Letters, chiefly 1861-1864, from Edward R. Jones, Jr., private of Company "K," 95th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers (Colonel John M. Gosline's Pennsylvania Zouaves), to his mother, aunt and cousin, William Butt, Jr. Letters are written from Virginia, Washington, D.C. and southern Maryland and describe conditions in camp and on the battlefield and express his views on the Civil War, as well as family news. Includes description of John S. Mosby's Partisan Rangers and his [ERJ] part in the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 23, 1862). Wrote that the battles in which they played a prominent part were West Point, Gaines Mills, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Gettysburg and Locust Grove. They were also under fire at 3rd Fredericksburg and 2nd Bull Run. Also included are letters from Edward R. Jones, Sr., to his brother Shipley Jones in Washington, D.C.; E. Douglass to her husband; Patrick Egan, Jones' company commander, saying that Jones was a good soldier; and Joseph H. Jones to his nephew, Edward R. Jones, giving up all rights to his space in the family cemetery plot. also included is an 1898 Roster of Survivors of the 95th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Edward R. Jones is listed on page eleven as living in Beverly, New Jersey.

Item 1: Enlisting, 11 October 1861 11 October 1861. E. R. Jones, Philadelphia, Pa.], to his brother, J. Shipley Jones, in or near Washington, D. C. His [ERJ] son, Edward, has enlisted in Colonel [John M.] Gosline's regiment [Edward is in Company K and the Captain's name is Heunes]; Edward will be leaving for Washington shortly and wishes to see him [JSJ] to visit him and to provide "any little thing" which Edward might need; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 2: Troop Movements, 18 October 1861 18 Oct[ober 18]61. E[dward] R. Jones, Jr., Headquarters, Gosline's Zouaves, Camp Kendall Green in Washington, D. C., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Philadelphia]. Arrived early last Sunday morning; the camp is ten minutes walk from Washington and had been previously occupied by other regiments so that the trenches were already dug; there was a scarcity of water; left Philadelphia about six o'clock Saturday evening often a long march, much "noise and confusion" and "an elegant supper"; went next to Chester and Wilmington by train; crossed the Susquehanna at Perrysville and arrived at Havre-de-gras; went next to Baltimore, where his regiment had to march two miles to get to the other depot and saw "but one or two flags flying and but little cheering"; arrived in Washington, rested, and had dinner of "a slice of hard bread and a cupful of weak coffee"; "Uncle Shipley" showed him around and they visited the old capitol, which was being used as a prison, visited "Uncle Shipley's home"; family news. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 3: Alexandria, 4 November 1861 4 Nov[ember 18]61. E[dward] R. Jones, Jr., Camp near Alexandria, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Philadelphia, Pa.]. Marched last Monday to Bladensburg, [Md.], six miles north of Washington; one guard shot and killed by a rebel prowler and two poisoned a few days before he arrived by a woman who sold them milk; the area is mostly secessionist and part of the "celebrated" Black Horse Cavalry recruited there; marched the next day through Alexandria, got lost, nearly got shot as they passed through Fort Ellsworth, being mistaken at first for the enemy, many men gave out and a baggage wagon broke down, and the others couldn't get around it, so they were forced to camp in the open air; attached at the moment to Brigadier General [William Buel] Franklin's Brigade, composed mostly of New York troops plus one Maine regiment; many were at the [first] battle of Bull Run and one regiment lost almost half its men in that battle; every day the same routine; family news. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 4: Officers, 26 October 1861 26 Oct[ober 18]61. E. R. Jones, Jr., Camp Kendall Green, to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Philadelphia, Pa.].  Visited with "Uncle Shipley" twice since the last letter and visited "places of interest"; was "very much interested" by the Patent Office; there are some fine private dwellings; although the public buildings "are all that could be expected, of the city itself I cannot say so much"; reviewed with seven other regiments by Brigadier General [George Archibald] McCall at Meridian Hill and did very well; accompanied the body of Colonal Baker to the grave and fired over his remains; flags at half-mast; the President [Abraham Lincoln], General [Robert Kingston] Scott and most of the Cabinet attended [Baker's burial]; regiment improving in discipline; commissioned officers good - Colonel was a captain in the state militia and a strict disciplinarian while the Captain was 13 years in the regular army; report of a battle at Newport News in which the Union was defeated and 100 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing but it was "probably a hoax." 