Camp near Falmouth, Va
March. 8th 1863
Mr C. O. Hile
Dear sir, This being Sun
day. and as I feel quite lonesome, seated
in an old smoky tent. I thought I would
occupy the time. in writing a few lines to
you. As you are aware I was ordered back
to my regiment. I arrived here on the
evening of the 23.rd of February. all safe &
rite. and I think it was one of the coldest
days I ever felt. the snow was full
ten inches deep. when I came here.
I found the boys (what is left of them)
all safe and in fine spirits, and they
seemed to be quit glad that I had got
back. And I am sure I was glad to
see so many of them alive and well
Asa I did not see. he was sent away from
the Regt, to the Hospital at Windmill
Point some time before I came back
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and was moved. afterwards to Washington
and was put in the Hospital there. I stay
ed one day in washington trying to find
him. but could not find out what
Hospital he was in. I would have stayed
another day looking for him. but I dare not
for fear of being arrested. as soldiers are not
allowed in Washington. without a pass
so I had to come away without seeing him
I lerned from some of the boys that seen
him when he left Windmill point. that
was getting better. and they thought he was
not dangerous
when I came back to the regiment. the weath
er being verry could. and I having only
one Blanket. and haveing no good place
to sleep, I caught a verry bad cold
attended with a cough. and have not
felt verry well since
The old Flag that was presented to
us more. then a year ago at Camp Bettie
Black is here yet with no less then
forty seven (47) bullet holes through
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it. The boys have noble defended
it. when I look at it a thrill of
Patriotism runs through me and I
sometimes wish I could have been along
to shared in its defence.
we are incamped just two and one half miles
from Fredericksburg. I went up on the Hill
the other day and had a full view of the
late Battle ground. at the latter place
I had a view of the Rappahannock river
it is just about half as wide as the Allegheny
river is at Millers Eddy. we can see the
rebble Camps. and there batteries on the
high Hills on the opposite side of the river
it seems to me that Burnsides must have
acted the part of a novice to throw our
army across the river at this place
and the rebels haveing such a advan
tage of the hills that the had here,
how many of our brave men slept
there last here. all on account of
mismanagement. Give us gen Mc
Clellem . if the want to save the Us
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well orr. I will Close this
scribbling for the present. and
I would like verry much if you
would write to me.
yours with respect
Wm Hagerson