Tues 9. Fine bright cold morng. good wash & change of clothes,
refreshing after a week’s march – just ordered to go to Falmouth
opposite Fredericksburg at 1 P.M. Sd. Rebels are evacuating
F – not so – Marched at 1 – about 7
in pine woods – near R.R. – roads muddy – teams up in good
time. Marched afoot about 2 miles with a musket – felt
chilly & have a cold – Passed many encampments &
deserted camps – dead horses - &c a fine old table monument
under a fine clump of old trees with gigantic grape vines over-
running them – it was to “Mrs. Margaret wife of Peter Hedgman
of Stafford Co. gentleman – died 1754. aged 52 etc. Conjux Dolens
H.M.P”. a pussy cat that has followed us all the way fr.
Fairfax sits on my lap while I write – Cavalry in large
bodies pass to front - & the road is ordered to be kept clean
by our camp – for Artillery to go to front. We are now within
8 miles of the rebels – go to Falmouth at 9 – where Burnsides
Army lies. The whole brigade is close together here - & woods
full of smoke fr. watch fires – trees crashing in all directions
the band played Annie Laurie tonight.
