Oct 27th /62 

My Dear Aunt,

As it is raining today and I am at leisure, I will try to write you a few lines although there does not seem to be much to write that will be of interest. I arrived here in due time and was greeted by one and all with pleasure for many had thought I never would return.

I came to Harpers Ferry on the cars and from there I had to march 35 miles and I was pretty tired at night when I arrived at my place of destination. We are at present encamped near the pleasant little town of Clear Springs which is situated near the border of Penn. and about 40 miles from Harpers Ferry. Our Division is at present acting as a sort of watch dog on the River to guard the dams, fords and passes between Harpers Ferry and the Penn. line. We are all enjoying the best of health and spirits which I cannot fail to appreciate and be thankful for after my recent illness. With the beautiful weather prevailing as a general thing in this latitude, our hopes are earnest that something will be done to improve the chances thus given for quick and long marches on the rebel territory. Once that the usual fall rains set in and the thaws and frosts of early winter and our time for prompt action will be past.

I think our nation has waited too long for the Rebel troops to starve. They must be sought and whipped. In the west they seem to have seized of late every opportunity for striking blows at the rebels. The brilliant success of the Union troops having nearly annihilated at several places armies confidently relied upon by the conspirators at Richmond to hold their ground. We are in hopes some day of getting a sight of the famous Stewart Cavalry of "Stonewall Jackson's" Division. It would be worth a weeks hard tack to scatter these, these terrific slave drivers. The trouble is they keep themselves as scarce as "small change" just now.

I presume when I write again we shall have seen some action for the rebels have already made some attempts for a second raid into Penn. I wrote you while I was at Fort Hamilton. Did you receive the letter or not?

Please write soon. I cannot write more now for it is about dinner time and I must go at cooking. Accept the true esteem of your loving Nephew, 

Alfred C Woods

P.S. Have you found your trunk yet or not? & I hope you have write soon. I wrote to Aunt Lucy yesterday a long letter. A.C.W. 

Marching Song
Composed By Doctor Simpson 

Come Anderson Zouaves with our voices let us sing
With cheers for the Union we'll make the welking ring
Three cheers for Little Mac and three for gallant Keyes
And three more for our stars and stripes now floating in the breeze 

Chorus

Little Mac is our chief, Volunteers our are men,
We are always ready, Steady Boys Steady,
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again

Now nobly let us fight and we'll whip the rebel crew 
We've got Williamsburg and we'll take Richmond too
We'll drive them from Virginia and we'll make the rebels feel
That not a power on earth can stand our true yankee steel 

(Chorus) 

Remember gallant Riker boys our Col brave and true
Who fell at Fair Oaks Battle that day we all shall rue,
Revenge him in the future be his name our Battle cry,
The "Zou Zous" never know retreat, they conquer or they die. 

(Chorus) 

And when the war is over Boys and we go home again
Our Banners crowned with victory our names without a stain
We'll fight our Battles o'er and give three loud huzzas
For the bravest of the volunteers the Anderson Zouaves 

Composed By Doctor Simpson July the 31st 1862 

Notes included by J Tierney on his website: 

To the tune “Hearts of Oak” 

Woods appears to have taken ill sometime in July/August 1862, if the song composed by Dr. Simpson was recorded by Woods in the hospital he was there July 31, 1862. This is included with this letter. 

Letters of Alfred Covell Woods. 

Contributed by J. Tierney