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February 22nd, 1863 |
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Near Fredericksburg Feby 22nd 1863 Dear Mother I neglected writing to you last Sunday because I rather expected to get a furlough and get home myself before a letter could get there but I did not get one but got orders to go on picket at day light the next morning. We started Monday morning and did not get back untill Thursday night it snowed and rained all the time we were out and when we got back to camp we found our Shanties full of water so that we had to dip it out with pails. The snow began to fall last night at 10 Oclock and has been falling steady ever since. It is now about 18 inches deep and the weather is very cold. I dont know but we shall freeze up. We intended to have quite a celebration here today in honor of Washingtons birthday but the storm has prevented it. The most of the batteries fired a national salute at 12 Oclock. The enemy did the same their guns could be heard quite plain. I did think that week that I should get a furlough but I have given up all hopes of it now. I should like to come home verry much but if I cant I cant. "So thats the end on it." I was sorry to hear that father did not succeed in getting a commission for me but perhaps it will come out all right yet at least I hope so. I have got a good recommend from my Captain and will send that on. I think it will be a great help in getting a commission. We are now getting rations of bread and flour four times per week and more vegetables than we have had before this winter. So with that and the fruits of the box I am getting along pretty well think I shall get fat. We have not seen any papers for more than a week so we dont know what is going on in the world. We hear rumors that McClellan is in command of the army again also that Charleston has been taken. I wish you would send papers to me once in a while if you can. Tell Gust I will write to him when the storm is over. Your Aff Son Cyrus J Hardaway |
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