Part 11 of 25 in Civil War Letters of Algernon H. Scribner. The date below is the letter’s historical date; the article retains the collection’s publication date.
Letter transcription
Shantilla (Chantilly, VA) Mar. 27th 1863 Dear Father,
As i have an opportunity i thought i would write you a few lines to let you know that i am alive, and well all except som mighty sore feet Caused by marching with a new pair of boots[.] we started from Camp Casey rather unexpectedly to us but more unexpected to the officers and after a hard day marching arrived at Fairfax Courthouse about 13 miles and just at night it began to rain like the Devil. we pitched our tents and got down on the ground to get some sleep which was not but little when morning came it stoped raining and we had our Knapsacks and got into line and soon our Regt was on the way to Chantilla 6 miles from Fairfax we got there at last pitched our Shelter Tents and now we are in a good order ready for the rebs and pretty Damd near them i have been down to the Battle Field where McDowell fought monday after the last Bool Run Battle it is quite a hard cite some of the men lay on the ground half covered up with dirt and the arms are all round on the ground twenty nine Skulls lay in one hole[.] since i began to write i have got a letter from you and was glad to hear from you and that you was well. i hant got any small Pox yet and dont think that i will get it we have got a bully chance to Camp here have been felling trees to prevent the Cavalry raids on us you kneed not be afraid of my enlisting again it dont seem to me as though i should now but i want to see some of them Dam Rebels Come out here and Fight and i hope they will be Drafted write me how they feel about it the weather is very fine the ground in green and the Farmers are plowing some of them who pretend to be union men but they are Ddd Rebels. Sam Sawyer [?] is promoted to Capt. and the Capt. to Maj. Sargt. Morse is broke to the ranks we have got 2 Bands here and pretty good ones they are playing all the time[.] the mail is getting readdy to start so i must close up write to me soon and direct the same as before.
A.C. Scribner Co. C 25th Maine Algernon C. Scribner 25th Maine Regt. Chantille, Va. I dont know as you can read this
Source
Transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2011 for the Otisfield Historical Society, with permission of owner Hal Ferguson of Otisfield. Original spelling, uncertain readings, and editorial notes are retained.
Read the original transcription (PDF, starting on page 11).