Camp Winfield Scott

            near Yorktown April 30/62

 

Dear Father Sisters and brother

we received our pay on the 28^th in the morning so then we had to go on fatigue for 2 days to repair the road so I gave 23$ to the Captian to send to you by Adams Express I would have wrote sooner only I had no time the money will be sent this morning the 30^th I will tell you how I laid out the rest I paid a debt of $1.50 since last pay and 25cts to the Sutler for tobacco while we where in Manassas I bought yesterday 1 pound of cheese at 25ct and a half pound of butter at 20cts and 25cts worth of tobacco / So you can see how much I have left we only received 2 months pay same as last pay they are still shelling at our pickets we can hear the cannons firing every half hour but we cant see no shells we have not been on picket yet it is verry dangerous to go on I shall you send you a Virginia bill $1 which I found in Manassas in a pair of pants pockets I would have sent it sooner only I was trying to pass it but it was no go we came to camp yesterday we was about 2½ miles from camp we have a verry nice place here streets laid out beautiful rows of trees along the ground is splendid I hope Father is keeping steady and not drinking I have not tasted a drop in 3 months nor I dont care / if ever I see a drop if Father was out here 1 month I dont think he would ever drink a drop and if ever I be in New York again I think I will lead a different life Jest to think Yorktown before and we cant tell how long we will live I think this will be a terrific battle

 

So no more at preasen but

Remain your affectionate

Brother                        John Loughran

 

            Send me some stamps

 

PS write as soon as you receive the money and send the murcury

SOURCES