If I live through Spring

Spring finally began to unfold in Culpeper County. the snow was melted and the rains began to subside. The of soldiers of the Army of the Potomac began to realize that their time of inactivity had begun to wane. They were drilling regularly; and reviews became more commonplace. Little did they know what was in store for them.

On April 7, 1864, William Hogan, a soldier in the 2nd Delaware Infantry wrote to his son. "Our scouts have crossed the Rapidan River this evening and I expect that we will soon follow them I expect to join my Regt to morrow but you may look for me home about the middle of August if I live through this Spring campaign which I hope and trust I shall."

Hogan survived the war, but became a prisoner during the Petersburg campaign. Hogan's letter can be found on Vermonthistory.org

"I wish it had been me."

April 3 was a Sunday in Brandy Station, usually a day of church service, a quick inspection and the rest of the day was free. It was also a day to catch up on your letter writing.

A soldier from Vermont wrote a real interesting on to his wife on April 3. I found this letter in "A War of the People: Vermont Civil War Letters," edited by Jeffery D. Marshall. In it Tabor Parcher tells his wife about three Culpeper women who succumbed to Yankees wiles.

A portion of the letter, as written:
"Wall there is three girls that is a goin to have babies that I know. Hon John Minor Botts Girl is a goin to have one. She is a nice pretty girl of about 20 years of age. The safe guard knock[ed] her up. I wish it had been me. She was one of the first girls in this vicinity before she got f***ed & it doant make a difference now. Wall another is Sarah France. She lives near the Picket line at Poney Mountain. She is about 3 ½ months along so she told me last time that I see her. & the other is Alis Poland. She lives near the right of the divisions Picket line."

Besides identifying the three ladies for us, the most fascinating line is "I wish it had been me." Remember, he is writing his WIFE, who is in Vermont. They must have had a strong, understanding relationship.

"let them pass by..."

"My dear wife you should no me better than to think for one moment that I came out here to stop bullets for I intend to let them pass by and give them all the room I can at that for there is ware the danger is if you go to stopping bullets you are sure to get hurt but if you let them pass right by then is no danger not the least so do not let that worry you?"

So wrote a soldier in the 1st New Jersey Cavalry on this day in 1864. John Pownall enlisted on October 5, 1863. Seven months later, to the day, he was dead. Killed at Todd's Tavern.
He was a husband and father. What drove Pownall to enlist? A bonus? Maybe. Love or country or wanting to take part in the greatest event in his lifetime? I doubt it. If this was the case, he would have enlisted in 1861.
I don't know. But I suspect he saw an opportunity to make some easy money, doing light service in the Cavalry. He spent the winter mostly in Fauquier County, participating in patrols and chasing guerrillas. Not what he anticipated back in October.
His Overland Campaign was brief, like so many others who spent their last days in Culpeper and Fauquier County.