1862 October 1 Alexandria, Va.

          Alexandria  Oct 1-1862
                           Dear Phebe
                   Having a leisure
hour my first though is to
write you a line although I
have nothing of importance
to comunicate: We have some
rumors that we are to move
soon but nothing reliable
is as yet known The whole
army is n motion but for what
purpose we cannot tell.  That
some great movement is on foot
there is probably no doubt but
it is kept from us.  One thing is
certain the rebels are in a tight
place and I do not see how they
are going to get out of it  There
are also other rumors to the effect
the rebels are caveing in and
want to come back into the union
how much dependance is to be
paced on them  we cannot

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tell, ever since the great batles
the air has been filled with rumors
and we cannot find out whether
they are true or false. This morn
ing a heave cannonade was heard
for two or three hours we could
hear the tremendous explossions
of the siege guns gut what it
means we do not as yet know.  The
ambulances have gone in the di
rection of the fireing.  It is sup
posed to be the artillery of Gen Sigel
driveing through Man
nassas gap.  We conclude that things
are going pretty well from the
fact that Col Maggi is in good
spirrits and says it is going right
He is very anxious to get into
active service.  I give you his own
words; Sigel good General; me want
to go wid Sigel; We are afraid
that we shall lose him as we
hear that he is to be promoted

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to a Brigadier General He is
deserving of it but I should be
sorry to have him go.  He is every
inch a man and a soldier and
if you could only see the difference
between our regiments and many
of those arround us you would
understand why we like him
Give me a soldier to command
me and let those who like
Political Generals have them
Our Prayer meeting are very
fully attended and there is a
very good interest manifested
among those who are not Pro
fessors we hope with the blessing
of God to do something to the
glory of his son We have started
a choir and hope thus to add
interest to our meetings as there
are a large number of singers
in the regiment Our greatest
difficulty is to find a place

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large enough  Col Maggi has
done every thing in his power to
help us and we have the largest
tent there is in the camp but it
will not hold half who would like
to attend; We shall do the best that
we can under the circumstances
and trust in God for a better place
I shall always respect Col Maggi
for his cordial support and sym
pathy although as he stated to us
his belief was different from ours
at the colse[sic] of interview which we
had with him on the subject of
holding meetings he said he
had always observed that those
who feared God made the best
soldiers, and pulling out a private
drawer he took out an elegantly
bound Bible adding "We read
this last thing every night; we
no forget God" I must state now
we are all well and in good spirits
give my love to all the folks and
dont worry  yourself about me
or any thing else Live near to
God and he will be near to
you: remembering that if we
are only faithful we shall
recieve the crown.  From you
                      Affectionate
                           Husband
                               Josiah

Josiah Perry,  Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts

  MSS 2215