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Seven Pines Va June 14th

Dear Brother

Perhaps you will not
be able to find Seven Pines on
your map and may perhaps think
it somewhat remote from any place
which we have before occupied.

We are now about 7 miles from
Richmond.  I write you from
this place just previous to the
Battle of Fair Oaks telling you that
we were then on the eve of a
Battle.  I recolect the expression
which I used (that we had our
toes then about on the fighting
line) which may be of some help
by way of recalling it to your
mind.  I think it was the next
morning after writing that letter
that we moved to the right some


[Pg2]

three miles to Fair Oaks where
we had the Battle.  We were then
about 5 miles from Richmond.

Since then we have had several
encampments and have finaly
come back to occupy this[underlined place[underlined]
again.  I suppose you have by
this time learned most of the
particulars of the Battle and
are aware that that was not
the final that there is yet another
pending before we get to Richmond.
I feel tired of this warfare but
not discouraged.  I feel great
confidence in our Gen. McClellan.
I feel that he is doing all
that can be done and I think
today we can show the enimy a
stronger front than ever before.

A year has passed away since
I have been in the service.
The days and months have


[Pg3]

seemed short but the year
to look back seems long.  It is not
quite a year since I took my
last leave of you.  I shall never
forget the few hours which I spent
with you then, the rememberance
is worth more to me than gold.

My health is good.  I think it was
never better.  When I think of the
exposure which I have been subjected
to I know not how to account
for the large share of good health
which I have enjoyed during
the past year [save?] that it be
by the workings of a kind
Providence.  We are having
pretty warm weather now but
it does not disagree with me.
I love the summer as well as
ever.  The Trees Birds and Flowers
more than repay the little incon
venience which I suffer from


[Pg4]

the heat.  By the way I must
tell you of the Roses which
we have out here.  This is a great
country for Roses.  I have seen
several varities her which are
new to me.  One is the Yellow
Rose.  I didnot know that
there was such a flower in
existance.  I don’t think I shall
be able to fine any of my
rare kinds before mailing
my letter but I am going to
try to find one of some kind
to send to Mother.  I dreamed
of being at home last night.
It seemed to me that we
were all dismissed until
the 1st of Feb.  I saw Mother
but I dont recolect seeing
Father or Henry.  I shook hands
with Grandpar and told
him he was looking much


[Pg5]

better than I expected.
I should like to hear from
him when your write again.
I told you a short time ago
that I had lost a part of
my clothing but the only
loss which I much regret now
is one of the shirts which
Mother made me but I
have replaced that with
a government shirt which is
pretty good.  Our Quarter Master
has ordered a new supply
so there will be no [?] of
clothing here in a few days.

We were paid off again last
monday.  Please tell me
as soon as you receive th
amount which I allotted.  You
have not mentioned receiving
my first allotment (this is the


[Pg6]

ed) though I presume
you have .  Our suttler has
come up with us again
so I have got a new pencil
and a little paper.  If you
send me a few envelopes
occasionaly as you have been
in the habit of doing with
stamps on they will be very
convenient.  I can get paper
enough. I dont think of much
more to write so I will go
and look for the Rose and
when I get back perhaps I
can tell you that I have
Recd a letter from home.

I recd another Paper last
Thursday.  Well whilet search
ing for roses i met with a
a soldier of the N.Y. 55 Regt
who gave me a nice [Magnolia?]


[Pg7]

that will be new to you.
I shall only send you a
few Rose Buds this time.

The Mail has not arrived
yet I am waiting very impatiently.

Again with pencil in hand
to write you a few lines
before it is quite too dark.  I
had not long to wate before
receiving your letter.  It was
all good but the last part.
I am sorry to hear that you
are not well.  I hope it
will prove but a slight
illness.  Father wants to know
our position in the Battle and Mother
is feeling anxious about me.  I wish
she could know tonight how com
fortable and happy I feel.  I shall
write more in the morning.




Va June 15th

Dear Mother

Father tells me
that you are feeling very
anxious about me.  I donot
wonder at it since you have
heard of our loss, but things
are not so bad with us as one
who can know only in part would
naturaly suppose.  I donot mean
ever to represent things in a
more favorable light than
they will bear and in this
case I can tell you truly
that my loss thus far has been
of but very little inconvenience
to me.  I wrote you last
Sunday the extent of my
loss and perhaps it will be
well enough to repeat it


[Pg2]

again today as you possibly
may not receive that.  I will
         [first?][crossed out]
tell you in ^ the place that
we didnot return to our
camp again as a company
but a detail was sent from
each comp to find what
they could.  I was stoping
with Frank H and Isaac
Chamberlain at that time
(Built tent with them) and
Frank was one of the detail.
He knew most of my
things.  They were scatered
about the camp in evry
direction.  He found my
Knapsack wollen Blanket
Towel and empty Port folio.
Drawers Stocking shirts and
Tent Blankets were all
gone.   Frank found both


