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Warrenton VA Nov 12th 1862
Dear Mother
We have at last stopped in one place three days. We marched up here Sunday
morning expecting a little to have a battle but I guess there is no sight
for a battle in a good while yet except in Washington among the heads of
the government. I hope they will have a big fight and come out as the
Killkaney cats did.
On Monday morning early the army was drawn up along the road to see Genl
McClellan pass through. It was a beautiful bright morning and the army
looked splendid, but it seemed more like a funeral than anything else. Even
the cannon as they fired the salutes sounded like funeral guns. The tears
could be seen running down nearly every mans cheek. The Genl tried to speak
to one regiment but could not controll his feelings and had to ride by. It
may be all right in removeing him from the comand but I dont believe it.
Genl Butterfield has command of Morells Division. He reviewed and inspected
our regt yesterday He had each company go through some manouvres. Ours went
through with the skirmish drill for which he complimented us verry highly.
We got some mail this morning. I got the gloves all right. They are just
the thing I want. I also got a letter of yours dated October 26th. You have
a great deal to say about the vices of camp life. You must know a great
deal more about it than I do, for my part I do not think that there is half
the vice in the army that the papers tell about. If there is I never have
seen it yet and hope I shall not. You ask me to pray and be a Christian. I
can not pray for my heart is not in it and I do not propose to make a
hypocrite of myself in that way. I am doing as well as I can and I do not
think lectures will help me any. I had a good deal rather have a letter
than a lecture anytime. The cars are running up here regular now and I
presume we shall get our mail more regular than we have before. I wish you
had not sent my shirts when you did for there is no telling when I shall
get them. I wish you would send me some paper and envelopes for there is no
prospect of pay yet a while. The mail is going and I must stop.
Your Aff Son
CJ Hardaway
Historical Notes
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