Camp on Potomac Creek, VA

Saturday April 4th, 1863

[Sketch of Duryea Zoauves was attached with a very old paper clip, and is mentioned in P.S.]

Just came in from picket for four days and half that time they had nothing to eat. “I was sent back to Camp with nine men to get rations for the men on Picket and just as I got the men all ready to start back on the Picket line again he Col sent for the Sergent [sic] and I had to go to his tent and such a mad man I hardley [sic] ever saw he told me to leave Camp imeadiately [sic] and not to take any Rations with me so you see we had to go Unload our Haversacks again and he told the Officer of the day to search us to see that we took nothing back this is about the worst thing I have seen the old fellow do but you see he couldent [sic] blame me for I had a pass given me by one of our Captains and signed by the Commander of the left wing of the picket line”. Weather was nice while they were gone but cold last night and they didn’t feel afraid of being attacked by the Rebs this time.

“I had Command of 15 of the Duryea Zouaves on my post and they are a good set of fellows as Ever I saw.” Apologizes for not writing but they had been ordered out suddenly. “…the Pontoons have all gone down to the River and the next thing that goes I suppose will be the men but I hear that our Corps is not a going they are going to hold this Place against an attack from the Rebels. Somebody has got to stay and it may be that we are the luckey [sic] ones I hope so”. They have not been paid off yet but are expecting it every day. “Tom is about the same yet he don’t drill or do any thing else. But George Wheeler has been put on Duty again”. Lengthy religious closing.

“P.S. I will send you a small Picture of where I was on Picket with the Deryea [sic] Zouaves”.