Union Mills, Virginia June 15, 1863

Dear Parents,

We came back from Bristows as We expected, and are now here with the 12th. The weather is excessively warm, 114 by this thermometer hanging against the tent. We have to get up at 4:30 in the morning, a half hour earlier than usual, but I don't think that will hurt us any. You wonder that they put us on a new drill when our time was so nearly out. Well perhaps you don't imagine that our colonel wants to make a big show when we get to Brattleboro. In fact the only great fault we have to find with him is that he does not know when men have drilled enough. Indeed it was remarked here today that if Lee's whole army were in sight, he would keep on drilling.

There is a great movement going on among the troops composing Hooker's Army. The report is that Lee crossed the Rappahannock above Hooker's army and was making off up the Shenandoah Valley. Of course we do not know as this is true, but we do know that the whole Army of the Potomac is falling back. 180 pieces of artillery stayed at Wolf Shoals last night and where we are we could see infantry, artillery and cavalry streaming off toward Centerville. Whether they stay there or go somewhere else I do not know. The army is confident of not having another Bull Run defeat in case of a collision here, though I believe Lee means Maryland more than he does Bull Run. If so, he will have to keep a bright look out or I am afraid he won't get back safely. The trains of the 1st Army Corps passed by our camp today. It is said that they will reach five miles to stand in a row just as close together as they can. We hear tonight that the 15th has been ordered back here again and I have no doubt that this is true, and they would not be likely to leave a single regiment out there while the whole Rebel army is on the wing.

The 12th is expected to start for Washington the 27th of this month. I think those heroes who have been in so many battles including the one at Fairfax Courthouse last winter, would hardly like to come in collision with the Sesesh Army now that they are going to leave so soon, but perhaps they would not be of the same opinion as that Lieutenant from the 15th who had charge of the guard on that train that Mosely burned. His idea was that he did not have to get cut up and disfigured when he had only 50 or 60 days longer to stay.

June 16th, Morning: It bids fair to be another scorching hot day just such as we are in the habit of having at the present time. We have to start at 5:30, and that does not leave much time for writing or anything else. We have just packed up our overcoats in a box to send to Alexandria to stay until we come home. We do not need then now! [And] we do not want to lug them in case we have to march anywhere. This makes our knapsacks quite light, yet a man could go full as easy to leave his bureau behind him. But I must close. Yours, H. G. Day.

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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.