Camp M^cClellan        

Oct 22^nd 1861

 

Dear Sister.

                        I recieved yours of the 16^th all safe. I answerd your previous letter and expect you have recieved it long before this. Sunday morning I was detailed, out of the Friend Rifles to as one of seven from the Regt, to go to Washington for the purpos of hunting up the boys who left on French leave, for a spree in the above named city. we got back yesterday evening, brought with us ten of prisoners. I we put up at the Clay Hotel while in the city. as we got caught the boys, we put them in the Guard House, for safe keeping, untill we were ready to return to camp / At the Clay Hotel, I met M^r Alexander, tax collector, and M^r M^cGunigal, Market Masters, boath of Allegheny City. they started for home yesterday eve on the 6 o'clk train. A little fight in the neighborhood of Harpers Ferry a short time ago, was successful. you have the news before this. Yesterday morning our Leesburg was taken by five co^s of the 15^th Massachusetts Reg^t. I will copy the dispatch.

 

"Edwards' Ferry. Oct 21^st 1861. This morning, at one oclk, five companies of the fifteenth Massachusetts crossed the river, at Harrisons Island. At day-break they had proceeded to within a mile and a half of Leesburg, without meeting the enemy. They still hold on, supported by the remainder of the Regt and part of the twentieth.

 

            "A gallant reconnaissance was made early / this morning by Major Nix, Van Allen-Cavelry, Capⁿ Stewart, from Edward's Ferry towards Leesburg, with thirty cavelry. They came on the fourteenth Mississippi regiment, recieved their fire at thirty five yards, and returned it with their pistols, and fell back in order, bringing in one prisoner."

 

"General Baker was killed. we have no official account of killed." We are expecting marching orders every day. It may be possible that we will go to Kentucky as storys to that effect are still kept fresh. Our C^o is on guard today and a very disagreeable day it is, the rain falls steady, very fine and thick but our oil cloth blankets are proof against it. The time is fast approaching for a meeting of the two armies, and I hope it may be with glorious success to our cause.

My Love to Mother yourself and all the rest. Kiss Harry.

 

Your Affectionate Brother

Sam W Croft

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