[Pg3]

of his Rubber Blankets
but lost his wollen Blanket
but found another which
no one claimed.  I have
got a Rubber Blanket in the
same way so with Franks
2 and Isaac one we build
a good tent, cover the
ground with ceder Boughs
and then spread a wollen
Blanket.  I have got drawers
shirts and stockings enough
now.  We have good living
now. Plenty of meat, salt
and fresh Beef and Pork
Stued Beans and Rice
and Molassess and Tea
and coffee.  There have
been times when we
have not lived so well
but Uncle Sam means

[Pg4]

to use us well when
he can.  I havnt so much
time to write as I
anticipated this morning.
So I shall write you
again soon and tell
Father more about
the Battle.  The Roses and
Magnolia are so wilted
that I will not send
them this time.  You
shall hear from me
again soon.

From your affectionate son
Rufus




Seven Pines Va June 20th 62

Dear Mother

I dont think of anything
special to write this morning, but
when I have time it is never more
pleasantly occupied then when writing
to you.  I  Recd you letter containing
this sheet of Paper day before yesterday.
I have yet paper enough now but I
want you to send the envelopes
with stamps just as you have.  The
size is just right, and the quality
much better than I can get here.  You[crossed out]

You may be atloss to know why I
sometimes donot return the same
Envelopes which you send me.
The reason is some of the Boys have
been out of stamps and Envelopes when
I have had a spare one.  The one
I sent you last with a hole in the


[Pg2]

corner was repaid to me and
I have had several gifts from
one and another in that line.
I donot think of anything that I am
in need of now that you can send
me but if there should be I will
let you know.  Since being paid
off this time I have bought some
little trifles that it wouldnot pay
to send home for I have lost my
Needle Book which you made me.
I was very sorry to part with it, but I
had just given my Trousers a good
mending.  So one Needle and a little
thread will do my sewing for a long
while.  I dont ware clothes out very
fast here.  My shirts (the one[s][crossed out] which you
made for me) and which I saved is
as good as new.  Nothing has provoked me
more than the loss of the one which
I left in my Knapsack for I think
it was as likely to be the work of our
men of some other Regt as the


[Pg3]

Rebbels although I have got
a good one in its stead.

I have just Recd Henrys letter.
The Mail arrived a few minutes
ago whilet I was eating my Dinner.
We had stued Beans and they were good.

I havenot lost my little jacknife and
I wouldnt [for now?]  It is a good knife.
I have lost my Toothbrush but I donot
think it is worth while to send
one.  I can buy one here and it
will cost but little more than
at home.  I have yet a pencil
which I have just Bought but I think
I shall not use it any more.
I have taken to likeing a pen
much better and I think you will
not object.  If I was realy in want of
anything that I couldnot get easily here
I would tell you so and I know
you would be glad to send
it.  I like best to have you send


[Pg4]

the stamps on the Envelopes.  I have
got 2 Envelopes directed to you now
without stamps.  Send me 2 stamps for
                                pes
those and a stamp on all the Envelo
you send.  The one you send today
comes very exceptable.  I wrote you
last Sunday the 15th and again
th 17th to Father and to Ruth yesterday.
I have not Recd a letter from her
since the one I sent you.  I have
no doubt we are on the eve of a
Battle but how soon it will come
no one can tell.  I shall try when
it comes to do my duty Trusting
in God for the result.  I have got
two rose Buds that I am going
to send to Mother.  There is nothing
perculiar about them but I know
she will like to see them.  I
shall try to send you a Magnolia
though I know it will not look very
Pretty when it reaches you.  We are having
very fine weather and I am well

Yours Affectionately Rufus




                             /62
Seven Pines Va Saturday june 21st

Dear Brother

Another pleasant morning has [dawned?]
upon us and I have a few liesure moments to write
to you.  Perhaps more than a few moments, for if we are
not detailed for fatique or Picket duty, I shall have
most of the day to myself.  I have taken quite a notion
of writing, of late, since I find I can write with a
Pen.  It is drill time now.  I will give you our
morning exersices when I come in.  Well the drill is over and
I will now tell you what has taken place this morning
up to this time (1/2 past 8).  The first thing then is our
early rise.  A new rule which has been in force about a
[which?][crossed out]
week ^ requires us to be up at ½ past 3 and stand in
line of Battle until sunrise.  This is to prevent an
unexpected attact.  Yesterday morning and this, a part of
the time was occupied with Battallion drill.  The next thing
is to wash up and get Breakfast.  I have lived like a
Hero since we were paid off.  Uncle Sams fare
begun to improve about that time, and I buy a
little to go with it.  My Breakfast this morning was a good
cup of Tea (which I steeped myself,) some little English
Herrings such as you have seen at home, a piece
of cheese and my Hard Bread.  I have omited one thing
which come ammediately after drill, before washing and
Breakfast which is Police duty and means in this case
to take some twigs and brush up and carry off the [waste?]


