cams_OAyers_b12_F006_008_003

power of the rebellious states They begin to comprehend
this determination and ability of the north to mantain
intact the government bequeather to them by Washington
and our forefathers We took some old citizens of
strong secession proclivites prisoners to to hold as
hostages for some union ones captured by them from
this part of VA Virginia and they confessed the bitter truth
(as it seemed to them) that the South was already beaten
but said they (and their neither lip turned white and trembled
as they said it) "we can never live together again" but
this falacious [fallacious] theory will fade away soon, and they will
respect the power which is able to do them justice even in
flogging them I have scarcely been beyond the camp
lines since coming here except on one scout and we
have been here about twoo [two] weeks I do not know
exactly where the 16^th N.B. is but somewhere between
here and Fairfax I suppose I have not seen
Charles Farmsworth but once since he returned from home
Sister G wrote concerning a picture she sent me
C — — lost it, so he told me when he came back
I will write to G in a few days she seems
verry [very] happy and I am glad of it My health is
verry [very] good and I have more prospects than many
a soldier now has of long life There has been a vast
amount of mortality down this way of late but the
2^nd Mass I fear is destined to see but little of the
greatest struggle of the war, but a day may change our
seeming quiet to the fierce strife of battle who knows