[large paper hole where printed letterhead was cut out]

 

Camp Murray

Baltimore Oct 9^th 1861

 

Dear Father,

                                    Here I am again with but little to say. I wrote you a few days ago and sent you a paper, enclosed with one I sent to Lee. Some of the good sisters and mothers in Israel and even their children bring in religious papers and distribute among the soldiers and many of the papers 2 or 3 years old. the Sunday School girls distribute Sunday school papers. the Capt. took 4 for his children and I had to take one, and thot it would do Lee as much good as it would any boy. I sent Lee a comic paper /

 

                                    [verso letterhead cutout]

We have not

yesterday we received

the collars are leather

wide. the boys are

about their dog

I believe is in the

we are expecting

we hope to make a

 

when we get our store cloths. our cap is a dark blue, with the small round top similar to the officers caps. I heard yesterday that we Sharp Shooters kept our Enfield rifles (Bully for us) you landsmen may think a gun is a small thing to make a fuss over, but we with our rifles are ready to defy the world. they never can get an equal number of Cavelry to charge on us for we can get 3 or 4 shots at them before they can get to us. but next to the weather last week we had several nice days and some this week, but night before last it did rain and blow, and yesterday was cool / and last night several of the boys sat up all night by camp fire because they could not keep warm under one poor blanket. it is rather hard, but blankets are not to be had. the factories fail to turn them out fast enough. but theres a good time coming

 

I recd a letter from Mollie L and Jane Crist Saturday they are all well, looking for trouble every day. Wood will think there is some chance to do some fighting nearer home. I recd yours of Sept 29^th and one from Ann Eliza and Silas Wood the same day. as to those treasury notes I will enclose another in this. I dont know when I may need some money but think not before next pay day, which will be in about a month if we stay here but if we leave it would be hard to tell when, if we get into an enemies country. we are not sure of our pay every time, and furthermore (if the) or when the war ends there is a chance for speculation— 

 

Enclosed I send you a book form of a camp and a form of our camp as it is our camp is not full as we have but 8 co's here Co. F is the 2^d Company from the right. the Company forms in the street between their quarters. (a Sutler is a man apointed to keep supplies for the soldiers, such as tobacco cakes, pies, nuts, stationary &c. &c.

 

I have got to go and buy some shirts and drawers, as those US furnishes are made for smaller men. our company averages 5 feet 9 1/3 in. Several are 6 feet. Some 6-2½ in. Some 6½ in. 5 are discharged and going home tomorrow on account of their health. Father you recollect a letter I sent you, a coppy of which I sent to the Bedford Press. as I was acquainted with the printer he printed it, and such a time it made some shrugging of shoulders when the papers came to camp. Some got mad some was tickled, but I must close.

 

Your Most Obt Son

R H Crist

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