Excelsior Brg^d 1^st Reg't. Co. E

Camp Hooker Nov 8^th 1861

 

            Dear Sister.

                                    We have had no mail for ten days. our mail carrier founderd his horse by giving him half a bushel of oats, and still further showed his good sense by not sending the mail in a wagon, some of which come from the city to us every day. The Colonel has appointed a new Post-man, who will prove more efficient than the old one, I hope, who is I am sorry to say a member of the Friend Rifles. I will send you a map on which / I think you can trace our where abouts. North of Washington you will find where I have marked "Meridian Hills", the place of our first encampment at Washington. the place of our second is across the eastern branch, south east of the city, "Good Hope", just under the flag. I think we have left the neighborhood of the Capitol for good, the place from where I wrote you my last letter. I have marked with a cross just under the name "Mattawoman creek", from there we went back to Indian Head, where we remained untill yesterday morning. we started at 10 o'clk, got here at five. You will find our present place marked under the name "Liverpool pt". The name of this place is Spruce shades. I have my letter headed Camp Hooker, it is changed to Camp Dwight. I marked Piscataway just under the name "F^t Washington". The Rebel batteries which line the Virginia shore, and form the blockade of the Potomac are all plainly marked. Our Reg^t is now in the advance, between eighty five and a hundred thousand troops are comeing behind us. we are in the advance, and / on the right of the Grand army of the US hurra for old Pittsburgh, if she is disgrased, may every man that represents her die on the battle field. This undoubtedly will be the scene of hard fighting. The Artillery is being reinforced by guns of larger calibre. General M^cClellan says those who live will eat their christmas dinners at home, that it will be desperate but short. This will do to show what he intends. I recieved a letter from Sam Herr, he seems contented and in very good spirits. You will see a batterie marked on Matthias Point, the place where the squad I was in, commanded by Lieutenant Denniston, intended to cross, had we succeeded, I do not think we would now be in the 1^st Reg^t. at the time we intended to cross, it was masked, about a week afterwards it fired several shots at a vessel passing. Last night our camp was thrown into a little excitement by six insubordinate soldiers. They tried to take possession of a house close by. word of it being brought to Major Hott, he orderd / Cap^t Price the Officer of the day to arrest them. Cap^t Price took six men, and proceeded at once to the place. he orderd them into camp, they immediately drew up in line of battle, one taking command, and giving ready, aim, fire; they fell back, and loaded, came up and fired again; fell back, loaded, drew up & fired the third time. Cap^t Price returned their fire but once. Two of Prices men were wounded, one in the right groin, the other in the left arm. One of the insubordinates is mortaly wounded, one slightly. they are Boston men and all were drunk. they are to be shot in front of the Reg^t. the time of their execution is not yet set. My love to Mother, yourself and all the rest. My respects to M^c. Kiss Harry for me.

           

Direct as usual. Write soon

 

Your Affectionate Brother

Sam W Croft

           

Nov 9^th                                                           

The mail came this afternoon, I got a letter from Ben, one from M^r Martin, one from up the Allegheny river, but none from home. I was down to the river to-day, it is about one mile and three quarters wide. I saw their picket tents and several of the soldiers. I saw the smoke from five different camps, hid from view by the trees, a flag, the rebel gun boat George Page, and two batteries. I could distinctly hear them cutting wood, hollowing, and drumming. I have learnt to cook potatoes, turnups, pumpkins &c. I found a pumken in the Potomac, which I brought to camp and cooked. it made a splendid supper for two of us.

Sam^l C

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