Headquarters 53d Regiment P. V.,
Camp Near Morrisville, Va.,
Thursday, Aug. 6th, 1863.
Messrs. Editors:–The conclusion of our last communication left us in camp in a briar field near Warrenton Junction, at which
place we arrived on Sunday afternoon, the 26th of July. Madame Rumor whispered around that we were to have a few weeks
rest after our fatiguing marches–this seemed to be true from the fact that the teams had unloaded officers’ baggage, tents, &c.
But in this as in nearly all other cases the mythical crinolinish lady “with her thousand tongues,” out of modesty we premise,
took a wide circuit around the naked truth, for at five o’clock on the afternoon of the 30th ult., the peculiar and by no means
welcome notes of the “General” was sounded by half a dozen bugles from as many headquarters, and instant and active
preparations were made to resume the march, for
“Don’t you hear the “general” say–
Strike your tents and march away.”
By the time we were fairly started it was nightfall. The moon was full and it would have been beautiful marching if it
had not been for a number of black clouds, that seemed to be moving by “divisions closed in mass” towards sunrise. And so we
were deprived of the sweet witching light of pale Luna. When we broke camp, “we were only going a few miles,” “they’ said,
and we did only go a few miles–at a time. The road we were passing over was in splendid marching condition, that was one
consolation, still there were several if-you-get-in-you’ll-stick-fast mudholes that we had to navigate our government flatboats
(that is, shoes) through. Every one of these pools of mire was the abode of a full choir that made “night hideous” with
mutilated harmony. We were sensibly reminded of the gorgeous yet mournful ditty, commencing–
“There was a frog sat on a log, &c.”
At midnight we passed through Elkton, a village containing a population of perhaps twelve souls; near this
enterprising burg we bivouacked, having marched twelve miles. The following morning at an early hour we were again on the
road. It was said that all the marching we did during the night was so much muscular activity uselessly exerted, as we moved
on the wrong road, and as we had to retrace our steps, like a certain king of France, that, with twenty thousand men marched up
a hill and then marched down again. The day was warm; while we sweated and grumbled, we wished old sol would ”change
his base” and concentrate all his beams for a vigorous attack on the hay fields of the old Keystone. We marched four miles and
was halted for a short rest. We left the regiment and went about half a mile to a house, on a search after some good water. The
only occupants of the building seemed to be a negress and an ancient lady “left fading (no, blooming I believe is the word
Moore uses) alone.” She was secesh, you could tell that by the twinkle of her eyes. We opened negotiations with the lady,
which we had hopes would result in our becoming the sole and undisputed possessor of about four pounds of antiquated
rooster, but, alas for human hopes, while we were bargaining, some audacious soldier not having the fear of the Provost
Marshal before his eyes, “confiscated” the fowl, and thus unexpectedly closed the negotiations.
About two o’clock P. M., we arrived at a cross road, and stacking arms the troops were soon busy putting up their
shelter tents, and in making fires to cook dinner. We marched about twenty-two miles since we left quarters near Warrenton
Junction, and you can judge in what a roundabout way we moved when we state that we now, at this place are only four or five
miles from the Junction. We slept one night in our new camp, when it was discovered that we were too much in the sun, so the
Division was moved several hundred yards into a woods. This was on Sunday last. During the night nearly every man was
detailed on picket. The next day we were busy as bees fixing up, or, as we term it, “policing” our camp. Things were
commencing to look snug and comfortable, and we began to feel at home, when again, we were ordered to “pack up and be
ready to move at a moment’s notice.” Well we packed up and we moved at least one mile, and settled down into our present
camp. We have been here for several days now and we have fixed up our camp, which is pleasantly situated, very nicely. If this
is a rest for the Army for goodness’ sake don’t have this moving of camp several hundred yards every few days.
We call this “Camp near Morrisville.” It is said that there is a village so christened near us, but we have not seen it, but we take
it for granted, however, that there is such a town, and date our letter accordingly. This is a fine, breezy camp we are now in.
Off to the west there is a splendid view–a wide expanse of country at least fifteen miles in width, is spread out before us, bounded
on the west by the blue heights of the Alleghanies.
The Provost Guard of the Corps (Companies A, B, and K of this Regiment) are in camp a few hundred yards from us.
The duties of this guard is pretty severe and sometimes very unpleasant. When the column is moving their position is in the
rear of the Corps. They are kept busy during the march is arresting and keeping up such soldiers who straggle from their
regiments for the purpose of plundering, &c. This, as a matter of course, is a very thankless task. When the troops are halted for
the night, instead of spreading themselves upon the ground and sleeping until break of day, they have a regular routine of guard
duty for the night. Fifteen of the guard that was left back at Gettysburg to do the guard duty at the general hospital near the
battle-field, rejoined the command yesterday. The Guard is commanded by Lieut. B. C. Ammon and Lieut. M. S. Ludwig, who
use every means to add to the efficiency and usefulness of their command.
A few days ago, Major Bull, accompanied by Lieuts. Wagner and Patton and six enlisted men, left for Pennsylvania
for the purpose of bringing on drafted men to fill up our thinned ranks of the 53d. We require over 600 men tp fill up our
regiment to the maximum number. Our regiment needs filling up, and if volunteering is played out why send on the “drafted.”
The 53d will teach them the “ropes” quicker than they can say “hard tack.” During the last fifteen months our regiment has lost
nearly four hundred men in killed and wounded. On our morning report we have but eighty officers and enlisted men fit for
duty in the regiment. In Company E, there is no commissioned officers, one Sergeant, two Corporals, and one private for duty.
Our whole brigade of five regiments since the battle of Gettysburg scarcely musters five hundred men. We are supporting the
12th corps consequently we have not been bothered by any tantrums of Stuart;s cavalry feeling his position. It is drawing near
midnight and we are sleepy, so good night, and pleasant dreams, we were about saying, but it sounds rather sentimental.
Yours, &c. Levi J. Fritz
[Montgomery Ledger, August 11, 1863]
