1862-05-15_Letter-A_Alvord-to-Unknown-Duplicate

[duplicate] May 15^th The March was ordered at 2 A. M. slept well until "John! sounded from the Generals tent (The name of his boy) It rang in my sleepy ears like the earnest paternal call from the fort of the old stairs in my boyhood—I could sleep no more, soon the Bugle & the Drum sounded & rattled their starting revilee over the broad camping ground and every Regt was astir. It was a drizzly morning & not yet daylight. The camp fires flashed with fresh fuel. & then came the hurried preparation for breakfast & the start, I had mingled in no scene before exactly similar— voices dinning—orderly's dashing—teamsters shouting. The indescribable undertone hum of 10,0000 voices all intense and sharp-toned, presented one of those novelties which only war can exhibit - The more exciting because no one of us could be inactive lookers on— each had his little camp world to gather

up—compress & store in the right place & in the very smallest space—The hurried breakfast was announced, and a scene wholly in contrast with every thing around now transpired. Excitement & often loud oaths characterised many a circle round—but ours was hushed and still preparatory to the usual morning devotion. This custom I had supposed might be suspended on such an occasion, The usual gathering in the Head Quarters tent had been omitted—but while the viands were smoking all were surrounded & seated at the table, opening the bible the Genread in a calm clear tone a chapter a whole chapter) & then uncovering as did his whole staff. then offered a simple fervent prayer for Gods blessing. The moment was full of tenderness & the grouping bothmorally & naturally very beautiful It was the dark murky hour just before day-light—the camp fire lit the thick foliage overhead with shades of green

more beautiful than when seen from any other point in or by any other light a small candle shone [illegible] on the table. The countenance of the noble group of officers, reflecting with a peculiar [illegible] paleness. The neighboring flare only as it was obstructed by the reverent outer circle of servants some of them of ebony tint) at such a time in such a place - & in the midst of such surroundings especially in view of what might be expected before the days march closed - for as the the Gen remarked the phrase " this may be my last " had been inserted? [no] not only in his but in many other letters that morning. (Though few probably had his added tender phrase Kiss Eddy & give him papa's blessing) I say in the midst of such thoughts and influences as the Head of the noble Christian General & his whole military family [bent?] to implore the presence & favor of God I trembled with emotion & could not

refrain from tears

In twenty minutes the Bugles sounded the advance! & our whole Brigade deployed into the road to Richmond. The rain had just hardened the loaming dust so that the travelling was excellent & for 3 hours the long line of bristling bayonets & interspersed baggage wagons wound their way through Virginia plantations & [underserving?] forests - so silently that the song of birds & the hum of insects fell distinctly upon the ear- The considerate officers rested their men every hour, when the weary soldier without unstrapping his knapsack would ground his arms & adroitly throw himself upon his back & slipping the knapsack up under his head & thus in a twinkling form a most convenient & luxuriant pillow_ At about 9 o clock the slight mist of the morning became rain - In another hour it was pouring in torrents.