Camp near Fredericksburg, Va.,
December 4, 1862.
We traveled 175 miles from the Valley to this place in
twelve days, and are now encamped upon precisely the same spot we were
occupying when we left this region last spring. Our march was the least
disagreeable of any I have experienced, because the weather was very cold and
we traveled during the day only. We were well fed also, compared with our other
marches. We had rain but once and snow twice. Many of the men were barefooted
and the march was terrible for them. Billie, Ed and I stood it first-rate and
none of us lagged behind once. By a mere chance we got our clothing at Orange Court
House. We feel very grateful to you and the others for your trouble and expense
for us. My suit fits as well as I could wish, and everyone admires it. Wilson
had his knapsack stolen the first night after we got the clothes. He is very
careless, and so is Billie. Unless one is extremely careful everything he has
will be stolen from him in camp. Half of the men in the army seem to have become
thieves.
We have an enormous force concentrated here now. Nearly all
the men are well clothed, but some few are not. We still have a few barefooted
men because their feet are too large for the Government shoes. The health of
the troops continues fine. Last summer never less than two hundred men reported
sick every morning in our regiment, and now there are never more than twelve or
fifteen cases.
I doubt our having any more fighting this winter, as such
weather as this puts a stop to all military operations. The enemy cannot
advance on us nor can we advance on them. I think we surely will go into winter
quarters soon, for it is folly for us to be lying out as we are. We have good
health, it is true, but it is extremely unpleasant.
I may have an opportunity to send you some more money soon,
and you may spend it if you wish, for it may be worthless when the war is over.
George will be one year old on the seventh.
SOURCE: Dr. Spenser G. Welch, A
Confederate Surgeon's Letters to His Wife, p. 36-8