March 14, 1863. Defending Fairfax Station and Wolfrun Shoals

"March 14. The coldest weather of the season as yet. Fairfax Station is becoming a place of considerable importance in a military point of view, as being a base for supplies to the army, and a depot for Government stores, which we are at present guarding." ~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 89 (1864)

"March 14. Some excitement at the Shoals. Had some excitement or expected some excitement somewhere, I'll be darned if I know where and I can't find out. I don't think I shall run until I do, or get orders to, then I shall do as I am a mind to about it. Rebs are round, and in the immediate vicinity of this place. ( I suppose so)."  ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment.

"Camp near Wolfrun Shoals March 14th 1863 

"We are like to have some fun soon, for the rebs now the mud has began to dry up seem determined to bother us some but they don’t try to cross here. If they make trouble for us, they will cross below here and try to flank us.

"Evening since I commenced this letter. We have been called out in line of battle to fight the rebs. There were some horsemen seen on a hill near here. Our cavalry scouts went across the river and only came back.... We have been ordered to stack our arms and to be ready to fall in at a moment’s warning. 

"Last night about 4 miles from here, the Rebs crossed the river, took all their pickets and went on to the courthouse but did not make out so well as they did before. The men that went into the village got nabbed so instead of getting a Bridadier General they were taken themselves. 

"Now the mud is dried up some, the rebs won’t give us any peace until they have tried it once and get driven back. We could hold two Brigades easy for there are four rifled guns (six pounders) and two howitzers that would rake them as they came up and then we have rifle pits on this side and have destroyed those on the other side. If they have Artillery, they can bother us some but none but Calvary will be able to get between us and the main forces in front."  ~ James Willson, 13th Regt., pvt, Co. B. , Letter #32, March 14, 1863 (VHS)