1862 April 2 Orange Court House, Va.

Camp Taylor Near Orange C.H.
April 2/62
My Dear Mother
Here we are setting under our shed
after a tedious march of 10 miles yesterday with
our Knapsacks, Guns & all accoutrements, all weighing
about 30 lb. each. pretty good for young recruits--
Well for the description of our trip--We arrived
at sfety Gordonsville, about 1/2 past 12 O'clk
on monday after a very pleasant trip--singing
& dancing, to the music of Volin[sic] & Banjo--
all the way to Gordonsville, where we were
to get our guns &c--but we did not suc-
seed in geting but about 1/3 of our guns till
tuesday therefore we camped about 1 mile from
Gordonsville all night without tents--right
out in the open air--long side a Big
Pine tree--we spread our Blankets & Oil cloths-
& with our Knapsacks as pillows--& a big
fire at our feet--we were fixed much
more comfortable than we could anticipate.
Wed after eating our colld cold supper with
an apetite as if we were at a King's
table--we fixed ourselves for a dance--& with
Our fiddle & Banjo we enjoyed ourselves finely--
& but for the thoughts of dear ones at
home, it would have been happiest few
hours of my life--Well tuesday about 10 Oclk
we got the box[?] of our Guns &c &c Just

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waiting for the train to go to Gordonsville
when all at once we found that we had to
tramp it on our poor feet--So without
further hesitation we started--Well-before
we had gone 2 miles we were all ready
broke down--We layed sprawled ourselves
on our Packs on the ground for a rest--of
almost 15 minutes--then we started Our Knapsacks
heavier than ever Well we scrambled
on for about 3 1/2 or 4 miles--when Tom
& I spyed an Old Negro on a 30 year
old horse--so we pressed him into service
for 50 ¢ apiece I never felt so good in
my life--when I got of that eternal
knapsack--I felt as if Old Jeff had
done set me free for good Well our old
hoss relieved us for about 5 or 6 miles--I rekon
I never invested a 50 ¢ to such a good
purpose in this childs life time. Tom is of
the same opinion--We arrived at Camp
at last--about 3 Oclk--saw the mess
parade--was most cordially recd. by
the boys--I tell you its beautiful to see
the 11th Battalion drill--Well after getting
our Camp Supper--hot Phesant (each weighing
2 lbs) Genuine Coffee & meat fat as
Castor Oil--which we ate with an
apetite ravenously in the extreme--we
went to work to bui[l]d our hut which
we did in double quick time--took a
smoke & went to bed--Well ma you see I
have to stop we are very comfortably fixed

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& in fine spirits & well & hearty--Tom & I both--We are in
the reserve corps--in the rear of the Army--have no tents they being all[?]
burned[?] up at Centreville--Your aft own E.C.B.--Kis & My love to all

[across top margin of page 2]
write again first opportunity do not write

[across bottom margin of page 1]
do not write yet till you without you send by some
one as we expect to move from here about 3 or 4
days--Give my respects through father to M?]
Brinks & Co--]

Edward Cook Barnes [Private, 3rd Virginia Infantry?]
MSS 4444