A letter from Thomas Barnett, 2nd Wis. to his brother.

 The original is on file in the Archives and Manuscripts Division of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

Camp Advance Virginia

Sept. 22d 1861

Brother Joe,

I rec'd your letter of the 4th and was glad to hear that you are all well. Well we are back on the Sacred Soil of old Virginia once more. We are near Chain bridge a distance of about seven miles from Washington. I have been a little sick the last two or three days but I am getting over it now. It is the first time I have been sick since I left home.

Alanson Parody is very sick, he is in the hospital at Washington. The last we heard from him he was getting better. The rest of the boy are all well.

We have a great deal of scouting and picket duty to do. We have to go on picket almost three days every week. We have to keep a wake all night. It is very pleasant when it rains. There was a company belonging to Col. Baker's regiment out on picket. Last night the captain ventured rather far from his men and the rebel cavalry got sight of him and shot him two or three times. He started back calling for his men to rally but a bullet from one of the rebels took him in the side of the head killing him instantly. he didn't get off as well as Capt. Strong. Casey is appointed Sergt-Major of the regiment. He is as Straight as a  (?). Jimmy Gow takes his place in the company as 5th Sergeant.

I had a letter from Lott last night. It must be awful dull since John's Company left. When they reach Madison write me and let me know whether they are coming here or not or where they are going. [Note: The company of brother-in-law John Callis was part of the 7th Wisconsin, which would soon join the 2nd. Lott is probably his sister Charlotte.].

I see by a letter from Dan Doyle that he has some notion of enlisting for the war. tell him if he is bound to enlist to come into this company as Capt. McKee wants to fill up the company again.

The Captain says if there is anyone there that would like to come tell them to send their names and he will fix it so they can come at the expense of the government.

If you see Ed: Morgan tell him I want him to come. It is a tough place to like. Soldiering is rough business. I would not advise any one to come but I would like to see all the boys here and if any boys want to enlist they can't find a better man than Captain McKee.

I wish you were able to stand the racket to come here. I think you could get the appointment of Sutler in this regiment. You could make money as fast as you want to. The one we have now isn't liked very well. I think he will be shipped south. The captain says he is sure you could get the appointment But it is hard work. It takes three or four to run it. I guess you had better come with George Hyde and see us if nothing more.

Jeff says he is very sorry to hear of the illness of Miss Madison. He says to tell Pat(?) Russell to keep her heels clean and to tell her that her brother Sylvester is enjoying good health.

Tell Fany and Charley Brown that I haven't had a nip for six weeks. Tell them to take two or three Sfraso-fully for me. Tell Fany all the war dances I have now are in earnest.

Cap. McKee and all the boys send their best respects. No more at present, love to all the folks.

Tom Barnett

Some context:
From History of Grant County Wisconsin by Castello N. Holford, p.277

[On July 22nd the regiment took part in the battle of Bull Run.]
At ten o'clock on the night of September 3 the long roll beat, the Second "fell in" and marched to Chain Bridge, seven miles from Washington. On the 4th they crossed the Potomac and occupied a place commanding the approaches to Chain Bridge on the Virginia side. Their tents had been left at their camp on Meridian Hill, and their only shelter from the almost incessant rains was what they could make of pine boughs. There they helped build Fort Marcy. On the 14th they received their tents and went into camp near the fort. On the 25th the regiment went out on a foraging expedition and had a skirmish with the enemy, but without loss. October 1st the Second recrossed the Potomac and camped near the bridge.