Camp at Elk Water Sept 26^th 1861

 

            Dear Mother I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well hearty and in good spirits and hope these few lines may find you all in good health. I expected we would have to march this morning at least we got marching orders and drawed two days rations and started and got about half a mile and were ordered back, and were ordered to hold our selves in readiness to march at any moment and they told us too that the enemy had shifted their position and they expected we would have to fight closer to home. I got that letter yesterday that you sent by Major Gordon he mailed it from Boston Mass. Rebecca wrote that you allowed to send me some money but I dont want or need any now, besides I have some left yet, and we can now buy postage stamps at the post office once in a while We will get our new uniform in a few days and our money too for the pay master is here now

 

I have got to be very well sattisfied with soldiering But there is more homesick lowlived boys here than I ever saw any place

 

Since writing the above I have done my weeks washing I washed everything I had and have got to writing we heard a little while ago that the rebels were advanceing and the 13^th I^nd reg and the 3^th Ohio and two companys out of our reg went out to draw them in I expect we will have / some fun before tomorrow morning there is one thing certain and that is that if they do try to come through here they might as well say their prayrs for the way we are fortified three thousand can whip fifteen thousand easy and we have about 28 pieces of artilery at this time                                                                          

 

Sept 27

It is raining very hard this morning and has been since last evening. I have just got up and thought I would write some before breakfast. I slept very well last night We have got our tent bottom layed with plank and have got about 18 bundles of wheat for a bed.

 

I have not heard any thing from the 13^th or any of the troops that went out yesterday. Sept 28^th have not heard any thing from any of the boys that went out day before yesterday it rained steady yesterday and the river was awful high

 

We liked to had a battle in our company yesterday Six or seven of the boys got to quarling six or seven knives drawed but I am glad to say nobody hurt

 

It is getting awful cold here in the mountains. I thought we would have some snow this morning but there is no telling when we will go into winter quarters but if I dont quit writing pretty soon I will have this sheet so dirty you cant read what little I have wrote you must try and get along as well as you and I will do the same I think I will do pretty well for I allow to save my wages. Give my best respects to all no more at present

 

but remain your Affectionate Son George W Young

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