Burlington, Conn.
April 4, 1998

Dear Friends,

We have once again attempted to come out of our winter nests and work towards getting ourselves prepared for the actions we might be engaged in this campaign season. We were ordered to report to this private farm in the hills above Bristol. The land here is rough, but much like home, and it is first rate to be here for work, rather than on display at some town green. Some of that is actually good for us and our cause, but this time the hospitality of our farmer host was bully.

Some of the boys came from afar, and due to the schedules on the rails, arrived the night before. They had a small camp all set up and those that arrived with the sun had no trouble recognizing the canvas city and the good old boys. Most of them were busy preparing a godd sized braekfast of pork, sausages, eggs, and the like, all gathered from very close by, compliments of our host. And once the boys were full, the work began.

The sergeants formed the ranks, and proceeded from one end of the manual to the other, leaving out precious little, and harping on the details that normally would be overlooked. We repeated the motions until they started getting automatic, and then would add on the next. We went through the Schools of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. We concentrated a lot of time on the platoon drill, and made effective use of the time spent there. The thing came off quite well, and it was then evolved into the battalion versions.

Weapons were thoroughly inspected, since they had not been fired in some time, and no excuses were acceptable for any poor conditions. The ordery was quick to record many fines levied on the boys. And while some grumbling went on, most knew that the fines were fair to the offense, and that all the men benefit anyway, since the fines all go into the company fund.

We drilled and fired, fired, and drilled, and were lectured on safety and protocol, loading in nine times, and on and on. Once the officers noticed that no more knowledge could be absorbed by the poor private brain, it was determined that it was time for a noon meal, and it also was a welcome friend, a hearty stew of wow and woose. That with some coffee and hard bread made a grand ration.

After the noon rest, we proceeded to set up a skirmish out on the ledges and land of the farm. We divided our ranks in two, and dressed half as rebels, then sent them out. Now, you know that we could do this safely here at home, but no one would be fool enought to do this at the front. And we were ordered to leave our cartridges on camp, and only use powder and caps.

Once the boys had a good start, the other half went a looking. And as the two groups normally fight together, they were thinking alike, and it turned out to be a grand flanking dance, both circling each other to the right. Finally, it was determined that one should stay still and quiet, and wait for the other one to come on and get ambushed. And that is what happened, but it was not sure who ambushed who, and the losses on both sides were high. So we all called it off, and went back to the camp, then had some more coffee, one last drill about, and proceeded to gather our accouterments and proceed to the cars once more. The next time we are together, we willl be ready for what ever the enemy can send our way, and all the game will be out of it. It will be serious business from here, as the season is now under way. God Bless the Union and the Eighth!

Your obedient servant,
Kim