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 5: Troop Review, 23 November 1861 23 Nov[ember 18]61. E[dward] R. Jones [Jr.], Camp Franklin, to his cousin Will[iam] Butt, Jr., (Philadelphia, Pa.).  His regiment took part in a grand review and it was "a magnificent spectacle"; there was infantry, cavalry, and 20 batteries of field artillery; the President [Abraham Lincoln] and General [George Brinton] McClellan attended; expecting a ground inspection by Inspector General Davis but due to bad weather it has been postponed; family news. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 6: Deserter, 13 December 1861 13 Dec[ember 18]61. E[dward] R. Jones, [Jr.], Headquarteres, Gosline's Zouaves, Camp Franklin, to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Witnessed an execution of a private of the New York First Cavalry; the private was executed because he tried to desert but was captured by a Colonel of the Third New Jersey; finished framwork of logs; a soldier's life "seems to agree with me very well." 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 7: Skirmish and Disease, 26 December 1861 26 Dec[ember 18]61. Edw[ard] R. Jones, Jr., Camp Franklin, to his cousin, William Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  A man in E. R. Jones' Company by the name of William Geary accidentally shot himself and shattered his hand; Geary was taken to the General Hospital in Alexandria where his hand will probably be amputated; fought with some rebel forces from Annandale, who killed a lieutenant from a Jersey regiment and took two or three men from [Louis] Blenker's brigade prisoner; succeeded in driving them back before "they could do any more damage"; the first death in the regiment occurred last Sunday evening; the man died of typhoid fever and was from Company C; the disease is getting pretty bad in nearby camps; has caught a cold but won't go to the doctor because "no one has confidence in the surgeon"; had a "very dull time of it on Christmas"; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 8: Prisoner Exchange, 13 January 1862 13 January [18]62. Edward R. Jones, [Jr.], Camp Franklin, to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Philadelphia, Pa.].  Are using rifles now instead of the old muskets and the rifles seem "to be very effective"; last Saturday there was a return of exchanged prisoners belonging to the 28th New York Volunteers, who seemed "well pleased with their reception"; two men came through camp under corporal's guard who had been arrested as  spies; has been taking the "Bronchial Troches" that Will sent and believes that they are working; cause of colds in camp was being forced to lie down on bare ground for lack of straw; have strewn evergreens on the floor of the tent, which made it more comfortable; no stove in the tent so are forced to borrow a pan from the cooks and fill it with hot coal, but are not always successful. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 9: Picket Duty, 23 January 1862 23 Jan[uary 18]61 [1862]. Edward R. Jones, Jr., Camp Franklin, to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Posted on picket duty at an old tavern that had named "Hotel de' Continental" which Jones called "not very appropriate"; got paid while on picket; food was not very good  but bought breakfast from the inhabitants of a farm house for only 25 cents; went back on Tuesday through mud a foot deep; family news. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 10: Bad Weather, 25 January 1862 25 Jan[uary 1862]. Edward R. Jones, Jr., Camp Franklin, to his Aunt, no place.    Detailed on guard duty yesterday morning; was very cold and it hailed; very muddy; thanks her for sending the box and assures her that everyone in the company is well cared for, with the possible exception of a young German named Nicholas Klink who has no family or friends. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 11: Disease in the Regiment, 1 February 1862 1 February [18]62. Edward R. Jones, [Jr.], Camp Franklin, to his cousin, W[illiam]m Butt, [Philadelphia, Pa.].  William McQuay, "an old comrade of mine," died of typhoid fever at the brigade hospital after being sick about two weeks; Jones helped bury him at the Soldier's burial ground in Alexandria, which had been used before as a cemetery in the War of 1812; small pox has broken out in [Henry Warner] Slocums' brigade, about a quarter of a mile away; the drum major in his [ERJ, Jr.] is in the hospital with small pox; the entire regiment was vaccinated; thanks for sending things to Nicholas Klink; has not seen any rebels in uniform; stove burned so well that it burnt a hole in the tent. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 12: Rumors and Bad Weather, 19 February 1862 19 Feb[ruary 1862]. Edward R. Jones, Jr., Camp Franklin, to his aunt, no place.    