[Pg2]

which hs collected around our tests, and bring the
blankets out to air.  After Breakfast I light my Pipe
and take a walk about camp to see what is going on.
I have a Pear Tree not a very good looking one but well
filled with fruit, a few Apple, Peach and Cherry trees
and a few Rose bushes to look after.  They are all well
filled with fruit and the cherries are almost ripe.
The cherry trees stand in the front yard of a House
which is just in the rear of our camp.  They are the
old fashion Red cherry.  I have seen a number of trees
filled with cherries like Mothers flesh colored.  The Trees
were much larger but the fruit not more than ¾ the
size, which those bear.  That kind was ripe 3 weeks ago.
Well as you see I have written you but a few lines
after my morning walk before I had to fall in for the
2d drill.  This commences at ½ past 7 and continues an
hour.  We have no music of any kind along the lines
now save an old Triangle which was picked up
on the place here and probably used by the
slaves when they had a Dance.  It is used now
instead of a Drum to call us together for Drill.
Within the last 2 weeks there has been a change
ordered in our diet.  The Doctors say it is not good
for us to drink so much coffee.  We are haveing
Tea more instead.  I like the change. I have used
but very little coffee for several weeks.  I had
got rather tired of it so when we had no tea I
drank cola water.  We have had a little apple sauce
and some Potatoes lately.  We have dried vegitables


[Pg3]

which we use for makeing soups.  It is Turnip
Carrot and Cabage dried and presst into cakes
Fresh Beef and a little Rice is used with it
and it makes a good soup.  It is now nearly
4 oclock.  I have had nothing to do since morning
but eat sleep and write.  You can see how much
I have done of the latter and that will be enough
for you to know although I will say we had
some vegitable soup for dinner and after
that I had a Nap, which lasted until about
this time.  I think I am rather too lazy for home
use but it does very well here.  I sleep like a Pig
mights but the early rise and the warm weather
inclines me to have a Nap in the day time.
I have nothing new in regard to the war to
write about or the pending Battle.  There was
some cannonadeing on our right this morning,
(nothing [uncommon?]) Since then it has been as
still as Sunday.  We are detailed occasionaly to
work on a Fort near us which we have nearly
compleeted and have done a little [cor..roying?]

Sunday Morning june 22d

I left my letter last night to go and get some
Boughs to cover the ground in my tent.  When we have
a good thickness of spruce or ceder Boughs under us and
a Blanket spread over, then we have a good
soft bed.  We have had inspection this morning and as
it is Sunday I suppose we shall have no other
duty until evening Parrade.  The weather is as fine


[Pg4]

as yesterday and I think it is as still here now
as it is in High Street.  I think you are now
about starting for meeting Oh how I should like
to go with you.  I think oftener of the little church and
the people that assemble there than I write.  Those faces
I shouldnot see that were once so familiar.  They have
gone to their long home.  It is hard to realize I am
glad to hear that you have so good a Sabbath
School.  I hope it will continue to prosper.  I feel
if I should ever take part in it agan I should
work with greater zeal and strive to be more
faithfull.  I am glad to hear that the Trees are
looking so well.  What a treet it would be to take
a walk with you after meeting to look at them.  I
hope the white graft will ripen.  You know I always
felt a peculiar interest in them.  Does that old tree
on the west wall (The [?] apple] bear this year.
You must not get discouraged about the strawb-
erys I think that misterious worm can be easily destroy
ed.  It may be the Tan you are puting around
them will do it.  If not I think Salt, Lime or Ashes
will do it and it these should fail I would
try [?] water but I donot think they will trouble
you another year.  It is dinner time now so I
will will close.  It is Beans again today but
they dont come too often.  My health is good.

Yours Affectionately Rufus



                     62
Seven Pines Va June 24th

Dear Brother

Frank is wrting
a few lines home today and has
given me an invitation to enclose
a few lines with his.  I have not
an oppertunity to write a very long
letter but a few lines will be better
than nothing to let you know that
I am well.  We are on Picket today
(Co K) about ½ a mile from our
camp.  There are Pickets ahead of
us.  We are held here as a reserve
for those ahead if need be to fall
back upon.  We are stationed at a
saw mill quite a pleasant
place and duties not at atall hard.
We have got a prisoner to [guard?]
at a house near by.  He is not a
Soldier but a citizen come back
to his place to avoid danger.


[Pg2]

We came out here this morning
at 10 oclock and shall probably
be relieved tomorrow morning
about that time. We had a
heavy shower last night commenceing
about 11 oclock and some pretty
heavy thunder.  I suppose all together
it was what might be called a
tempest.  Our tent which Isaac
Chamberlain Frank and I occupy
kept us as dry as a bone.
It is now nearly 4 oclock. We
have had no rain yet today but
it has looked much like it
all the time and I think it
will soon.  I have picked a
few Ripe [...leberrys today.
I know of nothing new to write
you for war news.  Thing are
going on about the same with
us as normal.  I will try to write
you again soon.

Yours Affectionately Rufus