Letter from Gooch , Charles W.
| Soldier: Gooch , Charles W. |
| Allegiance: Union |
| Unit/Service Branch: 27th Infantry |
| Home State: Maine |
| Date Written: Monday, March 30th, 1863 |
| Location: Camp near Chantilly |
| Correspondence Type: Letter |
| Subjects: Commanders, Comrades, Daily Life, Eastern Theater, Guerillas, On the March, Rumors, Strategy, Wife/Girlfriend |
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My Dear Wife,
With pleasure I improve this opportunity to inform you that I am well and hope you enjoy the same blessings.
We have left Camp Genl. Casey yesterday morning at half past nine and arrived here about five o'clock PM distance about 20 miles. It was a good road after we got into it but it was around about way to get to it. We had a good day to march in. There was quite a strong wind in our faces but it was not cold. Weather was very warm. It is about west course from Alexandria as near as I could tell by the sun. We came through the vilage called Fairfax Court House and right be the celebrated building, the court house. The village I should think was some such a village as Alfred only not so large and looked like all other places I have seen this side of Baltimore. I should think by the looks they were built soon after the time that Pocohontas saved the life of Smith. The court house was in good keeping with its surroundings. It is a two story brick building in the center of the place with a cupola on it. Looks some like the one on the engine house. If I had not been told what it was I should thought it had been some old delapidated stable. After leaving there we see nothing worthy of note will we arrived at Chantilly. Why it was called Chantilly I did not know for there is no signs of human beings except one old pile of rubbish where there formally was a house but I have since learned that there was once a man lived herev or there by the name of Chantilly.
We are situated on a small hill right in the woods which is what we call Norway pine. We and the 25th Maine are all together. Col(Francis) Fessenden acting Brigadier General. There is any quantity of cavalry about here. They keep up a picket line outside of ours. We are squat down here to prevent guerilla raids so it is said but I do not think there is many guerillas or anything else in this vicinity. Whenever we move to a new place reminds me of when we got our engine. We had a fire every night but it soon became an old story.
I understand we are about eight miles from Centerville where Casey is with the rest of his force. Whether we shall advance or go back to Washington I do not know. There is a good many stories going here that we shall go back to Washington soon. You will be likely to here a good many stories about things here and a good many that is not true for everyine has a story of his own to tell and I expect to write but do not you believe half of them for I do not think there is any more danger here than there was at Camp Genl. Casey and when I think there is I will write for I calculate to write things as they be as near as I know and I have just as good chance as anybody does.
We are in Sylbie tents now but are rather crowded and some of us are going to fix up our small tents for I like plenty of room you know. I want considerable to find my things in you used to say that I was a real good hand to hunt for anything and I am as good as ever I was and with about the same success and about all the rest of the boys is as good as I and let 20 go in one Syblie there is plenty of hunting.
I have not got anything new to write today that I know of. I have written since I received your letter. I feel in hope I shall receive another tomorrow. I believe the officers have arrenged it so that we shall get a mail every day after we get regulated by the 25 mail carrier going for both regiments. One day and back the next and our doing the same but perhaps they may not come so regular for stormy weather wouold impede them some and now as the old saying is between you and I; hopeing soon to see you, I close. Always believe me to be your true loving, devoted husband.
C W Gooch
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