Bettes, William H. to Lodema

Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not heard from Wellington but is not concerned because he is well provided for and his sickness is not dangerous, although he will probably not be fit for duty again this winter. S. Z. Dickinson has gone to Finley Hospital in Washington. Received a letter from him today which said that he had to walk three miles, which took him three hours, and he was nearly used up. Then had to go in a freight car for almost eight hours, where he nearly froze, before finally reaching Washington. Tells Charley and Carrie that he was glad to hear from them and that they are good children; also tells them not to bother Webber and Grandma too much. The war news is meager, but there are plenty of rumors. Burnside has made a terrible blunder; "nobody knows why he remained three or four weeks and let them fortify and then attracted them in a place where there was no possible chance for him to conquer. These are the questions that puzzle the soldiers. They are both loud and deep in their curses about the management of the war." After the terrible affair at Fredericksburg, Virginia, the whole army fell back and is now doing camp and picket duty. Have 50 men doing picket duty; Bettes thinks that 10 or 20 men would be just as efficient. Writes that "it seems as though there was some men in this world that lacked good sense as well as military skill. They manage so as to keep about half of the army unfit for duty or in the hospital. There are some startling truths about this war, perhaps they may be revealed some day." Supposes that they will drag around until spring without doing much, and then another 300,000 men will be called. Writes that they may be nearer daylight than he imagines but to him, things have never looked darker. The Captain has gone to the dismounted camp in Washington; he left the day that Bettes returned. Lieutenant Abel is also at the camp, so Bettes has control of the company, which has 24 men. Writes that they get nothing but regular army rations.