Soldier's Letter, Civil War, January 1863

 Oxford Times, February 4, 1863

Letter from the 10th N.Y. Cavalry

Camp near Fredericksburg, January 24th, 1863

Editors of Times:  I presume everyone is on the qui vive [lookout] for news from the Army of the Potomac, and more so are our friends anxious to hear from us, whom we left behind a few month ago toiling for a livelihood up and down the old Chenango valley, and along the now snow covered hill tops while we are encamped on the banks of the old Rappahannock, ready at a few minutes notice to hazard our lives for the union of our beloved country.  We are all enjoying the blessings of health, as far as could be expected, considering how we are exposed to the inclemency of the weather at this season of the year.  Mud is knee deep where ever the teams travel and ground is perfectly drenched with rain. After the days toil through mud and water, it might be expected we have rather wet feet and clothes spattered with mud.  There is but little murmuring among our boys at this, and we thank Him who rules the storm and holds our lives as in the hollow of his hand, that it is as well as it is with us. The last move of our army you have before this received the particulars.  Our regiment was out picketing at the time of the move on the banks of the Rappahannock, except a part of our Company who were Orderlies for Generals in different Divisions. The Rebel pickets expressed their mind quite freely to our boys, and said they were tired and sick of war, and wanted our boys to come across the river and exchange tobacco for clothing and other articles. I am told by the Orderlies who were out at the time of the late move, that a great many horses died, and loaded wagons and Cannons were stuck in the mud, while nineteen horses were hitched to one cannon and could not draw it.  True is the old Latin maxim, "Nihil sine magno labore" [nothing without a great deal of labor]. Well it may be said that January rains and mud along the bands of the old Rappahannock have triumphed over the noblest army that the world ever beheld, and held it in check with greater ease than the most formidable enemy.  One thing I wish to mention, for it is due from us. It is rather late, but the old maxim it is better late than never, may suffice.  It will be remembered by our patriotic friends of Oxford, that we were presented with a goodly number of sewing kits, which were distributed to our company.  I can speak for one, and am assured that it is the sentiment of the rest that they were most gratefully received, and the boys can be seen not infrequently using them whenever there is a few spare moments.    C.