George W. Quimby to Sister
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I must write you a few words to night tho. I have scarcely time to write you much.
You see we have made several advances since I wrote you last, tho, I cannot tell now
possibly when I wrote you last or when I was, the time passes along so swiftly. We
remained at Camp Advance near Chair Bridge about ten days and were getting along very
well in drilling and getting used to Camp Life in Virginia when we one morning about
2 o'clock, we were ordered to have everything in readiness to march at sunrise with
40 rounds of Catridges and 24 hours rations and at that time we marched - all
the force in that vicinity making an advance of about 4 miles nearly west
from Chain Bridge towards Lewinsville and about 1 mile from
that place. You may think from hearing so much of advancing towards this place, that
there is something hear but I tell you - you are taken in about that. there was one
Store Church and five 5 or 6 or six houses, but now all
deserted. It is of some importance tho, being on an eminence and where the roads to
Leesburgh and Fairfax Court House cross each other being 10 miles from F.C.H. and
about 30 from Leesburgh.
We are in a very pleasant place now but not very healthy I think but we are to move
soon I think. I have had the privaledge of seeing but a very few "Sesesh" soldiers
but have seen a number of "Sesesh". I had 6
under my care the other night
while on Brigade Guard, who had just been in. One of them was worth
$150000 and preached the funeral sermon of Jackson the murder of Ellsworth.
Sometimes we have to work hard and again not so hard.
Once when we first came here I was Lieut. of the Picket Guard for 48 hours having scarcely any sleep during all the time - and it was rainy and cold - besides being near the enemy, but after one good nights rest I was all right again.
Last Thursday I was on Brigade Guard getting releived Friday morning and again was on
Regt. Guard Saturday being relieved Sunday morning. You may want to know what my
duties are at such times. I have about
40 men or did last when I was on
that differs at different places and times. And these are posted around the Camp one
third at a time so they are once in two hours - the rest being
kept at one place where the Officer of the Guard is stationed and he is a Lieut. who
has to visit Guards and give them instruction for 24 hours without any sleep of any
amount. This is Camp Guard - Picket Guard is much different. Then 3 or 400 men are
detailed with 3 or four Capts and as many Lieuts. these are stationed in advance
towards the enemy sometimes not more than a mile. These all under the Field Officer
of the Day and they are posted in squads of 4 or 5 at convenient distances from each
other all along the lines of the Army reserving 75 or 100 for a Reserve back about a
mile from the Line of Pickets. We make out to live very well now - our waiter
Marshall Smith cooks quite well
we have doe-nuts and fritters and very
good bread with Beef and Pork with Sweet Potatoes. Tea and Coffee &c, have got a
small stove we bo't in Washington to cook in. Can get very good butter for 25 cts per
pound in Washington. We are expecting to have a fight soon at least within two weeks
and perhaps sooner unless the Rebels run and I do not think they will further than
Manassas and I think we may at F. C. H. where they are posted now. To day or tomorrow
we move again towards F. C. H. - shall encamp probably near. Vienna 5 miles from F.
C. H. I learn from Capt's letter of last night from his wife that the Dr. is very
sick. I had heard before that he was sick from a letter from Dorathy but had no idea
that he was
dangerously sick, and I hope now that it is not so bad. I have
been afraid the Dr. would get down, having to work so hard and be exposed so
much.
Tell him I do not know as he could come over and stop with us if he was not sick and should come to Washington for they refuse passes to friends or anyone to visit the Camps this side of the River unless on very urgent business. I can't think of anything else to write now I believe - I wish you would send me the Standard once and a while or some other Paper and my Altantic and forward it each month as it comes. It is very little time I get for reading still once and a while I would like a little light reading. We are sending home a box of extra clothing &c that we want to get of for we don't want any more than possible to bother with. They will be sent to C. J. Robinson and he will give them to you. There is a vest, Linnen Coat 3 shirts & [ ]. I wish I had my over coat but as Will S. has it, if he will forward you the money at once he may have it but if not I would rather have it sent me for it is just what I want. Kiss Ida and the little one - what name - for me and love to all and my best regards to Peck [ ] J. M. Sartle and all others. Tell Abram to take good care of the pig.
Your affectionate brotherGeorge