1862 April 7 Warington Junction, Va.

Warington Junction, Va. April 7th/1862

Dear parents I seat myself for the first time since I came out here
ata table to write a few lines to you I am on guard at a private
house about half a mile from our camp they appear to be first rate
folks and willing to do what is right I have not had any trouble
with the soldiers yet they are willing to go away when ordered to do so.
Last night I saw the Me. Cavelry and among them I found Joel
Willson of Gorham he belongs to Co. F. I talked with him some
time they are marching to Warrington where I suppose we are going
We were ordered to pack up and march this morning to this
place about 10 miles from Manassas we are now about 40 miles
from Alexandria on the Richmnd road. I noticed but one
incident to day worthy of note and that was an ox harnessed
like a horse and used as such he was harnessed into a wagon
that they use here to ride in and there was three men riding
in the carriage I suppose the rebels had taken their horses
and they were obliged to use the ox for a horse, we marched to
day nearly all the way on the rail road because there was no other
bridges to cross the brooks on and these have been lately built
for the rebels burned them when they left I suppose all
along the rout We are expecting to be paid off as soon as we
stop long enough in one place and we may be paid to morrow.
There is one young man with me to night on guard his native place is
Canada he belongs to the 24 N.Y. vol. he is a first rate fellow
we eat with the family and this evening they have brought about
four quarts of pea nuts for us to eat to night and a good place
to sleep as there is no danger of the soldiers molesting him at
night we can go to bead and sleep if we wish to do so. There has

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been a great many here to get victuals to day but they are civil
and pay him well which is nothing more than just and
right for them to do officers as well as soldiers get used all
alike one of Gen. Slocum's aids took supper here to night I tell
you they are waited uppon in grand stile by his negro slaves
they know just how to do it right and in good shape I have
been talking with the slaves they say they want to be free to
work for themselves and they hope some time to be free one is
married her husband's master lives about 20 miles from here
and she does not see him but about once a year since his
master mooved away from here. I will write some more tomorrow.

[Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine]

MSS 12916