Received her letter yesterday; "much excitement" in camp due to the success of land and naval forces in the South; rumor that "our own and General [Samuel Peter] Heintzelman's divisions" are to move to Kentucky; desire to move against the rebels; can hear the booming of guns from camp; believes that if the rebels take a stand; "the bloodiest battle of the war will be fought somewhere in this neighborhood"; description of Nicholas Klink; received a photograph, which he believes to be very good and will "prize it accordingly"; have had miserable weather lately; it snowed on Monday; raining as he wrote the letter and the tent leaks; roads in terrible condition; has a terrible cold but is better than it was before; gives his respects "to Miss Buckis and all patriotic ladies of your acquaintance." 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 13: Wind Damages Camp, 24 February 1862 24 Feb[ruary 18]62. Edward R. Jones, Jr., Camp Franklin, to his cousin, William Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Celebrated [George] Washington's birthday by firing salutes on cannons; the regiment did not celebrate as a whole but each company did something; some members of Company A made a "tremendous bonfire"; hurricane blowing outside; trying to prevent the tent from blowing down but doesn't believe that they will succeed; the camp is in "a terrible condition" because each company has two or three tents blown down; one of the sutler's tents blew down - it was a boarding house for officers and men; everything edible on the table was taken; the men dislike the sutler because he cheats them so they were glad to get back at him; he did not get any of the stolen property; a daguerreotypist's tent blew down; it had been used for those who wished to have their pictures taken; his camera and most of his stock was destroyed; wind increasing with sunset; the flag pole (which was raised on the 15th of February) blew down and took two tents with it; will probably go on picket next week; the last two or three weeks have been discouraging for the rebels but believes it will take "several bloody battles" before the backbone of the rebellion is broken; Mr. [Nicholas] Klink very grateful; in good health; receiving only scanty food - the fault of the quarter master sergeant. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 14: Jersey Regiment, 30 March 1862 30 March [18]62. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], Camp Franklin, to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].  Picket duty, near Annandale; advanced on Fairfax, occupied by rebels; the advance, "consisting of the Jersey Brigade" under General [Philip] Carney [Kearny] drove the rebels out of the rifle pits, killing several, and taking about forty prisoners; the Jersey regiments went on to Manassas, where they expected to engage the enemy, but found it nearly deserted; marched on the 15th; on guard duty that night and it rained all night; reached camp at two p.m. to find the tents down and stove stolen; tent was torn in several places; serenaded "General [George] McClellan at his camp half a mile away; McClellan honored them; only regiment in the whole army who serenaded him; said that "...if circumstances should ever render it necessary for him to pick out a regiment to fight, and if necessary to die with him, that regiment should be our own"; the regiment greeted him "with cheer after cheer"; thousands of troops sent down river, supposedly to Fortress Monroe; expects to join them soon; family news. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 15: Rebel Action, 2 May 1862 2 May [18]62. Edward R. Jones, Jr., On Peninsula, 5 miles from Yorktown, to his cousin, William Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Marched to Warrington Station and back (over 50 miles); on the 17th, embarked to join [General George Brinton] McClellan at Yorktown; two days previously, some of [Hiram] Berdan's [1st US] Sharp shooters captured 16 rebels; one, an Irishman, claimed to have Union sympathies but was pressed into rebel servicse; the rest "openly vowed their secession proclivities"; at Yorktown, the sharp shooters and rebels are almost continually firing at each other; three of [DeWitt Clinton ?] Baxter's Zouaves were severely injured by an exploding shell while playing cards in the woods; one is expected to die; rebels used sheep to try to lure Union men out but it was not successful and so far, "the sheep have suffered no injury"; cannonading heavy last night; believes "the most desperate battle of the war will be fought here"; corduroy roads constructed; oyster and clams running out; received the "Trooches"; respects to Miss Buckis. