Acquia Creek Va

August 29^th 1862

 

Dear Martha

                        I am still here doing nothing. It is a week this morning since we came on shore I suppose you got my letter telling you that I did not have to march with the army from Harrisons Landing to Fortress Monroe I was very glad to get rid of that We have not seen our knapsacks yet. perhaps we will lose them there was not much in mine I was on the river in steamboats and barges for twelve nights. that / is the longest voyage I have taken yet.

 

I think we will go from here to Alexandria before many days I would not be surprised if we started today. I think all the troops a going away from this place I got a letter from you dated the 12^th and an Aegis and Scientific at the same time. One more of this company died at the hospital at Point Lookout. W^m Wilson from West Boylston. There was eleven sick left at the Landing they are now at Annapolis

 

I have seen some pieces in the New York and Philadelphia speaking very highly of Cap^t Duane and his hundred and fifty men I would like to know what was in the Boston paper about the bridge It was a great sight to see the army pass 

 

I have not given up all hopes of getting my box yet. a great many of the company have boxes on the way to them and they expect to get them sometime

 

This is the pleasantest camp we have ever had. We can see all the boats that go up and down the river and the cars pass close by We have green corn and I have had fine living. I think I am going growing fat. There are no other soldiers camped near us and that makes it pleasant. We can buy most any thing by paying double price for it but things are much cheaper here than at Harrisons Landing. I wish when you write to Lavina you would tell her that I got her letter and will write to her as soon as I can You had better direct my letters to Washington Care of Capt Duane. I / think I shall get them sooner I could not tell were head quarters are now. they left here several days ago. We are so near civilization here that we get Baltimore papers the same day they are published for only five cents. It is very cool here nights I hope the hotest days are gone Two from Co A deserted from here the day we came here and have not been heard from I do not think the officers would take the trouble to look after them. There is nothing more this time so good bye Jerome

 

There is a picture of our bridge in some of the illustrated papers I believe it says some of the New York troops built it but that is not so

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