They said that there were
about 80 men there who came in
in small parties remaining until
Thursday forenoon when they left
to join their regiments.. The most of
them had horses branded “U.S.”
and U.S. saddles and bridles..
they said they had stolen them
from our very camps. coming in on
foot and taking them off.. While
passing through Warrenton citi
zens, apparently, came out and
joined them. and all told them
that they were good loyal citizens
when we were lucky enough to find
them at home. but as soon as our backs
were turned they were southern
soldiers. We can not expect to whip
them until we take every citizen
and confine him in Fort La
Fayette or some other prison

and keep them until the
war is over. even if we have to
extended our penitentiaries or turn
our civil convicts loose.. or a 
still better though more cruel
way would be to shoot every man
we find. for I do not beleive
there is a truly loyal hearted citizen
in Eastern Virginia.. We wanted
to burn the house where our men
were wounded but because a few
good looking women happened
to live there Col Mann would
not allow us to do so, and even
interceded and saved it. when Col..
De. Forrest. commanding
this brigade had commanded
his men to burn it..
     A wound given to a Union
soldier from a private house
should be revenged with fire
and blood.. Not an aristocratic

     house in all Virginia should 
be left standing for they are all
owned by men who are either rebel
soldiers or have one or two sons in
the rebel army..
     We have heard nothing more
from Hooker since Sunday last..
We hear a little from the west and
I like the plan of operations in
the middle and western depart
ments much better than here..
They do not beleive in fighting
an enemy unless they hurt him
in some way or other.. But among
some of our leaders there appears to
be a temerity and fear of hurting
some one if they shoot or burn any
thing.. We did capture two horses
Tuesday. and are now using them
in our company. But Thursday
they would not allow us to take 
a ham from the smoke house

Where they were plenty even
though we have been on half 
rations for a week.. But
its for only 3 years or during
the war. and when that is
over there will be better times..
     I do not know how long
we shall remain here. Tomorrow
is Sunday and we have lain still
since Tuesday without having even
been on “picket” and I would not
be in the least surprised if we
pulled out for some new place
ere long.. We have two days
rations for our horses still on
hand and will draw some
more for the men to night..
   We had Dress Parade last
night. the first time since
leaving Washington which
was for the purpose of reading
orders. Genl special and regimental