‘Civil War Letters of Winthrop S. G. Allen’ in ‘Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society’
(Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, vol. 24, no. 3, October 1931)

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Letter to Sister Jane, December 19th, 1862

Army of the Potomac
Camp near Fairfax Station
Decem. 19th, 1862

Dear Sister Jane —
After another very fatiguing march I seat myself to write you a few lines. I wrote from the Ferry to Ben which I suppose you have seen ere this. We left Harpers Ferry on the 12th being the rearguard of Gen. Slocum’s corps and by easy marches of about 15 miles per day passed through Leasburg and Fairfax C. H. and camping at this place on Sunday. Monday morning we resumed our march south towards Fredericksburg accomplishing but six miles on account of the condition of the roads, Sigel’s army having passed over them but two days before leaving them in a very bad condition. This fact together with the rain on Monday night caused the march of the whole corps to be checked so that they were unable to make more than 6 miles a day and on Tuesday morning at 2 o ‘clock the rear brigade commenced the counter march and accordingly arrived at this place the same evening.

Here we first heard of the fighting at Fredericksburg, and of our evacuation of the place. This news casts a gloom over the army, the failure, the loss of life and the hardships of the winter campaign &c makes us feel very badly. There is a large force stationed here and in the immediate neighborhood, mostly composed of new troops and 9 months men, besides Slocum’s. This last corps is the one formerly under Gen. Banks command. The country from Leasburg to this place and beyond as far as we have been is indeed desolate, being first occupied by one army and then another. The houses are burned, the fences destroyed, the people gone, and nothing is left but bare farms, and lonely chimneys, there is nothing here to remind one of the comforts of home, but such things are unnecessary as the imagination furnishes plenty. We all feel so badly about our reverses, the misadministration of affairs that we almost wish the Southerners had been let alone. The whole army feel it and I doubt whether they would do anything more after another defeat unless Gen McClellan had been recalled to the field, the army have confidence it seems in no other General.

We have orders to march again at 2 o’clock P. M. our destination is said to be Dumfries about 20 miles south on the river, but I think this is uncertain. We left our Quartermaster at Williamsport and 12 men from our company at Hagerstown, they have orders to join us here but they have not yet arrived. I have nothing more to write, except that the health of all of us is good, I may say very good considering the exposure we have, Give my love to all. Send your letters to Washington, and they will follow us.

Yours affectionately,
W. G. Allen

P. S. Send a few stamps in each letter as it is impossible to obtain any here.