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 16: Battle at West Point, 10 May 1862 10 May [18]62. Edw[ard] R. Jones, Jr., 3 miles from West Point, to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Enemy retreated from Yorktown on May 4th; disappointed because he wanted to capture or destroy most of their army; believes they retreated to prevent the Union army from doing so; on the morning of the 4th of May, were put on transports and arrived opposite Yorktown that evening; despite orders, some went ashore and returned with spoils of war; seven men from Massachusetts killed by a torpedo left by the rebels; on May 6th, sailed up the York River to West Point; sent to hold the enemy until General [George Brinton] McClellan could catch up with them; landed that night; orderly sergeant of the 27th New York shot by a rebel scout; on May 7th, learned that two divisions of rebels (General [?] Whitely's and [General] Gus[tauvus Woodson] Smith's) were only a mile and a half away; his regiment went out in front as skirmishers, supported by the 31st New York; two men died and several wounded; out numbered three to one, so retreated; fight became general; 31st New York loss was heavier, as they retreated by companies while Gosline's Pennsylvania Zouaves retreated as skirmishers, reinforced by [General Henry Warner] Slocum's Brigade; saw some terrible wonds; lay out on the ground all night and so was terribly damp in the morning; several were sick from exposure; two rebel deserters reported rebels to be very disheartened; five regiments opposed to his own at one time, including Hampton Legion [begun by Wade Hampton, became part of James Longstreet's Division] out of South Carolina, part of the Louisiana Tigers [a brigade headed by Dick Taylor or Rob Wheat's Louisiana Battalion, part of Taylor's Brigade] and the Texas Rangers; [General George Brinton] McClellan came through camp; request for more "Troches." 8 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 17: Fighting, 26 September 1862 26 Sept[ember 18]62. Edw[ard R. Jones, Jr., Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].  Arrived at the Second Battle of Bull Run barely in time to prevent them being overwhelmed by the rebels; his division [[General Henry Warner] Slocums's] crossed to Washington on the 6th after retreating to Centreville, visited Uncle Shipley; marched towards the enemy; drove the enemy from Sugarloaf Mountain on September 10; September 14, attacked the rebels at South Mountain near Cramptons Gap [(Pass), Md.]; defeated the enemy; took 1,000 prisoners; lost 400 men; "of all the terrible sights I have seen, I have seen nothing to compare with the battlefield of Wednesday...". 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 18: Presidential Inspection, 10 October 1862 10 Oct[ober 18]62. Edw[ard] R. Jones, [Jr.], Camp near Bakersville, Md., to his cousin, Will[iam, Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].    Review on [October] 3 by President [Abraham] Lincoln; "Uncle Abe" seemed pleased by their performance; on the next day, the brigade was inspected by a United State Inspecting Officer; two days ago, he was assigned to guard Gen[eral John] Newton's headquarters; the rest of the regiment went on picket and are expected back this afternoon; the Confederates occupy the other bank of the Potomac River which at this piont is so narrow, the two sides hold conversations over it, his cold still continues; had some medicine and the "troches" did him good; mail irregular. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 19: Burnside Replaces McClellan, 22 November 1862 22 November [18]62. Ed[ward] R. Jones, [Jr.], Camp at Stafford C[our]t House, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].  Crossed the Potomac on Nov[ember] 2 at Berlin using the same pantoon bridge used by General [Ambrose Everett] Burnside a few days before; camped on the 9th at Pisgah [?] Mountain, used by [General John] Porter's signal corps during the last battle of Manassas; on the 10th of October, General [George Brinton] McClellan rode amonst the troops and was well received; the next day, they were paraded and his farewell address was read; the men are dissatisfied but no disturbances yet; enclosed is an old constable's warrant [not here] which he found in the court house; some "marauders" broke into the court house and threw the papers all around; detailed to remove the blockade thrown up by [General Irvin] McDowell's troops and to repair the road; this involved working out in the rain so his cold is worse; doctor prescribed a mustard plaster; received the "troches." 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 20: Battle of Fredericksburg, 22 December 1862 22 Dec[ember 18]62. Edw[ard] R. Jones, [Jr.], Camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].    On December 11, ordered to move to the Rappahannock; arrived and, about noon, the engineer corps began putting up a pantoon bridge; when they were nearly done, they were fired upon and ten died; upon hearing this, General [Ambrose Everett] Burnside ordered Fredericksburg to be shelled; enemy driven off and bridge completed; at break of day, his [Franklin's Grand] Division marched across; his [95th] regiment and 32nd New York were in the first line-of-battle; looked for enemy; General [George Dashiell] Bayard [since killed by a shell - died December 14, 1862] sent out a brigade of Pa. Cavalry; found the enemy - three or four killed and several wounded; infantry moved forward - three men wounded; on Saturday, "a bloody battle was fought"; his [95th] regiment not actively engaged; a rifle ball struck him on the belt; saved it; withdrew at midnight and marched across the river. