Joseph Waln Wistar letter dated January 12, 1862

              Head Quarters 8th Cavalry Jany 12th/62 [January 12, 1862]

Dear Ma,

Another week has passed and our positions are not yet definitely settled, though Huey's commission is now daily expected from Harrisburgh [sic]. The recommendation for his appointment was approved by our Lt. Col. and Col. Averell [Colonel William Woods Averell (1832-1900)], com. [commander] Brigade, and by Col. Puleston [Colonel John Henry Puleston (1830-1908], Curtin's agent [Andrew Gregg Curtin (1817-1894), then Governor of Pennsylvania] in Washington [D. C.] who manages the army affairs for him. So things look well for me. Still I wish they were settled. The mud is awful, we can't step from our tents without going anckle [sic] deep always and sometimes more. This is no exageration [sic], the drills have been abandoned in consequence of it. I was on Garrison duty yesterday and relieved this morning, and used up two horses. My saddle equipment and pants were a sight. We have made a walk of boards about five long from the door of our tent to the side, and if we have any duty to perform, we have our horses led up to it, and step at once into the stirrup, but we catch it if we have to dismount. I have heard of Virginia roads before, and that Virginians always travelled on horseback in winter, and from what I have seen I should think they would. I always imagined the accounts were exagerated [sic] but now I believe all.