Camp near Warrenton Va
                                  Novbr. 9th/62
Dear Sam[uel H. Ritter]
                      Yours of 5th came
to hand this P.M.–contents noted
I’m very sorry to hear that
the draft in Philada. has been
done away with–I should
like nothing better than to see
some of those infernal croakers
about McClellan & a winter
campaign-down here-& pass
such a time as we’ve done
for the last two weeks–their
ideas of war would change
materially-
We’ve have rumors to day
that McClellan has been removed
pr. consequence we are all sorrow
-ful-nobody in the United
States has so won on the

[page 2]
affections of the troops as “Little
Mac” & if he is removed
the army will not recover
for some time to come–nothing
is worse for discipline than
this continual change of com-
-manders–
Speaking of a winter campaign
all I wish for those who are
continually crying out for one
is that they may be sent down
here to share some of the
hardships attending such an
enterprise–for instance sleep
under  (what is called a shelter tent)
two strips of muslin about 6 feet
long by 4 feet wide buttoned
together at the top–stretched
across an upright both ends
open-and on the sides raised some
three or four inches from the ground
giving a chance everywhere for
ventilation–& with but one blanket

[page 3]
and an overcoat for covering=
everything belonging to the soldiers
clothing, tent, musket, belts & cart-
-ridges to be carried by him some-
-times 20 miles pr. day, through
a snow storm on perhaps over
a Road broken by them–with
nothing to eat but crackers, cof-
-fee, & sugar & occasionally a
piece of fat pork–these are some
of the beauties of a winter campaign
say nothing of the cold—
We have another one of the
beauties of soldiering to-day-
an Inquirer of a late date
tells us that the drafted men
have been formed into companies
at Harrisburgh & officers placed
over them–& that old Regiments
who have lost their men in
the recent fights & been through
all the hardships of a year & a
half’s campaigning-are to have

[page 4]
their companies consolidated
& are then to be filled up by
new companies of drafter men
with new officers–& all the old
officers in excess of the regular
number are to be set aside
so that the gentlemen (who have
been spending the last eighteen
months in peace & comfort) shall
not be mistreated–so that
justice may be done to all
parties & these fine men comforted
bah! with such justice-us
poor fellows, who are more dead
than alive must be put out
of the way for the sake of political
favorites–all the non com-
=missioned officers & privates
who have been through all the
fights with honor-are to be
thrown up out of their chance
of promotion & new men
substituted.

[page 5]
You will perhaps wonder what
is the matter with me, having
made such a change int he
tone of my letters, but events to-
-day have brought up all these
things to my thoughts & I could
not help thinking speaking of them–
on the point of consolidation I
am considerably interested–
our late 1st Lieut. was dropped
from the rolls for absence without
leave–thus leaving the position
of open for me–I was promoted
by the Colonel to fill the vacancy
& a request was sent to Harris-
-burgh for my commission
it has not yet arrived–& if the
plan spokeng of-is carried out
it won’t be likely to come–I
also had the opportunity of soon
becoming Captain–Louis I

[page 6]
think will never again be
fit for service–& I must
give up all these chances
& return to my position of
2nd Lieut.–for the sake of
some of my drafted friends
who cost the Government a
big bounty–but enough of this-
  Since I last wrote (which I
believe was in Washington)
I’ve been through some busy
scenes–I reached my Regt.
on the 26th day of September, we
                Sharpsburg Md.
remained there ^ for some time
inactive & finally received orders
to march for Berlin–at that
place we crossed the Potomac
& have been marching ever since
we finally arrived at this place
day before yesterday, having
that morning marched 12 miles
inside of 5 hours in a heavy snow

[page 7]
-storm–it was about as tough
work as I care about going
through often-tramp, tramp,
tram all day & sometimes
late at night was the programme.
So far I have stood it pretty
well–but have but poor hopes
for the future, this cold weather
is playing the mischief with
the troops–if you see any
opening for me to get a situa
-tion I would be obliged for
the information–I shall probably
soon leave the service–
  Louis by this time is no doubt
in Philada. his address is 427
Queen St.   call on him if you
get down that way–
As I am now nearly froze
I must close–
My Respects to Inquirers
                     Yrs truly
                            Geo. E. Wagner
George E. Wagner, 88th Pennsylvania, later Lt. Colonel the 8th U.S.C.T.

