Here is a letter from George Woodzell, 52nd Inf Company K. It was late oct 1862. Since your writing about the fight in december I thought this might help you with knowing what they were doing just before that. They really didnt thing this war was going to last long.

Bunkers Hill October24 AD 1862

My dear father & mother 12 miles from Winchester

I write you a few lines to let you know that i am well at present &r hope that this may fmd you well. r got your letter last saturday morning & was glad to hear that you were all well wee left our old camp that morning & went down about 3 miles the other side of Martinsburgh & the next day wee went taring up the railroad & worked at it X days and yesterday wee came here about 1 Y2 miles from where wee were before. John [older brother same unit] is tolerbIy well & sends his love to you all he says as I write to you it is no use for him to for you can hear from whenever I write. William and James Gillet [neighbors] are tolerby welL Andrew is [possibly another Gillett] complaing some he has some very sore boils on his side. Wee were close enough the day before yesterday to see the Yankes tents on the hights at harpersferry . John Snead [another neighbor and ancestor of golfer Sam Snead died at the hospittle in winchester about 2 weeks ago. I think the yankes are getting tired of this war & I hope that peace will be made before long there is a good deal of talk about it in camp but I don't know that there is much sins [sense] ofit. I would like to see you all very much but it can't be so now. God grant that wee may meet in heaven [reoccurring theme ofthis generation].. Give my love to Ann [sister at home] & family your son George Woodzell

Note: George Woodzell belonged to Co. K, 52nd Va. Inf. He survived the war to marry Martha Clark and settled in Warrenton Virginia where he raised his family. He is buried in Warrenton Cemetary very near the Confederate Memorial.