July 21st 1862Dear Wife,

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I presume you are anxious by this time to hear from me I wrote you while on the boat going from N. Haven to N.Y. I also wrote you while at Washington but as I have had no chance to get the last to the P.O. I have it yet in my pocket and I dont know as I shall ever get a chance to send this I could not give you a history of our journey had I a week to spare but I know we have got to a stopping place We are now in camp near clouds mills and about 2 miles from Alexandria we got here yesterday about 3 oc. after a very fatigueing march from Washington being about 14 miles We are now almost on the same ground where

the Vt Brigade encamped after they came back from near Centreville but how long we shall stay here I cant say but probably not not long as the Col. does not like the ground here it being very uneven There are a great many regiments encamped around here and the most of them are cavalry but where they are from I dont know yet. The country is in a horid state and not a fence is to be seen I shall try and go over to see Lewis Griffith the first chance I get. I tell you I dont think much of this Southern Country and if Washington and Baltimore are samples of Southern Cities I dont think the whole South is worth fighting for very hard, for they are the dirtiest of all places that ever I saw.

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I have just got back from the road where there has just passed 4 Regts on the way to a review I understand that 4 Brigades are to be reviewed but a short distance from here by some great Gen. I dont know but I shall go and see them if I can get permission of the Col. There are now passing a number of Cavalry Regts and I will stop and go see them It is now about two hours since I quit writing and I have enjoyed myself well looking at the fine cavalry and in eating a good dinner which was composed of cold corned Beef Bread Blackberries & Tea this is the best I have had sine we left Phil- Wm Sartwell is in the Tent with me and he is a good hand he wishes you to tell his folks that he is

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well and that he wants them to write to him. I am well and stand the marching and hard fare as well as the best of them The boys are rather foot sore and are off duty to day but for one cause and another I have I have had to stop writing about 20 times since I commenced writing this letter. It is now time for the Priest to be around after the mail and I will close and will write more next time Direct your letters to 9th Vt Reg Washington D.C Kiss Carrie & Freddie and Keep up good spirits

Your aff HusbandVal