MSS 11174

Post Hospital  Nov 9th
Dear Mother
I received yours last
Monday and was much obliged
for that flower I am tiptop
though I wish I was in warmer
quarters in these little tents
without any stove or any way
of heating them and the weather
is awful I tell you Last Friday
we had the worst snowstorm I
ever saw in Va and the weather
feel like more snow so cold
that we have to put our overcoats
on and stand over the cooks
fire to keep warm.  The reason
why I do not get any pay is that
they wont pay us off here afraid
we will get a citizen sent and
take a French or in other words
desert.  Give my respects to Aunt

[page 2]
Abby and tell her I hope to be
able to meet her again and
set down over the stove and
tell her the story of a soldiers
life and while many a happy
hour away.  I should like some
of those apples & vegetables that
you got over to Uncle Isaac’s.
Tell [Ann?] I should think it was
about time she did write she
must write oftener I dont think
the army will snooze much
this winter they wont go into
winter quarters as long as they can
move.  I wish you would send
me $5 as soon as possible after
getting this as I need it you can
send it in a letter I will risk it
send a greenback if possible
and then there will be no trouble
in changing it and that I guess
will last me till I can get
some at the regts I cant

[page 3]
write any more as my fingers
are getting so numb I can hardly
hold a pen  Sorry for Carrie
    With much love frm
                           Wallace

[envelope]
Mrs. E. Smith
Newton Lower Falls
          Mass.

William Wallace Smith, Co. B., 22nd Massachusetts

MSS 15360

[The following letter is from the Chaplin to the father of Jamesa H. Howard]

Head Quarters
1st Brigader – Carys Division
Camp Casey
Near Fairfax Seminary Va.
Sunday Mning Nov 9th 1862
My dear friend Howard]
I hasten to drop a line in
the mail this A.M. to you – from our former
relations as neighbors. I as chaplain of the
15th Regt. [-] to day that your son is, though
quite ill in hospital he is not dangerously
so. I have just returned from his bed-side
and find him better than he was yesterday. He is [-]
[-] sick or he would not be as you know when
he is. It was his wish that you should not
be alarmed about his condition. Be assured
if there should be any changes for the worse
I will inform you immediately. We have
about 70 in Hospital. All well cared for.
We have dwelling houses for our sick and
as good nurses as can be detailed from the
Regt. I have conversed with all the sick to
Day. May God [-] them –
Your etc
D. Henry Miller

James H. Howard, with the 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

[from the diary of Samuel S. Johnson, 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

Nov. 9th

The past fortnight has been one of unusual
activity: another grand advance of the army is in
progress, and the rebs are falling back rapidly.
On the 28th and 29th the rebs sent another flag of
truce. On the 30th were relieved by the Baltimore
Light Battery. From W. we marched to the south
side of Champton Pass, and encamped for the
night. To day we passed through Keedysville, and
over Antietam creek, where the battle of the 17th
of Sept began. Early the next morning were again on the
road, passed over one old battle field at the pass,
passed through Burketsville, and at five P. M we
arrived at Berlin where we are to cross the river
into Va. Were turned out again in two hours
to hitch up, and cross the river immediately, which
we did, and at midnight we encamped at Lovits-
ville. At one P. M the next day, we hitched up
and moved a short distance, and joined the div.
from which we had been detatched some time.
On the 7th and 8th, we rested at White Plains,
where we had quite a fall of snow, rendering the
roads unfit for traveling. Gen McClellan has
been superceded by Gen. A. E. Burnside, thus for
some petty, contemptible, sneaking jealousy, on
the part of that thing, called President,
more harm has been done to this army than
if we had suffered a bad defeat. The army
will not fight as well under any Gen. as under
McClellan. (It is just a lucky thing for you,
you poor, miserable, weak minded rail splitter,
that the soldiers of this army can’t get you
into their hands, or I should very much fear
for your personal safety. Such a thing as you
for a President, I would not let you oversee
a gang of coal heavers.) On the 9th we were
joined by the 11th corps at Thoroughfare Gap.
After a short march, we encamped at New
Baltimore. Our 1st Lieut. has been appoin-
-ted to a Captaincy, by Gen Franklin, one of our
corporals to the 2nd Lieut. The weather has
been pleasant and cool.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the war journal of George Hazen Dana as compiled by himself from wartime letters and diaries]

