Camp Griffin, VA., Jan. 10, ’62

Owing the almost unbearable inactivity of this army and the bad weather we are now having, there has been nothing of any importance going on, for some time, until last Friday night the 17th instant, when, after tramping around all day through mud of a sufficient depth to cover a small sized dog, we stowed ourselves snugly away in the tents, thinking thereby we would escape the mud for a night at least, and be better able to toil with it the next day.

Our peaceful slumbers and happy thoughts were however, destined to be of short duration. We had just got into a good sound sleep, and were dreaming of the gentle ones we left behind us, when the “Bugle Sounded.” “Boots and Saddles,” it being then near 12 o’clock. Immediately thereafter could be heard the commanding and well-known voices of the Colonel’s and Company Commanders, as they rode up and down the lines, calling for the men to come out. Ten minutes after ‘‘boots and saddles” had been sounded, the assembly call was made, and ten minutes thereafter, the “Cameron Regiment of Dragoons” were all in line, ready, willing, and waiting, for a set to with the Enemy.—In that position we stood fora short time, when an orderly came with a message from the General, telling us to go to our quarters. We had just made a start for the stables, when down came another messenger telling us to stand in line so we stood, (poor deluded creatures) until two o’clock, when we were again ordered in, and to keep our horses all ready, which we did until morning. And thus ended the anticipated fight.