13^th Reg^t Mass Vol near Waterloo Va

July 2 1862

 

Dear Father.

              I received your good letter with my box, day before yesterday afternoon. You have no idea how glad I was to get the box, and especially Mothers picture. I think it looks just like her and I would like to give her one good kiss. I showed your picture to George, and Clark, and they said it looked very natural indeed.

 

That rubber blanket was just the thing I wanted, and I guess it will do me good service. I have got that small white rubber blanket that I carried away from the Fort with me yet.

 

Speaking of the difficulty in drafting recruiting I think that the President would show / a little sense if he prohibited giving extra bounty money, and commence and draft. If a man has not patriotism enough to come out now he never will have. Here we are out here, and been working for the U.S. for a year, and the new recruits will get about twice the money that we will, and wont see one half the work that we have.

 

I am sorry to hear that Ada is sick but am glad to hear that she is getting better. Hope that she will be well soon. Kiss her for me. I hope that you will have a good time (down East). Give my love to Grandfather and Grandmother. I thought when I left home that you would never regret it permitting me to join the Army. I think a great deal of Pope's Orders, and haven't a might of sympathy for the secesh. 

 

I would like to see Uncle Henry's summer residence first rate. You must remember me to him and Aunt Kate. I rather guess Mother that we will defer that trip on the mountain until summer after next. Give my best respects to Old Monadnoc, if you go up there. I presume that Cousin Elmer will enlist, and if he hase'nt gone give him my best respects also all my Aunts and Uncles up country.

 

            With love to all I am your

affectionate son Cha^s E. Leland.

 

            Write soon and oblige. 

 

Remember and send me some stamps as they are can not be got here with money

 

Dear Mother.

           I was very glad to hear from you and am delighted with your picture. I think it is very natural. I hope that you will have a good time in N.Y. State, and would like to be with you on your trip. I am glad to hear that Brother Henry is such a good scholar and I guess he will be the scholar of the family. Tell him that he must thik of his brother once in a while as I do of him very often. I shall write to Mrs. Adam as soon as I can get time. Remember me to her if you please. I am very sorry that her hand troubles her so much. I believe I could keep Aunt E Esther frying fritters all the fournoon, and then I would not be satisfied.

 

We do not live very high in the Army. 

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