(Letter of October 29 continued)
Warrenton, Nov. 9th 1862.
You will perceive that this was begun some time
since, and I have had little time and no inclination
to write since we started on our march: no inclination,
besides in my position of Q.M., I have been sometimes
on horse back all day and all night, with my wagons,
and have been several times asleep on my horse, and
always dreadfully sleepy whenever I had the
fortune to reach camp. We are today having
a rest, and I have laid in a good stock of sleep,
and feel as fresh as a lark. My health is
as good as it ever was, the rough life agreeing
with me wonderfully, and no blistered feet – thank
Heaven – to suffer with. We have all
suffered much with the cold, having had two
falls of snow during our march. I fear
from what I see of my present duties, that I
must get into a fight if we have one, as our
wagons will be left miles in the rear, in all
probability – such is usually the case, and it
troubles me much – the work it gives me I like.
But I have more rations to draw, this afternoon,
so must close, with much love. – – – Do not be
anxious about me if I don’t write, as I have very
little time, and communication is very irregular.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5130

[letter of Hiram Cash to his parents begun on the 8th continues]

 Nov 9th to day we marched about 8 miles
twords Warenton we are expecting to go there to
day  My health is improoving slowly if my back
was strong and well I should be as well as I ever
was in my life  I have been very careful about
lifting and shall continue to be and I hope
soon to be entirely well again.  I have not heard
a word from Washington yet I know he is out
here but where I cannot find out I am anxious to
hear from him when you hear any thing from
him try and let me know  I think some of you

[page 2]
have been very sick or I should have
heard from you ere this time I heard last
night about Orlandos getting married and if you
had been well I think you would have written
about it try and take care of  yourselves as well
as you can and not exspose yourselves any more
than you can help I want to hear how high the
tax is this year and if you  have sold the oxen
and how much you got for them if you sold
them and all the news you can think of.  I am
still on guard at head quarters of this brigad and
we may stay here all winter.  I passed through the
10th Me. Regt. the other day Joseph B. Small belongs
to it but I did not know it at the time so
I did not see  him but some of the boys did
see him I enquired about Mark Gammon they said
he was sick and in some hospital.  I want you to let
me know if you have got the letters I have written
I think this is the fourth one since I heard from
you.  We have been mustered for four months
pay and we expect to be paid the 15th of this
month if nothing happens.

[letter of Hiram M. Cash of the 5th Maine will continue on the 10th]

MSS 12916

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred  Pleasonton]

Hd. Qrs. Cav: Division
Corbber’s Corbins X roads
one mile beyond Amissville
 Nov 9. 10.  a.m.
To Maj: Gen Parke
    Chief of Staff
General–
                        Your dispatch
of 11 P.M. is rec’d—& its
instructions attended to–
My dispositions are, as follows,
one squadron at Barbee’s
cross roads, one squadron
at Gaines cross roads, which
is at the crossing of the
Amissville Little Washington
pike with the Chester Gap
& Culpepper pike —one
squadron at Newby’s cross
roads, one squadron on
the road leading from
this place to Culpepper
which with the three

[page 2]
regiments of infantry at
Jefferson will cover this front.
       Last night one of my
squadrons, 8th New York, pushed
as far as Flint Hill, paroled
a number of wounded
rebels & recaptured two of
my men taken wounded
at Barbees, the other day–
Saw no enemy in that
vicinity–Gen. Hampton sent
for my men &  questioned them
very closely–but obtained nothing
from them–one of them, a very
intelligent man, says Gen. Hampton
& his officers appeared very much
puzzled to know where our
forces were & asked him
where Gen. McClellan &
Burnsides were–some of
the officers thought they were
back, but Gen. Hampton

