Letter written by Rush P. Cady, lieutenant in the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company K, November 1, 1862
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11/1/1862
& some bread & milk – a most Excellent dish.
The people were very pleasant to all the sol-
diers, & were evidently, strongly union in their
sympathies.- They had two sons, who had been
in Md. (Maryland) (Maryland) (until our army had crossed the river
into Va. (Virginia) (Virginia River) ) so as to avoid the rebel conscription.
Bread, apples, butter, chickens, & everything
in the provision line, is in great demand, wher-
ever the army goes, & the people sell all they
can spare, to the soldiers.- This morning, we
were informed that our Division had orders to march
at 9 a.m. but as our Reg. was to march in rear
of the whole Division – behind the wagon
train, we did not get started before 11 o'c.
The day has been very fine, a little warm in the
middle of the day, & the roads are in excellent
condition.- We have come today – about 12 miles,
from our last camp, through Waterford (Waterford, Virginia) , (where
Burnside's Headquarters' (Burnside's Headquarters) are, & where his corps
was encamped & Harmony Grove (Harmony Grove, Virginia) ,- both rather
pleasant villages, of course containing some
very shabby houses, as all Va. (Virginia) (Virginia) Villages do, but
having also some nice residences. We are now
within half a mile of Purcellville (Purcellville, Virginia) , which is
3 miles from Harmony Grove (Harmony Grove, Virginia) .- The country thro'
which we have come, since leaving the Potomac (Potomac River) (18 mi.),
is quite rolling - & is an excellent farming
country.- Many of the people brought water to
the soldiers, at the roadside.- We are now
within about 7 miles of the rebels, at Snicker's Gap (Snicker's Gap, Virginia) ,
where we have heard some heavy can-
onading today. Gen Pleasanton (Pleasonton, Alfred (General)) 's Cavalry (General Pleasanton's Cavalry) is
in the advance; no other troops are ahead
of us. We know not how soon we may have
a fight. No doubt a decisive battle will be fought
within a few days.- I hope so, & that the
rebel army may be utterly defeated, that
we may take Richmond (Richmond, Virginia) , & break the back-
bone of the Rebellion in a short time. Then,
when the grand consummation of our hopes
is fully attained, how glad we all will be,
to return to our homes, to enjoy for the re-
mainder of our lives the fruits of the tremen-
dous sacrifices, that have been made for the
preservation of our Gov't.- I rec'd a good
letter, of some length, from Father today (Sunday.)
There has been very sharp cannonading ahead of
us, again to day, but it has now ceased.
I am very well now, & do not intend to
return home, until the war is over, unless taken sick
again, or disabled. Love to Mr. & Mrs.
Yates (Yates (Mr. and Mrs.)) & Mary (Mary) .
Write immediately, it is a good while since we have heard
from you.
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