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 21: Waiting for Orders, 17 January 1863 17 January [18]63. Edw[ard] R. Jones, Jr., Camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Received orders yesterday to march; three days extra rations were cooked and extra cartridges were issued, bringing each man up to 60 rounds; though they were going to leave that morning but as of yet no orders had been given; since the evacuation of Fredericksburg, the enemy has been working vigorously on the fortifications; would be impossible to move on them in the same way as before with success plus there would be a great loss of life; hopes that "we will be more ably manoeuvered"; hasn't received his letter of December 22 and suspects that, since it contained money, it may have been tampered with; thanks him for the "Post" and writing paper; constructed a shelter of logs and tents; chimney is smoking; regards to friends; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 22: Douglass Arrives in Salem, 11 February 1863 11 Feb[ruary] 1863. E. Douglass, Salem, to "Husband", no place.  Arrived at "Brother Lawrence's" yesterday at 2:30 pm; "met with a hearty welcome"; arrived at Philadelphia, father learned that the boat would not be out until March 1, because of repairs, so remained on the boat until she crossed over to Camden; took the nine o'clock cars for Pittstown; arrived at Yorktown and found a car waiting, in which they had a pleasant ride; stage ride not as pleasant as she imagined it; "Birdie," however, slept until "Alloways Town," halfway to Salem; when there, the driver let her out to "straighten" herself; fell down five steps to the pavement with the baby; a gentleman saw and offered to take them to Salem; accepted and rested for two hours; had a nice tea; a meeting every night at Brother Lawrence's church; children well; love to everyone at home; will be home on Monday or Tuesday. 4 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 23: Camp Life, 15 March 1863 15 March [18]63. Edw[ard] R. Jones, [Jr.], camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].    Supplied for the last two weeks with bread from Washington; came four times a week but not very fresh; last Tuesday, began to build their own ovens and expect bread from them next Tuesday; Lieutenant returned from furlough; there is a rumor that furloughs have been stopped but believes "that it has no foundation in fact"; received the "post" and the writing paper; had his picture painted and sent to his [ERJ's] parents; received a letter from Mary Anna - hopes that Uncle Bradley meets "with more success at farming, that he has in his other ventures"; going out to sing hymns with the rest of the party. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 24: Hooker Replaces Burnside, 9 April 1863 9 April [18]63. Edw[ard] R. Jones, Jr., camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, W[illia]m Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.    Reviewed on the 3rd by Gen[eral Joseph] Hooker on a field behind White Oak Church; the ground had originally been covered with oaks but have since been cut down and burned; snowed the following day; supposed to be inspected last Sunday by his brigade general [David Allen Russell] but it was canceled because of the snow; his own and the 3rd corps reviewed yesterday by President [Abraham] Lincoln about 3 1/2 miles from camp; did very well, although the ground was not in good shape; "The President does not look so well as when I saw him last...He has a haggard and care worn expression"; about six weeks ago, six men from company H were captured as they tried to desert; last Tuesday, the regiment was on dress parade and the prisoners brought out; the sentence of one [O'Neil] was read and he was condemned to be shot, before this could be done, the commanding officer had to consent which he did not do, instead ordered the prisoner returned to duty; weather permitting, they have target practice, company and battalion drills, and dress parade, which leaves them little free time; believes they will shortly move against the enemy; believes they will move to some point above Fredericksburg so they can cross and get to the rear of the works in and around the town; troops have great confidence in Gen[eral Joseph] Hooker; he used to have great confidence in [General George Brinton] McClellan but "since I have read the report of the committee on the conducting of the campaign on the Peninsula and Maryland, said confidence is much shaken"; received letter from Emma; still had a cough. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 25: Fredericksburg Events, 18 May 1863 18 May [18]63. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam Butt, Jr.], Philadelphia, Pa.    