Headquarters 1st Army Corps,
Camp near Berlin, July 16, 1863.
Dear Hannah, — We are wanderers on the face of the earth, like the Israelites of old. We don’t stop 24 hours in the same place, but keep up this eternal marching all the time. We are going to cross the river again at the same place that we crossed last year.
We are having glorious news now, and I really think that the end of this rebellion begins to draw near. The only thing that mars this good news is the account we have of the riots in New York, which I hope the Government will put down with a strong hand, and not stop until they have shot or hung every one of the rioters. It is disgraceful, and I only wish that I could be in New York to help kill some of the rascals. I see by to-day’s paper that there has been some disturbance in Boston. I don’t think there will be much danger of a riot there. I suppose that the Winthrop Home Guard will turn out in Jamaica Plain and prevent any disturbance there. Tell Father not to expose himself, for you know how excitable he is, and in case of any trouble I am afraid that he will be in the midst of it. A regiment of Regulars and a battery of artillery have gone from here to New York, and I think that with their assistance the draft will be put through in that place.
We are now near Berlin, and have our headquarters in the front yard of a Mr. West, amongst a large grove of trees. We get our meals in his house and are living quite comfortably.
July 17.
. . . Our cavalry crossed the Potomac last night at Harper’s Ferry. There is a pontoon bridge being laid at Berlin, and we shall probably cross on it to-morrow. I suppose we shall push for Warrenton, as we did last year, and then we shall remain there, or make for Richmond. General Meade seems desirous of pushing ahead as fast as possible, but I am rather afraid that our present force is too small to take Richmond. However, we shall not remain inactive for a very long time, and you may feel sure that General Meade will do all in his power to whip the rebs. . . .
