Bettes, William H. to Lodema

Has not received any letters from home this week but expects there is one or two on the road. They are encamped on the Chantilly Plantation between Fairfax, Virginia and Centerville, Ohio. When he last wrote, the Army was up at Aldie, Virginia. Ordered to march to Thoroughfare Gap, where they stayed for one day, and then ordered to march to Gainesville, Virginia. The Army arrived in Gainesville around 10 o'clock and remained there until five o'clock, when all the troops had passed and their war guard came up. Started for Centerville and passes over the historic Battlefield of Bull Run, but it had become so dark out that very little could be seen. Encamped for the night about six miles from Centerville. Marched to this camp the next day and arrived around four o'clock and sent up their tent. About two o'clock that night, he was "notified to be ready at four o'clock the next morning to take command of a squad of 42 men and go to Aldie, Virginia on a scouting expedition as reports had reached camp that the Rebels were in force there." Aldie, Virginia is about 18 miles away; they arrived around nine o'clock. Rode through the town and learned that the evening before, five Rebel Cavalry had been there and five more had been seen two miles from there. Some said the number of rebels was 5000 or 6000. Stayed there for four hours and saw no Rebels so they returned to camp. It rained heavily for most of the time, but the men remained in good spirits. Has been two days now since any details have been made from his Regiment, the longest rest they have had since 1 October 1862. Writes that "McClellan's program to go into winter quarters at Harper's Ferry and let Lee and Jackson winter at Winchester has all been knocked into pie by the [sudden] disposal of his Generalship and placing a live man in his place. You will hear a knocking at the door before long which will astonish all Rebeldom, our forces are already at Fredericksburg, Virginia demanding its surrender. Our army is where there is no danger of their supplies being cut off and General Sigel will see that Jackson does us no harm in the war while Cox and Milroy get ready to cut him to pieces if he don't skedaddle soon. Everything is full of hope and promise now. I think most of our Generals can be trusted. We have only one in this Army that I mistrust now. He may be able to do us some harm but not as much as McDowell did." Writes that he is at home in his dreams and thoughts but does not know when he shall be there in person. Trusts that things will shape themselves so that his homecoming will not be distant, and he will certainly embrace the first opportunity he gets to return home. Has no wish or desire to remain absent one day after his services are no longer needed in the defense of his country and its institutions, but he has no intentions of turning his back as long as the Rebels are looking them in the face. Sent some postage currency for his wife and a little toy chain for Charley, his son, but has not heard whether they were received; will send a breast pin for Carrie, his daughter, in this letter. Wellington has a chill fever, so Bettes sent him to Washington City last Thursday; he is now in the Union Chapel Hospital on 20th Street, which is one of the best hospitals. Wrote to Cyrus and told him to tell Louisa about Wellington and to see that Wellington's family had all the necessary comforts to live. Told Wellington that if he could not foot the bill, send it to him and he will ensure that it is paid for. Adam and Peter Gordon are well and back at camp.