Camped within a smile of old quarters near White Oak Church; suffered terribly in action at Fredericksburg; took 400 men into the battle, of which 175 and 13 commissioned officers were killed; nothing could compare with that battle; his corps [General John Sedgwick's] lost 4,000 men, of which his division lost most in proportion; drove the enemy from the heights but instead of staying there until they knew what was going on, they were ordered to immediately pursue the enemy; the enemy retired three miles into the country, where [according to prisoners] the enemy was reinforced by [General James] Longstreet; got on either flank, so were fired on from three sides; kept them at bay until evening and then left for the river crossing at Banks Ford at about 4 am; learned about his father's illness the day after the crossing; hear later that his father was slowly improving; his letter "has still further eased my mind"; applied for a furlough - the only question is whether or not the commanding officer will give him one; everything is ready to move; ordered to be ready to march at twelve hours' notice; thanks for the money; nearly "played out." 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 26: Enemy Movements, 4 June 1863 4 June [18]63. Edw[ard] R. Jones, Jr., camp near White Oak Church, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.    Received orders late last night to get under arms; at daylight were in line of battle and remained there until 6:30; three days rations were ordered cooked and readied to distribute; enemy are in force both on the right and the left, on his side of the river; the enemy may attempt to force the lines but thinks they will find it hard to do; "the boys" don't have much confidence in [General Joseph] Hooker but slaughtering thousands of "our men" for no gain does not "promote light heartedness"; very warm weather; lots of exercise the last two days, which weakens him; love to family; respect to inquiring friends. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 27: Guerrillas, 2 August 1863 2 August [18]63. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near New Baltimore, Va., to his cousin, W[illia]m Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].  Detailed on guard on Thursday and relieved on Friday; had a general brigadier inspection; at six p.m. marched towards New Baltimore and camped around ten p.m.; changed camp a little distance yesterday; had a dress parade; brigade is detached to keep the road open and support their cavalry "who are after [Partisan Ranger John Singleton] Mosby and his gang of guerrillas"; Mosby's men wait to catch stragglers which they either take prisoner or shoot; Mosby captured a brigade staff officer; men want to hang every guerrilla captured; people in the area are "entirely secesh. The men keep quiet but the women allow themselves more latitude"; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 28: Enemy Movements, 4 September 1863 4 Sept[ember 18]63. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near New Baltimore, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Received his letter while on picket, where they had relieved the 5th Maine Reg[imen]t; due to the sight of small squads of rebel Cavalry seen around the area, they kept a strict watch and were ready to defend against an attack but nothing happened and the enemy disappeared; relieved by the 96th P[ennsylvania] V[olunteers]; a member of company G of his regiment was taken captive by guerrillas; a member of the 121st New York was with him but escaped to bring back the news; believes they will move before long; enemy is believed to be helped by conscription; next battle will be bloody, he believes, but "will be the winding up of this rebellion; five conscripts" attached to the Corn Exchange (118th P[ennsylvania] V[olunteers]) were shot for desertion; still has a cold - the "troches" will probably help; family news. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 29: Rappahannock Station, 18 November 1863 18 November [18]63. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp on South Bank of Hazel River, to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Participated in the fight at Rappahannock Station [Nov. 1, 1863]; his and part of the 3rd brigade were the only active participants although the rest were under heavy artillery fire; due to the hilly countryside, however, little damage was done; combined lost of his and 3rd brigade was 75 killed, 25 wounded; the four regiments making the charge lost the most men, being exposed to the musket fire the most; the 6th Maine suffered quite a bit - saw 26 of them dead on the morning of the 8th; it was "a glorious success"; Hoke's brigade of Louisiana and Hayes' of North Carolina were taken, numbering about 1,400 men; his regiment of about 300 men had to guard them until the eighth, when they were relieved by some cavalry; seven artillery pieces and seven stand of colors were taken; about three prisoners taken for every two engaged; on the right of the army; camped near the Hazel River; fort about half a mile away; picket established every night; Gen[eral Joseph Johnson] Bartlett (his brigade commander) taking charge of division in 5th corps; Col[onel Emory] Upton of the 21st south bank of the Rapidan and the papers say there are fortifying; says that this fortification is unnecessary as "the natural position is stronger even than Fredericksburg"; troops have confidence in Gen[eral George Gordon] Meade; rumored that he intends to change fronts; heard that the bridge over the Rappahannock was finished yesterday. 