Washington, D.C., 2003
The Library of Congress makes digitized historical materials available for education and scholarship.
This transcription is intended to have an accuracy rate of 99.95 percent or greater.
Camp Pitcher Virginia
Dear Mother,
I wrote to you yesterday but to day the mail came in and in it was a letter for me from my Dear ind Mother and I now hasten to reply to it although I am afraid I can not find news enough to half fill a sheet. We have been under marching orders for some days but they have been countermanded from one day to another so that I will soon begin to think we are not going at all. I thought perhaps the reason we did not go yesterday was because it was Sunday but the orders to day are countermanded again. It can not be a move of any great account or we would not be kept in this way. There is none of the other Divisions moving either. This is a very pretty day but is rather cold but we could not expect very warm weather this time of year.
Joe Green got a letter form you to day and so did Uncle John. I tell you when I see a letter in the mail with your writing on I feel pleased for then I think there will surely be one for me but I am very often disapointed. It is quite lonesome here without Nancy. I could when she was here go down to her house and stay and talk all day and pass away the time very pleasant for she was
There was a fellow Drummed out of the service yesterday that belonged to the 63rd Regt P.V. in our Brigade. He had been court Martialed for deserting and the Sentence was that he was to have the Letter D for deserter branded to his hip and have his head shaved and be drummed out with the tune of the Rogues March before the whole Brigade. I tell you it made him jump when the hot Iron was put to his bare skin but he took it pretty cool though after all. Well he is rid of soldiering any how if he did get rid of it very dishonorably.
I hear some talk of the pay Master coming soon. He cant come any too soon for me. If we are ever fortunate enough to get our pay this time I think we need never look for any more for they have such bad work getting this that the next I fear will come out slim.
I sent 3 letters with Nancy if I remember right. I suppose she is at home by this time and you have got what news was in them if there was any at all in them which I dont suppose there was.
You say you would like to know what I think about Clara's marriage. I suppose you do know by this time what I wrote but I was so confused when I wrote that I dont know what I did say. Perhaps I was a little hasty. Scott may be a very good fellow and prove a kind husband but Clara getting maried so young and me never knowing that he was going with her until I heard they were to be maried why it took me completely by storm. I will say that I never knew any harm of Scott. Though I dont know whether he is very industrious or not. I know he is a good sawyer and that is all I know about him.
I would have thought Pap would have made a great fuss about the Serenade but it seems he took it all in good fun. Little Tommy helped it along finely with his whistle!
Well I will have to quit this on account of having nothing more to write. I read Uncle Johns letter as I took it down to him and I waited until he read it and then I made him let me read it. Well I have done pretty well on this sheat to have nothing to write. Give my love to all. That Envelope you sent me will have a trip back right away. Good By Dear Mother & write as soon and as often as possible. From your Loving and affectionate son.
Tilton Reynolds