Sandy Hook Md. Oct 2^nd '62

 

Dear Sister

                        All my back letters came a week ago today. the day I wrote to Martha. I had seven letters and one paper. four of my letters were from home, two from Sarah and the other one from Edmund Holman The money came safe. I sent home ten dollars just before I left Harrisons Landing. I have not heard whether you got it or not. The express agent here says our boxes will all come by the last of this week. most all the boys have one and some two on the way. I shall be glad to get mine, but I do not hardly expect to. We had orders to fix our tents to / stop two or three weeks. We have built two bridges but have not had to work much. We have good officers now and they are not as whimsical as some we have had. One of this company got his discharge because he had a commission as 1^st Lieut in the 38^th Regiment. He was from Cambridge, Arthur Hodges.

 

I never felt better in my life than when I left Washington the last time and I have had a good time most of the time since though it has been some rough There is plenty of apples in this part of the country and they are sold cheap. I do not care how long we stay here.

 

Our camp is on the edge of the canel. if you should see my tent you would think it a very queer place to live. I like to live this way first rate but I hate the / military part of it sometimes I hate to be ordered out in the night for one thing, especially after I have made up my mind for a nights sleep. I have not had to be up but one night here we always have the next day to sleep in if it is possible.

 

I wrote this letter so you might know I had got a mail, and not to tell any news. one day is not much different from another in camp. I am close to the road the rail road and the river and canel. they all have to run close together here so I see plenty of soldiers &c. but there is no other camp near. I would like very well to be at home for a week or two sometime before winter, but I do not expect it so I feel quite contented.

Jerome 

 

Mr. Lacount would look queer marching along with a knapsack on his back. I do not think it necessary for such men as he to come for a soldi-er

 

You may tell Bill Brown he is wise not to enlist. I shall discourage enlistments as much as I want for all old Abe. Abe was here yesterday I have never seen him yet to know him. I know Burnside and M^cClellan, and I I did know Gen. Kearney.

 

I saw Church Howe the day of the fight at Sharpsburgh. he is Brigade Quartermaster and always wears very nice cloths.

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