1862 October 14 Bunker Hill, Berkeley County

                                                    Bunker Hill. Berkeley County
                                          13 miles from Winchester. 14th Oct/62
My dear father. My regiment has been so situated since I reached
          it that it has been almost impossible to write Home with
    any sort of comfort or certainty of the letter's being read.
I write now & shall have to trust to luck that you
get it.  We have been remaining quietly at our present
camping grounds for two weeks, doing guard duty &
drilling.  I have seen quite a busy times myself, having
been engaged attending a General Court Martial the
whole time.  I am its Judge Advocate &  have a great
deal of Labor to perform.  I supposed you heard
from us thro' Mr Smiley, who came on with me to
the Potomac River.  I reached my company in
Maryland at Sharpsburg--but a day too late
for the fight.  Had a hard time footing it the whole
way, tho' occasionally spent my time pleasantly.  Was
detained at Winchester for a week by Instructions.
No one allowed to pass to the army at that time.
Visited my relatives there & was much pleased.
I am holding Court Martial in the House of Mr
Gilkerhouse, the father of the Gentleman who married
Miss Cabell of Winchester.  Fine old fellow.  He gives
great accounts of the Yankees sojourn in Bunker
Hill, his little place.  This County is perfectly stripped
now of everything. So many soldiers of each Army
having passed thro'  Impossible to get an Butter or Milk.

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My Co. suffered a good deal in the late battle.  17 wounded
& 1 killed (A Woody)--The wounded mostly slightly
I do not know what move is on foot next. I understand
we are destroying the Winchester & Potomac R R
thoroughly now--This looks like a fall back.
Stuart has gone to Md with his cavalry
scouting & sent many prisoners back.
What has become of Davis & Short!  I expected
them some time ago. & am almost entirely
without clothing--being compelled to send
my trunk back. Tell Stuart when he comes
I want him to bring my overcoat from
Lynchburg. Tis very cold here now.  Tell
him to bring all the shirts & socks he can
raise--I have only 1 new (shirt) &
that's getting very weak.  His Company numbers
only 8 or 10-Mine 33,
Lt Hill is at Home wounded--
He cd easily bring my Overcoat
Give my best love to all
Write to Winchester, 49th Va
Earlys BrigadeEwells Div
                  Yr affec Son
                   Joseph C Cabell, Jr.
                            1st Lt Co H 49 VA

P S
       at Shepherdstown-we got a terrific bombing-but nobody
was hurt-as we crossed the River to Va
We gave it to the Yanks pretty badly there

MSS 276