Send me a few cent stamps, in writing to Cousin Sam it onley requires one cent, on each letter.

 

Spruce Shades, Charles C^o. Md.

Camp Hooker Nov 15^th /61

           

Dear Sister.

                                    I have just recieved your letter dated Nov 3^rd, and also one a few days ago, the date I forget, but it contained severl pieces clipt from the Pittsburgh Dispatch. Since I wrote you my last in which I sent a map of the seat of war in Virginia, we have recieved six mails. I expect we will have this our head quarters. we got orders to fix our tents for the cold weather, a bake oven has been built to bake soft bread for the Reg^t. if we cross the river we will take nothing with / us but our arms, so I understand, is the intention. We have not met the enemy but we have seen, talked to, and recieved a note from him. The river is about two miles wide, but on a calm day, we can hear them (the Rebels) working, very plain, by hollowing, can understand each other. Day before yesterday the wind blew very strong from the Virginia shore. about 11 o'clk a bottle was picked up, which contained a note to General Sickles. it came from the 2^nd & 3^rd Texas, and 5^th Louisiana Regts, inviting him (Sickles) to meet them with his Brigade, man to man and steel to steel, if he wished to see another Bull Run affair, the onley differance that would be his men would not stop running untill they got to N York. I have every expectations that their request / will be granted, but the Excelsior will not go alone. On Monday three schooners ran up the river under a brisk wind. two of the Rebel batteries opend on them, the one at the mouth of Quantico Creek, the other half a mile below. I saw the whole of it. they fired thirty two shots, all of which fell short except one. it crossed the bow of the middle vessel, and passed her about her own length, doing no dammage. the blockade has been run clear to Washington, at night. On Tuesday with a glass I saw three of their camps, three batteries, the rebel steamer George page, lying Quantico Creek. on the battterie at the mouth of Quantico creek between two and three hundred men were at work. it will be very large when finished. The great expedition has taken two Forts from the rebels, the latest news they were adv- / ancing on Charlson. I have no doubt but M^cClellan will push the war. Scott wanted to prolong the war, M^cClellan wanted to put it through, a few words passed between them, they sent in their resignations, boath at the same time. Scotts was acceped, M^cClellan occupies his place. A few days ago, four hundred of the 5^th Regt, Excelsior crossed the river at Matthias Point. they captured two picket guards, and killed one, but found the batterie deserted. the Colonel (Graham) is under arrest. he crossed the river without orders. I got a letter from Sam Herr this evening, he is well, and seems in good spirits. you speak of cold and wet wether. It is raining this evening the first for a week. we have had heavy frost regular, it has laid several times, untill 11 o'clk A.M. I am in exclent health, better than through the summer, though the warm months I almost died with laziness. I fell away to 170 lbs, I now weigh 180. My love to Mother yourself & M^c, Kiss Harry for me.

                                                                                   

Your Affectionate Brother

Saml W Croft

 

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I have no money at all, nor do I need any, it would do me very little good in this country. But I am in need of stamps. Our letters are franked by the Major, but must be paid for by the recievers. I would rather not write, than to have them franked, they go tardy and are often lost.

 

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We are lying just oposite the mouth of Quantico Creek. I think I have it the position of our camp marked wrong on the map.

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