1862 November 26 Camp near Fredericksburg

Dear Charles
Your favor of the 22nd inst has been recd
and the perusal was highly gratifying to me
Our Division (Picketts) being the last to march
from Culpeper arrived here about 12 oclk
on last Sunday after being out only two
and a half days.  We marched about 48 miles
crossing the river at Raccoon Ford passing
thence to this place through the poorest and
most desolate country I ever saw. the coun
try in Orange and Culpeper near the ford
and along the river on both sides is a most
beautiful fertile and desirable one.  Commo
dious and handsome residences stud the
hills and the country spreads out in almost
unbroken plains.  It is menancholy[sic] to think
that such a country abounding in all the
elements of wealth with rich and intelli-
gent gentlemen its owners should have
been desolated by such scoundrels as the Yan
kees.  Culpeper county has been made al-
most a wilderness by their ravages and but
few of its inhabitants dwell upon their es-
tates.  Upon reaching the vicinity of this re-
nowned and ancient city (Fredbg) I witnessed
sights which I hope I may never again see in
this war. Well dressed ladies old and young
with hundreds of children in every home are
to be seen along every road leading from the city &
in many cases the ladies were walking thro
the mud in their slippers with no protection

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nor any assurance that they could b[   ?   ]
or housed any where in the neighborhood. On
Monday I went into the city (the first time I
was ever there) which presented a sad and
doleful appearance with all its homes de-
serted and closed no one to be seen on its
streets but a few citizens and soldiers.  At
one end of the Railroad bridge the yankees
pickets were in plain view whilst our were
at the other end the range of hills on their
side being filled with cannon set to swab
any approach to the city.  they did not fire
upon our men nor did ours molest them
but frequent conversations were held across
the river between the pickets. I should like
for them to have attempted to cross the river
for such another defeat as you would have
heard of has not yet transpired.  Our posit-
ions tho' in some cases inferior to theirs
were sufficiently good to ensure the purpose
& the Yankees will know that or they would
not have laid so quiet.  The report is this mor-
ning that they are embarking at Acquia
Creek and that Genl McClaws Division  of our
army has moved toward Richmond.  I
have now thought that the Yankees de-
signed to fight a general battle here but
would probably move one column of their
forces against Richmond from this point.
Suffolk is the point I think they will move
from or City Point which I think is the
most [?] and would almost surely

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result in the fall of Petersburg. That Genl Lee
is well prepared for them we may rest as-
sured and if he could fight them success-
fully at Sharpsburg with only 30,000 men
(which he actually did)  [?] upwards of 100,000
what may they expect now in a future bat-
tle when we will be stronger by 2/3.  They have
it is alledged 110,000 men under Burn-
side.  No place could be chosen where our
troops would fight more desperately than
around Richmond.
   I am pleased to hear that cousin Jennies
son got thro' the Blockade tho' loosing[sic] his
valuables.  the Cavalry Service is certainly less
dangerous than any other arm of the Service
an offers many advantages that are not had
in other branches.  It is more arduous in win-
ter than summer.  I have no doubt your ac
quaintance will better enable you to provide
for him than I to advise tho' if he could ob-
tain a position on some Generals Staff he
would have a good time.  I think we will proba-
bly take up the line of march for Richmond or its
vicinity in a day or so & if I can then render you
any assistance in the mater I will cheerfully
do it.  Jno Lewis I saw a few days before we
left Culpeper & he was well.
   I should like to meet with Richard as I
never hear from him by letter and only know
by hearsay what Floyd is about.  If with you still
tell him to write to me.  I recd the clothes and
shoes sent me by our Post Master and the over

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coat sent was also mine but was a
very inferior one.
    We had not hear that Mr Seddon
was certainly Sec. War.  He is an able
man and I have heard it said that
he ought to make a good officer.  You
will please present my best regards
to Uncle Powhatan Rebecca & all
friends with you--
       I am very truly yours &
                  Jno. T. Ellis

John T. Ellis, 19th Virginia Infantry

[docketed on side]
Major Jno. T. Ellis
November 26, 1862