[page 3]
thought they must be in the
valley–He heard Gen. Hampton
give an order to stop some infantry
that was going through Chester
Gap on the mountains–
      Yesterday, a man from
one of the Texas regiments at
Culpepper came in & gave himself
up, he had shot a man &
the rebels were about to hang
him–He left Culpepper three
days ago-The rebels passed
thro’ Chester Gap to Culpepper
& Jackson was to cross
the mountains twenty-five
miles below that point-
    Thinks D.H. Hill as well
as Longstreet is at Culpepper-
  there were large quantities of
corn at Culpepper–saw
about five hundred barrels
in one pile–General Lee

[page 4]
was at Culpepper three days
ago–There was a camp
rumor at Culpepper that Lee
was tolling us down the valley
& that Jackson was to push
through the mountains below
& take in flank & use us
up–A squadron of
the 6th Cavalry, pushed towards
Culpepper from here last
night to three miles inside
of the enemies lines &
captured a captain of the
4th Virginia regiment of
cavalry & a picket of five
soldiers–also a four
horse wagon & team out
for forage–this was
ten miles from Culpepper
      The rebels acknowledge
themselves badly whipped

   [page 5]
at Barbees, & would not
believe it, when told we
had no infantry–
   the 5th Cavalry (Averells
brigade) lost in wounded
yesterday three men–commis=
sioned officer & five privates
& 1st Lieut R. P. Ashe seriously
wounded–Lieut Ashe showed
great daring, but the results
of his charge did not com=
pensate for his loss—
   I forgot to mention my com=
mand capture a number of
beef cattle from the enemy
yesterday, & had fresh beef
last night as far as it went–
  I send this by Lieut. Tucker
the officer going to Gainesville
for supplies–
              Present my kind

  [page 6]
thanks to the Major General
Commanding for his con=
gratulations to my com-
mand–
 I am, General very resptfully
   Your Obt. Serv’t
         A. Pleasonton
          Brig: General
            Comdg: Division\

MSS 945
              

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred  Pleasonton]

Hd. Qrs. Cav: Division
Cowin’s Cross roads, Nov 9. 11.30 a.m
To Major General Parke
   chief of Staff
General–
                as some indication
of the forces at Culpepper, I will
mention I have prisoners from
the following rebel regiments viz
       4th Virginia cavalry
       8th  ”               “
      1st Georgia      “
      28th Virginia Infantry
      18th ”              “
       8th   Louisiana   “
       5th    Texas
Gen George Pickett has three
brigades, two miles this side
of Culpepper–Hewills[sic] division
is also there & Cobb’s Legion
     I have parties out, of
which it will not do to
mention–getting information

   [page 2]
I have also three squadrons
out in detachments on the
same service.
       I wish the General
could send me two or three
suits of ordinary citizens
clothing about Army size
No. 4.  I can use them to
great advantage–also
some secret service money
at times can be useful–
This should be gold, as our
money is not acceptable, but
suspicious–
       My impressions at this
time are that Hill A.P. is at
Front Royal, & Jackson behind
Thornton’s Gap  That Hill
if he gets a chance will break
thro’ Chester Gap pass Barbees
& push towards Salem &

[page 3]
towards Gainsville–which
Jackson will pass down
to Culpepper by Woodville
when we move on that place–
  At this time, I think our
infantry force of several
brigades should hold Bar=
bees Crossroads, it is a most
important point–covering
Salem, Markham, Piedmont,
& Warrenton & Orleans & cavalry
cannot hold it against infantry-
   then, if the General will per=
mit me to suggest a bold
movement of two or three
corps thrown rapidly on the
road between Thornton’s Gap
& Culpepper, by the way of Jefferson
Thompsonville, & Newby’s Crossroads
would cut Jackson off

[page 4]
& attack Culpepper with
great advantage, in
connection with any other
operations contemplated–
  The enemy are I think
some shat disconcerted just
now, & rapid movements
may prove of more value
than hard fighting hereafter–
  An express has just come
in from my squadrons on the
road to Culpepper–reporting
Stuart-with some guns &
a considerable force of
cavalry at that point–he
had attacked them & was
driving them back–this
was six miles from here &
nine from Culpepper–
 I have sent out reinforce=
ments to my squadrons–

          Very respectfully
             A. Pleasonton
                 Brig. Genl.

