Year: 1862

Near Backburn's Ford, Feb. Z, 1862. 5


Mr.. Editor. As you will see by the heading of
my letter that we have at last got comfortably set
tied in our log cabins for the winter, would like
to give you full description of our camp, but as
it would require more time than can possibly
spend at present, will merely tell you that our
camp situated on hill on the side Of Bull Run,
where the Yankees stood on the 18th of July to
give battle. In other words, our camp is on the
old battle ground. There are several Yankee
graves throughout the camp grounds, and within
few hundred yards of our lines the graves are.
plenty; in some places the bones stick out from
under the ground where they have been so hur-
riedly buried.


Our cabin measures inside about Is by Il feet,
and is calculated to accommodate" ten men. OF
course you laugh at the idea of room of such d.
mensions accommodating such a number of men.
But if you could only step into our hut during the
course of an evening, you would at once see that
we enjoy ourselves and feel as comfortable as we
could possibly be under the peculiar circumstances.
Our detachment has always gone by name of How
1ers, so our cabin is called the 'Howers' Den"
You need not think that We will eat you up !; no,
indeed, just open the latch and walk in and you
will find them in day time either reading or writing
letters to the loved ones at home; but wait until
evening, and as you approach the " den your ears
are greeted by the sweet sounds of the old violin
and the tramp of feet which at once reminds you
of an old country shindig. Walk in, and there you
see the boys dancing away with almost the same
spirit as if they were at the Odd Fellows Hall. 1t
would amuse you to see them going through the
different figures, from common reel to the lane
ers. On the 30th of last month, instead of having
a large ball at the Odd Fellows Hail. we celebra-
ted the day with grand dancing party in the
den;h and at the present time, the lst Company
have disguised themselves and gone over to the I'd
Company and surprised them by walking into one
of their houses and opening the ball, which lasted
sometimes they are now in the Captain of the Sd
Company's house-as he is during the absence of
Major Walton, who is in Richmond, commander Of
the post-and by the noise they are kicking up, !
should judge that they are having very merry
time Of it.. l am thinking that if they don't stop
making such noise that they will awaken the
dead Yankees, and then, l am inclined to think
| the dancing would suddenly stop. The boys have


just returned and are in here singing and enjoying
| themselves; and after my description of the fur
we have, think that you will make up your MIND
that was right when l said that we were comfort
| ably settled.


We are all sorry for having lost our muchovet
General-who has gone to Kentucky-and know
that most of us would like to follow him. It woult
be rather hard for us to give up our winter quar-
ters after SO many days labor in snow and mud tt
build. But we are so much attached to him, ant
have SO much confidence in him, we would vii
lingly follow him if we could. But otherwise, W.
will have to remain inactive for long three o.
| four months