Dear Parents,

We are near the Rapidan River.  Reno’s Division left Fredericksburg the 11th about dark.  We marched very slow all night.  About daybreak we turned into a field on some high ground.  We started with our knapsacks, rubber and woolen blankets and an extra pair of shoes.  We packed our overcoats and all besides what we wanted to carry.  We took a clean shirt and writing and sewing materials.  Before we marched more than two miles, half the regiment threw away their woolen blankets.  I threw mine away.  Each brigade had a long train of baggage wagons and one battery.

We slept till 8 and eat a little hard tack and started on.  We did not go far that day.  We had stopped at noon and had some hot coffee and hard tack.  At 3 o'clock we resumed our march and marched steady until dark.  We turned in again and had some hard tack for supper.  In the morning we had some coffee and hard tack.  We started again at 7 and reached Bealeton Station about 10 o’clock .  We took the cars about 2 and rode to Culpeper, the distance of 14 miles.  We marched about 3 miles to the south and turned into a field. 

We took no tents with us, except for the officers and provision tents.  We stayed over night and left at 3 o’clock the next day.  We had some fresh beef here.   We went about the country as much as we pleased.  We shot some pigs, got some green corn and roasted and boiled it.  It rained that night but my rubber blanket did not get wet through.  I was so tired I slept sound.  We started at 3 the next day and marched toward the Rapidan River.  I should think we marched 7 or 8 miles.  We halted in a large mowing.  The 2nd brigade formed line of battle and stacked arms, threw out pickets and stationed guards and here we be now. 

We went into a cornfield and before nine o’clock the field was stripped.  We had some coffee and hard tack and corn for supper.  There is several houses about here.  The boys visited them.  All took milk, eggs and everything else they wanted.  The next morning we had milk in our coffee.  Some had eggs, potatoes and corn.  There is plenty of apples around here.  They are just getting ripe.  They are not very good to eat yet.  There is no early apples here.

I started this letter yesterday.  I was on guard.  I got up to present arms to the officer of the day and lost my pencil.  I am finishing it today, the 17th.  The first brigade arrived yesterday  afternoon.  They are encamped beside us.  Stevens’ Brigade arrived yesterday.  They belonged to Hunter’s Expedition.  Five regiments of calvary passed by yesterday and encamped a little ahead of us.

We are not allowed outside our camp now.   Every place where we go after, we have cleaned everything out. They put on a guard.   We had an inspection this morning.  I built me a little bow house today and got some hay to lay on.  The weather is a good many degrees colder here than when we were in Fredericksburg.  There it was so warm we did not want anything over us till near morning.   Here we are most froze with our clothes on and our rubber blankets over us.   I never would have thrown away my woolen blanket if I had known it would have been so cool here.

We can see the Blue Ridge range and distinguish cleared land from woods.  Cedar Mountain is two or three miles to the west of us where the battle was fought.  I should think we were six or eight miles from Rapidan Station.  There was several divisions advanced the day we did.

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Pvt. Henry Brown -- Aug. 16, 1862.

I don’t know whether they have crossed the Rapidan or not but I don’t think there is any except Siegel’s Brigade crossed and the cavalry.  Jackson’s pickets are closest to ours.  There is an immense site of troops here. They are pouring in every day.  Some of the new regiments are reported to be at Culpeper.  It is also reported that McClellan is landing his army at Aquia Creek.  When we shall advance I can’t say.

We are going to have new tents. I can’t think what they are called.  They are made big enough for two.  They button together at the top.  Each one carries half on his back.  The country is very hilly and mountainous around here.  The soil is very fertile, the best I have ever seen.  At Bealeton Station there was a level tract of land of about five hundred acres of good mowing, of good quality and good growth.  It has all gone to seed and lodged down.  There is a great deal of corn growing and a great deal of hay going to waste.  There is a great deal of wheat stacked.  If the Rebels have Virginia to live on, they won’t starve.  There is a great many sheep, hogs and cattle raised.  We are living on fresh beef and mutton.  The sheep are bleating all over camp.  We have got one for tomorrow.  I don’t think of much more to write.

I suppose you have read all about the battle in the papers.  We did not have over 8000 engaged while the Rebels had three times their number and had a chosen position so that our men were under a crossfire.  At night our pickets had fires built and the Rebels out of range with their cannon.  The 19th Indiana were within 30 feet of some woods on picket.  The first fire the Rebels made they killed and wounded 48.  There was not many killed in the battle but a good many wounded and taken prisoners.  Our side took some prisoners.  I don’t know how many.

I wish you would send me some more papers so I can find out what is going on back home.  The next time you write, direct your letter Burnside’s Division, Culpeper Court House, Va. via Washington.  I send my love to you all.

Goodbye for this time,