Chester Barracks                    

Feb 23, 1864

 

Laura

                        Your kind letter came to hand last evening which I read with much pleasure. I am well with the exception of a soar throat, caused by laying on the floor without blankets. we have had nothing but our over coats to sleep on since I have been here and dont know when we will get blankets. the change from warm beds to this makes us feel the effects of it

 

                        I suppose you would like to know how I like the place & engagement since I left home. I am much better contented than at first / this is a beautiful little place with about six thousand souls the buildings mostly brick, with large cotton factories. the work is principally done by young girls. I went all through them yesterday and seen many things new to me. the Hospital is a large building put up for a Normal High School. the Govt has taken it and put several large buildings in addition which makes it comfortable for 10 000 persons. there is four Regiments here, the 88^th 91^st 95^th 28^th & our Company, which makes a jolly crowd yesterday we had a parade through the city. crowds soon gathered on the streets to get a look at the care worn veterans 

 

            well I must tell you of my ride coming here. I have told you of the long three hours I passed in the Depot at Sunbury after a cold long and wearisome ride I reached Phil^a at 2 P.M. 17^th I did not eat anything until supper in the city Still I was not hungry, the thoughts of home & friends seemed to be so deeply impressed upon my mind that I could not for a moment forget it. I went to the table and ate some. after supper I went to the Theatre and to my surprise I met Frank Brockway, a member of our Company which made me feel much better. the plays were good and I had partly forgotten my troubles it was 12 oclock when I went to bed / here I lay, thinking of home until I fell asleep sweetly dreaming of seeing a friend whom I may never again see. in the morning when I awoke the sun shone brightly through the window upon me. I spent the day, Thursday, 18^th until 2 P.M. through the city when I took the train for here. I found the Captain and some of the boys here, but the majority are still absent. I felt some what relieved upon meeting the boys. Soon the everlasting drums commenced beating the supper call. I fell in to get mine they handed me two hard tack and a cup of black coffee. I commenced to reflect and said this is not Morgans table nor home but I will not complain / this is a plenty for a hungry soldier. But I was not hungry the change was to sudden for me, living upon the fat of the land, and then brought to this, did not seem so pleasant.

 

            well dinner was much better, a cup of good rice soup boiled with beef. but we must be thankful to have this for I have seen the time we had nothing

 

                        I must tell you of the good meeting we had here on Sunday morning. a noble and patriotick sermon preached, I will tell you the text no you must hunt for it. Jeremiah 8^th Chapter & 20^th verse. I am pleased to see the Col Commanding / is a religious man, and makes all go to hear preaching. on Sunday knight they had a good prayer meeting, and expect to continue it as long as we remain here.

 

well I must tell you some thing else. on Friday the Capt sent myself and Frank Brockway to Chester to arrest some of our men. we took the cars and went to Phil^a stayed until Saturday had a good time, returning without being molested. I seen Campbell and his party which he brought from Danville there having fine times.

 

                        I had the pleasure of seeing Brother Embler on Wednesday morning at Georgetown he stood on the platform / with a big lantern so I could see him. I took him by the hand and bade him good bye. last knight my old mess mate, Frank, came from Columbia County.

 

Freeman is still in Phil^a I dont see what keeps him. The Danville boys are all with him I suppose they have a good time and intend making a good long furlough. had I known as much as I know at the present I would not have come so soon. I should have stayed home a week longer

 

            I will send you two pictures for your album, F P Brockways & Campbells. I will send you more soon. I have the promise of a number, but I do not wish to fill it with my selections / I wish you to please yourself hoping you will not be offended that I have sent you these.

 

                        I think it is time I commence to answer your kind letter. I am pleased that you like your present, although I could not get the kind I had intended to send you

 

            Laura I did not notice that you was crying when I left you but knew that you felt sad. I know that had I not formed a resolution before leaving I should have burst out in tears. it was hard for me but I was prepared to go as a soldier should, not weeping openly, but my heart throbbed within me, looking forward to the time of trials and suffering, and thinking of friends at home,

SOURCES