“Wee are now looking out for a fight…”
Camp Shenandoah
April 18th, 1862
My Dear Penelope,
I take the opportunity this evening to write you a few lines to let you know that I am yet in the land of the living &, thank God, enjoying good health.
Wee are now looking out for a fight here; wee had yesterday morning an alarm. Wee had to march up to the top of the mountain about ten oclock – it was quite warm – it is four miles, I think. I never suffered so much with heat before in my life. They on the top have a signal when this part of the brigade is wanted up there; that is the fireing of a cannon. The signal gun was fired and wee were put through in quick time to the top. The cause of the alarm was not good enough to have us to go up there. I think there was about sixty of the enemy came near enough to drive in our post picket & our men took them to be the advanced guard of a large force. The cause of the heat hurting me so bad was that I had not pulled off any of my winter clothes and had on too much for the weather.
Give my love to friends.
I am yours,
Shep
Marker can be reached from Route 250, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
