Fairfax C. H. Va. March 29 1863 Dear Nell We are in the field one mile east of Fairfax Court House Virginia. look on the map in the parlor find [illegible in original] and im ed agine yourself just one mile east from there camp^ out in the [“illegible in original”] under a little piece of of can vas just high enough to sit under with an old cornfield in front a strong march wind and a fair blue sky and Sunday afternoon and you have our situation. How and where did we come here; I will tell you. You doubtless [illegible in original] this have received my last giving a detail of our first grand arousal. Well we did nt come that time.. That was Sunday.. Wednesday forenoon our Col held a regimental review and I must say I was much disappointed at the result but it was very agreeably sad and I think Col Mann was also as he gave the regt great praise.. We drilled Thursday morn ning we had squadron drill and in the after noon we fell out for Officers and Sergts drill We had just fallen into line but not mounted when an orderly from the Col brought the Major a message from Col.. which he read folded up and then told us that we must prepare to move immediately [as?] we. together with the 9th Battery had just received orders to moved to Fairfax C.H. and that we would leave as soon as possible, providing myself ourselves with two days rations in our haversacks. We broke ranks and prepared for our journey. Just at dark 25 rifles with 31 rounds of cartridges for each gun was distributed to each company together with 18 rounds for our revolvers.. We were mounted and left Camp Kellogg not far from 7 Oclock that evening the regiment numbering some 750 strong.. We crossed the [Long?] Bridge about half past ten and leaving Washington behind us entered [illegible in original] Virginia and struck out for this place. We could not see much of the country although the night was clear and moonlight. yet every thing had the appearance of complete desolation I do not remember seeing a fence until within a short distance of Alexandria which place we reached about midnight.. It was the same after leaving Alexandria for here. The roads are very good after leaving the Potomac.. much better than I expected to see them. We overtook the battery a short distance this side of Alexandria as they having left their camp about 5 P.M. had got somewhat the start of us.. We arrived at our present camp just at daylight and at once proceeded to dispose ourselves comfortably.. Our tents were not brought with us: but in their stead we brought some small shelter tents.. which are large enough for only two and as they have no poles they are folded up and tied in front of the saddle. These are the only shelter we are to have this summer and unless we return to Washington we shall not see them again. and I do not think we shall see Washington before winter unless we are driven back or the war is closed.. The 5th & 6th Mich. Cavalry are camped very neary us and a Penn. and a New York regt of Cav are also near us: besides several detachments of Inf numbering in all some 6, or 7,000 men. Genl. Copeland has his Hd. Quarters. at Fairax C..H.. which is said by those who have been there to be about as large as Bakertown and the Court House about the size of a Mich. farmers corn crib.. I have been busy as a bee ever since we came here and only managed to get the time to write these lines before guardmounting.. We have no facilities for getting mail here as yet but I heard the Col.. say that he would send a special daily messenger to Washington for it.. We had a most beautiful day after we arrived here. but just at daybreak yesterday moring it commenced raining. and kept it up all day. We overtook the battery a short distance this side of Alexandria as they having left their camp about 5 P.M. had got somewhat the start of us.. We arrived at our present camp just at daylight and at once proceeded to dispose ourselves comfortably.. Our tents were not brought with us: but in their stead we brought some small shelter tents.. which are large enough for only two and as they have no poles they are folded up and tied in front of the saddle. These are the only shelter we are to have this summer and unless we return to Washington we shall not see them again. and I do not think we shall see Washington before winter unless we are driven back or the war is closed.. The 5th & 6th Mich. Cavalry are camped very neary us and a Penn. and a New York regt of Cav are also near us: besides several detachments of Inf numbering in all some 6, or 7,000 men. Genl. Copeland has his Hd. Quarters. at Fairax C..H.. which is said by those who have been there to be about as large as Bakertown and the Court House about the size of a Mich. farmers corn crib.. I have been busy as a bee ever since we came here and only managed to get the time to write these lines before guardmounting.. We have no facilities for getting mail here as yet but I heard the Col.. say that he would send a special daily messenger to Washington for it.. We had a most beautiful day after we arrived here. but just at daybreak yesterday moring it commenced raining. and kept it up all day.