Camp M^cClellan        

Oct 13^th 1861

 

            Dear Sister.

                                    Your's of the 10^th was duly recieved, so to fill up the time between our the relief I am on, I will answer your favour. I recieved a letter from Ben, a few days ago, he said nothing about war in it. The news of the Excelsior Brigade going to Kentucky or Missouria is not strange to us, we have all sorts of positive news daily. a certain class, called the oracles, have had us in Kentucky, Missouria, Texas, Florida, Western Virginia, and every place immaginable, excepting heaven / and hell. I have no idea that we will be detached from the grand army of the Potomac this winter. Preparations are being made to pay the enemy a visit in his strong holds, as soon as the leaves fall, the falling of which will expose to a considerable extent, the mask batteries in Dixies land. The War Steamer, Pensacola cleared the Navy yard in Washington on Friday. I expect she will have to run the gauntlet, going down the Potomac, the rebel batteries will be apt to open on her. I have no fear but what she will get through safe, being one of the largest and abelst vessels in the US service. She is bound for the Southron coast. The rebels are getting extremely uneasy. they are shifting their posi- / tion, some of their troops are disbanding; they released a number of prisoners, having scarcely sufficient grub for themselves. Do not put yourselves to any uneasyness, we have plenty of all kinds of clothing. we can draw shoes, caps, sacks shirts, any kind of clothing, whenever we want, and as much as we want. I recieved a letter from Jim Carpenter, he said he had wrote you a letter sometime ago to which he recieved no answer. he made no mention of Sam paying you a visit. He sends his love to all the folks, especialy Yetta. My love to all. Mother and yourself particularly.

                                                                                               

Your Affectionate Brother

Sam W Croft

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