January 24th 1863 [Saturday]. Camp, near Falmouth, Va.
My Dear Father:
This morning I received your two letters of the 16th & 20th Instant.
One of them enclosing a $20 bill, which I am happy to say that I can return to you, as the story I heard about the officer that had my money has proved to be untrue. At the time I wrote to you I did not know, personally, what I wrote had occurred; but as the man had staid six days beyond his time, when the story was told me by our officers of his own regiment, I could do nothing else but believe it.
My trunk is still at Mr. Queens in Washington and I should have sent it home months ago if I had known that this campaign was going to hold out as Long as it has.
As to being “ragged,” I can’t say that ever I have been. I get under- clothing from the Sutlers, and such things as pants & shoes, I get from the commissary by paying the Government price.
The rifle that you inquired about, after carrying it to Snicker’s Gap, I got rid of it and gave it away.
I don’t think you could, at present, get here at all as they don’t allow citizens to come within the lines. Some do come, yet, if the order is at anytime countermanded, I will write to you immediately. I should like you to come very much.
You could not send me anything just now with any certainty of it getting here. We have a way of getting things direct from Washington and our Caterer keeps the mess well supplied.
Peace is a word that I don’t often hear used, but I think if something isn’t done pretty soon, that we will have peace with a vengeance by recognizing the Southern’s Confederacy.
I will tell you, secretly, that there is a dissatisfied spirit all through the Army. A few days ago one whole Division mutinied because they hadn’t been paid within two or three months. And when this Army moved a few days ago, I think, five thousand would not cover the desertions, I mean from the Volunteers.
A Regular Soldier looks up to Uncle Sam (as we all call him) almost as their God. Although in our little battalion of about two hundred men, we have men from every State in the Union, and I think if there is a final thrash up, as I am afraid there will be, if this army is not handled better, the Regulars will stand by the Government to the last.
The whole Army now is where it was one month ago and, instead of decreasing as you seem to suppose, I believe, it had been increased by at least two Divisions.
The reason that I think I shall be sent on Recruiting Service is that by the 15th of March we will not have men enough in our regiment to make a Platoon. Our men were, nearly all, enlisted in 1858; as yet we have got no recruits. Men will not enlist in the Regulars if they can help it. The principle reason is that, in the Regulars, there are several little things required that a Volunteer can’t see the use of. To give you a sample: a Volunteer would as soon think of poisoning himself as to touch his hat to an officer; and the Regular soldier would almost as soon take poison as not salute when he meets an officer, for if he neglected it he would be severely punished.
My financial affairs are prospering and I think in a month or two, I will be able to send you another check for one hundred or two.
My health is very good and I am heavier by thirty pounds than when you saw me last.
Everything is very comfortable here. We get the daily papers regularly and I expect sooner than you do.
Give my love to all, Your son, W. J. Fisher
William Fisher Letter Home
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William Fisher Letter Home
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