Letter written by Rush P. Cady, lieutenant in the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company K, to his mother of Rome, New York, from Camp of the 97th Reg. near B.P. Landing, Virginia, February 20, 1863
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erally, that the Army of the Potomac (Army of the Potomac)
was soon to be divided up & sent S. (South)
& W. (West), that there would be little or no more
fighting – along the Rappahannock.
But the prospect now is, that then
will be a forward move, as soon
as the weather becomes settled & the
roads good.- I believe our army ad-
vanced towards Manassas (Manassas, Virginia)
, about the
10th of March, last year. Though they
did get pretty well “stuck in the mud.”
The weather may be more favorable
this spring.- Majs.
McGee (McGee (Major)) & Com- stock (Comstock (Major)) came from Washington (Washington, District of Columbia)
day before
yesterday, bringing, with all their sut-
lers' merchandize, my box, from
Mrs.
Bannerman (Bannerman (Mrs.)) 's.- A great many of
the things were wet, & somewhat dam-
aged, as the zinc was broken in two
or three places, around the edges, & the
water had got in. The eatables were
mostly in pretty good order, though somewhat
old, having been 10 days on the way.
We had oysters for dinner yesterday,
using up one can, which was but half
full. Though they did not taste fresh,
still they made us a good meal. We shall
try the other can tomorrow. The butter was
very nice, & the wash-dish very conven-
ient. The apples were nice, & soon eaten
up. The lemons will do to flavor our apple-
sauce. The fried cakes & cookies had al-
most commenced to mould, but are not
yet past eating, I believe. The mince
pies, of which we have eaten two, are
excellent. We had some sausage fried
for supper tonight, & it was very fine.-
The tomatoes we have not yet opened, but
if as good as the first can, they will prove
a luxury. The stationery as partially
damaged, by being wet, though but little
was spoiled. It was a valuable box,
& quite heavy. Aleck (Alexander, George (Lieutenant)) pays me half
of the cost of the articles, (as per bill) &
half the express charges. The enclosed
“Bill of Mdse”, was quite satisfactory,
& next “Pay Day”, I will remit to
“Cady & Co.” the requisite amount,
for the payment of the same.
The Maj. Said Gardner
Clark (Clark, Gardner) had not
been at our house, when he called
there, on Sunday. He expected to ar-
rive at Rome Sat. night. He doubtless de-
ferred his visit until coming back.
I wrote to Gustavus (Palmer, Gustavus M. (Captain)) , on Tuesday,
the 17th, (in answer to his letter of the 12th
inst.) inclosing David
Cuff (Cuff, David) 's order, for
$218. & complete Statement, of our
Account, including all the collections
& payments I had made for him. At
the same time explaining various matters.
All this was but a repetition of a let-
ter written upon the 27th inst. Which
contained a statement of our A/c & the
order, referred to. I hope he will re-
ceive this last.-
On Tuesday night, after the snow, which
had continued falling, during the day, it
Commenced raining, & continued during
Wednesday, rapidly melting off the snow,
until last night, hardly a vestige re-
mained. Today it has been very clear
& pleasant, though somewhat windy.
The Maj. Says that the roads between
here & the Landing are in the worst imag-
inable state. Teams, without hardly any load
were getting stuck. He had a pretty “tough
time”, walking up,- was tired out.
It is late, & I must to bed, leaving this
page to finish tomorrow morning.
Sat. afternoon.- Nothing new
today. Still pleasant, though quite windy,
mud rapidly drying up again.
Give my love to all the folks, & remember me
kindly, to all inquiring friends.
Tell Gustavus (Palmer, Gustavus M. (Captain)) that I have received offi-
cial information of the discharge of
James C.
Blunt (Blunt, James C.) , dated Dec. 2d. And I
am also informed that Wm.
Humphreys (Humphres, William)
& James
H.
Jennings (Jennings, James H.) are discharged; &
today I rec'd a letter from John
McCor- mick (McCormick, John) , saying that he was discharged,
at Alexandria (Alexandria, Virginia)
. The first of next
month we shall probably get Naly (Naly)
& Pratt (Pratt) dischgd (discharged), & then we shall have
only 36 men & officers in the Co. present
& absent.
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