1862 September 5 5 miles above Georgetown

                       Camp in Maryland, 5 miles above
                        Georgetown Sept. 5th 1862

My own darling Addie:
                       At last, I have a chance to write
you a few lines, with a hope that it will soon
reach you.  I wrote you a good long letter from
Culpepper C.H. on the 18th of August, but as we
left there that day, I suppose it has never been sent.
On the 20th an order was received from Gen. Halleck
forbidding the further transmission of mails, and until
now I have had no opportunity to send a line to
apprise you of my safety.  I know how you must
suffer, and how thoughtless you must think me, but
all I can plead is the inexorable character of military
orders.  I have much to write you as soon as we
can remain 24 hours in a place.  Since the 18th
we have been constantly under arms and for more
than 3/4 of the time under fire from the enemy, but
we have not lost a man.  I have kept a full
journal of ll our proceedings, which I shall send
to the Chronicle for publication, as soon as I can.

[page 2]
Out of 18 days we have marched 17, and but two
nights have we slept under a blanket, and
those the last two nights.  But scarce a
murmur of dissatisfaction have I heard, except at
the almost cruel manner in which we have been
deprived of news from home.  But is not the
record of the last three weeks a dark one? While
on the 11th of Aug. we had a Point d'appui on
the Rapidan river, we have the Potomac for a
base of operations--not to say of defense.
We have lost in killed, wounded and prisoners
not less than twenty thousand men.  Very poorly
has John Pope met the expectations of the nation.
    No event has caused such general and genuine
rejoicing in the army, as has the reappointment of
Gen McClellan to the command of the entire
army of Virginia,  I confess that my confidence
in him is unstinted and unbounded, and I believe
all feel the same.  Gen. Pope was too strong
in written pronunciaments (whew what a long word!)
upon the start, to hold out food in action.  While
he conducted a small army in the west most
admirably, against really inferior generals, he has

[page 3]
proven himself incompetent to handle a large
force, against a wily and subtle Jackson or
an accomplished Lee.
    But I guess this will not be very interesting to
you, so I will change the subject.  While we
have been performing arduous marches and coun
termarches, through rain, mud, sunshine and dark
I have  and with less than 1/3 rations of Brad and
coffee, I have not forgotten that it was for my
country and those for whom I was fighting, and
though we passed unscathed through the storm
of balls and shells, I have remembered that it
was in answer to your prayers that the bullet whis
tled past me harmlessly, and the horrid shell
burst in vain.  I have enjoyed perfect health
during the entire time, not even contracting a cold, not
withstanding the exposure we have endured.  Had
I been allowed to write to you, and to recieve letters
from you, I should have been happy, but instead
my mind has been filled with vague fears for
your health and happiness, and I am as anxious
as ever.  God grant my fears may be confounded.
  As if to add to my anxiety I have not heard

 [page 4]
one word from Hal since we left Alexandria
Where is he and what is he doing?
We (Banks' corps) were nearly surrounded at Bristoe Station
a few days since, by a large rebel force, but they
were not "cute" enough for our loved general, for
we slipped down the Brentsville road, as though
we were going down to Fredericksburg,  then turned
and crossed the flank of the enemy just above
Manassas Junction, crossed Bull Run, and secured
a safe position near Centrevile.  This was on Sunday
last.  We marched eleven miles, making but two
halts of a few minutes each.  When we crossed
the R.R. about a mile from Bull run, we saw
about fifteen rebel cavalry.--these were the videttes
of the enemy, so you see how narrowly we escaped.
      Not long were we to remain secure at Cent=
erville, for the very next day, they made a detour
round to Fairfax C.H. thus placing us again in
jeopardy.  Accordingly we evacuated C.--Banks'
corps taking the direct road to Alexandria, while
McClellans men went toward Fairfax.  A heavy
thunder storm arose shortly after we started.
The rebels attacked Stevens' and Kearney's divisions

[page 5]
on the Fairfax road, but were repulsed with
a heavy loss.  Gens. Stevens and Kearney were
both killed.  We could hear the fighting but could
render no assistance.  That night we lay in the
rain and mud without fire or even a blanket.
The next day we were delayed by the heavy rains
and did not reach our camp--4 miles from
Aexa.--until nearly two oclock at night. The
next P.M. we moved up to Arlington Heights
to the rear of Fort Albany, and as we supposed
to o into camp for a few days.  But about mid-
night orders came to get ready to start for Pooles=
ville Md. with 2 days rations, at 8 1/2 A.M.  We
started about noon yesterday, crossed the river
at Georgetown, and halted here.
    Col. Asper joined us, and took command at
the Rappahannock on the 23d, and is with
us at present.  he gives very good satisfaction.
   Geo. Moore is still at Alexandria in the
Hospital, and so is my friend Bob Murray
     Will Boaden is in Washington.  He is slowly recovering

[page 6]
I trust soon to  record the victorious achievements
of Little Mac, and to hear of the utter defeat
or capture of Lee and Jackson.
  I have not received a letter from you since
we left Culpepper.  How soon may I expect one?
  How lonesome I have been, and am now!
Yet, I feel that "all's for the best."
  I wish I had more time to write, I would
write you 3 or 4 sheets full, but the mail closes
in just 5 minutes so I must close.
   Don't fail to write soon--Give my love to
Addie mine, and remember me to Dora.
   Rest assured that although we cannot
converse as frequently as we could wish, yet
my heart is with thee forever, and you are
continually in my thoughts.
   Please write very often to your own
     Affectionate and loving  Charley.
         Co. H. 7th R.O.V.I.
             1st Brigade, 2d Div. Banks' Corps
                  Via Washington, D. C.

(care of Capt. McClellan.)

Col. Asper: Joel F. Asper, 1822-1872, of the 7th Ohio. After the war a Congressman from Missouri

Charles N. Tenney, 7th Ohio  to  his fiancee Adelaide Case

MSS 11616