camp, and this evening we are going to have a ball in new building that has been built at this place. The Brigade band is going to be there and the General thinks I must go, although there are no privates allowed in, but clerks. Have been to the ball. Had to use something about the band and got the guard to pass me all right. Then the General came in I got up and was going to leave the room, but he told me to stay and dance. There are no Generals, no Captains, no Lieutenants, or Corporals here to night. All privates, and it was not long before the hall was full of high privates in the rear ranks. It kind of knocked the shoulder straps to be obliged to dance with the high privates. The line officers of the different regiments got the thing up and were going to have no privates in, but then the general came he just opened the doors and gave them all a chance to share. Even down to the nigger, which made some of the under straplings look rather wild.

March 4. Quite windy and cold. Froze quite hard last night and continues to grow cold. Think we shall have some more snow before the cold weather gives out. Yesterday we had a snow and hail rainstorm, and quite a number of other kinds of storms, and the ground has dried and froze up some, which makes it quite comfortable under foot.

March 5. Nothing had happened of any consequence, excepting Corporal Bacon cutting his throat, cause, love-craze or some other foolish thing. He was from St. Johnsbury, Vt. , and was supposed to be a good steady fellow, but something went wrong somewhere, which caused him to commit senside in cutting his throat from ear to ear. It was done well and I guess he did not want to live more than three hours after the act.

March 6. Hail and snow. Rain and mud. Enough to drown out secesh and all niggers, and a little cold.

March 7. Rained all day and is raining now. Mud not more than eight inches deep. One of the boys just fell into a sink which was made for to throw slops into, and they are having quite a time over it. Wet him through and through.

March 8. Avery pleasant day. It is one of the most quiet days that I have seen for Sunday.

March 9. Was disturbed this morning about six o’clock with the news that the Rebs had made a raid into Fairfax Court House and taken Gen. Stoughton prisoner, with about 100 other men. They came in from three different directions and surrounded the house on all sides. Some eight or ten went up to the door and woke the generals servant. Wanted to know what they wanted. They told him that they were friends and wanted to come in. John told him they could not. Then they threatened to come into the house by force. John let them in, when one of them presented a pistol to his head and told him to show them the Generals room. He told them that the General was not there, but made him show the room. John took them up to Liet. Prentiss, but they swore that he was not the man. They found the General after a while and told him that he was their prisoner and must go with them. The General got up and dressed himself, mounted a horse, and made away with him. Liet. Prentiss made his escape, and quite a number of other boys. All is quiet at the station. Col. A. P. Blunt takes command of the brigade. It is the most disgraceful thing that ever happened to this army.

March 11. Hard snow and rain which makes it quite muddy and is agreeable under foot. It has been a very nice day overhead. Nothing new has transpired to-day. Heard from the General to-day. He is well and hearty. Safe in the hands of the Rebs at Colpepper Court House. He will be exchanged at that place by Fitz Hugh Lee as soon as possible. Col. Blunt has got his quarters nearly done. He has been to Washington and back to-day. Capt. Woodward has elected a new Corporal in my company to-day, Harrison Varney, One of Fairbanks’ men, in place of Corp. Bacon, who cut his throat for love and disgraceful conduct. It is a very pleasant evening. Very much like Spring in Vermont. Yours truly and in haste. I am now in the Colonels new quarters just for the fun of the thing.

March 12, 1863. Head Quarters. Second Brigade. Casey’s Division, commanded by Col. Asa P. Blunt. Fairfax Court House. Penn. Mud! Mud! Mud! Mud!

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