MSS 945
              

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred  Pleasonton]

Hd.Qrs. Cavalry Division
Cowin’s X roads  Nov 9. 1.45 P.m
To Major General Parke
    Chief of Staff–
General–
                 A young man who
left Culpepper day before yesterday
at 12 M. has just come in-
he is running away to avoid
the conscription–He says there
is a large force at Culpepper
thinks about 40 or 50 000 men
the most of them encamped
the other side of the town–
Heard Longstreet was there–
Saw three battalions of artillery
thinks there were some fifty pieces
but this was not all they had-
Saw good numbers of
wagons–soldiers miserably
clad & nothing but beef
& flour without salt–
Soldiers want to stop fighting

[page 2]
& said there would be
no battle this fall unless
we brought it on–Army
without tents–I shall send
him to Hd Qrs–Another
citizen has been brought in
from Hazel river, nine
miles from Culpepper, says
a negro told him he heard
Stuart’s cavalry had orders
to leave from there this
morning–
              Forage is becoming
rather scarce in these parts–
           
                 Very respectfully
                   General Morris
                       A. Pleasonton
                         Brig. Genl.
                          Com’dg Division

Genl Averell is sick & by the
advice of his Dr has gone to
Warrenton

MSS 945
              

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred  Pleasonton]

Hd. Qrs. Cav: Division
Amissville, Nov 9. 2.20 P.m

To Major General Parke
   Chief of Staff–
General–
                     An intelligent negro
has just come in from Jackson’s
Army, he left it yesterday—
He says Jackson is posted
at Chester Gap with his
troops on this & the other
side of the mountain–
& cannon posted all thro’ the
Gap–Gen. Ewell is within
  The balance of the Army is at
Culpepper, covering the shipping
off of the produce from this
upper country–There is two
weeks supply at Culpepper=
yet to be hauled off, &
a large quantity in the

[page 2]
valleys beyond yet to be
hauled to Culpepper- &
the rebels are terribly frightened
lest we push thro’ & get their
stuff & cut them off–
   He says that these
supplies are being sent to
Charlottesville, Petersurg &
Lynchburg, & that the rebels
if cut off intend to make
their last stand in the
mountains about Lynch=
burg–He says our army
is from two to three weeks
ahead of the time the rebels
expected us–He says Jackson
is very much alarmed at our
rapid advance & expects  Lee
to come back if we attack
him–Jackson has about
40,000 men with him &

[page 3]
He further says, to cut off
their supplies we must
push a force to Woodville–
Jackson thinks we will
attack him in Chester
Gap–that if we do not
he will come in our rear
from there after we pass–
     This negro knows all
this country–has been with
Jackson from the start, as
servant to Surgeon Campbell–
I shall keep him as a guide-
  He tells the same talk about
the soldiers being tired, unclad,
& strictly guarded.–he says
many would gladly be
paroled if they could
get the chance–
   This programme
agrees with the suggestions
I submit this morning

[page 4]
My advance yesterday created
great alarm with the rebels
& they thought their com=
munication was going to
be cut off immediately–
   Last night they pushed
down five hundred wagons
to Culpepper–
         I send this by a
fast express–please acknowledge
its receipt–& send me some
note paper & envelopes for I
am nearly out–& then
my dispatches will stop
for want of a supply–
This is the most important
information we have yet received–
& I trust it is in time for
the General to turn it to good
account–

           Very respectfully
              A. Pleasonton
                   Brig. Genl.

MSS 945