1862 September 2 Camp Upton Farm near Falls Church

                                Sept 2/62
Camp Upton Farm near Falls
Church & Munson Hill  Va
Dear Father & Mother  Yours of
Aug 20th was recd by yesterdays
mail.  You have perhaps
learned ere this that we
are near Washington
through the papers.  I also
wrote you from that city
We left there the afternoon
of Aug 26th crossed the long
bridge and marched about
2 miles toward Alexandria
bivouaced for the night
by the road-side & the next
morning marched on to
that place where we remained
two days then marched out
about 9 miles to this place
We are now about 7 miles
from Washington in a westerly

[page 2]
direction. We are among
the defences of Washington all
around us on efery rise
of ground is a fortification
Within 1/4 of a mile of our
camp in sight are 4 forts all
mounted with heavy guns
For three days past we have
heard the almost continuous
roar of heavy cannon
only a few miles in
advance of us a terrible
battle is being fought
but with what result
it is very difficult to
tell we have all sorts of
rumors but you will
get more reliable information
through the papers than I give
you  One thing is certain
the Enemy have an
immense force it seems
however that they are practically

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surrounded
We have plenty of men
and reinforcements are constan-
-tly comeing up  McClellan
with his whole army is
here Burnside is not far
off.  We have orders to
sleep on our Arms every
night.  this is a pretty
country rather level but
much devastated by the
armies that have occupied
it so long
I saw Milt Pollock whilst
in Alexandria he has been
down on the peninsula he
has been sick but is better
now is Sargeant Major of
the 59th N.Y.  he says no army
could exist on the peninsula
for any length of time
oweing to the bad climate &
water

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We had a very
fatigueing journey here
from Western Fa
first we had a long march
of about 100 miles which
we made under a broiling
sun in 3 1/2 days then whilst
on the river we were crowded
on the upper deck in the open
air exposed to a continual shower
of cinder from the boats smoke
stacks.  then when we took the
cars we were crowded into filthy
cattle cars where we remained
2 nights & 2 days be assured
when we arrived at Washington
there were some tired  boys
& what was worse we had no
money neither officers or men
I would like to tell you what
I saw on the road but have not the
time to do so so now
Write soon
Yours truly J D Templeton
P.S. Nothing I suppose can be done now about the matter I spoke
to you in my letter of Aug 5th so let it rest for the
present

James Dinsmore Templeton,  musician and private in the 23rd Ohio

MSS 10317