Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-24
G. II. NYE.
Falls CHURCH, Fairfax Co,
Virginia, July 6, 1861.

Virginia, July 6, 1861.
DEAR BRoRHER:-I received your let
ter in due course Of mail, and take this OPP
portunity to answer it. / enlisted at Ban
gor in the Second Regiment, Company K,
and arrived at Washington June 1st. We
were stationed on Arlington Heights,
where we remained about four weeks,
drilling, digging trenches, DC. Last Mon
day we received orders to marsh at 4
o'clock; we were ready at five but were
detained until eight by a heavy rain. AT
8 P. M. we crossed the Potomac and took
up our line Of march into Virginia. We
arrived at this place at four o'clock the
next morning and pitched our tents. We
are within eight miles OF Fairfax Court
House, where the rebels are stationed with
ten thousand men. 1t is rumored that
there is to be fight soon, if the rebels do
not run, and that we are to march on Fair
fax Court House with thirty thousand
men. All know about this is, that every
man is provided with twenty rounds Of
cartridges.
To-day we hoisted the Flag of our Unin
over the sacred soil Of Virginia" As
soon as our flag was raised three more
were flung to the breeze by the Connecticut
Regiment.
Our flag was run up to the mast head
by our brave Colonel, when three hearty
cheers were given for the Stars and Stripes,
which meant nothing less than that we
were ready to defend it to our last drop Of
blood. We assembled on the ground at
III 4. NJ, and at II NJ. our flag was saluted
by Lieut. Tompkin's Artillery Of thirty
guns. We are stationed nearer to the reb-
els than any other Regiment this side Of
The Potomac. The climate affects us some.
Our drill exercises are not very hard;
while we were stationed on Arlington
Heights we We're pretty busy; now we are
on duty about four hours a day. Reveille
beats at A. NJ, when all hands must turn
out and fit for duty. Battalion drill at
4.30 4. NJ breakfast at z. AT s A. NJ. all
assemble for company drill, which lasts
one hour and half; at II NJ. we have
dinner, and then we have the afternoon to
ourselves until 7 P. NJ, when we assemble
for the dress parade; at $50 the tattoo
beats, after which no soldier is allowed to
leave his quarters without leave from the
commanding officer.
Our food consists principally of pilot
bread and salt beef, with fresh beef once
in four or five days; few beans now AMI
then; coffee twice day, cold water at
dinner.
Between the hours of drill we are oecu-
pied in cleaning our guns, washing our
clothes, mending, DC. We spend the Sab
bath as follows: ReveiIIe beats at six;
breakfast at seven: inspection Of arms at
nine; dinner at twelve; prayers at five;
dress parade at seven; tattoo beats at nine.
We expect to leave here soon; we expect
other Regiments here tomorrow; and as
soon as we get ready we shall move from
here to some place where we shall have
chance to show our courage.
Brother George is in the Third Regi-
ment Our town raised $4,000 for the
volunteers families, and in a company Of
So there were but three married men,
There were great many young men IN
our town that wanted to 90, but no more
could get chance. Father said that he
was proud to know that be could give his
two sons to fight for bis country; and told
us that if we never returned he should feel
that we died in glorious cause. L.
has returned home; l received a letter
from him yesterday; he will enlist the first
opportunity and expect to see him here
soon. You speak Of enlistiag if there IS
another call made; there isno need of any
man leaving his family or business to come
here. There are thousands in our State
who are ready to 90, and three from one
family is enough. If live till the war IS
over, / shall come out west. ! will close
by asking you to write often; as get but
few letters your will be quite treat.
Your brother,