Fairfax Station, Virginia, March 11, 1863

Dear Parents,

As I have a few leisure moments, and as there is something to write about, here goes. Brig. Gen. Stoughton has left for the front where he has so long been trying to get us, and the brigade seems to rejoice in his departure, though it seems rather "riled" at the idea of the Rebs being able to dash in to Fairfax Courthouse and get out again unthrashed. Last Sunday night was dark as pitch and very rainy, and the Rebs having previously laid their plans and looked over the premises, did with the aid and connivance of the citizens make a dash into Fairfax C.H. and carry off Brigadier Brindle.

Their object does not appear to have been the capture of any great number of prisoners, as they did not take any of the guards, only those that were in their way, and a number of those escaped from them. Lieut. Prentice, one of Stoughton's aides, was twice captured, and twice escaped. He was the only one of the aides taken, though one or two of them might as well have been. It was curious to hear the comment in camp on receipt of the news! All were somewhat indignant that the Rebs should be so successful in their dash, but their care was not for Stoughton. He had five men detailed from the various regiments for guards, and you could hear the boys inquiring anxiously after they, and making such remarks as, 'Well, I wonder if Old Stoughton feels like cutting anybody's D--d head off now? How much will it reduce the price of whiskey?" "Old Stought has started for the front now. There'll be whiskey enough now so that the men can have some every day," etc. etc., While it is said the 14th almost burst into a cheer when they heard he was gone. I don't think anybody sympathizes with him much, because he had no particular business to be off there three or four miles from his own headquarters, which are at the Station, and from all his command, and remain there week after week. Let him R.I.P.

Col. Asa E. Blunt is now in command of the brigade. He is much liked by his own boys, and I guess by the rest of the brigade. I received yours of the 6th today. I am writing with one of the pens you sent now, that has done all the writing that I have done for the last week or two, which is no small amount.

What were the oxen that Father sold for $110 and does he propose to buy again this Spring? As to your questions about whiskey etc., before I answer those, let me ask whether you knew me when at home, and whether you meant to insult me or not, before I answer that, though perhaps I will tell you this much, that we have had the critter dealt out to us a few times, that we have got some in a bottle here in the tent now that we drew, that we gave a drink of it to a native that came into camp, and got a Virginia pie in return. It made the old fellow's mouth water to think of it, because they cannot get it unless they succeed in smuggling it through the lines. I happened to learn that the Adjutant's clerk had resigned and been promoted, so I remarked to the captain that I would like the clerk's berth very well myself, and he bunged out his eyes and asked about my penmanship, as though he didn't think there was anybody in his company that could hardly read writing, but finally told me to come down to his tent and write a letter for him, so I went down and scribbled a little for him, and he told me to write a specimen and have it addressed to Col. Wheelock G. Veasey. What he wanted of it or was supposed to do with it I know not....

Our family are all doing well: Alfred writing, Moses standing by the door smoking a cigarette he made by rolling a little tobacco in a corn husk, and all as contented as clowns, while the other family that lives here, viz Surry M. Ross, is eating a hard cracker, and the boys in the opposite shanty singing songs. The hatchet we use to split hardtacks is badly nicked out on the edge. You can form your own conclusions as to whether the tacks did it or not.

March 12th: I have been at the Station on fatigue all day, and worked well for a soldier. Did not have anything to do but stay in the forenoon, and this afternoon only had to unload five carloads of hay and three of grain. I saw a party of refugees there, numbering 21 in all, the most of whom came from Richmond. Gen. Windham has gone out on a scout with all his cavalry, numbering somewhere from 5 to 8,000 and 'tis said that he declares himself bound to have a fight if there is one to be had this side of Richmond. and it certainly would not be well for him to be captured by the Rebs, as he was captured by them once and paroled, and has gone back to fighting again.

My shirts are not wearing out at all, and are all good yet. On the whole we are not so ragged a looking set as you might imagine. To tell the truth, it would not do for a man to get over and above ragged here. The officers might be after U8. It is cold and squally toddy. Matt Clark has concluded not to come back into the company, but to keep his pony for the present. I cannot tell who the orderly will be, but surmise that it will be one of the first two corporals, L.G. Coolidge or M.P. Baldwin. Have not seen Uncle Joe for a day or two, but when I saw him last, he was as well as common. H.G. Day

---

Contributed by Linda M. Welch, Dartmouth College, Windsor County researcher.

Return to the Index of Hezron's letters..

See also Hezron's biography, and his memoir of the Gettysburg Campaign.