2 pp. Autograh letter signed. Item 30: Christmas, 26 December 1863 26 Dec[ember 18]63. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near Hazel Run, Va., to his cousin, [William Butt, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.].    Reenlistment a question among troops; having received two letters from Mother telling him not to reenlist, he will probably not reenlist; had a nice Christmas dinner from a box received the day before; dinner was roast turkey with filling, cranberry sauce, mince and cranberry pie, and more; put the turkey bones over the door so that others would know that "we had kept Christmas up in the old fashioned style"; fixed in winter quarters and will probably stay there for some time; camp life uneventful except for occasional attacks by "[General John Singleton] Mosby and his gang" who will attack a picket of six men with about three times their number and run away as soon as an equal force comes out. ["Mary Anna" written on back]. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 31: Furloughs, 6 January 1864 6 Jan[uary 18]64. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near Hazel Run, Va., to his Uncle and Aunt, no place.    Most of the reenlisted men left for home early yesterday but without arms or regimental colors, which disappointed them because they had been mustered in with the understanding that they'd be able to take them on furlough with them; companies B and E allowed the privilege and will leave tomorrow; duty for the next month will be hard as the remaining men are expected to do the same amount of work; just relieved off picket; guerrilla bands are acting up again; one house nearby used by Mosby's band; didn't attack because they were outnumbered. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 32: Mr. Pillsbury, 16 January 1864 16 January [18]64. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near Hazel Run, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Mr. Pillsbury is mistaken about his having ridden in an ambulance - has never done it except once, about a year and a half ago on the march from White House to Cumberland; Mosby has even settled down; family news. 2 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 33: Boxes from Home, 14 February 1864 14 February [18]64. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near Hazel Run, Va., to his cousin, Will[iam] Butt, Jr., [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Most of the reenlisted men have returned and brought back articles from home; a messmate brought a package from home; had a general brigade inspection followed by a review; second general inspection in four days; doesn't know the proper way to address a letter to Major [Thomas Worchester] Hyde; box probably destroyed or robbed after being delivered at Brandy Station; the Major probably can't be held responsible for it; about nine out of ten boxes delivered correctly - the loss of his was probably caused by the confusion of the army being on the march; on the 6th the 2nd and part of the 3rd Corps fought with the enemy near Germana Ford; nearly got a job as a compositor at Army Headquarters but was on picket so they detailed someone else; health good; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 34: List of Battles, 10 March 1864 10 March [1864]. Ed[ward R. Jones, Jr.], camp near Hazel Run, Va., to his mother, [Philadelphia, Pa.].    Received her letter while on picket, where the weather was bad; exposure hasn't done anything bad to his health and in fact, he is feeling better; most in the regiment have colds; relieved from picket this morning; yesterday, four rebel deserters came into camp; another group was expected but didn't come; must be pretty disaffected to do this; Senator Wilson of Massachusetts working on a pay increase bill, so hopes to get paid more; companies B and E arrived on Monday and brought an ensign, presented by the Refreshment Committee and inscribed with the names of the battles in which they took part; battles in which they played a big part are: West Point, Gaines' Mills, Charles' City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Gettysburg and Locust Grove; under fire at 3rd Fredericksburg and 2nd Bull Run; family news. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 35: Certification, 8 September 1864 8 Sept[ember] 1864. Patrick Egan, Capt. Comdg. Co. K., 95th Reg[iment] Pa. Vol[unteer]s, camp near Berryville, Va.    Letter certifying that Edward R. Jones is a good soldier. Item 36: Burial Plot, 16 September 1894 16 Sept[ember] 1894. Joseph H. Jones, no place, to his nephew, Edward R. Jones, [Jr.], Beverly, N. J.    Gives his nephew all rights to family burial plot at Ronaldson cemetery; "glad to hear of your family increase"; hopse is in good health; has had rheumatism for some years and only gets relief from homeopathic remedies; Sally and children send love to him and family. 3 pp. Autograph letter signed. Item 37: Roster of Survivors, 1 October 1898 "Roster of the Survivors of the 95th Regiment of Penn. Vols. - [Colonel John M.] Gosline's Pen. Zouaves."    Edward R. Jones' name appears on page eleven.