Camp Hascll July 13^th 1861

 

Dear friends

I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you in good health we have got marching orders to go on towards grafton. there was an awful battle at laurel hill, and I expect we will have to fight before many days. I would like to see you all before I start from here, but I expect we will come out all right. we may not have nothing to do for some time, and then I may not get to write annother letter for some time it is now 12 oclock and we expect to start at 5 I have just rolled up my knapsack and and and am ready to start I was on my first guard yesterday and last night and I dont feel much like writing or marching either but still they both are bound to be did. I want you to tell Arunner that there is prettyier girls more niggers better butter milk and bigger chickens here than can be found in indiana. virginia is a mighty wild looking state the wheat looked pretty fair but corn is not much account we have more black berries than we are able to buy and we cant get outside to pick them ourselves I was standing guard before the regimental Officers quarters and seen their black servants eating their suppers and they had so many good things on the table that I almost wished I was a nigger. our loaves of bread are entirely too small for three meals since I have got well I can eat two of them for one and then be hungry. but then I think I will get used to it before I starve to death 

 

Caroline and Rachel must good girls and Rebecca must write and let me know how often Lafe and the irishman comes to see her. I have not been out of camp since I come but I think the captain will let me out this evening. the pepper mother sent with me come in mighty good play with the beans

 

            Since writing the last I have been out on a half hour double quick drill and completely give out and broke down and had to leave the ranks my six hours guard was too much for me. I never have been on double duty under guard nor any thing of the kind yet neither do I ever expect to be word has just come to camp that our marching orders are countermanded and and I hope they are for a few days at least the names of our Officers of the regiment are Colonel Hascall lieut Colonel Wilder, Major gorman and seargeant major Jenkins I like all of them firstrate we practice shooting every day they call us up every now and then for a sham battle with blank cartridges there was a man got his hand shot off above the elbow rist, one of the dean boys. Charles Richter is very sick. I am not a going to stand guard any more very sone if I can help it tell uncle George and uncle Milt and all the rest of the folks to write to me for I am weak and out of spirits and would like to hear from all of them

 

write and let me know how you are getting along no more at present but remain yours

 

Affectionately

turn over

George W Young to Father Mother and Sisters

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