson's old troop on the march none have any load to carry
except a blanket, and many do not even have a blanket; but they always appear
to be in fine spirits and as healthy and clean as any of our men.The
force we have here now is a mammoth one. I am told that Lee and Johnson are
both here, and I am anxious for our army to engage Pope. Whenever we start on a
march I am impatient to go on and fight it out, for we are confident we can
whip the enemy.
We are now cooking
up two days' rations and are ordered to have them in our haversacks and be
ready to move at sundown, but we may not go at that time, because we sometimes
receive such orders and then do not leave for a day or two. I will write again
whenever I have a chance.
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