Camp Jewett near Whitesford MdDec 29th 1982My dear Wife:

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I felt very much disappointed not to get any letters from you the last fortnight. I have no doubt but you write, but I do not get your letters.

I wrote to you on Christmas which I hope you have got. Since we have moved my duties have inmased very much, not that there any more sick but our men are spread out over a long line of country and I have to visit them evry day. It gives me a fine opportunity to see the country and the inhabitants. The people here are nearly all Catholics and they are now keeping the Christmas holy days, and you may believe we officers fare srumptuously evry day.

As I start out to go my rounds one or more of the staff officers jump on thier horses and go with me and before we get back or an inbited to dim with some wealthy planter. To reform thier hospitality would would be considered a mark of disrespect.

You have read and heard of southern hospitality, but you can have but a faint idea of it in such a way.

I have dined there days in succession at our house and I have a hearty welcome at any time I was not there to desire to day but called about 3 oclock as I was going by, and they expressed much regret that I was not there to dine, in fact they sent a niger over a mile to tell me to be seen and be there to dinner and bring all my friends. The secret of all this is this. I was going past the plain the other day and they knew me to be a surgeon by my badge, and called me in to pull a tooth for one of their children which of course I did, and would take nothing for it, consequently they felt that they cannot do too

much for me. He is the richest man in this county and of course hes many friends, to many of which I have met at his house. Many of them have invited me to visit them, but of them has been to my tent this evening and invited me to go and dine with him to morrow and to bring all my friends which invitation I shall accept. The Col. Lieut Col Dr Child and the Chaplain am going with me, and or anticipate a good time.

The people here are all slave holders, and have more or less sympathy with the south.

You have read accounts of the notorious 'Ligh White the gaurillas chief. Will we are encamped on land belonging to him, but his residence is on the Virginia side of the river in sight of or camp and a splendid plan it is too, and nothing splits we will have it for our head quarters before a great while. We have got a regiment of cavelry after him now. We saw a number of his men yesterday calling for dear life over the hills back of house. There is a large form of troops concentrating near this point. We have now 11,000 men and are expecting more evry day.

Tuesday 30th 3 oclock A.M. The camp is in alarm. The enemy are now crossing the river below us in form, on to an island (Harrisons island) They command crossing early in the evening, and now suppose we are ignorant of their movements. But when they catch our boys napping it will be long after this. The enemy are 1000 strong and are intending to attack our left wing, but so nicely have we got things arranged that the whole regiment can be got together in a few minutes.

I must go out and see that our men have a good hot cup of coffee in case we have to move. We look after our men find ourselves afterwards. If nothing [      ] to prevent I shall write more before

the mail goes out. If we are ordered away to active I shall mention it in this, so I leave this for the present 5 1/2 oclock. We have just named [            ] of Infantry Artilery and Cavelry. If we have any fighting it will come in a few minutes as it is just beginning to be a little light. I have have just come from the hospital having been there to see to the packing of our field knapsacks with instruments and suitabl readiness. It is surprising to see how cool and calm our men are, not a bit of noise, no haging, swearing nor blustering. About 2 oclock we found one of our outport pickets building a large fire in plain sight of the enemy. He pleads ignorance of any harm, but I know him to be a dirty villian. John is now packing my blankets and trunk ready for a start at any moment.

We have just held a council of War. Concluded to send our baggage toward Washington and take our alarms here. I will write more if I get a chance 8 oclock and 15 minutes all quiet as yet. Ammunition is being distributed to the men. The Col told me that I need not visit the wings at present.

I do not wish you to be alarmed in the least for we (the Surgeons) are not exposed to danger unless we seek it, and you may believe I shall not seek danger unnecessaraly I feel as calm as a mid summers eve and am ready to take my charms. You would be ammused if you could just look into my tent at this moment, my saddle bags packed with a can of sugar a can of coffee a package of tea a bottle of chloroform tooth instruments candles, a candle-stick, my blankets straped to my saddle before and behind and a flask of Whiskey with a cup (porcilain mug) at my elbow, also a teapot tied to my saddle, besides numerous other articles in my haversack, and a canteen filled with water to sling over

my shoulder. The picture would be rather comical if it were not for the serious purpose for which it is all for. The men are all being called out to answer to their names. The first boom of cannon will bring ever man to his feet and post. cant write more now.

11 oclock no appearance of in attack yet, but our men are digging rifle pits, and we officers have been out helping them. I do hope it will all blow over but we must take it as it comes.

I have just heard that the pay Master will be here this week to pay us off and just as soon as I get hold of my money I will send it to you. I feel bad to think I could not send some before.

Give my love to our dear children and till there all to remember their Father, and if any thing should befall me in the expected conflict remember that my heart and soul is with you and our dear ones.

God grant that we may be spared to each other for many long years to come.

Remember me in kindness to all our friends

Your affectionate husbandJ. C. Rutherford