The Civil War Letters Camp Hamilton February 27, 1862

Camp Hamilton Feb 27 1862

My Dear Wife

 i received your kind letter to day and one Yuesterday and i was very glad to hear that you was still in good health as it leaves me at present  i just arrive Yuesterday from a Scout of 24 hours. On Sunday i was informed that i would have to take 12 men and start on a scout on Monday morning  i being Sergeant i had command of the men  i started at 7 oclk on Monday morning and about 10 oclock i was as far as New Market Bridge

i scouted about this place for about 1 hour but i could not see any Rebels and place near the Bridge. So i struck across the fields and through the woods in the direction of Big Bethel over creeks and through woods. about every mile i would come across a house but every house in this part of the country is empty  the inmates have fled to Yorktown  i was in a good many of the houses but they was all a heap of Ruins  the windows all Broke  doors torn down and every thing smashed to peices. i Scouted the country for about 15 miles but i did not come across any Rebels  at the different farm houses the farmers have left there cattle and they are Running wild. and it is the most Ruinous Country i ever did see about. 10 miles out i came across a small log house in which i found to contain a family of one old woman and two Daughters of about 18 & 20 years of age  they appeared to be very lonesome  there father and Brothers had joined the Rebel Army at Yorktown  i pitteyd the poor creaters for they had no one to protect them from the outrages of the Rebel Soilders

about 3 oclock in the afternoon i started for hampton where i arived at about 6 oclock in the evening  i got some hot coffee from the Union pickets for myself and men  after getting some supper and giving our horses some Oats and after a short rest i started out again at 9 oclock  it was as dark as pitch but we picked our way best way we could  at this time it was raining but not very hard  i went over the same route in the night as i had in the day and i got back to hampton at daybreak pretty tired and sleepy

i remained at hampton till at 9 oclock i was releived and started back to camp where i arrived safe and sound

So this ends my first hunt after the Rebels on my own hook

i am sorry i did not meet any of the enmey for i should like to bring some of them in as prisoners  but may be it is best as it is

i have no news to send at present  i did not get a check from the Captain but i will see about it when i write again. Dear Maggie  i am happy to know that your are comfortable  as for my self i think i can make out to live  for you know a Soilder cannot expect to injoy much comfort  but i live in the hopes that when this affair is over i will live happy and comfortable and that i will be blessed with a good Wife who will know how to make home comfortable

i must now close my letter   Give my best respects to Jane and all of the family and all inquiring friends with my very best love to you
 i am Your Affectionate Husband
William Lancaster

Back to Subgroup          Next Letter in Group