parkersburgh J 18^th

Camp Hascall

 

Dear father

as I have not written a letter for two days I will have to write one today

 

I am getting as stout as a bear I go on guard every other day and drill the rest of the time. the colonel has sent dispatches for the other companys to come back and join what are here some of them thinks we will go to missouri but I dont think that is probable. the seargeant major told us that we would not leave here untill other troops comes and takes our place as they allow to keep 2,000 men here untill virginia is settled and I dont think that will be long 

 

two hundred and fifty five of the regiment have got english enfield rifles and the rest of them have got U.S. muskets.

 

the right and left wing and scouts have got the rifles and it is myself that has got an old musket but they all shoot better than ever I expected they would

 

if we go to missouri and you hear of us coming in time some of you must be out at the railroad for I would like to see some of you

 

some of the officers told me that they expected we would go to missouri and get in a fight and I dont see any chance for a fight here and more than that if the men dont quit eating raw beans and blackberries they wont any of them be fit for duty 

 

            I dont know when we will get any pay more than two thirds of has took up their six dollar at the sutlers alread which is all the checks they can get. I have got nearly all of my money left yet and dont use it for nothing paper and postage.

 

I have not got a letter from home yet I want you all to write. Since writing the above our orderly has taken us out to drill and he took us down to the kanawha and let us wash instead of drilling. after today noon we get no more light bread but plenty of sea biscuit that we cant crack between two rocks

 

no more at present

 

yours Affectionately G.W.Young /

 

George W Young

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