Sunday, March 2, 1862

Dear Father,

It is snowing, snowing. It commenced snowing this morning and has snowed all day. It has been very pleasant for three or four days but now it is getting almost as bas as ever. We have been under strict marching orders for a week but now it is countermanded for the Rebels have found us out now. We will have [to] form new plans of an attack. I don’t know when we will make a move now.

I wrote to Lib about a week ago but I have had no answer yet. I spoke to Captain about Mr. Barthoff but have [not] heard anything of it since. There is a recruiting office somewhere in Newark but I don’t know where it is.

I have just missed seeing Kate Barthoff or Mrs. Osburn. I have been sick for over a week and could not get a pass until tomorrow and today I hear she has gone back. I am real sorry for I would have given anything to have seen her. It would have been almost like seeing some of the family. I have had a very bad cold. I caught a cold and it settled on my lungs but I am getting almost well—at least so I can do my duty. I got well pretty quick when we received our marching orders but now we are failed. I think the Rebels are on their last pins. I hardly think they will hold out longer that three months longer. I hope not for I want to come home, I am not tired of helping my country, but I want to see you all. If I could only get a furlough, I would be satisfied. I hardly think you had better try to come for no citizen can come further than Philadelphia. I would like to have you come, but I think it useless for you to try.

It is a great sight to see all the camps and fortifications but it is hard to get a pass from one place to another. They have to be very strict for there is so many traitors in our midst. They cleaned a whole posy of them out of Alexandria, Washington and Baltimore last week. I suppose you must have heard of it. They had a secret society which they called the Soldier’s Relief and by this sacred cover, they were committing all the most outrageous deeds. I hope they will hang them all.

How is Uncle Nick [Cornelius] getting along? You never say anything about hi, Is he as good a Union man as ever? Or is he pretty well blowed out? I hope he has not lost his belly. If he has, I know he is blowed out. I got a letter from Mary yesterday but I have not heard from Albert in some time. I have written two letters and have received no answer yet. I have close. Write soon. Remember me to all.

From your dutiful soldier son, — C. V. H.

Mary is coming in the country in April.