March 25th, 1863

Stafford Court House Va March 25th 1863

My one loved Wife,

I again give myself the pleasure of writing you a few lines although I have writen you two long letter this week¹. Times begin to get lively down here every night or two we are rousted out of good sound sleep and have to go out and strengthen the picket lines but we have never seen an enemy yet it is most allways a false alarm or else the rebels finding us prepared keep a safe distance. Last night some one came to my tent and told me to get out the company as soon as possible. I asked who he was he said Tucker² (one of the Col’s Orderlies) Joe sung out “you had better tuck yourself into bed as soon as posable” the fellow was a little mad at first but we laughed it off so it was all right. I got the company out and formed them in line, and Lieut. Doolittle went out with them I did not go. I understand that our Cavalry picket were attacked (just outside the infantry lines) and several wounded.

I staid in to take care of the Capt who is sick he has a mild form of fever which I fear will hang on to him for sometime it is not dangerous but slow, he seems to be chirk and contented and we will see that he has good care, he has a good hut and all the necessary articles for his comfort. He thinks he is as well off here as he would be at home with his kind mother to take care of him, I don’t quite agree with him there but I presume it would take longer for him to get well at home than it would here. Tell his mother to give herself no uneasiness about him for I shall write every day or two till he gets better. He thinks he shall not get home right away he thinks by the time he gets able the army will move and if they do he wants to go with them. I understand Street³ talks some of making us a visit tell him he can get through without any dificulty if he will get a certificate from Marshall [unintelligible] saying he has a brother in the army and is dissirous of visiting him he can then get a pass from the Provost Martial at Washington. Doct. Stillman⁴ and several others have visited us since I got back.

You ask in your letter who the next man home will be, I don’t think they will let any more soldiers got home at present some of those that went when I did⁵ have not come back. There has one man gone home from our Co. since I went but he got word that his wife had died in giving birth to a child, but his was an extraordinary case.

You ask if Lieut. Doolittle did not get his discharge I suppose for once the Govement has had judgment enough to keep a good officer when they had him. The Col. has used his influence to prevent his geting away honerably and he is to much of a man to get away dishonerably he thinks he shall get his discharge yet.

I have not much more to write to day so I will just mention a few things in a disconnected maner and then take leave of you for a short time.

Brainard is well he was on guard last night so he did not go out with the picket he has not got his box yet.

I wish you would keep sending postage stamps I shall put my last one on this letter.

There is some prospect of geting some, the paymaster is expected here this week but as he is often anounced without making his appearance I don’t expect him till he comes.

How does your money hold out don’t you begin to get short. I hope I shall be able to send you some before long.

Give my love to all our friends tell Louise that papa come home by and by and give her a ride with fanny horse. Much love to mother and everlasting love and kisses without number for yourself.

As ever your affectionate husband,

C A Burleigh

P.S. The envelope on this letter came in one that Elford sent me he got the stamp on wrong side up I would not send it if I was not short of stamps.

C B